Today, several discussions take place on the Internet, in seminars, and in college and university lecture halls regarding various academic papers. Still, a dissertation is an enigma. Many questions confuse a student’s mind regarding this academic paper. However, the question that intrigues most people’s minds the most is, “How long is a dissertation?” If you are one of them and are still unsure of the appropriate thesis length, read this blog. Here, we have shared comprehensive details on the length of an ideal dissertation.
What is a Dissertation?
A dissertation or thesis is a long-form academic writing that you will have to develop after conducting original research. It is one of the first steps you have to take to complete your Ph.D. program. Moreover, it is one of the longest pieces of writing that you have to develop in your academic career. A thesis mandates conducting in-depth research, writing the document based on your research findings, and examining it. Typically, universities offer guidelines regarding the length and structure of the dissertation.
What Are The Different Types Of Dissertation?
You must have a clear idea of the type of dissertation you must develop. It will help you find the answer to your question, “How long is a dissertation?” Dissertations are primarily of two types:
- Qualitative
Dissertations that are developed in qualitative research depend on non-number-based information collection methods like surveys, images, interviews, focus groups, and contestant observation. Scholars enrolled in academic disciplines like anthropology, theology, art history, and literature typically perform qualitative research. The dissertation can length between 300-400 pages.
- Quantitative
Dissertations built on quantitative research use a specific method to deal with the following:
- Handle theory for answering research questions or developing a hypothesis.
- Develop a research strategy
- Conclude from the results
Therefore, students pursuing their studies in academic disciplines like chemistry, biology, economics, business, psychology, and health sciences perform quantitative research to develop their dissertations. Typically, quantitative dissertations never exceed 100 pages.
How Long Is a Dissertation?
The length of a dissertation varies with the subject on which you write it. When you wonder, “How long is a dissertation?” keep in mind the following 3 factors:
- Discipline of studies
- Nature of analysis – quantitative or qualitative
- Topics of research
Usually, the standard length of a dissertation will be between 150 and 300 pages. However, it is essential to review numerous causative factors.
Also read: Innovative Marketing Dissertation Topics
What is the Length of a Creative Dissertation?
A creative dissertation involves developing fiction, poetry, video, musical composition, or other non-traditional methods of humanistic conversation. Students pursuing their bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degrees in English and other fine arts subjects usually write a creative thesis. So, how long is a creative dissertation? Typically, it never exceeds 200 pages.
Essential Elements of a Dissertation
So how long is a dissertation? As we have observed, the length of a thesis varies with changes in several factors. However, students tend to assume that a dissertation is a single document. But it is not true. There are various places where students can get an idea for their thesis topic like during lectures, while attending seminars etc. In these places, professors or educators discuss various aspects of a subject which can provide multiple avenues for students to explore that can ultimately lead to a potential dissertation topic.
When imagining how long a thesis is, always remember to include the parts of the project that are not your central argument. Many thesis mandates to incorporate a literature review of the existing publications to illustrate a gap in the previously researched paper. Many fine details add up to the total length of a dissertation. Here is a complete breakdown of the length of all the sections of a dissertation:
Title page
A title page gives your reader the first impression of your paper. It consists of all relevant information about the dissertation. The appearance of the title page varies with every university. However, it includes certain common elements like author details, the dissertation title, etc. It is usually 1 page long.
Acknowledgments
In a dissertation, the acknowledgment allows you to share your gratitude with those who have helped you academically or personally in developing your thesis or dissertation. It takes no longer than a page.
Abstract
In a dissertation, an abstract serves as a summary of a long work. It reports the aim and consequences of the research to let the reader know what the dissertation is all about. The structure and length of the thesis usually vary with the discipline. However, the overall word count should typically be between 200 and 300 words. Nonetheless, some universities are quite strict about the overall length of the thesis. Therefore, it is best to check the university’s requirements.
Introduction
An introduction tells your reader the significance of the topic of your introduction. It must also specify the relevant essentials about the topic. Fundamentally, the introduction should let the readers know the reasons for choosing the topic or issue and what makes it relevant. Typically, the introduction should be between 10 and 15 pages.
Literature review
In this section, you will have to examine the relevant sources that you have selected for your paper, including their strengths and weaknesses. It should include only resources that you can use to create the dissertation. The length of the literature review should be between 20 and 25 pages.
Methodology
The length of this section of a dissertation ranges from 10 to 15 pages. It centers on the techniques used to perform the research. Here, you should talk about the specific methods and data-selection methods used. It should also include how you connect with the sample population and the collected data. Here, you can also include the challenges you faced while developing the thesis.
Results
This section of a dissertation should never be more than 10 pages. It characterizes the catalog and explanation of the obtained findings. You must mention the research findings and the hypothesis unequivocally. For instance, you must state whether the research findings were refuted or confirmed.
Conclusion
The conclusion is also called a discussion in a dissertation. It should be between 15 and 20 pages. You can use this section to explain the inferences of your research and offer a better perspective on them.
Also read: How to Write a Dissertation Proposal?
6 Tips to Increase or Decrease the Word Count of a Dissertation
While writing long assignments like dissertations, you often come across a common problem: either you write too much or too little. Well, none of these are accepted at any university or at any academic level. In that case, how should you maintain the length of your dissertation? Follow these simple tips to excel in your academic work.
How to Decrease the Length of a Dissertation
When trying to trim down the length of your dissertation, ensure not to chop off huge sections of your masterpiece. Instead, look for small but significant ways to reduce your word count.
- Look for fluff in your argument
Often, the length of a dissertation increases due to the presence of fluff in your document. Ensure that you have not repeated any data. Search for it and delete the sections. For example, if you write a paper on the change in the climate of a specific region and discuss the rate at which ice caps at the North Pole melt, mention it just once. If you find yourself restating the same point in a different language, choose the one that you have written more clearly and dismiss the other.
- Eliminate pointless or supplementary information
If you come across any details that do not serve your argument, remove them. For instance, if your thesis is based on George Washington’s policy positions, then talking about his personal life is unnecessary unless it directly affects his political career.
- Get to the point
The best arguments should be apparent and direct, and your paper should endeavor to be the same. For example, if you discuss decreasing word counts in a paper, shedding light on the various styles of communication first will not serve to get to the point. Therefore, you must keep an eye on not developing your paper in a way that adds words that weaken your argument. Hence, you must get to the point first.
How to Increase the Length of a Dissertation
The length of a thesis also plays a crucial role in achieving higher grades. However, the final score depends on the quality of your writing and the precision of your argument. Therefore, you must not merely scribble words to increase the length of your paper. There are some other tricks, too. The following are ways to increase your word count without adding unnecessary words.
- Investigate The Paper’s Topic More Thoroughly
Go through your paper and find out if there are outlets through which you can further talk about your topic without including redundant or unnecessary data. Here are two ways you can accomplish it:
Provide statistics: If possible, source data from a reliable informant to support your argument. It could be a poll or a scientific study.
Discusyour topic’s history:Whether you discuss politics or philosophy, it is always a good idea to note down the origin of your topic and the way the subject has progressed over time.
- Explore all angles of your paper’s thesis
Try to see if you have looked at all viewpoints of your thesis statement. It will increase the length of your content and also strengthen your argument. For example, if you have developed a paper on the reasons people must exercise but only stated the physical health reasons, you could also shed light on its psychological and economic effects.
- Include alternative points of view
Establishing an alternative standpoint can also assist in enhancing the length of the dissertation and highlighting that you have deeply researched the topic. For example, in developing a paper on capitalism, you could also talk about Karl Marx’s analysis of the economic system.
Read more: A Simple Guide on How to Write a Dissertation Outline
The Bottom Line
From the discussion above, it is clear that there is no definitive answer to the question, “How long is a dissertation?” Several factors, like the field of study, type of research, and research topic, play a significant role in determining the length of the paper. In case, you find it difficult to prepare an impressive dissertation within the word count, contact us immediately.
