10 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a Dissertation

The dissertation writing process involves choosing a research topic, conducting a literature review, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting the findings with regard to predefined research questions, and organizing all the relevant information into a complete paper while maintaining academic standards and guidelines. Doctoral candidates ought to address a certain gap in the body of knowledge through research. The process may be overwhelming but the candidate must avoid all the mistakes to increase the chances of passing the final dissertation defense and acceptance by the committee members. This article highlights the most common mistakes to avoid when writing a dissertation.

Mistake 1. Choosing a very broad or very narrow research topic

A dissertation should be focused on a specific subject to allow one to adequately research the topic and write only the relevant information. If the topic is too broad, the researcher may not be able to explore it extensively and may lose focus of the main idea when writing the dissertation. Too narrow topics limit the scope of the study and it may not be possible to find adequate sources to develop a substantial argument.

Mistake 2: Not conducting adequate research before writing

Before one can begin writing, it is fundamental to research the chosen topic extensively. Researching before writing helps in understanding exactly what the topic entails, existing debates and scholarly conversations concerning the subject matter, and identifying gaps or perspectives that have not yet been explored by other researchers. Such an understanding is essential for positioning one's research in the context of other studies on the chosen topic.

Mistake 3: Basing the dissertation on a weak problem statement

After choosing the topic and formulating a research question, the scholar must develop a strong problem statement that is precise and direct to the point. Submitting poorly written problem statement may delay the approval of the dissertation proposal.

Mistake 4: Lack of focus and originality in dissertation

Dissertations that contain off-the-topic information may end up confusing readers. Doctoral candidates must ensure that every piece of information they write is original and is strictly focused on the main aim and objectives of the study.

Mistake 5: Not explaining the significance of the study

Providing information as to why the study is significant is essential for the success of the doctoral dissertation process. The readers should know why the study is being conducted and what it is likely to contribute to the existing body of knowledge in the field, education, policy, or practice.

Mistake 6: Inconsistent formatting

Different disciplines, fields, and universities have specific formatting requirements that all written papers must be compliant with. Failing to adhere to the requirements may be perceived as a lack of professionalism. Students ought to confirm all the formatting guidelines and instructions to ensure their dissertations are completely compliant before submitting the manuscript for marking and assessment.

Mistake 7: Lack of consistency in referencing and citation of sources

The reference list at the end of the dissertation must be formatted according to the same guidelines used in the body of the paper. Additionally, the in-text citations should correspond to the sources in the reference list. One can use the help of tools such as Reciteworks to manage their references.

Mistake 8: Violating academic integrity

Students may violate academic integrity through ways such as:

• Submitting plagiarized works.
• Self-duplication.
• Providing false information and unverifiable claims.
• Violating the specific university's rules and regulations.

Integrity is invaluable in academics. Its violation is intolerable and can greatly reduce the chances of acceptance for a doctoral dissertation.

Mistake 9: Lack of opposing arguments and viewpoints

After choosing a dissertation topic, collecting data and analyzing data, and developing a logical argument, it is fundamental to explore the possibility of the existence of opposing arguments or different viewpoints. Understanding the topic from different dimensions and viewpoints prepares the candidate on what and how to answer in case a controversial argument is posed during the dissertation defense or oral presentation.

Mistake 10: Not editing and proofreading the dissertation before submission

Editing and proofreading help in detecting and correcting typographical, spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors, inconsistencies in the structure, formatting, and style, and any other mistake that can interfere with the quality and impression of the final version of the dissertation. Editing and proofreading processes assist in ensuring clarity, consistency, conciseness, flow, and effectiveness of scholarly writing.

Other mistakes to avoid when writing a dissertation include:

• Not complying with word count requirements for each chapter or the whole dissertation.
• Not preparing adequately for dissertation defense.
• Not communicating with the dissertation committee members.
• Writing information that does not support the problem statement.

Avoiding these mistakes can increase one's chances of excelling in each step of the dissertation writing process. Doctoral students should seek guidance from their supervisors to remain on track throughout the writing process.