6 Tips to Power up the Quality of Your Dissertation

Crafting a dissertation can be a daunting and challenging endeavor for many graduate students, as it represents the culmination of years of rigorous academic work and research. The following 6 valuable tips can significantly enhance the quality and effectiveness of your dissertation.

1. Funneling your content

This point is especially relevant in the introduction and literature review sections of your dissertation. When explaining a theme, the optimal approach is to start with general information and gradually funnel down to more specific details. In the introduction chapter, the initial sentences should provide general context, such as definitions, types, applications, and advantages/disadvantages. Once these general aspects have been established, you can then guide the readers toward a more focused topic, including current trends, recently reported works, and conclude with the problem statement, research question, objectives, and scope. Funneling is a crucial component for achieving a smooth content flow.

2. Connecting the sections

Achieving a smooth flow in the literature review chapter is crucial to making your dissertation stand out. This can be accomplished by thoughtfully arranging the sections or subsections so that they transition seamlessly from one to another. Each subsequent section should have a clear connection to the previous one, avoiding an abrupt shift in topic. You can employ transition sentences, using the last sentence of the prior section and/or the first sentence of the new one, to create a cohesive flow.

For example, in my thesis, the final sentence of a section concluded: 'Since the effects of X and Y are caused by different mechanisms, both concepts will be reviewed separately in this chapter'. I then continued with a subsection elaborating on X.

3. Enhance your discussion section

I view the discussion section of a dissertation or journal article as a prime opportunity to showcase the author's scholarly thinking. However, crafting a robust discussion requires ample time, as this is the 'why' and 'how' portion of the dissertation. To enhance your discussion section, consider referencing and comparing with previous studies, synthesizing and summarizing your data, using schematics to elaborate on key themes, extrapolating the results, suggesting practical applications for the research, and providing comprehensive explanations of the phenomenon, mechanisms, formulas, observations, or perspectives explored. An exceptional discussion section often reflects an outstanding dissertation overall.

4. Schematics: Saying more by saying less

Although it may seem unconventional, some explanations can be better understood and conveyed through the use of schematic diagrams rather than written words alone. Particularly in my field, certain phenomena are more effectively illustrated and agreed upon through schematic diagrams that I have created using Microsoft PowerPoint functions. These schematics can depict a specific flow, cycle, or step-by-step process. When presented visually, readers can better follow the written explanation as a mental picture is formed concurrently. Furthermore, the schematic visuals are more memorable, which can increase the likelihood of your journal article being cited, as the key concepts are easily recalled.

5. Cohesion: Binding your thesis contents together prospectively (cataphora) and retrospectively (anaphora).

This means connecting the content of your dissertation in an integrated way. Prospectively, you can mention in advance what readers can expect, like outlining the flow of the dissertation in the introduction. For example: '...This will be discussed in more detail in Section 4.3.' While many are aware of this, cohesion can also be done retrospectively by referring back to previous chapters. Your comprehensive conclusion would benefit from this, summarizing the dissertation while reminding readers of key takeaways. Incorporating both forward-looking and backward-looking references creates cohesion across the parts of the dissertation.
An example of using both cataphora and anaphora from my own dissertation:

From Section 4.3, there is compelling evidence of ….. (Figure 4-3). This is in conjunction with observed …. (Figure 4-4). It is postulated that this is mainly due to the …., as discussed in Section 4.4.3. In addition, …. (Figure 4-6), indicative of …. (more on this in Section 7.1.4). 

6. Improve fluency and sentence structure through Jenni.ai.

Generative AI apps like Jenni.ai can significantly enhance the fluency and sentence structure of your dissertation. As a non-native English speaker, I am currently utilizing Jenni.ai to refine the grammar and fluency of my papers. Consequently, I have accelerated my writing and feel more confident in the final result. When using generative AI apps like Jenni.ai, it is advisable to treat them as a co-pilot to support your writing, as the full responsibility for the content ultimately rests with the writer. After all, you should consider writing as an integral part of your thinking process during your study.