How to Write a Dissertation for the Social Sciences

A dissertation is a long piece of academic writing that is submitted as part of a doctoral degree program in the social sciences. It is a research-based document that presents the student’s original contribution to knowledge in their field.

The dissertation is typically divided into three parts:

• An introduction that provides background information on the topic and discusses the research question or problem that the dissertation will address.
• A literature review that summarizes the existing research on the topic and discusses how the dissertation will contribute to this body of knowledge.
• A research study that presents the student’s findings and discusses their implications.

The dissertation is typically written in a formal academic style and must meet the requirements of the student’s program. The format of the dissertation will vary depending on the field of study, but it will typically include the following elements:

• An abstract that summarizes the dissertation
• A table of contents
• A list of figures and tables
• An introduction
• A literature review
• A research study
• A discussion
• A conclusion
• References

Here are some tips for writing a dissertation in the social sciences:

1. Choose a topic that you are passionate about and that you are interested in learning more about.
2. Do your research and become an expert on your topic.
3. Develop a clear research question or problem that you want to address in your dissertation.
4. Write a strong introduction that provides background information on your topic and discusses your research question or problem.
5. Conduct a thorough literature review that summarizes the existing research on your topic and discusses how your dissertation will contribute to this body of knowledge.
6. Collect data and conduct your research study.
7. Analyze your data and draw conclusions.
8. Write a clear and concise discussion that discusses the implications of your findings.
9. Write a conclusion that summarizes your dissertation and discusses its implications for future research.
10. Cite your sources correctly.

Here are some resources for how to format a dissertation in the social sciences:

• The American Sociological Association’s Style Guide
• The American Political Science Association’s Style Guide
• The American Psychological Association’s Style Guide

Here are some of the best known dissertations published in the social sciences:

• “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism” by Max Weber
• “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions” by Thomas Kuhn
• “The Feminine Mystique” by Betty Friedan
• “The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life” by Erving Goffman
• “Orientalism” by Edward Said
• “Discipline and Punish” by Michel Foucault
• “The Wretched of the Earth” by Frantz Fanon
• “The Second Sex” by Simone de Beauvoir
• “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” by Malcolm X and Alex Haley
• “The Color Purple” by Alice Walker

These dissertations have had a significant impact on their respective fields and have helped to shape the way we think about the world. If you are interested in writing a dissertation in the social sciences, I encourage you to read these dissertations and to learn from the work of these groundbreaking scholars.

Here are some tips on how many pages your dissertation should be and the basic style that should be used:

• The length of your dissertation will vary depending on the requirements of your program. However, most dissertations in the social sciences are between 100 and 200 pages long.
• The basic style that should be used for your dissertation will also vary depending on the requirements of your program. However, most dissertations in the social sciences are written in a formal academic style. This means that your writing should be clear, concise, and free of errors.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask.

Here are some additional tips for writing a dissertation in the social sciences:

• Start early and give yourself plenty of time to write.
• Break the dissertation down into smaller, more manageable tasks.
• Get feedback from your advisor and other trusted colleagues.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
• Celebrate your successes along the way.

Writing a dissertation is a challenging but rewarding experience. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success.