Graduate studies and some specialized undergraduate programs generally culminate with the writing of a thesis or dissertation. These long works adhere to academic standards, including APA and MLA styles. Most universities also provide guides to dissertation formatting dealing with minor variances
from general publication standards.
Basic Structure
There are numerous standards for dissertation organization. The following guide is only one of many possibilities. This chart is based on a dissertation prepared at the University of Minnesota within the College of Letters and Arts. The Graduate School recommends a 200-page model, though each program has its own expectations. Other universities have similar policies: departments or programs have the final say on dissertation structures and lengths.
| I. Introduction | % Paper | Pgs/200 | Words |
|---|---|---|---|
| Background | 4% | 8.00 | 2,000.00 |
| Statement of Problem | 1% | 2.00 | 500.00 |
| Definitions | 5% | 10.00 | 2,500.00 |
| Limitations | 1% | 2.00 | 500.00 |
| Significance | 2% | 4.00 | 1,000.00 |
| 13% | 26.00 | 6,500.00 | |
| II. Review of Literature | |||
| Introduction | 1% | 2.00 | 500.00 |
| Secondary Lit A | 6% | 12.00 | 3,000.00 |
| Secondary Lit B | 6% | 12.00 | 3,000.00 |
| Primary Literature | 10% | 20.00 | 5,000.00 |
| Rationale | 5% | 10.00 | 2,500.00 |
| Hypothesis | 5% | 10.00 | 2,500.00 |
| 33% | 66.00 | 16,500.00 | |
| III. Procedures and Methodologies | |||
| Introduction | 1% | 2.00 | 500.00 |
| Populations | 2% | 4.00 | 1,000.00 |
| Data Collection | 5% | 10.00 | 2,500.00 |
| Statistical Treatment | 3% | 6.00 | 1,500.00 |
| 11% | 22.00 | 5,500.00 | |
| IV. Presentation of Data | |||
| Introduction | 1% | 2.00 | 500.00 |
| Data Sets | 19% | 38.00 | 9,500.00 |
| 20% | 40.00 | 10,000.00 | |
| V. Discussion and Conclusions | |||
| Introduction | 1% | 2.00 | 500.00 |
| Summary of Findings | 4% | 8.00 | 2,000.00 |
| Discussion | 7% | 14.00 | 3,500.00 |
| Implications | 1% | 2.00 | 500.00 |
| For Further Study | 2% | 4.00 | 1,000.00 |
| 15% | 30.00 | 7,500.00 | |
| Additional | |||
| Bibliography | 3% | 6.00 | 1,500.00 |
| Appendices | 5% | 10.00 | 2,500.00 |
| 8% | 16.00 | 4,000.00 | |
| Totals | 100% | 200.00 | 50,000.00 |
Remember the above table offers only approximations. Always check with your academic institution for expected sections and lengths.