A dissertation is the result of students’ extensive learning and practical skills. Writing it is not an easy task. It requires patience, determination and academic excellence to undertake the task. The dissertation is a completely research-based project. The quality of any dissertation depends on the research conducted for it. We can say that a dissertation is as good as the research conducted for it. Well, if you are worried about how to conduct research for a dissertation or which research methodology to use, this article is for you. We shall explain the best practical methods to conduct dissertation research. We may begin by explaining the importance of research.
Importance of Dissertation Research
The importance of research can’t be emphasised enough. Research is the wheel that drives human progress. Research is the main element that plays a vital role in the progress of the world. Since the cognitive revolution, man has used research as a tool to make progress possible. Quality research is the soul of a good dissertation. The only purpose of a dissertation is to present new research or to extend previous research. In this context, the quality of research is important. Researchers require a lot of creativity. Through research, man has made several breakthroughs in different fields.
Good dissertation research is bound to fascinate the experts and researchers in a field. It also fills the research gaps in several areas. In this way, it helps establish the missing links between events and explain phenomena unknown to humans. For students in master’s and doctorate, dissertation research is of paramount importance. They can open many doors of opportunities by conducting excellent research in their respective fields. International organisations and research institutions actively seek brilliant minds with new research ideas. Before conducting dissertation research, it is important to discuss its methodology. In the paragraph below, two major types of research are provided.
Methodology of Dissertation Research
There are two types of dissertation research: qualitative and quantitative. All the methods of conducting research fall under their ambit. These two major classifications explain different methods involved in research. We explain these methodologies first.
Qualitative Method
This method typically deals with non-numerical data. In a qualitative method, a researcher gathers and analyses subjective data such as texts, theories and opinions to create new research. Although this research method is more subjective than the quantitative one, it provides important insights into an under-researched area. It also uses anecdotal evidence to establish new research or fill the gap in previous research. The qualitative method can also utilise factual data to consolidate the research.
Quantitative Method
This method is based on numerical data. It is contrary to qualitative research, based on subjectivity and non-numerical data. The quantitative method is used for dissertation research which is scientific, such as biology, physics, chemistry, etc. It gets inspiration from the empiricist school of thought that focuses on factual information. On the contrary, qualitative method is used for research in social sciences.
Practical methods for Dissertation Research
There are many methods of conducting dissertation research. However, we are going to discuss methods with the most practicality. Some of them fall under the ambit of qualitative methodology, and some under quantitative methodology.
Observation
It is a qualitative method of acquiring data. It involves observing people, things, patterns or characteristics of things. Further, it is not a scientific method based on factual data. Observations only involve concluding by watching various patterns. The method involves direct, indirect and participant observation. In direct observation, the research maintains objectivity and does not partake in the process. Also, in indirect observation, the researcher relies on the observation of someone else. In participant observation, the researcher is himself a part of the observation.
Experimentation
This section draws results after conducting various experiments and establishing factual opinions. Researchers can perform experiments with the help of various techniques and procedures. They control many variables during the experiment and then conclude. The experiments give quantitative results. It is one of the most effective methods for dissertation research.
Surveys and Questionnaires
These are the most common methods for gathering research information. Surveys and questionnaires ask multiple questions from a large sample population. Afterwards, it is better to analyse surveys to draw conclusions. You can identify certain elements from the people’s answers, which then helps the survey performers to draw meaningful results.
Focus Groups
It is a qualitative research method in which a small group answers certain questions in a controlled setting. These focus groups help identify consumer decisions and improve services. A focus group involves six to twelve participants with an experienced moderator. The activity lasts for 90 to 120 minutes, and a thorough report of the session is presented afterwards.
Literature Review
Reviewing the literature on the research question helps conduct dissertation research. Exploring previous data helps researchers to comprehend the research question. It also helps them identify the under-researched topics. Gathering information from secondary data sources saves your time. You do not have to start researching that topic all over again. You can build upon the research work of someone else.
Interviews
Conducting interviews is a non-cognitive method of data collection. It is the method in which a researcher directly questions a person and records his response. It is an effective method of conducting dissertation research. The interviews may be structured or unstructured. The difference between them is that structured interviews are preplanned while unstructured interviews are not.
Hiring a Dissertation Writing Service
Conducting dissertation research is a hectic task and may require external help. It is a task that requires skill and creativity. However, if a person is short on time, he can hire a dissertation writing service which undertakes all his work. These professional services provide you with good-quality research.
Conclusion
A dissertation is as good as the research conducted for it. Good quality research is indispensable for the success of the dissertation. In the wake of this, it is important to select good research methods. This article provides 7 practical methods for conducting dissertation research. Make sure to utilise these methods if you want to do meaningful research.
