HOW LONG IS A DISSERTATION ?

February 6, 2023 Martha Simons
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Guess what, you have been assigned to write a dissertation and you don’t even know how long it should be. But, worry not, because we have got you covered. Writing a dissertation itself is a difficult task and when you don’t even know about the average length of a dissertation then it becomes even more challenging. However, with proper guidance, everything can be done without a problem. Typically dissertations are between 80-100 pages in length, however, the standard length of a dissertation varies depending on the field and the topic of study. 

Our team of academic writing experts from Write My Essay has compiled this article on how long a dissertation should be based on your field of study. Keep reading to know what should be the exact length of your dissertation.

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What is a Dissertation?

A dissertation is a long and detailed piece of academic research written by a student to complete their degree. 

The dissertation must be based on primary research and include evidence from secondary sources. 

Moreover, it should demonstrate critical thinking skills, as well as the student’s ability to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information from multiple sources. 

Unlike a master’s thesis, the purpose of a dissertation is to explore an area in depth to make an original contribution. 

What is the Purpose of a Dissertation?

The purpose of a dissertation is to showcase your ability to conduct independent research and demonstrate the knowledge you have gained in a field of study. 

A good dissertation should be able to explore something new or present a fresh perspective on an existing topic. 

The dissertation must be well-researched, using primary and secondary sources to form an argument that is then defended with evidence and logical deductions. 

The dissertation should conclude or offer recommendations based on your findings. 

Note: The ultimate purpose of a dissertation is to make an original contribution to a field of study.

How Long a Dissertation Should Be?

Wondering how long is a dissertation? The average length of a dissertation should be around 80 to 120 pages. However, the exact length of your dissertation depends on your field of study. 

A qualitative dissertation is usually the longest with an average of 210 pages (two hundred and ten pages). Quantitative dissertations are usually the shortest with 100-140 pages on average. 

Therefore the average length of a dissertation varies depending on your field of study and the type of dissertation that you are about to write. 

Note: Always consult with your supervisor or program/university guidelines to determine the appropriate length for your particular dissertation topic.

What is the Recommended Length of a Dissertation?

The recommended length of a dissertation varies depending on the field and topic of study. Generally, it is expected that a dissertation should not be shorter than 70 pages and can be as long as required to make your point of view clear for the reader. More complex topics may require a longer dissertation, while simpler topics may require fewer pages. 

It is important to consult with your supervisor or program guidelines to determine the most appropriate length for your particular topic. It’s also helpful to consider the audience when deciding on a word count or page limit. Doing this will ensure that your dissertation is neither too long nor too short for the intended readership.

Dissertation Length By Discipline

Let’s get to the specifics of each academic discipline to know the exact length of a dissertation for that specific discipline. 

How long is a Typical Dissertation?

A typical dissertation is approximately 80-120 pages long, with an in-depth literature review, research methodology, data analysis, and discussion of results. 

For example, dissertations in the sciences may be shorter due to their emphasis on data collection and presentation. Most universities require a minimum length for a dissertation to ensure that all necessary points are covered.

How long is a Doctoral Dissertation?

A doctoral dissertation is usually between 150 to 350 pages in length. Generally, a doctoral dissertation includes an extensive literature review, detailed research methodology, data analysis as well as a discussion and interpretation of results. Although there is no specific page requirement, universities often require a minimum length to make sure that all important points are adequately covered in the dissertation. 

How long is a Dissertation Defense?

I am How long should a dissertation defense be? Well, the average length of a dissertation defense document is typically around 15 to 20 pages, with the focus being on your research methods, results, and conclusions.

While the length of a dissertation defense varies depending on your field of study. The dissertation should include enough information to demonstrate an understanding of your research topic and the methods used.

How long is a Dissertation Proposal?

Wondering how long a dissertation proposal should be? Well, a dissertation proposal typically should range between 5-15 pages long. Although the exact length of a dissertation proposal varies depending on the field of study, research methodology utilized, and requirements set by the university. 

The dissertation proposal should contain an introduction outlining your research topic and goals, background information on the topic, a review of the existing research methodology to be used, a timeline for completion of the project, and potential sources of funding.

How Long Are Qualitative Dissertations?

Wondering how long a qualitative dissertation should be? Qualitative dissertations are usually the longest with an average length of between 100 to 300 pages long. The length of a qualitative dissertation also varies based on the level of detail included in the sections of your dissertation such as literature review, data collection, analysis, results, and conclusions. 

A good qualitative dissertation should provide sufficient information to demonstrate an understanding of the research topic. It should also include descriptive text to explain the results.

How Long are Quantitative Dissertations?

Wondering how long a quantitative dissertation should be? A quantitative dissertation typically ranges between 70-280 pages. Quantitative dissertations are usually shorter than qualitative dissertations. 

The length of a quantitative dissertation is not determined by the number of pages, but rather by the complexity of the research conducted. A quantitative dissertation should provide sufficient detail to demonstrate a deep understanding of the research topic and include statistical information to support the findings.

How to Write a Dissertation?

Writing a successful dissertation can be challenging but with the right guidance, this task can also become easier. If you want our experts to do your dissertation for you then place your order right now and get a plagiarism-free custom dissertation delivered to your inbox in a few hours.

Here are some tips to help you create an effective and professional dissertation:

  1. Have a Clear Goal

It’s important to have a clear goal of what you want your dissertation to accomplish. What questions are you hoping to answer? What do you want your research to uncover? Knowing the purpose of your dissertation will give you direction and help keep you on track.

  1. Develop a Plan

Once you know the goal of your dissertation, it’s time to develop a plan on how you’re going to achieve it. Will there be any interviews or surveys involved? What timelines do you need for each step? Make sure that your plan is flexible enough that it can accommodate any changes that may come up during the research process.

  1. Do Your Research

The most important part of writing a successful dissertation is conducting thorough research into the topic at hand. Gather as much reliable data as possible from sources such as peer-reviewed journals, relevant books, and even online forums where experts in the field converse about topics related to yours.

  1. Design Your Process Carefully

No two dissertations are alike so when designing your research process make sure that it fits with the topic at hand and meets all criteria set out by your institution or degree program. Be careful not to overlook any details while designing this process; double-check requirements, review deadlines, and clearly understand guidelines before beginning work on your project.

  1. Get Feedback

As you’re creating your dissertation, consider getting feedback from other professionals in academia or even those outside of academia who have experience with similar topics or projects (e.g., software developers). Getting feedback can help refine your work, provide new perspectives, and eliminate mistakes that could potentially have big impacts later down the line in terms of academic success or failure for this project.

Structure of a Dissertation

A dissertation is usually divided into several distinct sections, each with its purpose and length requirement. Generally, a dissertation will include the following components:

Dissertation Introduction Section 

A brief overview of the main topic and research question(s). It should provide enough context to ensure readers understand why this specific topic has been chosen for your dissertation.

Dissertation Literature Review Section 

This part examines previous literature related to your research topic. It must demonstrate an understanding of existing work on the selected topic within the field to set up your research within its scope.

Dissertation Methodology 

This section outlines how you plan to conduct your research and analysis of data; it should include information about which methods you will use (e.g., interviews or surveys), any ethical considerations that need to be taken into account, and any limitations posed by the methodology used.

The Analysis/Findings Section

Here you present data collected from primary sources as well as secondary sources such as books or older studies related to your research topic. This may include tables, graphs, or other visuals that help explain your results more clearly. You will also discuss any patterns observed from the results and make connections with existing theories or literature on the subject matter being discussed.

Discussion/Conclusion Section

Finally, a discussion section brings together all of the previous sections and provides an overall conclusion to the study conducted previously in the dissertation paper. This part includes reflections on what was discovered through the course of conducting this research, implications for further study, possible limitations found throughout the project, etc.

F.A.Q

Can you do a dissertation in 2 months?

It is possible to complete a dissertation in 2 months, however, it depends on the individual’s schedule and ability to dedicate sufficient time and effort. It is important to develop an organized plan for researching, analyzing, and writing up the paper to complete a dissertation in 2 months.


Can you write a dissertation in 3 days?

Writing a dissertation in only 3 days is not recommended as it would require an intense amount of work and dedication to thoroughly complete the entire paper. However, completing a dissertation in just 3 days would harm your overall grade as you would not have adequate time for planning, researching, and editing.


How long does it take to write a dissertation?

The time it takes to write a good dissertation depends on the individual’s research and writing abilities, their knowledge of the topic, and the amount of time they are willing to dedicate to this task. On average writing, a dissertation can take anywhere from several months to a year or more.


How long is a dissertation Ph.D.?

The average length of a dissertation is between 80,000 to 100,000 words (70-150 pages). It is important to create a timeline and plan carefully to ensure that all necessary information is included in an organized manner

Can someone fail a dissertation?

Yes, it is possible to fail a dissertation. Reasons for failing can vary from not meeting deadlines to not having adequate research or writing skills to complete the task. Consult our experts for a dissertation review before you submit your dissertation to ensure that you get a good grade in your Ph.D. dissertation.


What is the shortest dissertation?

Quantitative dissertations tend to be the shortest, with 147 pages on average (one-hundred-and-forty-seven pages).


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