A Guide on How to Write a Dissertation

Writing a dissertation is a significant milestone in higher education. As an undergraduate, postgraduate, or PhD student, your dissertation is likely the longest and most important piece of work you will complete during your degree. This guide explains what a dissertation is, why it matters, how to structure and write a dissertation.

It also offers tips on acknowledgments and referencing. It suits students across disciplines – from humanities and social sciences to STEM – and provides general advice suitable for all levels. Each section is concise and written in clear language, much like a university lecturer guiding you through the process.

What is a Dissertation and Why is it Important?

A dissertation (sometimes called a thesis, especially at the doctoral level) is an extensive research project one completes as part of a degree program. It allows you to investigate a topic of your choice in depth and present your findings. The primary purpose of a dissertation is to develop and test your independent research skills​

Unlike typical coursework or exams, a dissertation is largely self-directed – you will:

• formulate the research question; 
• decide on methodology;
• gather and analyse data or sources, and;
• discuss your results with relatively limited supervision​.

For most students, it is the capstone of their degree. Some call it “the longest, most difficult and most important assignment” they undertake at university​.

Strong dissertations have high value in academia because they foster critical thinking, project management, and subject expertise. Undergraduate dissertations present an opportunity to apply your learnings to a new problem and demonstrate your ability to conduct research. It plays a “significant part in students’ learning development and overall experience of university.​”

Thus, it helps to build transferable skills in analysis, writing, and time management. A well-chosen topic can also keep you motivated and engaged during the months of work required​.

Postgraduate Dissertations

At the postgraduate level, expectations are higher. A master’s dissertation should show advanced understanding of your field and may involve more original research or complex analysis​.

For a PhD dissertation, the standard is even more rigorous. Namely, a doctoral dissertation can make an original contribution to knowledge in the field​. Thus, quality work from a PhD student produces new insights or data that expand the boundaries of what is known. Completing a PhD dissertation demonstrates that the researcher has achieved sufficient mastery in the subject to pursue independent research as a professional scholar​. This is why dissertations are so important – they are both:

• lengthy assignments, and;
• a training ground for future academics and a means of pushing knowledge forward.

In summary, no matter the level, a dissertation is both a learning process and a scholarly product. It trains you in research skills and showcases your ability to apply those skills. In many cases, particularly at PhD level, a strong dissertation can do a myriad of things. For example, it can:

• lead to publication;
• influence future research, or;
• open doors to academic and professional opportunities.

Dissertation Structure: Overview of Chapters

While dissertations can vary in format across disciplines, they typically share a common core structure. Understanding these standard components will help you organise your work logically. Most dissertations include the following sections​:

Introduction

The introduction allows you to set the stage for your research. The introduction:

• outlines the topic and research problem;
• states the objectives or research questions, and;
• explains the significance of the study.

It should provide enough background for the reader to understand why the research. By the end of the introduction, the reader should know what you are investigating and why it matters.

Literature Review

A literature review essentially reviews existing research and scholarship relevant to your topic. Here, you survey academic books, journal articles, and other sources to “outline the previous research conducted on the subject.” A good literature review identifies gaps or debates in the knowledge that your dissertation will address.

This section demonstrates your understanding of the scholarly context and theoretical framework of your study. In some fields (especially humanities), you can integrate the literature review into thematic chapters rather than a standalone chapter. However, the purpose remains to set the intellectual foundation for your work.

Methodology

Methodology explains how you conducted the research. The methodology chapter details your research design, data sources, and methods of data collection and analysis. It should justify why these methods are appropriate for answering your research question. For example, you would describe whether your approach is experimental, survey-based, qualitative interviews, textual analysis, case study, etc., and providea rationale. You should also mention any tools or instruments used and address research ethics or limitations if applicable. This is “the most important aspect of research design” and should be described thoroughly and clearly so that another researcher could replicate your study.

Results (Findings)

This section presents the outcomes of your research without extensive interpretation. In a science or social science dissertation, this section would include the data you gathered. For example, statistical results, experimental observations, or thematic findings from interviews – organised in a logical order. Tables, graphs, and charts are often used here to help illustrate the results clearly.

In a more humanities-oriented dissertation (e.g. an interpretive analysis), you might not have a separate “Results” chapter. Instead, you need to weave your findings into the discussion or into chapters organised by case studies or themes. The key is that this section should report the facts you discover. This will then set the stage for the interpretation in the next section. Aim to be objective and concise, saving any deep analysis for the discussion.

Discussion

Interprets and analyses the results, tying them back to your research questions and the literature review. In the discussion chapter, you explain what the results mean and why they are important. You should evaluate whether the results support your hypotheses or answer your research questions, and how they relate to the scholarly work you discuss in the literature review. 

This chapter is also the place to explore implications: what do the findings suggest in the broader context of your field? Most discussion sections will also acknowledge the limitations of the study (for example, methodological constraints or uncertainties in the data) and may propose areas for further research. Essentially, the discussion contextualises your findings: “circling back to the literature review and explaining how the study adds to theory and practice.”

Conclusion

Summarise the key insights of your research and often makes closing reflections. The conclusion should concisely:

• restate the aim of the research and how you achieve it,
• highlight the main findings or arguments, and;
• underscore the contribution or significance of the work.

This is your final chance to remind the reader why your work matters, so focus on the take-home message. In some dissertations, especially longer ones, the conclusion may also include recommendations. Especially any recommendations for policy, practice, or further study that arise from your research. 

Keep the conclusion brief and to the point – it should not introduce new results or offer analysis. Think of it as the academic equivalent of the closing arguments, reinforcing what you want the reader to remember. After the conclusion, list your references (all the sources you cite in your work). In addition, you should list any appendices for any supplementary material.

Other elements

In addition to the main chapters above, dissertations usually include preliminary pages such as a title page, an abstract (a ~200–300 word summary of the whole study), a table of contents, and sometimes a preface. An abstract is typically required – it provides a snapshot of your research problem, methods, results, and conclusions so that someone can understand the gist of your work quickly. 

Most dissertations also have an acknowledgements page (more on that later) to thank supporters. At the end, after the conclusion, comes the reference list or bibliography. Appendices can be used for raw data, detailed calculations, questionnaires, or other material that is relevant to your research but too bulky to put in the main text. All these elements together make up the full dissertation.

Keep in mind that while the above structure is very common (often referred to as the IMRaD structure – Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion – plus extras like literature review and conclusion), there can be variations. Some fields merge or split chapters (for instance, combining Results and Discussion or having separate chapters for different case studies). Always check if your department or university provides specific guidelines or templates for the dissertation format. However, if none are prescribed, the structure outlined here is a reliable starting point that covers the essentials of a well-organised dissertation​.

Differences Between Disciplines: Humanities vs. Sciences (and Others)

Dissertations can look quite different depending on your field of study. While the core principles of conducting and presenting research apply everywhere, the emphasis, style, and even length of a dissertation in the humanities can differ from one in STEM or social sciences. Understanding these differences will help you meet the expectations of your discipline.

Humanities and Social Sciences

In humanities subjects (like literature, history, philosophy) and some social sciences, dissertations often resemble extended essays or monographs. They tend to be narrative and argument-driven. Instead of a strict methods-results format, humanities dissertations might be structured around thematic chapters or case studies. For example, a history dissertation might have separate chapters for different time periods or events, each building an overall argument. 

These works usually include extensive discussion of literature and theory throughout the text. Humanities dissertations are often longer as well, because they involve deep qualitative analysis and a lot of writing to develop interpretations. Indeed, such dissertations “often resemble extended essays, structured around themes … through extensive literature and case studies”, requiring a broad exploration of existing knowledge and in-depth analysis​. The language is typically more discursive, and the “results” are usually integrated with discussion since the findings in these fields often emerge from interpreting texts or concepts rather than collecting numeric data.

STEM and Quantitative Social Sciences

In science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields – as well as quantitatively oriented social sciences like economics or psychology – dissertations are generally more compact and structured. They almost always follow the formal pattern of Introduction, Literature Review, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion. The focus is on empirical data and analysis. 

Such dissertations tend to be more concise, focusing on data and experimental results rather than lengthy theory discussions​. Each section’s role has a clear definition. For instance, the methodology:

• explains experimental setups or data collection procedures in detail, and;
• present the results with figures and tables for clarity.

The discussion will relate these results back to hypotheses and existing literature, but in a targeted way. Because much of the space consists of data presentation (which might include charts or formulas), the overall word count might be lower than in a humanities thesis. A STEM dissertation prioritises precision and brevity – clarity of figures and tables as well as succinct explanations – so that the new findings come through efficiently. 

It is not unusual for a STEM PhD thesis to be shorter in word count than a humanities thesis, even if both took several years of work. As one analysis notes:

“humanities and social sciences often produce longer dissertations due to in-depth literature reviews and theoretical analysis, while STEM field dissertations are generally more concise.” 

In short, STEM = data-driven and succinct; Humanities = argument-driven and expansive.

Social Sciences (qualitative) and Other Fields

Social science dissertations can fall somewhere in between. For example, a sociology or education dissertation might use a case study or ethnographic approach. It will have a methodology and results, but the results might be qualitative (e.g. themes from interviews) and thus presented in a narrative form rather than numbers. These dissertations still usually follow the general structure, but you might combine chapters or organise by themes like Results and Discussion. 

Business, law, and other professional fields may also have their own conventions (sometimes including a reflective component or practical recommendations). Artistic or practice-based subjects (like fine arts or design) might include a portfolio or creative work accompanied by a shorter dissertation that contextualises the practice. Always tailor the general structure to your field’s norms. For instance, science and social science projects often use IMRAD, whereas “humanities dissertations may be structured around thematic chapters”. If in doubt, look at previous dissertations in your department or ask your supervisor about any discipline-specific expectations.

Despite these differences, remember that clarity, coherence, and rigor are universal requirements. Whatever the field, your dissertation should have a logical flow, clearly explain why the research was done, how it was done, what was found, and what it means. Adapting to your disciplinary style is important, but so is maintaining high academic standards in argumentation and evidence.

How Long Should a Dissertation Be? (Word Count by Level)

One common question students have is: how many words or pages should my dissertation be? The answer varies by level of study and institution, but here are some typical ranges (note that guidelines can differ, so always verify with your department):

Undergraduate Dissertations

These are usually the shortest. At the undergraduate level, dissertation projects often range from about 5,000 to 8,000 words​. But some programs may be up to ~10,000 words. This is roughly 20–40 pages of double-spaced text. Because undergrad projects have limits in scope and time-frame (often one semester or less of research), the word count is manageable.

For example, a final-year project in an English BA might be 8,000 words analysing a set of novels, or a psychology BSc dissertation might be a 6,000-word report of an experiment. Make sure you know your department’s required word count. Staying within the limit is important; you’ll face penalties for going significantly over (or sometimes under) the word count. Appendices, references, and certain elements like tables or footnotes might not count toward this total, depending on the rules. Therefore, be sure to check the specific policy on what the word count includes and excludes.

Master’s Dissertations (Postgraduate Taught or M.A./M.Sc. theses)

A master’s dissertation is a more substantial piece of work, typically around 10,000 to 15,000 words in many UK programs. This can be roughly 40–60 pages long. In some cases, especially for research-intensive master’s programs or in certain countries, the word count can be higher (up to 20,000 or even 25,000 words). The range is wider at this level because different fields have different norms – e.g. a Master of Arts in History might expect ~15,000 words of scholarly analysis, whereas a Master of Science by research might allow up to 20,000 with lots of data included. 

Plan your work so that each chapter contributes proportionately (for instance, in a 15,000-word thesis, you might allocate about 1,000-1,500 words for the introduction, 3,000 for literature review, 3,000 for methods, 4,000 for results, 3,000 for discussion, and a few hundred each for conclusion and abstract – this is just an illustrative breakdown, not a rule). Master’s students should demonstrate an ability to delve deeper into the topic than undergraduates, but are not expected to produce as much original contribution as a PhD.

PhD Dissertations (Doctoral Theses)

Doctoral dissertations are much longer. In many universities, the maximum length for a PhD thesis is around 80,000 words​essex.ac.uk (excluding references and appendices). This corresponds to roughly 250–300 pages of text. Different institutions have different limits: some might allow up to 100,000 words, but 80k is a common cap in the UK unless special permission is granted. In practice, PhD dissertations in the humanities and social sciences often fall in the 70k–80k range, while those in STEM fields may be shorter (perhaps 40k–60k words) because of more concisely presented content. 

For example, the University of Essex permits a maximum of 80,000 words for a PhD in most subjects. Cambridge University’s guidelines likewise set 80k as a typical upper limit for doctoral theses in arts and humanities​. It is important to note that more words do not automatically mean a better dissertation – being clear and avoiding unnecessary padding is crucial. PhD candidates should focus on making a substantial, original argument or presenting significant research results; the word count is just a framework to ensure the work has sufficient scope.

Word counts for a Research Masters

If you have a research master’s (like MPhil or MRes), those usually have word counts somewhere between a taught master’s and a PhD – often around 30,000–40,000 words – but again it varies. Always consult your university’s regulations on thesis length well in advance to avoid surprises. And remember, quality of content is far more important than hitting the maximum word count.

No matter the level, plan your writing so that you can stay within the required length. If your dissertation is going significantly over the limit, you may need to refine your scope or edit out less crucial parts. 

Conversely, if you are far under the word count, that could be a sign that you need to elaborate more on the analysis or include more content to meet the expected depth. Use your word count wisely across the sections: for instance, ensure the literature review and discussion get adequate coverage relative to your results. Your supervisor can help you gauge if your dissertation’s length and balance are on track. Finally, always double-check whether elements like the abstract, bibliography, footnotes, or appendices count towards the word limit – universities often exclude some of these from the count​, which can be helpful when formatting your work for submission.

Writing the Acknowledgements

Most dissertations include an acknowledgements section (usually not numbered or included in the table of contents) where you can thank those who helped and supported you during your research and writing process. This section is more personal in tone and is typically placed after the abstract (and before the main chapters) in your dissertation. While acknowledgements are not academically evaluated, it is considered good etiquette to write them thoughtfully – after all, completing a dissertation is a big undertaking, and you likely didn’t do it entirely alone.

Whom to thank?

Commonly, students thank their academic supervisors/advisors first. Your supervisor has guided you through the project, so a brief thank-you for their mentorship is usually expected (even if the guidance was not perfect – it is polite to acknowledge it regardless). Next, you should thank any other committee members or teachers who provided input, as well as any sponsors or funding bodies that supported your research (for example, scholarship organisations or grant providers). If you worked in a lab or as part of a research group, you might thank colleagues or technicians who assisted you, or anyone who provided data, feedback, or expertise. 

It is also typical to express gratitude to family and friends for emotional support, encouragement, or patience. Many students include a line thanking parents, partners, or friends who kept them going. Essentially, make a list of all the people (and institutions) that significantly helped you academically or personally with the dissertation​.

How to write it?

The style of acknowledgements can be slightly informal compared to the academic text, but it should still be professional. One useful approach is described as the “thanking move” with two components: identifying who to thank, and explaining how they helped​. You can write it in paragraphs or as a single paragraph. Usually, it is written in the first person (“I would like to thank…”). Start with the most formal/supportive acknowledgements and move toward the more personal. 

For example, begin by thanking funding sources and official mentors (this might even be done in a separate first paragraph), then move on to peers and family. A guideline from one doctoral writing expert suggests that “typically the structure moves from thanking the most formal support to the least formal – funders, supervisors, other academics, colleagues, and finally family.”​ This ordered approach ensures you don’t accidentally omit someone important (omission can be noticed as a “snub” if, say, you forgot to mention a supervisor or a key collaborator)​.

Brevity

You can keep each thank-you fairly brief. For example: “I am deeply grateful to Dr. X for her invaluable guidance and feedback throughout this project. I also thank Prof. Y and Dr. Z for serving on my committee and providing insightful comments. This work was supported by a grant from [Funding Body], for which I am thankful. My appreciation goes out to my colleagues in the ABC Research Group for their collaboration and for creating a stimulating research environment. On a personal note, I want to thank my family – my parents, who always believed in me, and my partner, who encouraged me through every late night of writing. I could not have completed this journey without their support.” That is just an example of tone and content. Notice how it moves from formal (academics, funders) to personal (family). You should tailor your acknowledgements to your own situation, of course.

A few additional tips

Be sincere but concise – it is fine to show some warmth or personality, especially when thanking loved ones, but avoid overly effusive dedications. Also, even if you had difficulties with someone (say, a supervisor who was often busy), it is customary to thank them politely; you can keep it short and general if needed. Some universities have rules about acknowledging certain contributions. For instance, if you had an editor or proofreader help polish your thesis, you may be required to acknowledge that assistance officially)​. Check your guidelines on this. Finally, remember that the acknowledgements page will be public in your final dissertation, so don’t include anything you wouldn’t want others to read (keep it professional and gracious in spirit).

In summary, the acknowledgements are your chance to express gratitude. Write them in a straightforward, respectful manner, covering all the key people who helped academically, financially, or emotionally. It is a small section, often about a paragraph or two (many examples are around 100–200 words), but it adds a human touch to your dissertation and is an important courtesy in academia.

Referencing and Citation (Harvard Style)

Proper referencing is a critical part of academic writing, and your dissertation will be expected to follow a consistent citation style. In this area, we focus on the Harvard referencing system, a common author–date style used in many universities. Good referencing serves two main purposes: it gives credit to the original authors of ideas or data, and it allows readers to locate the sources you used.

Failure to reference properly can result in plagiarism, which is taken very seriously in academia. The key is to cite every source you draw upon and to format those citations and references in the required style.

Harvard style basics

Harvard is an author-date citation system. This means that when you cite a source in your text, you do so by mentioning the author’s surname and the year of publication (and a page number if you are quoting or referring to a specific part of the text). For example: According to Smith (2017), the results confirmed the hypothesis… or Recent studies have confirmed the hypothesis (Smith 2017). If itis a direct quote or a very specific point, you would include page numbers: (Smith 2017, p. 42)​. These short in-text citations correspond to fuller references at the end of your dissertation.

How to write a dissertation references

At the end of your document, you will have a section titled References (or Reference List). This is an alphabetical list (by author surname) of all sources that you cited in your work. Each reference entry provides full bibliographic details so that a reader can find the source. In Harvard style, a reference typically includes: author(s), year, title of the work, publication details, and for online sources a URL and access date.

For example, a book reference might look like: Smith, J. (2017) Research Methods in Ecology. Oxford: Oxford University Press. A journal article: Doe, A. and Chen, B. (2020) ‘Urban development and air quality: A case study’, Journal of Environmental Studies, 45(2), pp. 150-166. If it is a website: University of X (2021) Department Guidelines on Dissertations, University of X website. Available at: URL (Accessed 10 March 2025). The exact format can vary slightly by institution (since Harvard is a style with some variations). But the key is consistency and completeness.

In-text citations

In-text, the citation is very brief (just author and date, plus page if needed)​. For instance: …which has been defined as “…proper citation practice” (Brown 2015, p. 10). If the author’s name is in your sentence, you just put the year in parentheses right after the name.

Brown (2015) argues that “…”. If there are two authors, cite both (e.g., Smith and Doe 2019). If more than two authors, Harvard style often uses et al. (e.g., Patel et al. 2021 for a source with multiple authors, although list all names in the full reference). If the source has no identifiable author, you can cite the organisation or a shortened title. Harvard referencing usually requires you to avoid footnotes for citations (unlike Chicago style, for example); all citations go in the text in parentheses, and the reference list contains all the sources.

Best practices for referencing

Cite as you write

As you are writing each section of your dissertation, insert citations for any ideas, findings, or quotations that are derived from a source. It is much easier to do this on the fly than to try to add citations later. Every time you state a fact that isn’t common knowledge or present a viewpoint that is not your own, ask “where did this come from?” and cite the source. This habit will safeguard you against unintentional plagiarism.

Use a consistent Harvard format

Harvard referencing does not have one single authoritative manual. Different universities have slight variations. Pick one version. For example, your university library might have a Harvard style guide and stick to it. Pay attention to details like punctuation and italics. Typically in Harvard, titles of books and journals are italicised, article titles are in plain text, and so on. Consistency is key; if you italicise a journal name in one reference, do it in all references.

Include all sources in the Reference List

Every source you cite in the text must appear in the reference list at the end, and vice versa. The reference list should not include works you did not cite (that would be a bibliography of everything you consulted). In Harvard style, the reference list is alphabetised by the last name of the first author of each work. If you have multiple works by the same author, order them by year. Ensure the information (author name spellings, year, title) in the in-text citation matches exactly with the reference entry, so readers can easily cross-reference.

Use page numbers for direct quotes

When you directly quote a source (or closely paraphrase a specific passage), add the page number in the citation. For example: (Garcia 2018, pp. 55-56) for a quote spanning those pages. This follows Harvard conventions and helps readers locate the quoted text in the original source. If quoting a source without page numbers (like a website), you can use section headings or paragraph numbers if available, but often, just author and year is acceptable if no other locator exists.

Reference management

It is a good idea to use a reference management tool or at least a systematic method to keep track of your sources. Software like EndNote, Zotero, or Mendeley can help you store references and even auto-format citations in your document. However, always double-check the formatting because automated tools are not foolproof. If doing it manually, keep a master list of references as you go.

Harvard referencing specifics

To avoid common mistakes, note that in Harvard style: Author initials are used in the reference list (not first names spelled out), publication year is prominent (immediately after the author name), titles of articles or chapters are usually in lower case (except first word and proper nouns), and titles of books or journals are capitalised in headline style. 

• For online sources, include “Available at: URL” and an Accessed date (the date you last accessed the source) – this is important for webpages since content can change. 
• For example: (Smith 2022) in text, and in references: Smith, A. (2022) ‘Title of Webpage’, Website Name. 
• Available at: https://www… (Accessed 14 March 2025). If your university has a preference (some might not require the word “Available at” etc.), follow that.

Plagiarism and academic integrity

Proper citation is not just about formatting; it is about credit. Make sure you cite every idea, data point, figure, or quote that is not originally yours. When in doubt, cite. It is better to have perhaps an excess citation than to leave out an important one. Also, try to balance your sources – a dissertation should be grounded in existing literature, so expect to cite many sources, but your own analysis and voice should still come through. 

Typically, the literature review chapter will have the densest citations, whereas the methodology chapter might have fewer (mostly methodological references), and the discussion might cite both your results and some comparative literature.

Summary

By following Harvard referencing meticulously, you enhance the credibility of your dissertation. Readers will trust your work more knowing they can trace your sources. Good citation practice also demonstrates your professionalism and attention to scholarly ethics. Before submission, proofread your reference list carefully to ensure each entry is complete and formatted consistently. Cross-check a few citations in the text against the list to be sure nothing is missing. Remember, “the Harvard system requires two elements: in-text citations throughout your work and a list of references at the end”​ – if you have those in place and done correctly, you’re well on your way to meeting the academic standards.

Conclusion on How to Write a Dissertation

Writing a dissertation is a challenging but deeply rewarding process. It tests your ability to conceive a project, carry it through systematically, and communicate the results effectively. By understanding the purpose of a dissertation, following a clear structure, and tailoring your approach to your field’s conventions, you can produce a piece of work to be proud of.

Always keep your research question and objectives in focus, and guide the reader through your argument or findings in a logical way. Take care with the presentation – from the layout of chapters to the details of referencing – as these elements lend polish and credibility to your scholarship. Lastly, manage your time well: break the work into stages (proposal, research, drafting, revising) and don’t be afraid to seek advice from your supervisors and peers at each step.

Time to reflect

As you wrap up your dissertation journey, take a moment to reflect on how much you’ve learned. Completing a dissertation not only expands knowledge in your subject area but also hones your skills in analysis, writing, and independent work – all of which will serve you in future endeavours. If you find yourself needing extra support, remember that you’re not alone. Universities offer resources such as writing workshops, library research help, and advisor consultations. Additionally, some professional services and guides can provide assistance with editing or feedback.

For instance, UK Essays offers resources and expert guidance to help students navigate the dissertation process. Engaging with such support – whether through your university or external advisors – can give you confidence that you’re on the right track.

In the end, it is a significant accomplishment to write a dissertation. By following the guidance in this guide – understanding the expectations, planning and structuring your work, and upholding academic standards – you’ll be well-equipped to produce a high-quality dissertation. Embrace the experience as a chance to become an expert in your chosen topic and to contribute, even in a small way, to the body of knowledge in your field. Good luck with your writing, and we look forward to seeing the results of your hard work!

References

Winder, I.C. (2023) ‘Choice Matters: An Investigation of Students’ Experiences Selecting Dissertation Projects’, Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education, Issue 27, pp. 1–22. (Accessed 10 March 2025).

Carter, S. (2013) ‘Writing the acknowledgments: the etiquette of thanking’, DoctoralWriting SIG (blog), 18 April 2013. (Accessed 12 March 2025).

Hemmings, H. (2024) ‘What is a dissertation?’, TopUniversities [Blog], updated 02 August 2024. (Accessed 14 March 2025).

Hill Publishing Group (2024) ‘Decoding Academic Length: How Long Are Dissertations in Various Disciplines?’, Hill Publishing News, 28 April 2024. (Accessed 14 March 2025).

Laerd Dissertation (n.d.) ‘Dissertation Acknowledgements – Identifying People to Thank and Thanking Them Properly’. (Accessed 13 March 2025).

University of Essex (n.d.) Thesis word count and format. Colchester: University of Essex. (Accessed 13 March 2025).

University of Sheffield Library (2016) Harvard referencing [Online Guide]. Sheffield: University of Sheffield. (Accessed 12 March 2025).

University of Southern California Graduate School (n.d.) Thesis & Dissertation Submission: Guidelines. Los Angeles: USC. (Accessed 12 March 2025).

University of Westminster Library (n.d.) Dissertations 1: Getting Started [LibGuides]. London: University of Westminster. (Quotation on typical word counts retrieved via LibGuides.) (Accessed 13 March 2025).