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  • Unknown's avatar

    Dr S Loretti 3:49 am on March 29, 2014 Permalink | Reply  

    The risks of an unformatted dissertation 

    If the project is not formatted properly, it can end up looking messy and unprofessional. Many students do not take care of this crucial aspect, which is why they lose marks in their dissertation. There are many sample dissertations on the web that students can access, or they can take the help of a professional editor. But they need to make sure that the dissertation is formatted properly and according to the rules laid down by the university and the style of the discipline that they are working on. A badly formatted dissertation could lead the student to pay a heavy price.

     
    • Elizabeth B. White's avatar

      Elizabeth B. White 5:16 am on September 29, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      The first and foremost risk of an formatted dissertation is it has a lot of chances of getting rejected.

  • Unknown's avatar

    Dr S Loretti 3:48 am on March 29, 2014 Permalink | Reply  

    Each discipline demands a different style 

    When it comes to dissertation writing, there are no hard and fast rules. This is not a case of one size fits all. The style that the dissertation needs to be written in will vary as per the subject that the student is studying. A dissertation in the humanities requires that the student uses a high literary style of writing. A dissertation in economics requires that the student gets all his facts and figures right and use the right graphs and charts to portray them. Sample dissertations should be referred before the student starts the writing process. 

     
    • aliciayanccy's avatar

      aliciayanccy 10:39 am on May 12, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      The formatting would also vary with different disciplines.

  • Unknown's avatar

    Dr S Loretti 3:47 am on March 29, 2014 Permalink | Reply  

    Getting guidance for writing the proposal 

    Many people take the help of professionals for writing their dissertation proposal. If they cannot engage the services of a professional then they read books that offer some useful tips on how they can write a powerful proposal. The words in the proposal have to be chosen carefully. Many students do not have the linguistic ability to produce a high standard of scholarly work. It is for this reason that they feel the need to take the help of either a writer, editor, subject matter expert or a decent guide book to help them through this difficult process.

     
    • huntercunie's avatar

      huntercunie 4:10 am on May 15, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      My superviser has given me a layout for proposal preparation.

    • Charlene E. Howard's avatar

      Charlene E. Howard 6:42 am on August 6, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      Proposal is the most crucial section of your research so make sure to get it revised by a supervisor or a professional editor before you submit.

  • Unknown's avatar

    Dr S Loretti 3:46 am on March 29, 2014 Permalink | Reply  

    The importance of data to economics 

    One discipline that requires careful analysis of volumes of data is economics. That is why those who choose to make a career in this field are also required to be skilled in mathematics and statistics. Some people make use of Excel files to accumulate all this data so as to analyze it at a later stage. Then there are others who prefer to let modern software applications carry out this work for them. Many of the economic upheavals of the modern world have been detected or predicted in advance since some economists were smart enough to look at the data and understand what it means.

     
    • Robert's avatar

      Robert 11:26 am on June 13, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      Accumulating data as per suitable categories is very cumbersome!

    • Gertrude J. Padilla's avatar

      Gertrude J. Padilla 6:35 am on August 8, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      Some software for data accumulation or collation can be used.

      • Michael's avatar

        Michael 10:50 am on September 5, 2014 Permalink | Reply

        Yeah! It is less tiresome and much more tedious.

    • Rosa M. Garren's avatar

      Rosa M. Garren 5:04 am on September 29, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      Economics is a study of data only so it is of utmost important.

  • Unknown's avatar

    Dr S Loretti 10:32 am on March 27, 2014 Permalink | Reply  

    Choosing the right chart for your data 

    Data Analysis in most scientific papers involves quantitative data, and presentation of numbers to a meaningful chart is an important task. With vast amount of data, the selection of an appropriate chart that interprets the data effectively becomes tough.

    The two influential elements for the choice of the right chart for your data are:

    • Data Comparison

    The most common type of chart used for comparison of data is the Bar Graph. For example, the comparison of quarterly sales of a company can be displayed by using multiple series bar graphs. One such graph is displayed below:

    1

    Scattered graph or line chart can be used for representing correlation between two variables.

    •  Data Composition

    2

    The structure of data is another signifying element. When the data comprises of different categories or is composed of three or more variables, a pie chart or stacked bar graph can be used to interpret data. The stacked chart can be described in the following way:

    Choosing the right type of chart for representation of your quantitative data is of utmost importance since a diagrammatic presentation of numerical data is deemed to convey your idea to your readers in exactly the same way.

     
    • davidbergevin's avatar

      davidbergevin 1:39 am on May 5, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      I’ve also used bar graphs for qualitative data.

    • Elizabeth B. White's avatar

      Elizabeth B. White 5:16 am on September 29, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      I always using prefer graphs/charts

  • Unknown's avatar

    Dr S Loretti 10:28 am on March 27, 2014 Permalink | Reply  

    Getting your Dissertation Published 

    Once your dissertation writing is complete, you might want to publish it in an impactful journal. It is a good idea to offer a readability access of your scientific research to other scholars and interested readers. And academic journals are a great platform to get your paper published. Searching the most suitable journal for your topic can enhance your chances of being published.

    To begin with, conduct a thorough online search for publishers or publishing houses that print journals in your research domain. Access some related journals and get insights to their format, types of papers, writing styles. Subsequently, choose a journal publication that best suits your research paper. Once you finalize a journal for your paper, prepare your manuscript as per the journal’s guidelines. Make sure to read the Author’s Guidelines while editing your manuscript.

    Before submission, it is necessary that you get your work peer reviewed by an expert so that you don’t have to face rejection. A peer reviewer will enhance the content of your paper by eliminating the grammar and spelling errors. After this stage, your manuscript is all set for submission. An important point to be considered here is, don’t ever get discouraged by failure of original submission. Work and revise on your content again, if being asked by the publishers.

     
    • deancurnow's avatar

      deancurnow 11:37 am on May 19, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      Yea, I’m also searching for high impact factor journals in my research area.

    • Tammy V. Wood's avatar

      Tammy V. Wood 6:43 am on August 16, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      There are so many guidelines for authors that I’m very nervous if I would actually be able to get my work published.

    • Elizabeth B. White's avatar

      Elizabeth B. White 5:21 am on September 29, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      I want to get it published in a good journal. Can anyone suggest me some?

  • Unknown's avatar

    Dr S Loretti 7:10 am on February 25, 2014 Permalink | Reply  

    What to do if your dissertation gets rejected? 

    Don’t get disheartened if your past efforts could not get you the desired results. Every failure makes you learn to be stronger and determined than you were in the last attempt. Think creatively, use your knowledge and be informed about the previous mistakes while you begin with your work again.

    The first step is the critical evaluation of the specifics of your situation, keeping in mind the previous actions that lead you to failure. Devise and adapt new strategies while articulating what you did and what you did not understand. You should also try to look out for unique and innovative answers to your questions. To adapt to new strategies, it is essential to explore unfound information in the specific field. Adopt new techniques for searching information and broaden your knowledge base.

    Enhance your strengths to climb higher the ladder of success and narrow the gap between what you are today and what you want to be. Always remember that failures narrow your choices so that you can take up the right path.

     
    • Betty Kress's avatar

      Betty Kress 4:39 am on February 26, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      I am a new member to this board but seriously the posts are so motivating and helpful. I just feel like dissertation writing is not that a big issues that I always felt. Thanks a lot!

    • juliaamassin's avatar

      juliaamassin 12:12 pm on May 16, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      You are very right Dr. Loretti. Failures inform us about the mistakes we make.

  • Unknown's avatar

    Dr S Loretti 7:00 am on February 25, 2014 Permalink | Reply  

    Tips for effective referencing 

    Referencing is significant only when it is used in the standard bibliographic format to cite every source which the paper is tied to. Follow the useful tips while preparing the Reference Section:

    1. Record the bibliographic information as and when the sources are used to avoid the last minute hustle.
    2. Ensure to apply consistent format for citing all the sources.
    3. Cite only the sources that are directly relevant to the area of study.
    4. Never cite Incomplete or abstract sources.
    5. List all the references alphabetically.
    6. Follow the appropriate citation format for information from different sources. Separate format is used for Journal papers, books, newspaper articles, online content.
    7. Make sure that each in-text citation has an equal entry in the Reference list.
    8. Favor the present tense and active voice.
    9. Avoid the use of dramatic adjectives.
    10. Devote sufficient time for this section and proofread carefully before the dissertation is submitted.
     
    • Steven's avatar

      Steven 4:38 am on February 26, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      I have given few references in the form of footnotes, am I still required to cite them in the References section?

    • Dennis Scott's avatar

      Dennis Scott 4:32 am on February 27, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      Footnotes must be cited in the body of the text and on a separate page titled Footnotes.

    • Mary R. Thomas's avatar

      Mary R. Thomas 5:05 am on September 29, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      Referencing is so important, never thought of it. I will definitely keep these tips in mind while preparing the references in my thesis

  • Unknown's avatar

    Dr S Loretti 4:36 am on February 24, 2014 Permalink | Reply  

    Formatting your data into Tables 

    The research methodology adopted by you generates large chunks of data for you to analyze and interpret results. Such pile of varied data can be hard to understand. A better way to use it is by classifying and formatting it into tables, thereby displaying patterns in the gathered data. The representation through tables will help your readers to understand your proposed meaning and elucidation.
    A thoughtfully build table is the basis for statistical analysis and graphical presentation. Following points must be kept in mind while using tables:

    • Every table should be given a title or a caption, and must be numbered.
    • Brief description can also be added below the table.
    • A consistent format should be used for all the tables.
    • Headings must be repeated on subsequent pages if the tables split over two or more pages.
    • Proper indenting should be done to ensure that the data is easily readable.
    • Choose the most appropriate location to add the tables. There are three acceptable locations for inserting a table:
      • Within the chapter immediately where it is referred to
      • At the end of the relevant chapter
      • Grouped at the end of the dissertation
     
    • Elvira Kent's avatar

      Elvira Kent 7:32 am on February 25, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      Is there a limit to the number of tables that can be used in the dissertation?

    • Robert Ramsey's avatar

      Robert Ramsey 4:51 am on February 27, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      Hi Elvira! There is no such limit to the use of tables; they should be used as per the need of your data.

  • Unknown's avatar

    Dr S Loretti 4:33 am on February 24, 2014 Permalink | Reply  

    Tips to polish your Dissertation 

    Once you have drafted your dissertation, the next step is to do some rework on it to enhance it and make it more presentable. Polishing the dissertation should not be taken lightly, and due attention should be paid to it. It calls for effort and careful observation.

    There are two ways you can polish your document- one is that you can take help from professional proofreaders who will improve the flow of the document while giving suggestions regarding how to improve it further. The second way is to carry out the proofreading task on your own.
    In the latter case, follow the tips given below:

    • Re-read the complete dissertation, one paragraph at a time thereby eliminating the use of unnecessary words, simplifying the sentences, removing the grammatical errors.
    • Make sure that every paragraph is equally important and makes sense to the readers focusing on a single point.
    • With focusing on the meaning of the sentences, concentrate on the words as well.
    • Pay careful attention to Homophones (words which sound the same but are spelt differently have different meanings)
    • Fix a specific type of problem to look at, every time you open your dissertation and strive to complete it in one go.
    • Increase the use of active verb in your document.
    • Devote a session to the flow of the sentences.

    Above all, try to read your dissertation with an editor’s eye, wide open to see what you might have skipped before.

     
    • Christina's avatar

      Christina 7:32 am on February 25, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      I have hired a professional editor for this work; I can’t handle the load anymore!

    • Ronald Michael's avatar

      Ronald Michael 4:31 am on February 27, 2014 Permalink | Reply

      These tips are good. I’ve got motivated to start up today itself.

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