Expert Tips

Points To Remember About A Dissertation Methodology Structure



One of the most vital parts to your dissertation or graduation project is the section referred to as the methodology. Many students confuse this with the methods section – but the two are slightly different. Broadly, the methodology provides the background philosophical reasoning behind your approach to research, while the methods detail the specific process of research you have undertaken. The following are important points to remember about writing a methodology for a dissertation:

  • Always Link it Back to Literature
  • The methodology section is often submitted before you even start the research and is therefore a valuable tool for mapping out exactly on what you expect to do and achieve. The section should always link back to specific resources that explain and justify why you have chosen specific methods of research. Make the connections clear and direct so there is absolutely no confusion.

  • Know the Precise Methods to Be Used
  • There are a number of commonly use methods that you need to know beforehand in order to select the best one for your methodology (or approach). The common methods are: interviews, observations, documentary analysis, and questionnaires. All of these provide you the data you need for your research study, but will present said data in different ways. It’s up to you to experiment with each one and perhaps consult similar studies to identify the precise method you should use in your research.

  • How to Structure the Section
  • Your dissertation methodology structure should be set up in a way so that your conceptual framework makes sense to your reader and so that you can easily move from one reference to the next. Your chosen research approach should have strengths and weaknesses which you should clearly address after each reference. Move on to the questions you plan to discuss in your research and provide any contextual information that is relevant. Close with a brief summary of your selected methods, your philosophy (or reasoning), and any key factors you believe might affect your study.

  • Spend Ample Time Getting it Right
  • Getting this section right is crucial to your overall success. It might be in your best interest to find and use a reliable dissertation methodology example for reference. You can usually get a custom-written one by a professional company or service provider or use one that has previously been published in a journal or book. Just be sure to spend plenty of time double-checking the material you’ve decided to include, and always leave yourself the chance to edit and proofread.

#