how to write a sociology dissertation

Have a language expert improve your writing

Run a free plagiarism check in 10 minutes, automatically generate references for free.

• Knowledge Base
• Dissertation

How to Write a Dissertation | A Guide to Structure & Content

A dissertation or thesis is a long piece of academic writing based on original research, submitted as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

The structure of a dissertation depends on your field, but it is usually divided into at least four or five chapters (including an introduction and conclusion chapter).

The most common dissertation structure in the sciences and social sciences includes:

• An introduction to your topic
• A literature review that surveys relevant sources
• An explanation of your methodology
• An overview of the results of your research
• A discussion of the results and their implications
• A conclusion that shows what your research has contributed

Dissertations in the humanities are often structured more like a long essay , building an argument by analysing primary and secondary sources . Instead of the standard structure outlined here, you might organise your chapters around different themes or case studies.

Other important elements of the dissertation include the title page , abstract , and reference list . If in doubt about how your dissertation should be structured, always check your department’s guidelines and consult with your supervisor.

Instantly correct all language mistakes in your text

Be assured that you'll submit flawless writing. Upload your document to correct all your mistakes.

Table of contents

Acknowledgements, table of contents, list of figures and tables, list of abbreviations, introduction, literature review / theoretical framework, methodology, reference list.

The very first page of your document contains your dissertation’s title, your name, department, institution, degree program, and submission date. Sometimes it also includes your student number, your supervisor’s name, and the university’s logo. Many programs have strict requirements for formatting the dissertation title page .

The title page is often used as cover when printing and binding your dissertation .

The only proofreading tool specialized in correcting academic writing

The academic proofreading tool has been trained on 1000s of academic texts and by native English editors. Making it the most accurate and reliable proofreading tool for students.

Correct my document today

The acknowledgements section is usually optional, and gives space for you to thank everyone who helped you in writing your dissertation. This might include your supervisors, participants in your research, and friends or family who supported you.

The abstract is a short summary of your dissertation, usually about 150-300 words long. You should write it at the very end, when you’ve completed the rest of the dissertation. In the abstract, make sure to:

• State the main topic and aims of your research
• Describe the methods you used
• Summarise the main results
• State your conclusions

Although the abstract is very short, it’s the first part (and sometimes the only part) of your dissertation that people will read, so it’s important that you get it right. If you’re struggling to write a strong abstract, read our guide on how to write an abstract .

In the table of contents, list all of your chapters and subheadings and their page numbers. The dissertation contents page gives the reader an overview of your structure and helps easily navigate the document.

All parts of your dissertation should be included in the table of contents, including the appendices. You can generate a table of contents automatically in Word.

Prevent plagiarism, run a free check.

If you have used a lot of tables and figures in your dissertation, you should itemise them in a numbered list . You can automatically generate this list using the Insert Caption feature in Word.

If you have used a lot of abbreviations in your dissertation, you can include them in an alphabetised list of abbreviations so that the reader can easily look up their meanings.

If you have used a lot of highly specialised terms that will not be familiar to your reader, it might be a good idea to include a glossary . List the terms alphabetically and explain each term with a brief description or definition.

In the introduction, you set up your dissertation’s topic, purpose, and relevance, and tell the reader what to expect in the rest of the dissertation. The introduction should:

• Establish your research topic , giving necessary background information to contextualise your work
• Narrow down the focus and define the scope of the research
• Discuss the state of existing research on the topic, showing your work’s relevance to a broader problem or debate
• Clearly state your objectives and research questions , and indicate how you will answer them
• Give an overview of your dissertation’s structure

Everything in the introduction should be clear, engaging, and relevant to your research. By the end, the reader should understand the what , why and how of your research. Not sure how? Read our guide on how to write a dissertation introduction .

Before you start on your research, you should have conducted a literature review to gain a thorough understanding of the academic work that already exists on your topic. This means:

• Collecting sources (e.g. books and journal articles) and selecting the most relevant ones
• Critically evaluating and analysing each source
• Drawing connections between them (e.g. themes, patterns, conflicts, gaps) to make an overall point

In the dissertation literature review chapter or section, you shouldn’t just summarise existing studies, but develop a coherent structure and argument that leads to a clear basis or justification for your own research. For example, it might aim to show how your research:

• Addresses a gap in the literature
• Takes a new theoretical or methodological approach to the topic
• Proposes a solution to an unresolved problem
• Advances a theoretical debate
• Builds on and strengthens existing knowledge with new data

The literature review often becomes the basis for a theoretical framework , in which you define and analyse the key theories, concepts and models that frame your research. In this section you can answer descriptive research questions about the relationship between concepts or variables.

The methodology chapter or section describes how you conducted your research, allowing your reader to assess its validity. You should generally include:

• The overall approach and type of research (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, experimental, ethnographic)
• Your methods of collecting data (e.g. interviews, surveys, archives)
• Details of where, when, and with whom the research took place
• Your methods of analysing data (e.g. statistical analysis, discourse analysis)
• Tools and materials you used (e.g. computer programs, lab equipment)
• A discussion of any obstacles you faced in conducting the research and how you overcame them
• An evaluation or justification of your methods

Your aim in the methodology is to accurately report what you did, as well as convincing the reader that this was the best approach to answering your research questions or objectives.

Next, you report the results of your research . You can structure this section around sub-questions, hypotheses, or topics. Only report results that are relevant to your objectives and research questions. In some disciplines, the results section is strictly separated from the discussion, while in others the two are combined.

For example, for qualitative methods like in-depth interviews, the presentation of the data will often be woven together with discussion and analysis, while in quantitative and experimental research, the results should be presented separately before you discuss their meaning. If you’re unsure, consult with your supervisor and look at sample dissertations to find out the best structure for your research.

In the results section it can often be helpful to include tables, graphs and charts. Think carefully about how best to present your data, and don’t include tables or figures that just repeat what you have written  –  they should provide extra information or usefully visualise the results in a way that adds value to your text.

Full versions of your data (such as interview transcripts) can be included as an appendix .

The discussion  is where you explore the meaning and implications of your results in relation to your research questions. Here you should interpret the results in detail, discussing whether they met your expectations and how well they fit with the framework that you built in earlier chapters. If any of the results were unexpected, offer explanations for why this might be. It’s a good idea to consider alternative interpretations of your data and discuss any limitations that might have influenced the results.

The discussion should reference other scholarly work to show how your results fit with existing knowledge. You can also make recommendations for future research or practical action.

The dissertation conclusion should concisely answer the main research question, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of your central argument. Wrap up your dissertation with a final reflection on what you did and how you did it. The conclusion often also includes recommendations for research or practice.

In this section, it’s important to show how your findings contribute to knowledge in the field and why your research matters. What have you added to what was already known?

You must include full details of all sources that you have cited in a reference list (sometimes also called a works cited list or bibliography). It’s important to follow a consistent reference style . Each style has strict and specific requirements for how to format your sources in the reference list.

The most common styles used in UK universities are Harvard referencing and Vancouver referencing . Your department will often specify which referencing style you should use – for example, psychology students tend to use APA style , humanities students often use MHRA , and law students always use OSCOLA . M ake sure to check the requirements, and ask your supervisor if you’re unsure.

To save time creating the reference list and make sure your citations are correctly and consistently formatted, you can use our free APA Citation Generator .

Your dissertation itself should contain only essential information that directly contributes to answering your research question. Documents you have used that do not fit into the main body of your dissertation (such as interview transcripts, survey questions or tables with full figures) can be added as appendices .

Is this article helpful?

Other students also liked.

• What Is a Dissertation? | 5 Essential Questions to Get Started
• What is a Literature Review? | Guide, Template, & Examples
• How to Write a Dissertation Proposal | A Step-by-Step Guide

More interesting articles

• Checklist: Writing a dissertation
• Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates
• Dissertation binding and printing
• Dissertation Table of Contents in Word | Instructions & Examples
• Dissertation title page
• Example Theoretical Framework of a Dissertation or Thesis
• Figure & Table Lists | Word Instructions, Template & Examples
• How to Choose a Dissertation Topic | 8 Steps to Follow
• How to Write a Discussion Section | Tips & Examples
• How to Write a Results Section | Tips & Examples
• How to Write a Thesis or Dissertation Conclusion
• How to Write a Thesis or Dissertation Introduction
• How to Write an Abstract | Steps & Examples
• How to Write Recommendations in Research | Examples & Tips
• List of Abbreviations | Example, Template & Best Practices
• Operationalisation | A Guide with Examples, Pros & Cons
• Prize-Winning Thesis and Dissertation Examples
• Relevance of Your Dissertation Topic | Criteria & Tips
• Research Paper Appendix | Example & Templates
• Thesis & Dissertation Acknowledgements | Tips & Examples
• Thesis & Dissertation Database Examples
• What is a Dissertation Preface? | Definition & Examples
• What is a Glossary? | Definition, Templates, & Examples
• What Is a Research Methodology? | Steps & Tips
• What is a Theoretical Framework? | A Step-by-Step Guide
• What Is a Thesis? | Ultimate Guide & Examples

• Utility Menu

• Writing Center
• Writing Program
• Senior Thesis Writing Guides

The senior thesis is typically the most challenging writing project undertaken by undergraduate students. The writing guides below aim to introduce students both to the specific methods and conventions of writing original research in their area of concentration and to effective writing process.

• Brief Guides to Writing in the Disciplines
• Course-Specific Writing Guides
• Disciplinary Writing Guides
• Gen Ed Writing Guides

• Recent posts
• Student Voices
• Write for Us

Ronda Daniel

November 22nd, 2016, the undergraduate dissertation.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

  LSE Sociologists, it is final year- that means dissertation!

This blog is to provide some reassurance, and hopefully answer any questions you may have about the sociological dissertation. This is for you to refer back to as you progress throughout your dissertation course. Course convenor Fran Tonkiss provided an interview and some advice about the sociological dissertation project. To find out more about Fran’s work, click here.

  What is a dissertation?

A dissertation is a small-scale independent project exploring a clear issue, problem or question, drawing on theory and research from sociology and related fields.

This project can draw on different research methods, including qualitative and/or quantitative techniques:

• Ethnographic observations/fieldwork
• Textual analysis
• Documentary analysis
• Focus groups
• Secondary analysis
• Visual analysis
• Policy analysis
• Online analysis (you may use many of the above techniques to research the online world).

The way you decide to work is up to you – it depends on your topic, and where you stand in relation to your topic. You can start with a theory or hypothesis that you may wish to explore or test, or you can work backwards and let the theory emerge from the data. Some dissertation researchers are more interested in exploring a particular theorist’s work in a substantive social context; others want to engage closely with a social issue or problematic and then work through the critical themes that come out of that engagement. Please note that both ways of working are equally valid, and you are not penalised for favouring either way.

What did you do for your undergraduate dissertation?

Fran: I didn’t do a Sociology degree. I actually did a Politics degree – there wasn’t a Sociology department at my university and I didn’t really know that Sociology existed! I did my first degree in Australia, where you have three-year programmes with an option of a fourth year to get an honours degree; it’s similar to a one-year Master’s in the UK. My dissertation was called The End of the Political: an analysis of the theory of Jean Baudrillard . I didn’t have to do my own original research, as we expect from a Sociology dissertation; it was a critical analysis of his work. I did well in the dissertation but I remember one of my examiners definitely didn’t like it – those kinds of post-structuralist arguments were not popular with all academics at the time, and I think it was a bit of a phase for me as well.

Although this wasn’t based on empirical research, I chose this topic because I was interested in real-world debates. I did my degree in the late-1980s, when there was a lot of debate about the decline of class politics – it was the Reagan/Bush era in the US and Thatcher was still in power in the UK, and for many commentators, the relationship of class to politics had dissolved. I remember reading Andre Gorz’s Farewell to the Working Class, and Zygmunt Bauman’s Memories of Class in particular at the time. I discovered politics in new ways at university; I had a strong political formation at home, but using theory to make sense of politics was really exciting for me as a student. Coming from the background I did, I was interested in class politics but also in new social movements; in the late ‘80s, there were a lot of solidarity movements such as the Latin American solidarity movements and the anti-apartheid movement, as well as the anti-nuclear movement, which I got involved in. Feminism was also very important: I actually came to feminist theory largely through doing a minor in English literature and reading feminist literary theory, and then began thinking about this in relation to politics – and life – more generally. When I was speaking to my teachers about where to go and what I wanted to do after my first degree, several of them said “that sounds like Sociology”- that’s how I ended up doing a Master’s in Sociology in the UK. And the rest is history! My Master’s supervisor was the late John Urry.

My experience of the dissertation was very different – in a way, you had a more directive relationship with your advisor (it was my supervisor who suggested I study Baudrillard, whom he referred to as “boring Baud”); what we are doing now is much more about giving you the space to choose your own topic, and then working with you to craft and develop it. I definitely see my role as helping students to clarify what it is they want to study, and then helping them to realise that project, and I think that’s generally how colleagues work in the department: we really can’t tell you what dissertation you should write. It’s just important to remember that your project, and your degree, is worth it – it can be hard to keep that focus when you’re in the middle of doing it, and juggling everything else you have to do.

A reminder of the workshops:

• Introduction- formulating a research question
• Engaging with literature on your topic
• Reviewing past dissertations
• Research ethics
• Data collection

After the Christmas break, Kay will be facilitating the dissertation workshops. These will cover:

• Data analysis
• Working closely with academic advisors

Some final tips to take away:

• If you read a dissertation that is on your topic, remember there is no gold standard. The dissertation is yours and yours alone: an independent project. You can draw on someone else’s work for guidance, but not as a model. Anyone who reads your work, including the examiners, is most interested in the original work you’re doing on the topic. If you do look at others’ work, you will notice that there is a real variety, and no single way of doing a dissertation.
• It can be helpful to look at research-based journal articles in your area – they are about the same length as a dissertation, and meet the same kind of objectives: identifying a topic for investigation; situating it both in the social world and in relation to existing literature and research; describing the methods they’ve used for data collection; presenting and analysing research material; and coming back to reflect on the original problem in light of their own analysis and argument. That can sometimes be more helpful than using a textbook on doing a research project or writing a dissertation.
• Use the workshops to help you structure your project, but remember that – while we have a broad structure in which first term is about research design and the second term is about data collection and analysis, followed by writing up – everyone is working to different plans and encountering different obstacles, so you can only assess your own progress against your own (flexible) schedule, not in relation to where other people are at.

Some helpful texts and textbooks:

• Gibson, W., & Brown, Andrew. (2009). Working with Qualitative Data . London: SAGE Publications.
• Broder Sumerson, J. (2013) Finish Your Dissertation, Don’t Let it Finish You!
• Thomas, G. (2013) How to Do Your Research Project. London: SAGE Publications.

About the author

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Related Posts

Sociology as a Pandora’s Box

August 11th, 2015, interviewer identity and reflexivity in qualitative research: lessons from a masters thesis, august 26th, 2016, the personal pull of sociology, september 22nd, 2015, algorithms: neither makers nor mirrors of reality, november 16th, 2015.

• Harvard Library
• Research Guides
• Faculty of Arts & Sciences Libraries

Thesis 101: A Guide for Social Science Thesis Writers

Welcome to the harvard library, finding a researchable question, finding scholarly resources in your field, covid-19 - information & resources, helpful library services & tools.

• Subject Guide

Sue Gilroy , Librarian for Undergraduate Writing Programs and Liaison to Social Studies  ([email protected])

Diane Sredl , Data Reference Librarian and Liaison to the Department of Economics ([email protected])

Kathleen Sheehan , Research Librarian and Liaison to the Depts. of Government, Psychology & Sociology ([email protected])

Congratulations on choosing to write a senior thesis! This guide brings together resources and information to help you as you work though the thesis research and writing process.

What is Already Known

Handbooks  are a stock-in-trade for academic researchers. Typically, they're edited volumes, with chapters written by authorities -- or recognized experts, and they synthesize current "consensus" thinking around a particular topic, the most widely accepted perspectives on a topic  They usually contain extensive bibliographies which you can mine as well.

• Cambridge Handbooks O nline
• Cambridge Histories Online
• Oxford Handbooks Online
• Very Short Introductions

Current Trends & Questions

Literature reviews  are essays that help you easily understand—and contextualize—the principal contributions that have been made in your field. They not only track trends over time in the scholarly discussions of a topic, but also synthesize and connect related work. They cite the trailblazers and sometimes the outliers, and they even root out errors of fact or concept. Typically, they include a final section that identifies remaining questions or future directions research might take.

Among the databases for finding literature reviews, we recommend you start with:

• Annual Reviews offers comprehensive collections of critical reviews by leading scholars.
• Web of Science can be a powerful tool in uncovering literature reviews. A keyword topic search in Web of Science much like HOLLIS, will return results that you can then sift through using a variety of left-side filter categories.  Under document type, look for the review.  

Prioritizing My Reading  

• Oxford Bibliographies Online combine the best features of the annotated bibliography with an authoritative subject encyclopedia. Entries identify key contributions to a topic, idea, person, or event and indicate the value of the work. 
• Anthropology
• Social Studies
• Multidisciplinary

Research Guide:

• Anthropology Research

Key Databases:

• Anthropology Plus
• Anthropology Online

Library Research Contact:

Susan Gilman , Librarian for Tozzer Library

• Economics Research  
• Business Source Complete
• Business Premium Collection

Diane Sredl , Data Reference Librarian

• Library Research Guide for History  
• America History & Life
• Historical Abstracts

Fred Burchsted , Research Librarian

Anna Assogba , Research Librarian

• Sociology: a Guide to Research Resources
• Sociology Database
• Social Sciences Premium  

Kathleen Sheehan , Research Librarian

• Government: a Guide to Research Resources
• Worldwide Political Science Abstracts

Social Studies tends to be so interdisciplinary that it's sometimes hard to offer students  a "one-size fits all" starting point.  

Research Guides :

• Research Guides for Social Studies 98 (junior tutorials) may also cover -- broadly speaking -- an area of interest and you may find some leads there. But the 1:1 consult often can't be beat for  locating the databases and the primary sources that are  best suited to your project! 
• If your thesis is applied, our Social Sciences Premium database is sometimes, along with HOLLIS , a good jumping off point. 
• If your thesis is theoretical,   resources like Phil Papers or Philosopher's Index are also recommended.  

Sue Gilroy , Liaison to Social Studies, Lamont Library

• Contemporary Issues in Psychology

Key Database:

• Web of Science

Michael Leach , Head, Collection Development, Cabot Library

Research Guides:

• Research Travel Checklist
• HOLLIS User Guide
• Public Opinion Sources
• Beginner's Guide to Locating and Using Numeric Data
• Conducting Research Interviews: Selected Resources
• Academic Search Premier
• A Harvard COVID-19 Resource Roundup
• Harvard Library Restart Updates
• How to Borrow Materials and Use Our Services During COVID-19
• HathiTrust  for digitized materials
• Scan & Deliver
• Harvard Library Purchase request
• Check Harvard Library Bookmark - Use this bookmarklet to get quick access to subscriptions purchased by Harvard Library.
• Zotero: Getting Started  - A tool for saving, organizing and formatting your research sources.
• Ask a Librarian - Send us your question virtually.
• Borrow Direct & ILL  to borrow materials not currently available from the Harvard Library
• Harvard Map Collection
• Visualization Support
• Qualitative Research Support

The contents of this Guide are drawn largely from other Guides authored by Sue Gilroy, Librarian for Undergraduate Writing Programs and Liaison to Social Studies.

• Last Updated: Feb 26, 2024 1:50 PM
• URL: https://guides.library.harvard.edu/thesis101

Harvard University Digital Accessibility Policy

How to write a Dissertation: Step by Step Guide with Examples

When you decide to pursue higher education, at one stage or another, you will come across something called Dissertation. It is an essential part of the completion of many academic degrees. It is work that needs immense hard work, dedication, and persistence. In this article, we will discuss all the various nuances of the Dissertation covering it from A to Z. We will also cite necessary examples for better understanding wherever needed. The article will elaborate on the following themes:

What is a Dissertation

A dissertation can very rightly be termed as the longest, most difficult, and most important assignment in the journey of a scholar. While writing a dissertation, the student chooses their own topic to research on. It demands in-depth research and it is a project that is stretched over a time period of 3 months to 1 year. The word limit ranges between 10 to 20 thousand words and is organized in chapters. A thesis (synonymous to a dissertation) can either be empirical in nature or a literature-based study. Students work under the supervision of a supervisor, but their responsibilities are limited. They only offer basic supervision and mentoring, but the dissertation is largely independent research that the student does from start to finish.

Why it is Important 

How to write a dissertation .

As mentioned above, completing a dissertation is a time-consuming task. Many stages need to be checked out before one can say that they have done a dissertation project. Let us write down ALL the steps that we cannot forget in the chaos of such a lengthy project to avoid any confusion. 

For the best understanding, we will go step-by-step and decode this puzzle of dissertation writing with examples when and where necessary. 

A. The Preparing Stage 

The foremost step is to decide which is the one thing that is so intriguing to you that you would like to write a thesis on it. You should choose a topic that is one of your favorite things or something you’re really passionate about. The closer you are to the question, the more you would dedicate yourself to it. Deciding a topic might sound easy, but believe us, it is not. Take your time and pick a topic you won’t give up even on your worst days, because this is a long-term commitment. 

Once you have a fairly rough idea of what you want to do. It is now time to write it down. Your abstract should be a very brief note of around 800 to 1000 words, explaining why you want to conduct this research to your supervisor. Your abstract should reflect your train of thought. Make sure to cover the following pointers while writing your abstract: 

After you submit the abstract to your supervisor, they will give you feedback. Following this feedback, you should edit or change your topic accordingly. Always remember that your supervisor is your friend and not a foe. Therefore, even their harsh comments are constructive ones. Incorporate the feedback and re-submit the abstract until you and your supervisor are content with it. 

Now that you know your topic and your abstract have been accepted, it is time to start your secondary research. Read everything revolving around your subject, ranging from old articles to the latest ones. Since you know what and how you want to do your dissertation, do a focused reading and maintain an annotated bibliography of everything you read. Reading and researching are the main components of a dissertation, and thus make sure to keep track of it. 

If you don’t know what an annotated bibliography is, we suggest you follow this simple method to maintain one. 

Writing the research proposal is an integral part of starting a dissertation. This step makes it official that this is what you will do in your research and how and when. It is a systematic document that presents the most ideal version of your research outcome. The research Proposal is also a reasonably large document. Therefore, ensure that you cover all these aspects while drafting it: 

E.g.: The title can be “Representation of Women in Popular Cinema between 2000 to 2010”

E.g.: You can form questions such as

Using secondary sources – existing literature and watching movies (specify the number of movies you aim to watch between the years 2000-2010 + specify the genre and your criteria for selecting the film). 

B. Writing the Dissertation 

By this moment, you should now have the following resources with you. Thus, make a checklist and recheck that you have all you need to sit, write, and complete your dissertation. 

Once you are sure that you are in possession of all you need, BEGIN TO WRITE!

The content table or an index is nothing but you writing the contents of your dissertation in a systematic manner, like this: 

Abstract ………………………………………………….1

Methodology …………………………………………….9

Chapter 3 ………………………………………………..21

The dissertation introduction should introduce your topic to every reader- a scholar or a layman. Introduce your topic by telling why you choose it and what is the relevance of this topic in today’s world. An introduction is the first formal thing someone reads about your dissertation, therefore ensuring that you capture the reader from the beginning. An introduction is a piece of writing that is not very academic. Thus, you can experiment with it. You can start with a poem, quote, news headline, dialogue from a movie, etc., to capture the audience from the get-go. The best way to write an introduction is to revisit it in the end when you have completed writing your dissertation. You will know what you have to tell your readers and what you have to conceal from them. 

The existing literature is one of the most essential parts of writing a dissertation. It is a well-known and obvious fact that whatever topic you have chosen is not entirely unique. It cannot be that no work has ever been done on this topic apart from yours. Therefore, by writing a chapter on existing literature/ literature review, you inform the reader that all of this has been said and done before. You are using these arguments to build up your research. Writing a literature review also allows you to accredit all the scholars you have learned from and taken inspiration from. Thus, make sure that you spend sufficient time writing this section. 

Write it in such a manner where you first state the work, then its main argument, and then bind it all together by telling how this work has helped you in your thesis. 

You can express how your dissertation is secondary research based on a semiotic analysis of movies. Give reasons why you chose the time period of 2000 to 2010 and why and how you selected the movies you wish to analyze. 

Since in your dissertation you are looking at “Representation of Women in Popular Cinema between 2000 to 2010”, you can divide your analysis chapters along the following lines:

Chapter 3- Feminist Interpretation of the movies 

You can focus on one aspect of your analysis in each chapter and build up your argument slowly and coherently. 

The last portion of your dissertation writing should bring everything together and tie up any loose ends. The concluding chapter should summarize everything so that each of your research questions (from the proposal) gets answered here concisely. The answers/results/findings to your research will be highlighted here again so that the reader ends reading your dissertation with a clear mind and straight answers. We know that you must be tired by now, but don’t get lazy on this last step. A firm conclusion is as vital as a great introduction. Therefore, we recommend that you come back to write the conclusion after giving yourself a breather. This will allow you to write more directly. 

If you are working on Google Docs or Word. In that case, the application makes your work easier because they help you create your Bibliography. 

But for those who want to cite manually, this is the basic format to follow:

Also Check: 100+ Important Dissertation Topics

How to write coursework? Examples

• Mardigian Library
• Subject Guides

Sociology Research

• Develop Thesis Statements
• Online Library Access
• Start Finding Sources
• Search Sociology Databases
• Find Data & Statistics
• What is Peer-Review?
• Read & Analyze Articles
• Evaluate & Select Sources
• Use Your Sources
• Avoid Plagiarism
• Cite Your Sources
• Write Annotated Bibliographies
• Develop Paper Outlines
• Write Research Papers
• Use Interlibrary Loan This link opens in a new window

Developing a Research Topic and Focused Thesis Statement

A thesis statement clearly identifies the topic being discussed, includes the points discussed in the paper, and is written for a specific audience. Your thesis statement belongs at the end of your first paragraph, also known as your introduction. Use it to generate interest in your topic and encourage your audience to continue reading. 

Most researchers start out with a broad topic of interest and then narrow it down to a particular area of focus and question. If a topic is too broad, you will find too much information and the project will be unmanageable. It will be far easier for you to research and write your paper if you develop a strong focused research question or topic:

Do some exploratory research  on your topic idea, in your course textbook, class notes, and Mardigian Search to identify specific issues, arguments, and analytical approaches in your research area and then identify possible relationships between them. 

Ask yourself questions  about your topic idea:

• What concepts, issues, or other aspects of this topic interest you?
• What are the major issues, debates, and disagreements of the topic you are studying?
• What gaps, contradictions, or concerns arise as you learn more about it?
• What relationships are there between different aspects of the topic?
• How does the topic relate back to the larger themes discussed in your course(s)?

Focus your topic:   Use the information from your exploratory research to identify a few of the specific aspects that interest you and then use the questions you had about those to create your focused research question and thesis statement. 

Write about what interests you:  Professors want students to write about topics that they care about. If you're interested in the topic, it will be more fun for you to write your paper and probably more fun for your professor to read it, too.

Ask your course instructor or study advisor for feedback on your research question and thesis statement.

Picking Your Topic IS Research

Once you've picked a research topic for your paper, it isn't set in stone. It's just an idea that you will test and develop through exploratory research. This exploratory research may guide you into modifying your original idea for a research topic. Watch this video for more info:

• << Previous: Online Library Access
• Next: Start Finding Sources >>
• Last Updated: Jul 23, 2024 10:18 AM
• URL: https://guides.umd.umich.edu/soc

Call us at 313-593-5559

Chat with us

Text us: 313-486-5399

Email us your question

• 4901 Evergreen Road Dearborn, MI 48128, USA
• Phone: 313-593-5000
• Maps & Directions
• M+Google Mail
• Emergency Information
• UM-Dearborn Connect
• Wolverine Access

• USC Libraries
• Research Guides

Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper

• 6. The Methodology
• Purpose of Guide
• Design Flaws to Avoid
• Independent and Dependent Variables
• Glossary of Research Terms
• Reading Research Effectively
• Narrowing a Topic Idea
• Broadening a Topic Idea
• Extending the Timeliness of a Topic Idea
• Academic Writing Style
• Applying Critical Thinking
• Choosing a Title
• Making an Outline
• Paragraph Development
• Research Process Video Series
• Executive Summary
• The C.A.R.S. Model
• Background Information
• The Research Problem/Question
• Theoretical Framework
• Citation Tracking
• Content Alert Services
• Evaluating Sources
• Primary Sources
• Secondary Sources
• Tiertiary Sources
• Scholarly vs. Popular Publications
• Qualitative Methods
• Quantitative Methods
• Insiderness
• Using Non-Textual Elements
• Limitations of the Study
• Common Grammar Mistakes
• Writing Concisely
• Avoiding Plagiarism
• Footnotes or Endnotes?
• Further Readings
• Generative AI and Writing
• USC Libraries Tutorials and Other Guides
• Bibliography

The methods section describes actions taken to investigate a research problem and the rationale for the application of specific procedures or techniques used to identify, select, process, and analyze information applied to understanding the problem, thereby, allowing the reader to critically evaluate a study’s overall validity and reliability. The methodology section of a research paper answers two main questions: How was the data collected or generated? And, how was it analyzed? The writing should be direct and precise and always written in the past tense.

Kallet, Richard H. "How to Write the Methods Section of a Research Paper." Respiratory Care 49 (October 2004): 1229-1232.

Importance of a Good Methodology Section

You must explain how you obtained and analyzed your results for the following reasons:

• Readers need to know how the data was obtained because the method you chose affects the results and, by extension, how you interpreted their significance in the discussion section of your paper.
• Methodology is crucial for any branch of scholarship because an unreliable method produces unreliable results and, as a consequence, undermines the value of your analysis of the findings.
• In most cases, there are a variety of different methods you can choose to investigate a research problem. The methodology section of your paper should clearly articulate the reasons why you have chosen a particular procedure or technique.
• The reader wants to know that the data was collected or generated in a way that is consistent with accepted practice in the field of study. For example, if you are using a multiple choice questionnaire, readers need to know that it offered your respondents a reasonable range of answers to choose from.
• The method must be appropriate to fulfilling the overall aims of the study. For example, you need to ensure that you have a large enough sample size to be able to generalize and make recommendations based upon the findings.
• The methodology should discuss the problems that were anticipated and the steps you took to prevent them from occurring. For any problems that do arise, you must describe the ways in which they were minimized or why these problems do not impact in any meaningful way your interpretation of the findings.
• In the social and behavioral sciences, it is important to always provide sufficient information to allow other researchers to adopt or replicate your methodology. This information is particularly important when a new method has been developed or an innovative use of an existing method is utilized.

Bem, Daryl J. Writing the Empirical Journal Article. Psychology Writing Center. University of Washington; Denscombe, Martyn. The Good Research Guide: For Small-Scale Social Research Projects . 5th edition. Buckingham, UK: Open University Press, 2014; Lunenburg, Frederick C. Writing a Successful Thesis or Dissertation: Tips and Strategies for Students in the Social and Behavioral Sciences . Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, 2008.

Structure and Writing Style

I.  Groups of Research Methods

There are two main groups of research methods in the social sciences:

• The e mpirical-analytical group approaches the study of social sciences in a similar manner that researchers study the natural sciences . This type of research focuses on objective knowledge, research questions that can be answered yes or no, and operational definitions of variables to be measured. The empirical-analytical group employs deductive reasoning that uses existing theory as a foundation for formulating hypotheses that need to be tested. This approach is focused on explanation.
• The i nterpretative group of methods is focused on understanding phenomenon in a comprehensive, holistic way . Interpretive methods focus on analytically disclosing the meaning-making practices of human subjects [the why, how, or by what means people do what they do], while showing how those practices arrange so that it can be used to generate observable outcomes. Interpretive methods allow you to recognize your connection to the phenomena under investigation. However, the interpretative group requires careful examination of variables because it focuses more on subjective knowledge.

II.  Content

The introduction to your methodology section should begin by restating the research problem and underlying assumptions underpinning your study. This is followed by situating the methods you used to gather, analyze, and process information within the overall “tradition” of your field of study and within the particular research design you have chosen to study the problem. If the method you choose lies outside of the tradition of your field [i.e., your review of the literature demonstrates that the method is not commonly used], provide a justification for how your choice of methods specifically addresses the research problem in ways that have not been utilized in prior studies.

The remainder of your methodology section should describe the following:

• Decisions made in selecting the data you have analyzed or, in the case of qualitative research, the subjects and research setting you have examined,
• Tools and methods used to identify and collect information, and how you identified relevant variables,
• The ways in which you processed the data and the procedures you used to analyze that data, and
• The specific research tools or strategies that you utilized to study the underlying hypothesis and research questions.

In addition, an effectively written methodology section should:

• Introduce the overall methodological approach for investigating your research problem . Is your study qualitative or quantitative or a combination of both (mixed method)? Are you going to take a special approach, such as action research, or a more neutral stance?
• Indicate how the approach fits the overall research design . Your methods for gathering data should have a clear connection to your research problem. In other words, make sure that your methods will actually address the problem. One of the most common deficiencies found in research papers is that the proposed methodology is not suitable to achieving the stated objective of your paper.
• Describe the specific methods of data collection you are going to use , such as, surveys, interviews, questionnaires, observation, archival research. If you are analyzing existing data, such as a data set or archival documents, describe how it was originally created or gathered and by whom. Also be sure to explain how older data is still relevant to investigating the current research problem.
• Explain how you intend to analyze your results . Will you use statistical analysis? Will you use specific theoretical perspectives to help you analyze a text or explain observed behaviors? Describe how you plan to obtain an accurate assessment of relationships, patterns, trends, distributions, and possible contradictions found in the data.
• Provide background and a rationale for methodologies that are unfamiliar for your readers . Very often in the social sciences, research problems and the methods for investigating them require more explanation/rationale than widely accepted rules governing the natural and physical sciences. Be clear and concise in your explanation.
• Provide a justification for subject selection and sampling procedure . For instance, if you propose to conduct interviews, how do you intend to select the sample population? If you are analyzing texts, which texts have you chosen, and why? If you are using statistics, why is this set of data being used? If other data sources exist, explain why the data you chose is most appropriate to addressing the research problem.
• Provide a justification for case study selection . A common method of analyzing research problems in the social sciences is to analyze specific cases. These can be a person, place, event, phenomenon, or other type of subject of analysis that are either examined as a singular topic of in-depth investigation or multiple topics of investigation studied for the purpose of comparing or contrasting findings. In either method, you should explain why a case or cases were chosen and how they specifically relate to the research problem.
• Describe potential limitations . Are there any practical limitations that could affect your data collection? How will you attempt to control for potential confounding variables and errors? If your methodology may lead to problems you can anticipate, state this openly and show why pursuing this methodology outweighs the risk of these problems cropping up.

NOTE:   Once you have written all of the elements of the methods section, subsequent revisions should focus on how to present those elements as clearly and as logically as possibly. The description of how you prepared to study the research problem, how you gathered the data, and the protocol for analyzing the data should be organized chronologically. For clarity, when a large amount of detail must be presented, information should be presented in sub-sections according to topic. If necessary, consider using appendices for raw data.

ANOTHER NOTE: If you are conducting a qualitative analysis of a research problem , the methodology section generally requires a more elaborate description of the methods used as well as an explanation of the processes applied to gathering and analyzing of data than is generally required for studies using quantitative methods. Because you are the primary instrument for generating the data [e.g., through interviews or observations], the process for collecting that data has a significantly greater impact on producing the findings. Therefore, qualitative research requires a more detailed description of the methods used.

YET ANOTHER NOTE:   If your study involves interviews, observations, or other qualitative techniques involving human subjects , you may be required to obtain approval from the university's Office for the Protection of Research Subjects before beginning your research. This is not a common procedure for most undergraduate level student research assignments. However, i f your professor states you need approval, you must include a statement in your methods section that you received official endorsement and adequate informed consent from the office and that there was a clear assessment and minimization of risks to participants and to the university. This statement informs the reader that your study was conducted in an ethical and responsible manner. In some cases, the approval notice is included as an appendix to your paper.

III.  Problems to Avoid

Irrelevant Detail The methodology section of your paper should be thorough but concise. Do not provide any background information that does not directly help the reader understand why a particular method was chosen, how the data was gathered or obtained, and how the data was analyzed in relation to the research problem [note: analyzed, not interpreted! Save how you interpreted the findings for the discussion section]. With this in mind, the page length of your methods section will generally be less than any other section of your paper except the conclusion.

Unnecessary Explanation of Basic Procedures Remember that you are not writing a how-to guide about a particular method. You should make the assumption that readers possess a basic understanding of how to investigate the research problem on their own and, therefore, you do not have to go into great detail about specific methodological procedures. The focus should be on how you applied a method , not on the mechanics of doing a method. An exception to this rule is if you select an unconventional methodological approach; if this is the case, be sure to explain why this approach was chosen and how it enhances the overall process of discovery.

Problem Blindness It is almost a given that you will encounter problems when collecting or generating your data, or, gaps will exist in existing data or archival materials. Do not ignore these problems or pretend they did not occur. Often, documenting how you overcame obstacles can form an interesting part of the methodology. It demonstrates to the reader that you can provide a cogent rationale for the decisions you made to minimize the impact of any problems that arose.

Literature Review Just as the literature review section of your paper provides an overview of sources you have examined while researching a particular topic, the methodology section should cite any sources that informed your choice and application of a particular method [i.e., the choice of a survey should include any citations to the works you used to help construct the survey].

It’s More than Sources of Information! A description of a research study's method should not be confused with a description of the sources of information. Such a list of sources is useful in and of itself, especially if it is accompanied by an explanation about the selection and use of the sources. The description of the project's methodology complements a list of sources in that it sets forth the organization and interpretation of information emanating from those sources.

Azevedo, L.F. et al. "How to Write a Scientific Paper: Writing the Methods Section." Revista Portuguesa de Pneumologia 17 (2011): 232-238; Blair Lorrie. “Choosing a Methodology.” In Writing a Graduate Thesis or Dissertation , Teaching Writing Series. (Rotterdam: Sense Publishers 2016), pp. 49-72; Butin, Dan W. The Education Dissertation A Guide for Practitioner Scholars . Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin, 2010; Carter, Susan. Structuring Your Research Thesis . New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2012; Kallet, Richard H. “How to Write the Methods Section of a Research Paper.” Respiratory Care 49 (October 2004):1229-1232; Lunenburg, Frederick C. Writing a Successful Thesis or Dissertation: Tips and Strategies for Students in the Social and Behavioral Sciences . Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, 2008. Methods Section. The Writer’s Handbook. Writing Center. University of Wisconsin, Madison; Rudestam, Kjell Erik and Rae R. Newton. “The Method Chapter: Describing Your Research Plan.” In Surviving Your Dissertation: A Comprehensive Guide to Content and Process . (Thousand Oaks, Sage Publications, 2015), pp. 87-115; What is Interpretive Research. Institute of Public and International Affairs, University of Utah; Writing the Experimental Report: Methods, Results, and Discussion. The Writing Lab and The OWL. Purdue University; Methods and Materials. The Structure, Format, Content, and Style of a Journal-Style Scientific Paper. Department of Biology. Bates College.

Writing Tip

Statistical Designs and Tests? Do Not Fear Them!

Don't avoid using a quantitative approach to analyzing your research problem just because you fear the idea of applying statistical designs and tests. A qualitative approach, such as conducting interviews or content analysis of archival texts, can yield exciting new insights about a research problem, but it should not be undertaken simply because you have a disdain for running a simple regression. A well designed quantitative research study can often be accomplished in very clear and direct ways, whereas, a similar study of a qualitative nature usually requires considerable time to analyze large volumes of data and a tremendous burden to create new paths for analysis where previously no path associated with your research problem had existed.

To locate data and statistics, GO HERE .

Another Writing Tip

Knowing the Relationship Between Theories and Methods

There can be multiple meaning associated with the term "theories" and the term "methods" in social sciences research. A helpful way to delineate between them is to understand "theories" as representing different ways of characterizing the social world when you research it and "methods" as representing different ways of generating and analyzing data about that social world. Framed in this way, all empirical social sciences research involves theories and methods, whether they are stated explicitly or not. However, while theories and methods are often related, it is important that, as a researcher, you deliberately separate them in order to avoid your theories playing a disproportionate role in shaping what outcomes your chosen methods produce.

Introspectively engage in an ongoing dialectic between the application of theories and methods to help enable you to use the outcomes from your methods to interrogate and develop new theories, or ways of framing conceptually the research problem. This is how scholarship grows and branches out into new intellectual territory.

Reynolds, R. Larry. Ways of Knowing. Alternative Microeconomics . Part 1, Chapter 3. Boise State University; The Theory-Method Relationship. S-Cool Revision. United Kingdom.

Yet Another Writing Tip

Methods and the Methodology

Do not confuse the terms "methods" and "methodology." As Schneider notes, a method refers to the technical steps taken to do research . Descriptions of methods usually include defining and stating why you have chosen specific techniques to investigate a research problem, followed by an outline of the procedures you used to systematically select, gather, and process the data [remember to always save the interpretation of data for the discussion section of your paper].

The methodology refers to a discussion of the underlying reasoning why particular methods were used . This discussion includes describing the theoretical concepts that inform the choice of methods to be applied, placing the choice of methods within the more general nature of academic work, and reviewing its relevance to examining the research problem. The methodology section also includes a thorough review of the methods other scholars have used to study the topic.

Bryman, Alan. "Of Methods and Methodology." Qualitative Research in Organizations and Management: An International Journal 3 (2008): 159-168; Schneider, Florian. “What's in a Methodology: The Difference between Method, Methodology, and Theory…and How to Get the Balance Right?” PoliticsEastAsia.com. Chinese Department, University of Leiden, Netherlands.

• << Previous: Scholarly vs. Popular Publications
• Next: Qualitative Methods >>
• Last Updated: Aug 27, 2024 1:14 PM
• URL: https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide

Quick links

• Directories
• Make a Gift

Dissertations

•   Instagram
•   LinkedIn
•   Twitter
•   Newsletter

Sociology: A Research Guide: Dissertations

• Introduction
• Background Information
• Social Sciences
• Interdisciplinary

Dissertations

• Data Archives
• US Cross-sectional and time series
• Statistical Information
• US Longitudinal
• Public Opinion
• Citation Management
• Professional Associations
• ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Definitive subject, title and author guide to virtually every American dissertation from 1861-1980. Dissertations published from 1980 forward include 350-word abstracts written by the author. Master’s theses published from 1988 forward include 150-word abstracts. More than 600,000 are available in PDF formats for immediate free download. Citations to pre-1980 dissertations also included.
• Tips for Locating Dissertations Strategies for locating dissertations from both Cornell and non-Cornell degree candidates.
• << Previous: News
• Next: Data and Statistics >>
• Last Updated: Sep 18, 2023 10:52 AM
• URL: https://guides.library.cornell.edu/sociology

Research Topics & Ideas: Sociology

50 Topic Ideas To Kickstart Your Research Project

If you’re just starting out exploring sociology-related topics for your dissertation, thesis or research project, you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’ll help kickstart your research by providing a hearty list of research ideas , including real-world examples from recent sociological studies.

PS – This is just the start…

We know it’s exciting to run through a list of research topics, but please keep in mind that this list is just a starting point . These topic ideas provided here are intentionally broad and generic , so keep in mind that you will need to develop them further. Nevertheless, they should inspire some ideas for your project.

To develop a suitable research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , and a viable plan to fill that gap. If this sounds foreign to you, check out our free research topic webinar that explores how to find and refine a high-quality research topic, from scratch. Alternatively, consider our 1-on-1 coaching service .

Sociology-Related Research Topics

• Analyzing the social impact of income inequality on urban gentrification.
• Investigating the effects of social media on family dynamics in the digital age.
• The role of cultural factors in shaping dietary habits among different ethnic groups.
• Analyzing the impact of globalization on indigenous communities.
• Investigating the sociological factors behind the rise of populist politics in Europe.
• The effect of neighborhood environment on adolescent development and behavior.
• Analyzing the social implications of artificial intelligence on workforce dynamics.
• Investigating the impact of urbanization on traditional social structures.
• The role of religion in shaping social attitudes towards LGBTQ+ rights.
• Analyzing the sociological aspects of mental health stigma in the workplace.
• Investigating the impact of migration on family structures in immigrant communities.
• The effect of economic recessions on social class mobility.
• Analyzing the role of social networks in the spread of disinformation.
• Investigating the societal response to climate change and environmental crises.
• The role of media representation in shaping public perceptions of crime.
• Analyzing the sociocultural factors influencing consumer behavior.
• Investigating the social dynamics of multigenerational households.
• The impact of educational policies on social inequality.
• Analyzing the social determinants of health disparities in urban areas.
• Investigating the effects of urban green spaces on community well-being.
• The role of social movements in shaping public policy.
• Analyzing the impact of social welfare systems on poverty alleviation.
• Investigating the sociological aspects of aging populations in developed countries.
• The role of community engagement in local governance.
• Analyzing the social effects of mass surveillance technologies.

Sociology Research Ideas (Continued)

• Investigating the impact of gentrification on small businesses and local economies.
• The role of cultural festivals in fostering community cohesion.
• Analyzing the societal impacts of long-term unemployment.
• Investigating the role of education in cultural integration processes.
• The impact of social media on youth identity and self-expression.
• Analyzing the sociological factors influencing drug abuse and addiction.
• Investigating the role of urban planning in promoting social integration.
• The impact of tourism on local communities and cultural preservation.
• Analyzing the social dynamics of protest movements and civil unrest.
• Investigating the role of language in cultural identity and social cohesion.
• The impact of international trade policies on local labor markets.
• Analyzing the role of sports in promoting social inclusion and community development.
• Investigating the impact of housing policies on homelessness.
• The role of public transport systems in shaping urban social life.
• Analyzing the social consequences of technological disruption in traditional industries.
• Investigating the sociological implications of telecommuting and remote work trends.
• The impact of social policies on gender equality and women’s rights.
• Analyzing the role of social entrepreneurship in addressing societal challenges.
• Investigating the effects of urban renewal projects on community identity.
• The role of public art in urban regeneration and social commentary.
• Analyzing the impact of cultural diversity on education systems.
• Investigating the sociological factors driving political apathy among young adults.
• The role of community-based organizations in addressing urban poverty.
• Analyzing the social impacts of large-scale sporting events on host cities.
• Investigating the sociological dimensions of food insecurity in affluent societies.

Recent Studies & Publications: Sociology

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual sociology-related studies to see how this all comes together in practice.

Below, we’ve included a selection of recent studies to help refine your thinking. These are actual studies,  so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

• Social system learning process (Subekti et al., 2022)
• Sociography: Writing Differently (Kilby & Gilloch, 2022)
• The Future of ‘Digital Research’ (Cipolla, 2022).
• A sociological approach of literature in Leo N. Tolstoy’s short story God Sees the Truth, But Waits (Larasati & Irmawati, 2022)
• Teaching methods of sociology research and social work to students at Vietnam Trade Union University (Huu, 2022)
• Ideology and the New Social Movements (Scott, 2023)
• The sociological craft through the lens of theatre (Holgersson, 2022).
• An Essay on Sociological Thinking, Sociological Thought and the Relationship of a Sociologist (Sönmez & Sucu, 2022)
• How Can Theories Represent Social Phenomena? (Fuhse, 2022)
• Hyperscanning and the Future of Neurosociology (TenHouten et al., 2022)
• Sociology of Wisdom: The Present and Perspectives (Jijyan et al., 2022). Collective Memory (Halbwachs & Coser, 2022)
• Sociology as a scientific discipline: the post-positivist conception of J. Alexander and P. Kolomi (Vorona, 2022)
• Murder by Usury and Organised Denial: A critical realist perspective on the liberating paradigm shift from psychopathic dominance towards human civilisation (Priels, 2022)
• Analysis of Corruption Justice In The Perspective of Legal Sociology (Hayfa & Kansil, 2023)
• Contributions to the Study of Sociology of Education: Classical Authors (Quentin & Sophie, 2022)
• Inequality without Groups: Contemporary Theories of Categories, Intersectional Typicality, and the Disaggregation of Difference (Monk, 2022)

As you can see, these research topics are a lot more focused than the generic topic ideas we presented earlier. So, for you to develop a high-quality research topic, you’ll need to get specific and laser-focused on a specific context with specific variables of interest.  In the video below, we explore some other important things you’ll need to consider when crafting your research topic.

Get 1-On-1 Help

If you’re still unsure about how to find a quality research topic, check out our Research Topic Kickstarter service, which is the perfect starting point for developing a unique, well-justified research topic.

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Print Friendly

Accessibility

Library & Cultural Services

• Book a Study Space
• Reading Lists
• Journal Articles
• News. Magazines
• Think Tanks. Policy Research
• Primary Sources
• Film. Documentary. Audio-Visual
• Theses & Dissertations

General Information

Essex theses, uk & north american theses, open access digitised dissertations.

• Search Skills This link opens in a new window
• Finding the full text
• Evaluating Information
• How to reference
• Reference management software
• Support For Researchers This link opens in a new window
• General Portals & Organisations
• Childhood Studies. Youth. Family
• Cultural Anthropology. Indigenous Peoples
• Cultural Studies
• Data. Statistics. Social Surveys
• Drugs. Substance Abuse. Gambling
• Environment. Sustainability. Consumption
• Ethnicity. Race
• Health. Covid. Wellbeing. Food
• Media. Advertising. Internet
• Population. Demography. Migration. Refugees
• Poverty. Stratification. Class
• Research Methods. Study Skills
• Social History. Social Change
• Social Policy. Social Welfare
• Social Psychology
• Social Theory. Knowledge. Power. Secrecy
• Urban Sociology
• Visual Sociology. Film. Music. Oral History
• Women. Gender

Theses or dissertations are the product of extended independent research by students. They are often required at undergraduate level (e.g. final year Capstone projects), and are nearly always a feature of postgraduate research from Master's through to Ph.D. level. The terms thesis and dissertation are often used interchangeably. In the UK, dissertation tends to be the preferred term at undergraduate and taught postgraduate level, and thesis used for original research at doctoral (Ph.D.) level. Confusingly, in the US, usage of these terms is reversed! 

Print books offering guidance on  how to write  a thesis can be found at  LB 2369  on floor 5 of the Albert Sloman Library, you can also search the library catalogue for ebook versions.

Students often need to consult theses for various reasons, including:

• checking the style and presentation of good past dissertations from their department
• not repeating research already undertaken
• using theses on a similar topic to help with the literature search, data sources, methods or data analysis

Essex Sociology theses  can be found in the following locations:

• Sociology Study Centre - print copies of dissertations submitted up to 2018 are available in the Sociology Study Centre (5A.307). These are all undergraduate (2.1 and 1st) and Master's dissertations. Submissions from 2018 onwards are available to access digitally, with a request to the Department's Study Support Manager. Please go to the Study Centre Moodle page, where there is further information on the Dissertation Library . For help and advice on finding suitable examples, please email: [email protected]
• Al bert Sloman Library - the University Library at Colchester holds print copies of all Essex Criminology M.Phil. and Ph.D. dissertations up to 30 September 2016. They are listed in the catalogue, and must be consulted in the Library. To search by department type the keywords: essex thesis sociology

University of Essex Research Repository  - contains digitised versions of theses submitted after 30 September 2016. These are also listed in the library catalogue

To search for dissertations from  other universities in the UK and beyond , there are a couple of very useful databases:  

EThOS  offers details of UK doctoral theses, some of which are digitised

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses  lists North American & UK theses (with some coverage of other countries):

• EThOS EThOS is the British Library’s online service that provides access to UK doctoral theses. The database can be searched by anyone, but users need to register to access theses. Many theses are free to download instantly, and digitisation can be requested for those not currently available.
• ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global ProQuest Dissertations and Theses: Global (PQDTGlobal) is the world's most comprehensive collection of full-text dissertations and theses. As the official digital dissertations archive for the Library of Congress and as the database of record for graduate research, PQDTGlobal includes millions of searchable citations to dissertations and theses from 1861 to the present day together with over a million full-text dissertations that are available for download in PDF format. The database offers full text for most of the dissertations added since 1997 and strong retrospective full-text coverage for older graduate works. It also includes PQDT UK & Ireland content back to the 17th century. Each dissertation published since July 1980 includes a 350-word abstract written by the author. Where available, PQDTGlobal provides 24-page previews of dissertations and theses. more... less... Shibboleth login

Many countries maintain repositories offering open access digitised dissertations . These can be useful to search if you have specific area interests. Useful listings of these repositories by country are maintained by:

• International Theses (Bodleian Library) The Bodleian Library at University of Oxford maintains a useful directory of national e-theses repositories
• NDLTD Find ETDs The Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD) is an international organization promoting the dissemination and preservation of electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs)

If you want to cross-search your topic across countries you can use a portal that offer access to e-theses from around the world:

• Ebsco Open Dissertations
• Networked Digital Library of Theses & Dissertations
• Open Access Theses & DIssertations
• << Previous: Film. Documentary. Audio-Visual
• Next: Search Skills >>
• Last Updated: Aug 23, 2024 5:45 PM
• URL: https://library.essex.ac.uk/soc

• Study and research support
• Academic skills

Dissertation examples

Listed below are some of the best examples of research projects and dissertations from undergraduate and taught postgraduate students at the University of Leeds We have not been able to gather examples from all schools. The module requirements for research projects may have changed since these examples were written. Refer to your module guidelines to make sure that you address all of the current assessment criteria. Some of the examples below are only available to access on campus.

• Undergraduate examples
• Taught Masters examples

• How it works

UK’s Best Essay & Dissertation Writing Company

Do you need assistance regarding your dissertation and essay? Worry no more! Research Prospect helps students studying in British universities with their essays , literature reviews , reports , assignments , and dissertations . Who We Are?

Professional Dissertation & Essay Writing Help from UK PhD Experts

Research Prospect is a leading research and writing company that assists university students worldwide to achieve academic success. We have separate teams for essays, dissertations and assignments to ensure superior writing quality.

Custom Dissertation Writing

Research paper writing, research proposal writing, data analysis services, custom essay writing, literature review writing service, editing and proofreading service, statistical analysis service, the best dissertation & essay writing company in the uk, quality control.

All orders completed by our UK writers are checked against our strict quality control process to ensure that it is in line with the required academic standards.

• Free Dissertation Topics

As part of our dissertation & essay writing help, our experts offer topic suggestions so you can choose the topic that best suits your needs.

Customised Approach

Our British writers follow a customised approach to clients’ work. It means that our dissertation & essay writing services will be according to your requirements.

Analysis Software

The writer will be able to work with any statistical analysis software of your choice – SPSS, Excel, STATA, eViews, etc. All you have to do is specify your requirement.

Confidentiality

At Research Prospect, we ensure the security and privacy of our clients. We protect your personal information and do not share your project with others.

Free Revisions

With our essay, assignment and dissertation services, you get unlimited free revisions until you are fully satisfied with the quality of the work delivered.

Student Resources

• Plagiarism Guidelines
• Plagiarism Checker
• Research Process
• Research Methodology
• Dissertation Writing Guidelines
• Essay Writing Guidelines
• Dissertation Samples
• Essay Samples
• Research Proposal Samples
• Literature Review Examples
• Confusing Words

Plagiarism Free

ResearchProspect plagiarism detection software has been tested to provide more accurate plagiarism results. Learn more .

Free Topics

Browse our dissertation topics database to see if you can find a topic that matches your needs.

ResearchProspect Research Library

Learn to write flawless academic papers..

Free resources used by thousands of students worldwide.

Articles and Guides

How-to guides, example papers, tips, and everything else to write a high-quality essay, proposal, or dissertation. Browse our online library .

Proposal & Dissertation Samples

Academic samples to help you get started with your dissertation project.

UCAS Application

Comprehensive guidelines on university entry requirements .

View Our Samples

Want to review our dissertation & research paper samples before getting dissertation and essay help? Here are some professional samples that demonstrate the quality of our work. Please note that these samples have been produced to a certain academic quality.

Full Dissertation Sample

Discipline：Economics

Quality：1st / 78%

Literature Review Sample

Discipline：Education

Quality：1st / 71%

Essay Sample

Discipline：Social Science

Quality：Approved / Passed

Dissertation Chapter Sample

Discipline：E-commerce

Quality：1st / 75%

• How It Works

Pay and Confirm

Place an order by telling us your details, make the payment, and you are good to go.

Writer Starts Working

Choose the service required, and we will match you with the best-suited British writer for your model essay.

Download and Relax

Once finished, we deliver it to you. You can download the essay from the portal or get it through email.

Thousands of Students Have Reviewed ResearchProspect

Thousands of students have used our academic support services to improve their grades. Why are you waiting?

Thanks for providing timely help

I would like to thank my writer for his efforts. I needed the paper completed within 24 hours, and I was not disappointed.

The best in the world

Research Prospect’s writers are experts. They listen to your requirements before initiating the work. I got my dissertation completed according to my exact requirements. Hoping to get my desired grade.

Highly recommended

I needed help with my argumentative business essay. I was completely unsure about how to start the essay. Thanks to my writer, who provided the outline before the essay on request.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do i get when i request your dissertation & essay writing help.

If you are looking to get professional help, you will be glad to know that Research Prospect is a company that recruits highly experienced writers from the native English speaking countries across all academic disciplines.

The paper completed by our essayists will match your assignment brief. The essay will be developed using the structure you provide as a guide for the writer. What’s more, is that the service includes free revisions as long as your original topic remains unchanged.

How do I order dissertation assistance from Research Prospect?

Getting online help with dissertations from Research Prospect is a fairly simple process. Just head to our order form to place your order. You can choose to get assistance with just the topics, research proposal, whole dissertation, or a part of it. We guarantee 100% satisfaction.

Can I contact the assigned writer?

We respect the confidentiality of both our writers and clients, and therefore we are unable to arrange direct contact. Our customer services team can act as a bridge between you and the assigned writer and will liaise with the writer on your behalf. Research Prospect simply requests all our clients to send all information and documents to the writer by email. This helps us to ensure that all the relevant and useful information is sent to the writer, and they complete your paper according to your exact requirements. The same applies to our writers as well.

Can I pay in instalments?

Payments for all services, including dissertations, essays, assignments, posters, etc., can be accepted in two instalments if the total order price is above £200.

Our online order form will let you pay the full amount or only the 50% advance payment to confirm your order.

In case you decide to pay the 50% advance payment at the time of placing your order, then please note that the outstanding balance must be cleared before the final delivery.

Do you amend the paper free of cost?

That’s right. The assigned writer will amend the paper as many times as needed until you or your supervisor are completely satisfied with the quality and contents of the paper.

How quickly can you complete my order?

Our team of well-trained and experienced writers is capable of handling all types of academic projects no matter how urgent your requirement is. Orders with short deadlines, particularly those with same or next-day delivery requirements, will involve additional charges.

However, if you are ordering a large academic project such as a dissertation, we would request you to allow our writers time of at least one week to complete the paper to the desired quality standard so you can be 100% satisfied with our dissertation writing service .

Ask our team

Want to contact us directly? No problem. We are always here for you!

[email protected]

Start Live chat

+44 141 628 7786

+44 785 833 6199

Explore Our Services

All Types and Subjects Covered

We have specialists in every academic subject who can handle all types of essays.

USEFUL LINKS

LEARNING RESOURCES

COMPANY DETAILS