The following list is an attempt to characterise a dissertation – that is, to describe the essential features that make a dissertation a dissertation rather than another form of work. As with all characterisations, not every dissertation can be expected to exhibit all of the characteristics. Some are generally applicable, but some are more relevant to particular disciplines than others and some are aspirational rather than being a strict requirement. Whatever form a project or piece of work takes, and whether undertaken on campus, in the workplace or community, characteristics such as the following make it a dissertation:
- The dissertation needs to be an extended piece of work
- It needs to be research or inquiry based
- It needs to be relevant to a discipline or take an interdisciplinary approach
- It needs to be underpinned by a range of relevant sources
- It needs to be contextualised and show recognition of the provisional nature of knowledge
- It needs an element of critical thinking and evaluation
- It needs to be clear what it is contributing
- It needs a clearly defined and justified methodology
- It needs to build up to its conclusions and where appropriate have an element of reflective commentary, including recommendations
- It needs to communicate the research outcomes appropriately and effectively
An extended version of these characteristcs can be downloaded here
This is a draft list of characteristics. Please send suggestions for changes and edits to Mick Healey at mhealey@glos.ac.uk.