politics dissertation structure

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How to Write a Dissertation | A Guide to Structure & Content

A dissertation or thesis is a long piece of academic writing based on original research, submitted as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

The structure of a dissertation depends on your field, but it is usually divided into at least four or five chapters (including an introduction and conclusion chapter).

The most common dissertation structure in the sciences and social sciences includes:

• An introduction to your topic
• A literature review that surveys relevant sources
• An explanation of your methodology
• An overview of the results of your research
• A discussion of the results and their implications
• A conclusion that shows what your research has contributed

Dissertations in the humanities are often structured more like a long essay , building an argument by analysing primary and secondary sources . Instead of the standard structure outlined here, you might organise your chapters around different themes or case studies.

Other important elements of the dissertation include the title page , abstract , and reference list . If in doubt about how your dissertation should be structured, always check your department’s guidelines and consult with your supervisor.

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Table of contents

Acknowledgements, table of contents, list of figures and tables, list of abbreviations, introduction, literature review / theoretical framework, methodology, reference list.

The very first page of your document contains your dissertation’s title, your name, department, institution, degree program, and submission date. Sometimes it also includes your student number, your supervisor’s name, and the university’s logo. Many programs have strict requirements for formatting the dissertation title page .

The title page is often used as cover when printing and binding your dissertation .

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The acknowledgements section is usually optional, and gives space for you to thank everyone who helped you in writing your dissertation. This might include your supervisors, participants in your research, and friends or family who supported you.

The abstract is a short summary of your dissertation, usually about 150-300 words long. You should write it at the very end, when you’ve completed the rest of the dissertation. In the abstract, make sure to:

• State the main topic and aims of your research
• Describe the methods you used
• Summarise the main results
• State your conclusions

Although the abstract is very short, it’s the first part (and sometimes the only part) of your dissertation that people will read, so it’s important that you get it right. If you’re struggling to write a strong abstract, read our guide on how to write an abstract .

In the table of contents, list all of your chapters and subheadings and their page numbers. The dissertation contents page gives the reader an overview of your structure and helps easily navigate the document.

All parts of your dissertation should be included in the table of contents, including the appendices. You can generate a table of contents automatically in Word.

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If you have used a lot of tables and figures in your dissertation, you should itemise them in a numbered list . You can automatically generate this list using the Insert Caption feature in Word.

If you have used a lot of abbreviations in your dissertation, you can include them in an alphabetised list of abbreviations so that the reader can easily look up their meanings.

If you have used a lot of highly specialised terms that will not be familiar to your reader, it might be a good idea to include a glossary . List the terms alphabetically and explain each term with a brief description or definition.

In the introduction, you set up your dissertation’s topic, purpose, and relevance, and tell the reader what to expect in the rest of the dissertation. The introduction should:

• Establish your research topic , giving necessary background information to contextualise your work
• Narrow down the focus and define the scope of the research
• Discuss the state of existing research on the topic, showing your work’s relevance to a broader problem or debate
• Clearly state your objectives and research questions , and indicate how you will answer them
• Give an overview of your dissertation’s structure

Everything in the introduction should be clear, engaging, and relevant to your research. By the end, the reader should understand the what , why and how of your research. Not sure how? Read our guide on how to write a dissertation introduction .

Before you start on your research, you should have conducted a literature review to gain a thorough understanding of the academic work that already exists on your topic. This means:

• Collecting sources (e.g. books and journal articles) and selecting the most relevant ones
• Critically evaluating and analysing each source
• Drawing connections between them (e.g. themes, patterns, conflicts, gaps) to make an overall point

In the dissertation literature review chapter or section, you shouldn’t just summarise existing studies, but develop a coherent structure and argument that leads to a clear basis or justification for your own research. For example, it might aim to show how your research:

• Addresses a gap in the literature
• Takes a new theoretical or methodological approach to the topic
• Proposes a solution to an unresolved problem
• Advances a theoretical debate
• Builds on and strengthens existing knowledge with new data

The literature review often becomes the basis for a theoretical framework , in which you define and analyse the key theories, concepts and models that frame your research. In this section you can answer descriptive research questions about the relationship between concepts or variables.

The methodology chapter or section describes how you conducted your research, allowing your reader to assess its validity. You should generally include:

• The overall approach and type of research (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, experimental, ethnographic)
• Your methods of collecting data (e.g. interviews, surveys, archives)
• Details of where, when, and with whom the research took place
• Your methods of analysing data (e.g. statistical analysis, discourse analysis)
• Tools and materials you used (e.g. computer programs, lab equipment)
• A discussion of any obstacles you faced in conducting the research and how you overcame them
• An evaluation or justification of your methods

Your aim in the methodology is to accurately report what you did, as well as convincing the reader that this was the best approach to answering your research questions or objectives.

Next, you report the results of your research . You can structure this section around sub-questions, hypotheses, or topics. Only report results that are relevant to your objectives and research questions. In some disciplines, the results section is strictly separated from the discussion, while in others the two are combined.

For example, for qualitative methods like in-depth interviews, the presentation of the data will often be woven together with discussion and analysis, while in quantitative and experimental research, the results should be presented separately before you discuss their meaning. If you’re unsure, consult with your supervisor and look at sample dissertations to find out the best structure for your research.

In the results section it can often be helpful to include tables, graphs and charts. Think carefully about how best to present your data, and don’t include tables or figures that just repeat what you have written  –  they should provide extra information or usefully visualise the results in a way that adds value to your text.

Full versions of your data (such as interview transcripts) can be included as an appendix .

The discussion  is where you explore the meaning and implications of your results in relation to your research questions. Here you should interpret the results in detail, discussing whether they met your expectations and how well they fit with the framework that you built in earlier chapters. If any of the results were unexpected, offer explanations for why this might be. It’s a good idea to consider alternative interpretations of your data and discuss any limitations that might have influenced the results.

The discussion should reference other scholarly work to show how your results fit with existing knowledge. You can also make recommendations for future research or practical action.

The dissertation conclusion should concisely answer the main research question, leaving the reader with a clear understanding of your central argument. Wrap up your dissertation with a final reflection on what you did and how you did it. The conclusion often also includes recommendations for research or practice.

In this section, it’s important to show how your findings contribute to knowledge in the field and why your research matters. What have you added to what was already known?

You must include full details of all sources that you have cited in a reference list (sometimes also called a works cited list or bibliography). It’s important to follow a consistent reference style . Each style has strict and specific requirements for how to format your sources in the reference list.

The most common styles used in UK universities are Harvard referencing and Vancouver referencing . Your department will often specify which referencing style you should use – for example, psychology students tend to use APA style , humanities students often use MHRA , and law students always use OSCOLA . M ake sure to check the requirements, and ask your supervisor if you’re unsure.

To save time creating the reference list and make sure your citations are correctly and consistently formatted, you can use our free APA Citation Generator .

Your dissertation itself should contain only essential information that directly contributes to answering your research question. Documents you have used that do not fit into the main body of your dissertation (such as interview transcripts, survey questions or tables with full figures) can be added as appendices .

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Doing Dissertations in Politics

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This guide has been designed to help undergraduates develop an understanding of practical research methods, and their application in the undergraduate dissertation.

Written in an accessible and engaging style, it offers advice on all aspects of undergraduate research, from choosing a dissertation subject through to presenting the finished article.

Features of this book:

• concise chapters which provide an introduction to various aspects of research methods, including: why it is important; quantitative and qualitative methods; and practical application
• advice, hints and tips on planning, presenting, researching and writing undergraduate dissertations
• a wide range of examples of research to clearly illustrate different issues and methods which students may encounter
• guides to further reading and thinking at the end of each chapter.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1 | 19  pages, doing dissertations in politics, chapter 2 | 30  pages, research design and the dissertation, chapter 3 | 23  pages, defining the problem, chapter 4 | 16  pages, refining the problem, chapter 5 | 36  pages, deduction, quantification and the empirical dissertation, chapter 6 | 28  pages, induction, qualification and the empirical dissertation, chapter 7 | 11  pages, putting the cat out, chapter 8 | 13  pages, making sense of it all, chapter 9 | 4  pages.

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Guidelines For Writing A Politics Dissertation

Writing a politics dissertation can be a daunting task for any student. However, with clear guidelines and the right approach, it is possible to complete this project in an effective and successful manner.

This article provides insight into the essential components of writing a politics dissertation, from choosing an appropriate topic to properly formatting the paper. By following these guidelines, students can ensure their dissertation meets all requirements and makes a positive contribution to their academic career.

In order to write a successful politics dissertation, it is important to consider several key elements. These include selecting an interesting and pertinent topic; compiling research materials; organizing information into logical chapters; properly citing sources; adhering to the relevant rules of grammar and punctuation; and providing clear explanations of each concept discussed.

Additionally, it is important to incorporate feedback from supervisors or other experts in order to create a comprehensive and well-rounded final product.

Topic Selection

When writing a politics dissertation, it is important to select a suitable topic.

For example, you could look at the institutional biases in party affiliation and electoral systems. You could also consider the influence of social media on gender roles in politics.

When selecting your topic, make sure that it is relevant and interesting to your readers and that it has not been widely explored already. Consider what new perspectives and insights you can bring to the discussion, as well as how your research will help to fill any gaps in existing knowledge.

To ensure that your work is of the highest quality, you should thoroughly research all aspects of your chosen topic before beginning to write. Make sure that you are familiar with all relevant literature and theories, so that you can draw on them when making arguments in your dissertation.

By following these guidelines, you will be able to select an appropriate topic for your dissertation that will enable you to produce an engaging and insightful piece of work.

Research And Data Collection

Having selected a suitable topic, the next step in writing a politics dissertation is to conduct research and data collection.

Election trends, government policies, public opinion, international relations and party ideologies all provide rich sources of information. It is important that any data collected is accurate and up-to-date.

To ensure this, it is best to consult a variety of reliable sources such as official documents, scholarly articles, books and newspaper articles. Online databases can be an invaluable aid in collecting data from different parts of the world.

It is also necessary to consider any ethical issues associated with research methods used. The student must demonstrate that they are fully aware of how their research could affect those who participate or are affected by the study before beginning any data collection process.

The purpose of research and data collection should be clearly articulated at the outset so that the student can focus on gathering appropriate material for their dissertation. Data may need to be analyzed and interpreted if it is qualitative or quantitative in nature; statistical techniques should be used where necessary to draw meaningful conclusions from numerical information.

Ultimately, the quality of the dissertation will depend upon how well the student has researched their topic and collected relevant evidence to support their arguments.

Outline And Structure

Creating an outline is an important step of the writing process. It will help you organize your ideas and plan the structure of your dissertation. Writing the structure of a politics dissertation is a complex task that requires clear thinking and a logical approach. It typically involves crafting an introduction, body, and conclusion that are in line with the research objectives.

Creating An Outline

When beginning to write a politics dissertation, the first step is to create an outline. This will provide structure and organization to your paper.

It is important that your outline includes framing debates, media influence, and policy impact as these are core topics in political science. Carefully consider each of these concepts as you develop your arguments.

Additionally, make sure to include references in your outline so that you can easily locate them later when writing the dissertation. Writing an outline will help you stay on track while researching and writing the dissertation, allowing you to focus on what matters most – making a compelling argument that has an impact on policy decisions.

When outlining a politics dissertation, it is important to remember that clear organization and structure are key components of successful academic papers.

Writing The Structure

Now that the outline is complete, it’s time to begin writing the structure of the politics dissertation.

The structure should be organized and logical, with each section leading into the next.

Start by introducing the main ideas of the paper and provide an overview of where your argument is heading.

Make sure to include any relevant ideology clashes, power dynamics, and international relations that may be involved in your argument.

As you progress through each section, use evidence to back up your claims and explain how they relate to one another.

It is also important to remember that each section should be well-structured with a beginning, middle, and end.

This will help create cohesion throughout your paper and ensure a strong argument is made by the end.

With a clear structure in place, you can begin writing your politics dissertation with confidence knowing that it is well-organised and logically sound.

Sources And References

In writing a politics dissertation, it is important to consider sources and references. It is essential that the student researches and considers the party affiliations, voting trends, and ideological divisions of the topics they are discussing in order to be able to accurately analyze their policy and political implications.

When considering sources for a politics dissertation, it is important to consider:

• Academic journals from trusted institutions
• Books published by political scientists and experts on the topic
• Government documents related to the project’s subject matter

The student should strive to use multiple sources in order to create an accurate representation of their research.

Additionally, each source should be cited using an accepted citation format such as APA or MLA. This will ensure that any claims made can be validated by other readers of the paper.

It is also important for students to remember that while researching these topics they must remain objective and not allow personal biases or individual opinions to influence their work. Doing so can lead to inaccurate results that may not reflect actual trends or realities in politics.

By following these guidelines, students can approach their research with confidence in both their methods and results.

Language And Style

After looking at sources and references, it is important to consider the language and style that is used when writing a politics dissertation.

Political discourse is often subject to ideological bias, and writers should be aware of how their own political rhetoric may be framed by media outlets.

Discourse analysis can be useful for understanding power dynamics in politics, as well as how language shapes political conversations.

Writers should strive for an objective and impersonal style which avoids personal pronouns.

It is not enough to simply understand how language shapes politics; writers should also be able to use words effectively in order to communicate their ideas clearly.

Therefore, it is important that writers pay attention to the language they use in order to ensure that readers are presented with facts rather than opinion.

Additionally, it is essential for writers to make sure that any sources they cite are accurate and up-to-date so as not to mislead their audience or draw inaccurate conclusions from outdated data.

Careful attention must be paid towards the language used in order for the dissertation to have maximum impact on its readers.

Argumentation And Analysis

When discussing politics, argumentation and analysis are essential components. Argumentation involves presenting a point of view and supporting it with evidence, while analysis focuses on examining the implications and consequences of a particular political issue. It is important to understand both the arguments put forward by different political parties as well as the policy approaches they use in order to make informed decisions.

As an online tutor, it is my job to help students understand the intricacies of both theory and practice in politics. I provide explanations that demonstrate how political theories can be used to evaluate current issues in international relations. Moreover, I discuss electoral reform strategies and explore how party divisions can influence policy approaches.

In addition, I assist students in analyzing various aspects of politics such as economic trends, social dynamics, and environmental concerns. This helps them gain a more comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved when making political decisions.

By providing insights into these topics, I help students develop their critical thinking and analytical skills so they can become more informed citizens who are prepared to engage in meaningful dialogue about important issues facing our society today.

Editing And Revising

Editing and revising your work is an essential part of the dissertation writing process. It can help to improve the overall quality of your work, making it easier for readers to understand.

Here are some key tips for effective editing and revising:

Peer-reviewing:

Get feedback from peers and supervisors on your writing.

Ask them to provide constructive criticism that can help you refine your work.

Citation guidelines:

Make sure to adhere to a specific citation style in order to accurately cite sources.

Check with your supervisor or department to determine which style should be used.

Editing tips:

Read over your work several times, focusing on different aspects each time (e.g. grammar, spelling, structure).

Use tools such as spell checkers and grammar checkers if available; however, don’t rely solely on them as they may not pick up all errors.

Language conventions:

Pay attention to language conventions such as verb tense and subject-verb agreement.

Ensure that words are used correctly and consistently throughout the dissertation.

Proofreading strategies:

Take a break between drafts so that you come back with fresh eyes when proofreading your work.

Read aloud when possible as this can help identify errors more easily than reading silently.

These tips will help ensure that you produce a polished final draft of your dissertation that is free from errors and meets the required standards of quality academic writing.

Ethics And Credibility

In the field of politics, there are a variety of ethical challenges that need to be considered when conducting research.

Media bias, party loyalty, corporate influences, and national identity all have the potential to shape an individual’s opinion on political issues.

Foreign policy can be particularly tricky to navigate in terms of ethics because it is often difficult to determine whether or not a particular policy is intended as a form of international aid or as a means of exerting power over other countries.

When writing a politics dissertation, it is important to consider these ethical implications and ensure that the research being conducted is done with credibility in mind.

As such, rigorous fact-checking should be conducted with each source used in order to guarantee accuracy and avoid any potential bias.

This will help ensure that the research results are ethical and reliable for the reader.

Additionally, it is important to remain objective throughout the research process so that personal beliefs do not influence the results.

By upholding these standards of ethics and credibility, researchers can create a trustworthy document that accurately reflects their findings on political matters.

Submission And Presentation

Once the dissertation is completed, it should be submitted to the student’s supervisor and other faculty members for review.

The submission should include a cover page containing the title of the dissertation, the author’s name, and any acknowledgements. It should also include a table of contents that lists all major sections and subsections.

When presenting the dissertation, it is important to provide a clear overview of its main points while highlighting key arguments and evidence presented in support of them.

This should include an examination of national perspectives, party divisions, international influences, media coverage and academic approaches as relevant to the topic. Providing an analysis of how these different elements influence each other can help to provide greater insight into the issue being discussed.

Additionally, focusing on current debates or controversies related to the topic can help to demonstrate its relevance in today’s world.

To ensure that any audience understands all points presented in the dissertation, it is important for students to practice their presentation beforehand and make use of effective communication strategies such as using visual aids like charts or diagrams when appropriate.

In this way, they can ensure that their ideas are conveyed in a clear and concise manner.

Grading And Assessment

Political discourse in the 21st century is heavily influenced by media. It has become increasingly difficult to distinguish between facts and opinion, due to the prevalence of political bias across many media platforms.

To demonstrate this trend more clearly, let’s take a look at a few key metrics:

As an online tutor, it is my responsibility to provide students with resources to help them understand these complex concepts. I encourage them to consider how public opinion, voting behavior, party dynamics, influence of media and political bias all work together to shape our understanding of politics today.

It is important for students to be aware that these metrics are not always reliable and can often be manipulated by those with ulterior motives. By understanding their impact on politics, we can make more informed decisions when engaging with current affairs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time should i dedicate to writing my dissertation.

Writing a politics dissertation can be a daunting task, and dedicating the appropriate amount of time to it is essential.

An online tutor can provide guidance on how to best approach this project, including advice on researching techniques, formatting tips, data analysis, structure creation, and more.

Depending on the length of the dissertation, most students should dedicate at least four months to this project.

This includes several weeks for research, one month for writing the dissertation itself, and then another month for finalizing the document.

During these months it is important to set clear goals and milestones in order to stay organized and motivated throughout the process.

How Do I Go About Finding A Supervisor?

Finding a suitable supervisor for your dissertation project can be a challenging task. There are a few recommended strategies to consider when searching for the right supervisor.

Firstly, you should consider any funding sources available, such as scholarships or grants, that may include supervision as part of the package.

Secondly, explore online resources to get an idea of potential supervisors and their areas of expertise.

Thirdly, use research strategies such as interviews or surveys to assess their experience and qualifications.

Fourthly, determine how they will assist you with data analysis and writing style throughout the dissertation process.

Lastly, establish a timeline for completion that is agreeable to both parties.

By following these steps you can ensure that you have found an appropriate supervisor for your dissertation project.

What Should I Do If I Am Struggling To Stay Motivated?

Staying motivated while writing a politics dissertation can be challenging, but there are steps one can take to remain focused.

Seeking feedback from advisors and peers is a good start, as it can help to break tasks down into manageable chunks.

Utilizing academic resources, such as online databases and libraries, is another way to stay motivated.

Additionally, forming networks with other scholars working on similar topics can be beneficial in terms of goal-setting and accountability.

Finally, it is important to remember that motivation comes from within – so take the time to reflect on why this project is important and how it will benefit others.

Is It Possible To Write A Dissertation In A Language Other Than English?

It is possible to write a dissertation in a language other than English.

Cultural influences, political implications, historical context, ideological divisions and data analysis are all considerations when deciding what language to use for your dissertation.

Depending on the topic of research, a different language may be more suited for expressing complex ideas or analyzing relevant data.

Additionally, the choice of language could also have important political implications and reflect ideological divisions.

In all cases, it is essential to consider cultural influences when selecting the language for your dissertation.

Are There Any Resources Available To Help Me Write My Dissertation?

Writing a dissertation can be a daunting task.

Fortunately, there are many resources available to help you create an effective and comprehensive dissertation.

Academic research is key to crafting a successful dissertation; data analysis, literature reviews, style guidelines, and ethical considerations should all be taken into account for the best results.

An online tutor can provide support with structuring your ideas into an effective argument and guiding you through the research process.

These resources can help make sure your dissertation is of the highest quality possible and meets all academic standards.

Writing a politics dissertation can be a difficult and challenging task. It is important to dedicate adequate time for research, writing and revising in order to ensure that you produce a high quality dissertation.

To begin, it is essential to find an appropriate supervisor who is knowledgeable on the topic you are writing about. Your supervisor should be able to provide guidance and feedback throughout the process.

Additionally, it can be helpful to set realistic goals in order to stay motivated during the writing process. If you find yourself struggling to maintain motivation, take breaks or talk to friends or family members for support.

Additionally, many universities offer resources such as online tutors and workshops which can help with your dissertation writing. Lastly, if English is not your first language it may be possible to write your dissertation in another language; however, it is important to check with your university’s guidelines first.

In conclusion, writing a politics dissertation requires dedication and commitment. It is important to dedicate enough time for research, writing and revising in order to produce a high quality dissertation. Finding an appropriate supervisor who can provide feedback throughout the process is also essential. Additionally, setting realistic goals and taking regular breaks may help keep you motivated during the writing process.

Finally, there are many resources available such as online tutors and workshops which can assist with your dissertation writing journey; these should always be taken advantage of if possible.

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Dissertation Structure & Layout 101: How to structure your dissertation, thesis or research project.

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) Reviewed By: David Phair (PhD) | July 2019

So, you’ve got a decent understanding of what a dissertation is , you’ve chosen your topic and hopefully you’ve received approval for your research proposal . Awesome! Now its time to start the actual dissertation or thesis writing journey.

To craft a high-quality document, the very first thing you need to understand is dissertation structure . In this post, we’ll walk you through the generic dissertation structure and layout, step by step. We’ll start with the big picture, and then zoom into each chapter to briefly discuss the core contents. If you’re just starting out on your research journey, you should start with this post, which covers the big-picture process of how to write a dissertation or thesis .

*The Caveat *

In this post, we’ll be discussing a traditional dissertation/thesis structure and layout, which is generally used for social science research across universities, whether in the US, UK, Europe or Australia. However, some universities may have small variations on this structure (extra chapters, merged chapters, slightly different ordering, etc).

So, always check with your university if they have a prescribed structure or layout that they expect you to work with. If not, it’s safe to assume the structure we’ll discuss here is suitable. And even if they do have a prescribed structure, you’ll still get value from this post as we’ll explain the core contents of each section.  

Overview: S tructuring a dissertation or thesis

• Acknowledgements page
• Abstract (or executive summary)
• Table of contents , list of figures and tables
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: Literature review
• Chapter 3: Methodology
• Chapter 4: Results
• Chapter 5: Discussion
• Chapter 6: Conclusion
• Reference list

As I mentioned, some universities will have slight variations on this structure. For example, they want an additional “personal reflection chapter”, or they might prefer the results and discussion chapter to be merged into one. Regardless, the overarching flow will always be the same, as this flow reflects the research process , which we discussed here – i.e.:

• The introduction chapter presents the core research question and aims .
• The literature review chapter assesses what the current research says about this question.
• The methodology, results and discussion chapters go about undertaking new research about this question.
• The conclusion chapter (attempts to) answer the core research question .

In other words, the dissertation structure and layout reflect the research process of asking a well-defined question(s), investigating, and then answering the question – see below.

To restate that – the structure and layout of a dissertation reflect the flow of the overall research process . This is essential to understand, as each chapter will make a lot more sense if you “get” this concept. If you’re not familiar with the research process, read this post before going further.

Right. Now that we’ve covered the big picture, let’s dive a little deeper into the details of each section and chapter. Oh and by the way, you can also grab our free dissertation/thesis template here to help speed things up.

The title page of your dissertation is the very first impression the marker will get of your work, so it pays to invest some time thinking about your title. But what makes for a good title? A strong title needs to be 3 things:

• Succinct (not overly lengthy or verbose)
• Specific (not vague or ambiguous)
• Representative of the research you’re undertaking (clearly linked to your research questions)

Typically, a good title includes mention of the following:

• The broader area of the research (i.e. the overarching topic)
• The specific focus of your research (i.e. your specific context)
• Indication of research design (e.g. quantitative , qualitative , or  mixed methods ).

For example:

A quantitative investigation [research design] into the antecedents of organisational trust [broader area] in the UK retail forex trading market [specific context/area of focus].

Again, some universities may have specific requirements regarding the format and structure of the title, so it’s worth double-checking expectations with your institution (if there’s no mention in the brief or study material).

Acknowledgements

This page provides you with an opportunity to say thank you to those who helped you along your research journey. Generally, it’s optional (and won’t count towards your marks), but it is academic best practice to include this.

So, who do you say thanks to? Well, there’s no prescribed requirements, but it’s common to mention the following people:

• Your dissertation supervisor or committee.
• Any professors, lecturers or academics that helped you understand the topic or methodologies.
• Any tutors, mentors or advisors.
• Your family and friends, especially spouse (for adult learners studying part-time).

There’s no need for lengthy rambling. Just state who you’re thankful to and for what (e.g. thank you to my supervisor, John Doe, for his endless patience and attentiveness) – be sincere. In terms of length, you should keep this to a page or less.

Abstract or executive summary

The dissertation abstract (or executive summary for some degrees) serves to provide the first-time reader (and marker or moderator) with a big-picture view of your research project. It should give them an understanding of the key insights and findings from the research, without them needing to read the rest of the report – in other words, it should be able to stand alone .

For it to stand alone, your abstract should cover the following key points (at a minimum):

• Your research questions and aims – what key question(s) did your research aim to answer?
• Your methodology – how did you go about investigating the topic and finding answers to your research question(s)?
• Your findings – following your own research, what did do you discover?
• Your conclusions – based on your findings, what conclusions did you draw? What answers did you find to your research question(s)?

So, in much the same way the dissertation structure mimics the research process, your abstract or executive summary should reflect the research process, from the initial stage of asking the original question to the final stage of answering that question.

In practical terms, it’s a good idea to write this section up last , once all your core chapters are complete. Otherwise, you’ll end up writing and rewriting this section multiple times (just wasting time). For a step by step guide on how to write a strong executive summary, check out this post .

Need a helping hand?

Table of contents

This section is straightforward. You’ll typically present your table of contents (TOC) first, followed by the two lists – figures and tables. I recommend that you use Microsoft Word’s automatic table of contents generator to generate your TOC. If you’re not familiar with this functionality, the video below explains it simply:

If you find that your table of contents is overly lengthy, consider removing one level of depth. Oftentimes, this can be done without detracting from the usefulness of the TOC.

Right, now that the “admin” sections are out of the way, its time to move on to your core chapters. These chapters are the heart of your dissertation and are where you’ll earn the marks. The first chapter is the introduction chapter – as you would expect, this is the time to introduce your research…

It’s important to understand that even though you’ve provided an overview of your research in your abstract, your introduction needs to be written as if the reader has not read that (remember, the abstract is essentially a standalone document). So, your introduction chapter needs to start from the very beginning, and should address the following questions:

• What will you be investigating (in plain-language, big picture-level)?
• Why is that worth investigating? How is it important to academia or business? How is it sufficiently original?
• What are your research aims and research question(s)? Note that the research questions can sometimes be presented at the end of the literature review (next chapter).
• What is the scope of your study? In other words, what will and won’t you cover ?
• How will you approach your research? In other words, what methodology will you adopt?
• How will you structure your dissertation? What are the core chapters and what will you do in each of them?

These are just the bare basic requirements for your intro chapter. Some universities will want additional bells and whistles in the intro chapter, so be sure to carefully read your brief or consult your research supervisor.

If done right, your introduction chapter will set a clear direction for the rest of your dissertation. Specifically, it will make it clear to the reader (and marker) exactly what you’ll be investigating, why that’s important, and how you’ll be going about the investigation. Conversely, if your introduction chapter leaves a first-time reader wondering what exactly you’ll be researching, you’ve still got some work to do.

Now that you’ve set a clear direction with your introduction chapter, the next step is the literature review . In this section, you will analyse the existing research (typically academic journal articles and high-quality industry publications), with a view to understanding the following questions:

• What does the literature currently say about the topic you’re investigating?
• Is the literature lacking or well established? Is it divided or in disagreement?
• How does your research fit into the bigger picture?
• How does your research contribute something original?
• How does the methodology of previous studies help you develop your own?

Depending on the nature of your study, you may also present a conceptual framework towards the end of your literature review, which you will then test in your actual research.

Again, some universities will want you to focus on some of these areas more than others, some will have additional or fewer requirements, and so on. Therefore, as always, its important to review your brief and/or discuss with your supervisor, so that you know exactly what’s expected of your literature review chapter.

Now that you’ve investigated the current state of knowledge in your literature review chapter and are familiar with the existing key theories, models and frameworks, its time to design your own research. Enter the methodology chapter – the most “science-ey” of the chapters…

In this chapter, you need to address two critical questions:

• Exactly HOW will you carry out your research (i.e. what is your intended research design)?
• Exactly WHY have you chosen to do things this way (i.e. how do you justify your design)?

Remember, the dissertation part of your degree is first and foremost about developing and demonstrating research skills . Therefore, the markers want to see that you know which methods to use, can clearly articulate why you’ve chosen then, and know how to deploy them effectively.

Importantly, this chapter requires detail – don’t hold back on the specifics. State exactly what you’ll be doing, with who, when, for how long, etc. Moreover, for every design choice you make, make sure you justify it.

In practice, you will likely end up coming back to this chapter once you’ve undertaken all your data collection and analysis, and revise it based on changes you made during the analysis phase. This is perfectly fine. Its natural for you to add an additional analysis technique, scrap an old one, etc based on where your data lead you. Of course, I’m talking about small changes here – not a fundamental switch from qualitative to quantitative, which will likely send your supervisor in a spin!

You’ve now collected your data and undertaken your analysis, whether qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods. In this chapter, you’ll present the raw results of your analysis . For example, in the case of a quant study, you’ll present the demographic data, descriptive statistics, inferential statistics , etc.

Typically, Chapter 4 is simply a presentation and description of the data, not a discussion of the meaning of the data. In other words, it’s descriptive, rather than analytical – the meaning is discussed in Chapter 5. However, some universities will want you to combine chapters 4 and 5, so that you both present and interpret the meaning of the data at the same time. Check with your institution what their preference is.

Now that you’ve presented the data analysis results, its time to interpret and analyse them. In other words, its time to discuss what they mean, especially in relation to your research question(s).

What you discuss here will depend largely on your chosen methodology. For example, if you’ve gone the quantitative route, you might discuss the relationships between variables . If you’ve gone the qualitative route, you might discuss key themes and the meanings thereof. It all depends on what your research design choices were.

Most importantly, you need to discuss your results in relation to your research questions and aims, as well as the existing literature. What do the results tell you about your research questions? Are they aligned with the existing research or at odds? If so, why might this be? Dig deep into your findings and explain what the findings suggest, in plain English.

The final chapter – you’ve made it! Now that you’ve discussed your interpretation of the results, its time to bring it back to the beginning with the conclusion chapter . In other words, its time to (attempt to) answer your original research question s (from way back in chapter 1). Clearly state what your conclusions are in terms of your research questions. This might feel a bit repetitive, as you would have touched on this in the previous chapter, but its important to bring the discussion full circle and explicitly state your answer(s) to the research question(s).

Next, you’ll typically discuss the implications of your findings . In other words, you’ve answered your research questions – but what does this mean for the real world (or even for academia)? What should now be done differently, given the new insight you’ve generated?

Lastly, you should discuss the limitations of your research, as well as what this means for future research in the area. No study is perfect, especially not a Masters-level. Discuss the shortcomings of your research. Perhaps your methodology was limited, perhaps your sample size was small or not representative, etc, etc. Don’t be afraid to critique your work – the markers want to see that you can identify the limitations of your work. This is a strength, not a weakness. Be brutal!

This marks the end of your core chapters – woohoo! From here on out, it’s pretty smooth sailing.

The reference list is straightforward. It should contain a list of all resources cited in your dissertation, in the required format, e.g. APA , Harvard, etc.

It’s essential that you use reference management software for your dissertation. Do NOT try handle your referencing manually – its far too error prone. On a reference list of multiple pages, you’re going to make mistake. To this end, I suggest considering either Mendeley or Zotero. Both are free and provide a very straightforward interface to ensure that your referencing is 100% on point. I’ve included a simple how-to video for the Mendeley software (my personal favourite) below:

Some universities may ask you to include a bibliography, as opposed to a reference list. These two things are not the same . A bibliography is similar to a reference list, except that it also includes resources which informed your thinking but were not directly cited in your dissertation. So, double-check your brief and make sure you use the right one.

The very last piece of the puzzle is the appendix or set of appendices. This is where you’ll include any supporting data and evidence. Importantly, supporting is the keyword here.

Your appendices should provide additional “nice to know”, depth-adding information, which is not critical to the core analysis. Appendices should not be used as a way to cut down word count (see this post which covers how to reduce word count ). In other words, don’t place content that is critical to the core analysis here, just to save word count. You will not earn marks on any content in the appendices, so don’t try to play the system!

Time to recap…

And there you have it – the traditional dissertation structure and layout, from A-Z. To recap, the core structure for a dissertation or thesis is (typically) as follows:

• Acknowledgments page

Most importantly, the core chapters should reflect the research process (asking, investigating and answering your research question). Moreover, the research question(s) should form the golden thread throughout your dissertation structure. Everything should revolve around the research questions, and as you’ve seen, they should form both the start point (i.e. introduction chapter) and the endpoint (i.e. conclusion chapter).

I hope this post has provided you with clarity about the traditional dissertation/thesis structure and layout. If you have any questions or comments, please leave a comment below, or feel free to get in touch with us. Also, be sure to check out the rest of the  Grad Coach Blog .

Psst... there’s more!

This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...

36 Comments

many thanks i found it very useful

Glad to hear that, Arun. Good luck writing your dissertation.

Such clear practical logical advice. I very much needed to read this to keep me focused in stead of fretting.. Perfect now ready to start my research!

what about scientific fields like computer or engineering thesis what is the difference in the structure? thank you very much

Thanks so much this helped me a lot!

Very helpful and accessible. What I like most is how practical the advice is along with helpful tools/ links.

Thanks Ade!

Thank you so much sir.. It was really helpful..

You’re welcome!

Hi! How many words maximum should contain the abstract?

Thank you so much 😊 Find this at the right moment

You’re most welcome. Good luck with your dissertation.

best ever benefit i got on right time thank you

Many times Clarity and vision of destination of dissertation is what makes the difference between good ,average and great researchers the same way a great automobile driver is fast with clarity of address and Clear weather conditions .

I guess Great researcher = great ideas + knowledge + great and fast data collection and modeling + great writing + high clarity on all these

You have given immense clarity from start to end.

Morning. Where will I write the definitions of what I’m referring to in my report?

Thank you so much Derek, I was almost lost! Thanks a tonnnn! Have a great day!

Thanks ! so concise and valuable

This was very helpful. Clear and concise. I know exactly what to do now.

Thank you for allowing me to go through briefly. I hope to find time to continue.

Really useful to me. Thanks a thousand times

Very interesting! It will definitely set me and many more for success. highly recommended.

Thank you soo much sir, for the opportunity to express my skills

Usefull, thanks a lot. Really clear

Very nice and easy to understand. Thank you .

That was incredibly useful. Thanks Grad Coach Crew!

My stress level just dropped at least 15 points after watching this. Just starting my thesis for my grad program and I feel a lot more capable now! Thanks for such a clear and helpful video, Emma and the GradCoach team!

Do we need to mention the number of words the dissertation contains in the main document?

It depends on your university’s requirements, so it would be best to check with them 🙂

Such a helpful post to help me get started with structuring my masters dissertation, thank you!

Great video; I appreciate that helpful information

It is so necessary or avital course

This blog is very informative for my research. Thank you

Doctoral students are required to fill out the National Research Council’s Survey of Earned Doctorates

wow this is an amazing gain in my life

This is so good

How can i arrange my specific objectives in my dissertation?

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Home > USC Columbia > Arts and Sciences > Political Science > Political Science Theses and Dissertations

Political Science Theses and Dissertations

Theses/dissertations from 2023 2023.

A Comparative Measure Of Judicial Legitimacy , Rahul Hemrajani

Where the Constitution Is Silent: Indigenous Rights Jurisprudence in the United States , Anthony Wayne Hobert Jr.

Prosecutorial Discretion: District Attorneys, Public Opinion,and the Localized Rule of Law , Yu-Hsien Sung

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Changing Environment. Changing Attitudes? , Lindsey Brooke Hendren

Interstate Rivalry, Domestic Politics, and Economic Coercion , Shaoshuang Wen

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

International Conflict, Political Leaders, and Accountability , William Thomas Christiansen

Liberalization First, Democratization Later: The Linkage Between Income Inequality, Economic Development, and Democratization , Yi-Tzu Lin

Social Trust and Soft Power: The Role of Social Trust in Democratic Countries’ Soft Power Use , Judit Trunkos

Economic Interdependence, Power, and Peace: A Rationalist Study of Commercial Liberalism , Yuleng Zeng

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

Essays on the Political Economy of International Trade and Coups , William Akoto

Judicial Legitimacy and the Dearth of State Supreme Court Knowledge , TJ Kimel

Women in the Governor's Mansion: Breaking the Barrier to Competition , Helen Adair King

Causes and Consequences of Police Militarization , Edward Eugene Lawson, Jr.

Dynamic Environments and Judicial Power , Monica Lineberger

The Dynamics of Vote Buying in Developing Democracies: Party Attachment and Party Competition in Southeast Asia , Matthew Louis Wagner

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Deepening Democracy: Inclusion, Deliberation, And Voice In The Grassroots South , Annie L. Boiter-Jolley

Evangelicals, Perceived Marginalization and Expressive Mobilization , Christin E. McMasters

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

The Economic Foundations of Authoritarian Rule , Clay Robert Fuller

Partisan Polarization, Social Identity, and Deliberative Democracy in the United States , Ryan Strickler

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Being Strategic: Black Legislative Representation In The Republican-Controlled South Carolina House of Representatives , Willie James Black

Leaders in Search of the Bomb: Institutional Incentives for Nuclear Decisions , Paige Price Cone

The Three Dimensionality Model Of State Security And Armed Conflict: Internal And External Dimensions And Lessons From The Middle East , Juri Kim

The Impact of Supreme Court Precedent in a Judicial Hierarchy , Ali Masood

How The European Union’s Criteria For Membership Move Public Opinion , Douglas Page

Information Heterogeneity and Economic Voting: A Cross-National Analysis , Chia-yin Wei

Nothing is the Matter with Kansas: White Southern Exceptionalism in American Politics , Paul White Jr.

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

The Turkish Foreign Policy Under The Justice And Development Party (AKP): A Paradigm Shift? , Ali Demirdas

The Liberal Commercial Peace, Regional Considerations: International Relations of Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the European Union Countries , Chienwu Hsueh

The Political Economy of Property Rights In China: Local Officials, Incentive Structure, And Private Enterprises , Ingrid Yingxia Li

The Domestic Adoption of International Human Rights Law: the Roles of Regional and National High Courts in Latin America , Rebecca Ann Reid

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

TOWARDS COMMON EUROPEAN ENERGY POLICY , Mariam Dekanozishvili

Essays on Battle Clusters in Internal Armed Conflicts and Insurgencies: Concept, Causes and Consequences , Chifeng Liu

The Effects of Political Control and Institutional Structure on State Ethics Commissions , William Jonathan Rauh

Do Americans’ Perceptions of the Prevalence of Prejudice Impact Their Racial Policy Preferences? Investigating Meta-Stereotypes as a Potential Causal Mechanism , Alexandra Reckendorf

How Much Do Groups Still Matter to Politics? An Examination of Group Influences on Public Opinion , Lauren E. Smith

Microfinance and Poverty Reduction: How Risks Associated With Government Policies Affect Whether Microfinance Alleviates Poverty in Latin-America , Brian Warby

Taking Interests and International Conflict More Seriously , Chong-Han Wu

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Protracted Social Conflict: A Reconceptualization and Case Analysis , Melissa M. C. Beaudoin

Race, Class, Gender, and Linked Fate: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of African American Political Partisanship, 1996 and 2004 , Sherral Yolanda Brown-Guinyard

Holding International Public-Private Partnership Accountable: An Analysis of Sensitivity and Vulnerability Dynamics In Ghana'S Water Sector Reform and Its Impact On the Target Population , Xi Chen

The Impact of Ideology and Attorneys On Precedent Usage: An Analysis of State High Courts , Benjamin Kassow

Environmental Footprints of Violent Conflict , Swapna Pathak

Economic Agreements and Interstate Conflict: A Policy Substitution Model of Coercion , Matthew Daniel-Marion Shaffer

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Religion, Electoral Rules and Women's Representation: A Cross National Examination , Wafaa Adnan Alaradi

Postcolonial and Constructivist Theoretical Explanations of Women'S Traditional Agency In Sociopolitical Participation and Reproductive Rights In Present Day Mali and the Pilipinas , Jennifer Almeda

South Africa In Southern Africa: A Comparative Analysis of Economic Integration In the Southern African Development Community Using Hegemonic Stability Theory , William Andrew Jennings

The Relationship Between State Dissatisfaction and the Level of Conflict In State Dyads: the Revised Power Transition Theory , Hsiao-chuan Liao

Fighting In Space: Understanding the Opportunity and Willingness to Pursue Space Weapons , Michael James Martindale

Capital offenses, Non-Capital offenses, and Party Capability: Habeas Corpus Litigation in U.S. District Courts , Nicholas A. Mostardo

How Rivalries End: Understanding Dynamics of the Rivalry Termination Process , Soonkun Oh

State Implementation of the Children's Health Insurance Program: Analyses of Variation In Policy Adoption , Rebecca Layne Russ-Sellers

Female Legislators and the Power of the Purse: Does Gender Affect Government Spending? A Cross-National Analysis , Jennifer Suzanne Tison

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

Judging the Bureaucrats: Understanding the Dynamics of Court-Agency Interaction , Michael P. Fix

La Ruta Maya: The Effects of tourism and the State On the Political Behavior Choices of the Maya , Heather Lea Hawn

Presidents and Terminal Logic Behavior: Term Limits and Executive Action In the United States, Brazil, and Argentina , Genevieve M. Kehoe

The Questions of Compliance With the NPT Regime and Complex Multilateral Nuclear Negotiations: A Comparative Analysis of North Korea and Iran As Defector States , Jihyun Kim

The Rule of Law In Times of War: A Comparative Analysis of the Effect of War On High Court Decision-Making , Susanne Schorpp

Between and Beyond Borders: Conflict, International Response, and Forced Migration , Young Hoon Song

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

The War On Terrorism In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. An Academic Analysis of the Growing Phenomenon of Political Violence In the Kingdom. , Faisal M. Al-Madhi

Re-Defining Public Service In An Era of Networked Governance: An Examination of the Influence of Public Service Motivation On Contractors In Homeland Security , Alexa Haddock Bigwarfe

The Power and Authority of the Committee On the Rights of the Child , Aleksandra Chauhan

Does Foreign Direct Investment (Fdi) Affect Conflict? theIntertwined Relationship Between Multinational Corporations (Mncs) and Nation-States , Yi-Hung Chiou

Counterinsurgency Colonels: The Role of the Practitioner In the Evolution of Modern Counterinsurgency , Garrett Scott DeWitt

The Geometry of Racial Politics: The Role of Policy Entrepreneurs In Fostering Triangulation Among U.S. Racial and Ethnic Groups, 1800-1964 , Athena M. King

Passionate Political Talk: Social Networks and the Emotional Impact of Political Discussion , Bryan Michael Parsons

Judges and Their Loyalties: A Comparative Study Focused On the Venezuelan Supreme Court , Raul A. Sanchez Urribarri

International Law In the Supreme Court of the United States: An Empirical Analysis , Alan Michael Tauber

Theses/Dissertations from 2009 2009

Wolves In Chic Clothing: Gender, Media and the Securitization of Female Suicide Bombers , Mekell Mikell

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SGIA3142: DISSERTATION IN POLITICS

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Prerequisites

• SGIA2341 Research Project

Corequisites

Excluded combinations of modules.

• The dissertation aims to develop and test students development of a sophisticated knowledge and understanding of a specialist subject. It also aims to provide students with the capacity to undertake largely independent research that combines sustained analysis of a specific topic in the context of an appropriate analytical framework or background. Students may develop in greater depth a topic they have encountered in their studies at other levels, or may bring the knowledge and modes of analysis and argument already acquired to the study of a topic new to them which excites their interest. Dissertations must show an awareness of the wider context of the specific focus chosen, testing students knowledge of the subject in general and their recognition of the contested and shifting boundaries of the subject and the place of their chosen topic within it. The extended length of the dissertation, both in terms of the word count and the period of time over which it is prepared, requires students to demonstrate effective planning of their work and to take responsibility for its production and conclusions, requiring a self-reflective and self-aware approach.
• The dissertation provides an opportunity to study a topic in greater depth and detail than is possible in other modules. It requires mainly independent work from the student, though the supervisor is involved in the formulation of the topic and can assist with its development. Content will depend on the topic chosen, though in general it will need to display both in-depth knowledge of a field or case as well as understanding of an appropriate analytical context or framework.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

• Students will acquire knowledge and understanding in depth of:
• a chosen topic within the study of politics;
• the analytical, conceptual or theoretical framework within which the topic may be examined and the contested nature of this framework.

Subject-specific Skills:

• Students will acquire in depth the ability to:
• Investigate in detail a specific case or specific cases of a politically important phenomenon or the content of a body of political argument
• Identify and apply appropriate methods of analysis to political phenomena and arguments
• Place this investigation in the context of a relevant body of literature of a conceptual, explanatory or normative type
• Understand and work with the contested nature of argument at both the level of detail and that of intellectual context
• Construct an extended argument with an appropriate structure and produce defensible judgements
• Develop an independent and self-critical approach to learning.

Key Skills:

• Students will develop in depth their ability to:
• Define and design a project of research including a programme of reading and writing
• Identify, locate, retrieve and assess the suitable sources including specialized secondary sources and primary sources as appropriate
• Adjust their use of knowledge and application of intellectual skills to the specific circumstances of their chosen topic
• Utilise C&IT in appropriate ways for the retrieval, analysis and presentation of information, analysis and argument
• Formulate and put into effect a long-term plan of work, with a specific deadline, managing their time effectively alongside the competing demands and different work rhythm of more intensively taught modules
• Present a substantial text in an appropriate format to demonstrate effective written communication of information, analysis and argument
• Work independently with a limited level of guidance and supervision.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• The teaching of the dissertation starts in the student's Level 2 Research Project module. In the Easter Term students choose a broad dissertation topic from a predefined list of research areas, on the basis of which they will choose a supervisor. An initial meeting with the dissertation supervisor should take place before the summer break to give initial guidance on reading. Consultations with the supervisor continue in Michaelmas and Epiphany terms of the final year. At a minimum, it is expected that supervision meetings will occur near the beginning and near the end of Michaelmas Term, and near the beginning of Epiphany term. Supervision ends on the final day of the Epiphany term and students complete the writing of the dissertation during the Easter vacation.
• Supervisors assist in the refinement of the topic, offer leads (but not full lists) for the location of sources, and give guidance on the development of a structure for the dissertation. They will read and comment on a trial chapter or section in draft, amounting to no more than about one quarter of the total anticipated text. Teaching is thus focused on helping the student form and stick to a general line of research and helping to resolve problems both practical and intellectual that arise in the course of it.
• Assessment consists entirely of the dissertation itself.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

More information.

If you have a question about Durham's modular degree programmes, please visit our  FAQ webpages , Help page or our glossary of terms . If you have a question about modular programmes that is not covered by the FAQ, or a query about the on-line Undergraduate Module Handbook, please contact us.

Prospective Students: If you have a query about a specific module or degree programme, please Ask Us .

Current Students: Please contact your department .

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Understanding decentralisation and its effects in an authoritarian context: the case of kazakhstan , commons as deliberative systems: designing institutions for the common good , pluriversal reconciliation: democratic theories, political violence and onto-epistemic dialogue , politics of media circulation: tracing the distribution of digital photographs of and from kashmir , stop the killer robots war humanisers future-proofing the war machine , sex, gender and constitutional attitudes: voting behaviour in the scottish independence referendum , ideas in international trade: the role of programmatic beliefs in the eu and china's approaches to the wto dsm , young farmers regeneration policy in indonesia: a capability approach , 'aquí se ve la fuerza del sme': a political economy analysis of the mexican electrical workers union's path towards self-management , dethroning the sovereign individual: a confucian reconstruction of the theory of right holding , rentier state revisited: the politics of sovereign wealth funds in saudi arabia , knowing better, doing better international development ngos, faith and wellbeing , freedom in and out of work: platforms, precarity, and the democratization of work , personality and us presidential choices: a study of the protracted afghanistan war , reproduction of ignorance in normative political theory: an intersectional methodological critique , speculative leadership: using a radical hegel to reinterpret practice in local government , politics of budget decision-making in south africa , typology of statelessness , lithium overdose: market practices and symptomatology of lithium trade in latin america , taking a ‘leap of faith’ to migrate: exploring uk approaches to anti-human trafficking .

School of Social and Political Science

Dissertation guidance.

All SPS students have access to the SPS Research Training Centre Support for Dissertations Learn hub (accessed via MyEd).   If you do not have access, please email [email protected] .

The Student Development Hub provides general advice on academic writing, including the Graduate School's Learning and Academic Skills Handbook.

Visit the Student Development Hub

Dissertation deadline

The deadline for Taught MSc dissertations in the 2023/24 academic year is Thursday 8th August 2024, 23:59 (UK Time).

Regulations and requirements

The formal requirements and binding regulations that apply can be found in the School MSc Dissertation Handbook 2023-24

There will be variations across programmes, and programme directors and/or subject areas can provide more detailed specific guidance on the scope of dissertations, the general timeline of the dissertation cycle, and the way supervisors are allocated.

Guidelines for writing a master's dissertation

Most research begins with a question. Think about which topics and theories you are interested in and what you would like to know more about.

Think about the topics and theories you have studied in your degree programme. Is there some question you feel the body of knowledge in your field does not answer adequately?

Once you have a question in mind, begin looking for information relevant to the topic and its theoretical framework. Read everything you can - academic research and peer-reviewed journals, and information in the popular press and on the Internet.

As you become well-informed about your topic and prior research on the topic, your knowledge should suggest a purpose for your dissertation. When you can articulate this purpose clearly, you are ready to write your dissertation proposal.

Dissertation proposal

This proposal specifies:

• the purpose of the study
• the significance of the study
• a tentative review of the literature on the topic and its theoretical framework (a working bibliography should be attached)
• your research questions and/or hypotheses
• how you will collect and analyse your data (your proposed instrumentation should be attached)

Getting advice on your chosen topic

At this point, you are encouraged to go and see any staff members that you feel could advise your on their topic.

After a supervisor is allocated, you should try to set up a first meeting to refine your plans and to plan the process towards completion of the thesis.

At this stage it is very important to have a good understanding of the different sections most dissertations comprise. You will then start to work on drafting a first outline of your dissertation together with your supervisor.

Each supervisor prefers a distinct approach regarding the structure of a dissertation and is dependent on the kind of project you undertake. Please refer to your course guide and departmental regulations for further information.

A short description of dissertation chapters is provided in the section below. However, bear in mind that these are brief in scope and only advisory. Please refer to the secondary literature at the end of this page for more in-depth information.

Dissertation chapters

The following chapters are commonly used:

The title itself is an important opportunity to tell the potential reader what your research is about. You will need it to be succinct, specific, descriptive, and representative of the research you have done.

There is likely to be a required format for the title page in your discipline, so you will need to check what that is.

The abstract is a very short summary or digest of an article or dissertation whose basic task is to tell a potential reader, searching for scholarly or research-based material by topic or title, whether or not this is what she is looking for.

Writing a good one is quite a craft and there is no substitute for reading lots of abstracts to develop the knack of summarising and selecting the key points.

A good abstract gives information about the problem under investigation, research aims, methods and procedures, results and implications.

A quick test involves checking whether your abstract answers the questions ‘why?’, ‘how?’, ‘what?’ and ‘so what’?.

Acknowledgements (if applicable)

In the acknowledgements, you thank those who have helped you at any stage in the research or writing process; for example:

• your supervisor
• other academic and/or technical staff in your School
• experts in other institutions who may have provided advice or access to information
• funding bodies
• those close to you that have given you help or support

Contents page(s)

The contents pages will show up the structure of the dissertation.

Any imbalance in space devoted to different sections of content will become apparent. This is a useful check on whether amalgamation of sections, or creation of further sections or sub-sections is needed.

Introduction

The introduction should discuss:

• the field of study
• the research question
• the hypothesis (if any)
• the research question that is to be investigated

It should also include a summary of the contents and main arguments in the dissertation.

Literature review

Generally, a literature review is a survey of the work that has previously been published in your subject. It can be a separate assignment or it can form part of a larger body of work, such as a dissertation. It should be comprehensive and relevant in its scope.

A literature review can also mean the process of reviewing the literature. It starts when you pick up your first paper, book, or source, it continues as you research and question, write, and edit the piece, and finishes when you complete your final draft.

What is the purpose of a literature review?

Methodology and Methods

A key part of your dissertation or thesis is the methodology. This is not quite the same as ‘methods’.

The methodology describes the broad philosophical underpinning to your chosen research methods, including whether you are using qualitative or quantitative methods, or a mixture of both, and why.

If you are submitting your dissertation in sections, with the methodology submitted before you actually undertake the research, you should use this section to set out exactly what you plan to do.

The methodology should be linked back to the literature to explain why you are using certain methods, and the academic basis of your choice.

There are numerous research methods that can be used when researching scientific subjects; you should discuss which are the most appropriate for your research with your supervisor.

Here are some helpful pages on the Skills You Need website:

Writing your Dissertation: Methodology – Skills You Need Research Methods – Skills You Need

This is where you review your own research in relation to the wider context in which it is located.

You can refer back to the rationale that you gave for your research in the literature review, and discuss what your own research has added in this context.

It is important to show that you appreciate the limitations of your research, and how these may affect the validity or usefulness of your findings. Given the acknowledged limitations, you can report on the implications of your findings for theory, research, and practice.

Discussion or Findings

The discussion is arguably the most difficult section to write, as it is predominantly interpretative and discursive.

In this section, you will examine your results in relation to your research questions or hypotheses and, more broadly, in relation to existing research. This will enable you to assess the contribution of your research to the field, and to make suggestions for further research where appropriate.

Useful hints on the DOCEO website in the section on findings and discussion

Conclusions

In this section you will bring together the work of the dissertation by showing how the initial research plan has been addressed in such a way that conclusions may be formed from the evidence of the dissertation.

No new material or references should be placed here. The conclusions should make a statement on the extent to which each of the aims and objectives has been met.

You should bring back your research questions and state clearly your understanding of those questions. Be careful not to make claims that are not substantiated from the evidence you have presented in earlier chapters.

Additional chapters

• Institute for Academic Development (IAD): advice and resources on dissertation writing
• Skills You Need (external website): writing a Social Science dissertation

How to write a master's dissertation

• Biggam, John (2015) Succeeding with your master's dissertation a step-by-step handbook , Maidenhead, Berkshire, England: Open University Press, McGraw-Hill Education. (available online at DiscoverEd, University Library Catalogue)
• Hart, Chris (2005) Doing your masters dissertation : realizing your potential as a social scientist , London: SAGE. (available at University Library Catalogue)
• Rank, Scott (2015) How to Finish Your Dissertation in Six Months, Even if You Don't Know What to Write , Scholarpreneur Press. (free Kindle edition available)

Information on social research methods

• Bryman, Alan (2015) Social research methods , Oxford: Oxford University Press. (available at University Library Catalogue)

Other book recommendations

• Bui, Yvonne N. (2015) How to Write a Master's Thesis (2nd Edition) , London: SAGE.
• Joyner, Randy L., Rouse, William A. and Glatthorn, Allan A. (2013) Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Guide , Thousand Oaks: Corwin.
• Foss, Sonja K. and Waters, William (2007) Destination Dissertation: A Traveler's Guide to a Done Dissertation , Lanham, Maryland: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

UKnowledge > College of Arts & Sciences > Political Science > Theses & Dissertations

Theses and Dissertations--Political Science

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: GEOGRAPHIC QUALITIES OF POLITICAL INSTABILITY AND MILITARY COUPS , William O'Connell

Ruling in the Shadows: Analysis of the Supreme Court’s Use of the ‘Shadow Docket’ and its Effects , EmiLee Smart

Public Justice: Analyzing the Interactions of Supreme Court Justices with the American Public , Abbie Wood

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

Welcome Visitor or Nosy Neighbor: Executive Branch Presence in Federal and State Judicial Affairs , Audrey Baricovich

The Spread of Nuclear Technology: The Difficulty of Arms Control and the Consequences of Nuclear Proliferation , Bryce Allen Beschorner

Home Is Where the Heart Is: Rural Residents, Deprivation, and the Impact of PRD on Governmental Representation , Mary Rachael Blandau

Citizen Demand for Cultural Censorship: A Mixed Methods Study , Kelly Grenier

Damsels in Defense: Exploring the Relationship Between Women and Violence Against Civilians During Armed Conflict , Baylee Harrell

Circumvention Theory: Rethinking Gray Zones, Understanding Bounded Competition, and Examining State Response to Unipolar Structure in the Twenty-First Century. , Damian M. Jones

COALITION OF THE ENDING: WHY STATES WITHDRAW FROM INTERNATIONAL MILITARY COALITIONS , Weiss Mehrabi

The UN-Intended Effects of Risky Mandates , Robert Wood

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

NEWS TREATMENT OF THE SUPREME COURT: LANGUAGE SELECTION, IDEOLOGICAL DIRECTIONS, AND PUBLIC SUPPORT , Alexander Denison

STAYING COMPLIANT OR STAYING IN OFFICE? INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION, POST-COUP SIGNALS, AND COUP-BORN REGIMES , Jennifer Flinchum

THE INFLUENCE OF THE FEDERALIST SOCIETY ON JUDICAL POLITICS AND LAW IN THE UNITED STATES , Peter S. K. Lynch

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

The Transnational Diffusion of Human Trafficking Policy , Glenn M. Harden

THE POLITICAL CONSEQUENCES OF STATE ACTION ON VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: HOW VICTIMS AND NON-VICTIMS FORM OPINIONS ABOUT GOVERNMENT , Helen Rabello Kras

International Cooperation Networks and Economic Sanction Effectiveness , Gargi Vyas

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Piecing Together Coalition War: Threat, Politics, and Coalition Structure , Stephen Joiner

BETTER DEVILS OF OUR NATURE: THE ROLE OF VIOLENCE-JUSTIFYING IDEOLOGIES IN OPINION FORMATION , Steven Kaiser

FROM HOBBES TO HABERMAS: THE ANTI-CULTURAL TURN IN WESTERN POLITICAL THOUGHT , Ralph Gert Schoellhammer

Predicting Positive Attitudes toward Immigrants with Altruism , Kati Elizabeth Stafford

Judicial Elections, Public Opinion, and their Impact on State Criminal Justice Policy , Travis N. Taylor

Why Weak States Balance: National Mobilization and the Security Strategies of Post-Soviet States , Eteri Tsintsadze-Maass

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

SEEDS OF SUSPICION: THE PERPETUAL CYCLE OF ANTI-MUSLIM STEREOTYPES, MIDDLE EAST INTERVENTION, AND TERRORISM , Christopher Ledford

PERCEPTIONS OF FAIRNESS AND POLITICAL SUPPORT IN THE FACE OF ECONOMIC INEQUALITY , Gregory W. Saxton

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Politics and International Relations: Theses and Dissertations

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Introduction

Theses and dissertations are documents that present an author's research findings, which are submitted to the University in support of their academic degree. They are very useful to consult when carrying out your own research because they:

• provide a springboard to scope existing literature
• provide inspiration for the finished product
• show you the evolution of an author's ideas over time
• provide relevant and up-to-date research (for recent theses and dissertations)

On this page you will find guidance on how to search for and access theses and dissertations in the Bodleian Libraries and beyond.

Theses and dissertations

• Reading theses and dissertations in the Bodleian Libraries
• Theses and dissertations in the Social Science Library

The Bodleian Libraries collection holds DPhil, MLitt and MPhil theses deposited at the University of Oxford. You can also search for theses and dissertations associated with other universities online, or request them via inter-library loan.

Help with theses and dissertations

To find out more about how to find and access theses and dissertations in the Bodleian Libraries and beyond, we recommend the following:

• Bodleian Libraries theses and dissertations Links to information on accessing the Bodleian Libraries collections of Oxford, UK, US and other international theses.
• Oxford University Research Archive [ORA] guide For searching, depositing and disseminating Oxford University research publications.
• Submitting your thesis to ORA Information on copyright, how to deposit your thesis in ORA and other important matters
• Guide to copyright The Bodleian Libraries' Quick guide to copyright and digital sources.

The Social Science Library holds hard copies of dissertations (usually MPhil and MSc) that departments have sent in according to their own selection criteria.

The library holds dissertations from the following departments: Criminology, Economics, Geography and the Environment, International Development, Politics and International Relations (note that MPhil Politics and International Relations dissertations are held in the Bodleian Library), Socio-Legal Studies and Social Policy and Intervention.

These dissertations are on the shelves opposite the Print and Copy Room, arranged by department, course and year. They are all indexed on SOLO, and they are for consultation in the library only. They cannot be borrowed.

Depositing your thesis

It is mandatory for students completing a research degree at the University of Oxford (registered to a programme of study on or after 1st October 2007) to deposit an electronic copy of their theses with the Oxford University Research Archive (ORA) in order to meet the requirements of their award. To find out more, visit the Oxford University Research Archive guide.

• Oxford University Research Archive guide

Definitions

Terms you may encounter in your research.

Thesis: In the UK, a thesis is normally a document that presents an author's research findings as part of a doctoral or research programme.

Dissertation: In the UK, a dissertation is normally a document that presents an author's research findings as part of an undergraduate or master's programme.

DPhil: An abbreviation for Doctor of Philosophy, which is an advanced research qualification. You may also see it referred to as PhD.

ORA: The Oxford University Research Archive , an institutional repository for the University of Oxford's research output including digital theses.

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A Political Science Guide

For students, researchers, and others interested in doing the work of political science, outline and structure, research papers.

Social science research papers combine the presentation of both argument and evidence in response to a core question. It is common for such papers to have a literature review that considers the work others have done to address the core subject.

Generic Research Paper Outline Example

There are many ways to structure a research paper. This is just one.

I. Introduction

State the core question; Tell the reader the significance of the question; Provide a brief version of your answer to the question; Provide an overview of the rest of the paper.

II. Theoretical Framework/Literature Review

Provide an overview of the possible explanations for your question. Include consideration of the broader literature that addresses your subject. Address your method for approaching the question.

III. Case Study (or Case Studies)

Apply the theoretical framework to one or more cases. This could involve multiple separate major sections of a research paper.

[IV.] Conclusion

Return to your core question. Summarize your core argument and findings. Discuss the broader implications or prospects for future research.

Policy Papers

One purpose of a policy paper is to make a prescription for future policies. The following is an example of how to structure such a paper.

Generic Policy Paper Outline Example

II. Criteria and Goals for the Policy

Provide clear and measurable criteria for assessing the success of a policy choice.

III…  Policy Choices

State specific policy choices. Apply all identified criteria to each policy choice.

Return to your core question. Summarize your policy recommendation and findings. Discuss the broader implications or prospects for future research.

Theses and Long Projects

It goes without saying that there is no simple formula on how to optimally structure your work. Different analyses demand different frames of presentation, and the wealth of the structure types available are limited only by how creative a writer can be with his or her analytical and writing style. Still, there are a couple of key tenets that can (and probably should) be considered when addressing this crucial step to producing your research work.

First , you should always remember that when it comes to structure, the central consideration should be answering the question of: What is the best and most effective way of getting my reader to know exactly what is going on, or to buy what I’m trying to say?

Second , give some thought to the kind of analysis you’re doing. A study chasing a trend throughout history would probably do well by divvying chapters up according to time periods, or yaers. An analysis comparing and contrasting a controlled event throughout various geographic locations could benefit from having chapters go by regions. Your organization could also be more atypical than that: chapters can be broken down based on concepts (with countries or time periods being held constant), or divided according to key individuals and organizations.

Third, a chapter should capture and put forward one complete overarching component of your argument, as each section within the chapter covers a smaller potion of that overaching component. It’s more or less a follow-through on the basic idea of arguments, in that each argument can be broken down into smaller pieces which are integral or concretely supportive of the whole. Think about it as somewhat equivalent to the biological levels of organization of living things:

A collection of cells is a tissue. A collection of tissues is an organ. A collection of organs is an organ system. A collection of organ systems is an organism.

The composition of an argument – especially when we think of it in terms of an extended written arugment – very much echo these biological levels of organization. When considering how the table of contents of your thesis is going to look like, perhaps think of it this way.

The following are some examples of theses organizations, represented by central arguments and table of contents:

“Stemming the Nuclear Tide: Coercive Diplomacy and US Nonproliferation Efforts, 1964-Present.”

By : Nicholas LeSuer Miller, Class of 2009.

Thesis : “By examining the universe of cases since the Chinese test where the U.S. has made an effort to halt a state’s nuclear weapons program, and analyzing these cases within the broader theory of coercive diplomacy, this work seeks to explain why the U.S. has succeeded in certain non-proliferation efforts and failed in others.” (p. 6)

Table of Contents :

• Introduction
• Pakistan: Looking the Other Way
• South Korea: Coercing a Cold War Ally
• Israel : Half-Hearted Diplomacy
• Taiwan: Persistence Pays Off
• South Africa: Too Little Too Late
• Libya: Unsolicited Success
• India: Nonproliferation Policy Paralysis
• North Korea: Failure at Every Turn
• Findings and Implications.

This thesis has a very straightforward and clear approach; because this writer’s analysis focuses on country-specific differences regarding a common controlled event/concept (in this case, American non-proliferation efforts), it makes perfect structural and argumentative sense to manage chapters by countries.

The same principle can be applied to temporal comparisons or between concepts and events – essentially anything that has a clear and definitive conceptual quality.

“Organizing African Unity: a Pan-African Project.”

By: Kathryn Hana Cragg, Class of 2008.

Thesis : “This paper examines the history of continental cooperation, focusing on a comparative analysis of the OAU and the AU. It will argue that a particular set of domestic and international factors interplayed to create the OAU in 1963. As a result of historical divisions from the colonial age, the paper contends that the OAU suffered from regional and historic divisions from its inception.” (p. 5)

Table of Contents:

• Part I – Traditional International Relations Perspectives
• Part II -African Cooperation: A Unique Experience
• Part III – New Outlooks on Third World Alignment
• Nkrumah’s Beginnings
• The Conferences of Independent African States
• The Brazzaville-Casablanca Split
• Congolese Civil War
• The Monrovia Block
• Unity Revisited
• Conference at Addis Ababa
• The Charter of OAU
• Structure of OAU
• Responsibilities of the OAU
• Factors in the Formation of the OAU
• History and Downfall of the OAU
• OAU Legacy and a Culture of Change
• South African Foreign Policy: The African Renaissance and NEPAD
• Obasanjo’s Reform Package and the Creation of the AU
• Colonel Muammer Gaddafi and Libyan Integration
• Objective and Principles of the CA
• Structure of the AU
• The AU – A Security Community?
• Conclusion.

This thesis follows a slightly more complex strategy. The writer began by laying a conceptual foundation with her initial chapter – a solid idea if one is tackling a particularly conceptually messy phenomena (that is, of course, not to say that nuclear non-proliferation efforts are not conceptually messy). The analysis then progressed on a somewhat temporal route, breaking down large sections according to “eras” linearly along the time-line. Notice, however, the fact while the writer divided the sections by time-line, she wrote the subsections by mixing both particular events and theoretical discussions. Once again, go with what best and most effectively presents your argument.

“Rethinking Repression: Exploring the Effectiveness of Counterterrorism in Spain.”

By: Evan James Perkoski.

Thesis : “I argue that legal, nonviolent forms of counterterrorism are the most effectiveat reducing the frequency of terrorist attacks.” (p. 4)  “The goal of this thesis is to provide a quantitative assessment of the relative ability of counterterrorist tactics to reduce the likelihood of terrorist incidents.” (p. 5)

• Central Question
• Significant of the Study
• Research Design
• The First Step: Defining Terrorism
• Implications of the Study
• Thesis Layout
• What defines effective counterterrorism?
• Understanding Counterterrorism
• The Options: What do Government have to choose from?
• Repressive Policies
• Conciliatory Policies
• Legal Reform and Restriction
• Indiscriminate vs. Discriminate Actions
• Additional Policy Concerns: Group Motivations, Structural Factors, Institutional Restrains, and Information Asymmetries.
• Problems with previous studies of counterterrorism
• Introduction to Series Hazard Modeling
• Conclusions
• Study Limitations and Further Research
• Rationale for Choosing 1988-1992
• Event Data and TABARI
• Study Limitations
• Using Politics to Deter Political Violence
• Violence: A Viable Option to Fight Terrorism?
• Restricting Terrorists to Deter Terrorism
• Effectiveness of Policy Combinations
• Discriminate vs. Indiscriminate Actions
• Theoretical Contributions and Policy Implications

As opposed to the earlier two examples, this thesis specifically raises and examines the effectiveness of a self-conceived (or observed) theory. To this end, the writer looks first at presenting and arguing for all aspects of the theory, which can be seen with the first chapter. It is worth noting that many qualifications goes into his discussion, explaining just about every major choice he makes with respect to his model.

This work also has the added complication of being a predominantly quantitative analysis. As such, it is proper that a good number of sections were dedicated to exposition, analysis, and discussion of the techniques that he used, including even the software involved.

The meat of the research here lies in the third and fourth chapters, which examines policies and tactics respectively. In similar theses, these would be the case study analysis sections, where the theory proposed earlier is applied and interacted with studied events or occurrences.

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Politics Dissertation Topics

Published by Carmen Troy at January 9th, 2023 , Revised On August 16, 2023

Introduction

Politics is such a vast phenomenon that several dissertation topics can be selected from political issues. However, that selection must have some strong basis and importance in the practical field. Another fact to be kept in mind when choosing a dissertation topic is that some political issues are highly controversial, and they may not be of much value in terms of research and writing.

It should be noted that it is important that the researcher thoroughly enjoys the dissertation topic they are working on.  A boring and dry topic can later trouble them, and they might feel like regretting their selection. The following description enlists some of the dissertation topics that the researcher can select as their politics dissertation topic.

PhD qualified writers of our team have developed these topics, so you can trust to use these topics for drafting your dissertation.

You may also want to start your dissertation by requesting  a brief research proposal  from our writers on any of these topics, which includes an  introduction  to the problem,  research questions , aim and objectives ,  literature review  along with the proposed  methodology  of research to be conducted.  Let us know  if you need any help in getting started.

Check our  example dissertations  to get an idea of  how to structure your dissertation .

You can review step by step guide on how to write your dissertation  here.

View our free dissertation topics database.

2022 Politics Dissertation Topics

Topic 1: politics in a digital age- assessing the impact of social media on public participation and political campaigns..

Research Aim: This study aims to find how the public has utilised social media during elections or political campaigns. This study will also focus on the impact of social networking sites on popular participation in the electoral vote and political debate. This research study will also investigate the effects of new technologies and the digital era on media and political party campaigns and media activities during elections.

Topic 2: Investigating the reasons for the Central African Republic's Rebellion.

Research Aim: This study aims to find the reasons for the central African republic conflicts and different historical factors involved in this conflict. Furthermore, it will also focus on the dynamics of the conflict and how it has resulted in violent clashes between different religious parties. This study will conduct an in-depth analysis of this conflict to give a better understanding.

Topic 3: Investigating the influence of politics on Women's Empowerment and Gender Equality.

Research Aim: This study will provide us with a detailed evaluation of the present state of gender equality and women empowerment in developing nations and the influence of politics. It will also provide an understanding of how men, women, politicians, and other powerful individuals view gender equality and women empowerment.

Topic 4: Investigating the Impact of Neo-Fascism on Twentieth-century Europe.

Research Aim: The present study will analyse the impact of neo-fascism on twentieth-century Europe. We will also focus on the history, crisis, various proposals, and methods. We will also analyse how it has helped reproduced their ideologies and formed different legislation in Europe.

Topic 5: Assessing the change in Americans Political perspectives from Trump to Biden Eras.

Research Aim: The election of Joe Biden as a president of the US has resulted in a drastic shift in US’s foreign image. This study aims to investigate the change in the political perspective of people from the Trump to Biden eras. This study will focus on many things, including social, political, and economic factors, to help understand the perspectives of people, and will also look into the country’s situations during these both eras.

Covid-19 Politics Research Topics

Topic 1: impacts of covid-19 on global politics.

Research Aim: This study will highlight the impacts of Coronavirus on international politics.

Topic 2: Politics during Coronavirus pandemic

Research Aim: This study will focus on providing a deep insight into the political agendas during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Topic 3: Indian religious politics during Coronavirus pandemic

Research Aim: The research aims to analyse how the Indian media provoked a religious conflict amid the Coronavirus pandemic and the role of the government in overcoming it.

Topic 4: The role of the UK government or any country of your choice during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Research Aim: This study will identify the contributions of government across the world in combatting COVID-19.

Politics Research Topics 2021

Topic:1: evaluating outcomes of the 2007 procurement act transparency of officers in public service of state (abc).

Research Aim: This research will explore the connection between corporate governance and business efficiency. The dynamic collection of relationships between a business and its Board of Directors, managers, owners, employees, customers, creditors is analysed through analysis processes and how effective corporate management can benefit an organisation.

Topic 2: Management intergovernmental ties on local governance in country ABC

Research Aim: This research aims to analyse corporate governance’s compatibility in the state’s local government tiers.

Topic 3: Financing problems and opportunities in the delta state (a case study of ABC local government areas)

Research Aim: this project aims to explore the challenges and opportunities in the funding of Delta State Local government accounts, cost management, and income problems of local governments.

Topic 4: The effect of corporate governance on the competitiveness of a business of corporate management

Research Aim: This study is intended to examine corporate governance compatibility at the state’s local government levels.

Topic 5: Analysis of youth service corps (NYSC) United States effective leadership and success organisational

Research Aim: The research will assess successful leadership’s influence on organizational success in Nigeria through the Kogi State Office of the National Youth Service Corps.

Topic 6: The introduction of e-governance in country ABC

Research Aim: This research aims to introduce E-governance in not only the pandemic conditions but also in the daily governance operation to ease the system of governance of Country ABC.

Dissertation Topics: Impacts of 9/11 on World Politics

The 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center are an unforgettable phenomenon in the history of politics. It contributed immensely to strengthening relationships between some countries and making bonds weaker between the others.

Dissertation topics can be based on the events related to these attacks because this discussion has always been influential and surely can provide a sound basis for your research. Some of the dissertation topics that can be extracted out of the 9/11 terrorism catastrophe are listed as follows:

• Analysis and significance of the most catastrophic event – The terrorist attacks of 9/11
• In what ways the international relations between the Middle East and the West were affected after 9/11. A critical analysis.
• Lessons learnt on political grounds after the terrorist attacks of 9/11—a debate on the positive and negative impacts.
• 9/11 and its linkages to the world of trade. Critically analyze.
• The actual events that led to the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Critical analysis.
• Development of strategies and improvements in the political system after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Review Our Best Dissertation Topics complete list.

Dissertation Topics: Problems Related to Africa

Contradictions in the policies and politics of Africa can be subjected to various dissertation topics. The researcher can find a focus point on which the dissertation can be based. Some dissertation topics related to the politics of Africa are listed below:

• Reasons for Western contradictions with African policies and politics.
• Traditional beliefs and old rituals of African nations cause their problems with other countries—analysis of the past and future trends.
• Colonial rule and political issues in Africa. Critical Analysis.
• Contributions from the rest of the world in resolving problems between African nations.
• Future trends and projections regarding the relationship of Africa with the rest of the world.
• Forces stopping the West to snatch African weapons. Critical analysis.

How Can ResearchProspect Help?

Find 100s of dissertation topics for other research areas. Once you have chosen a topic that suits your needs and interests, you can order for our dissertation outline service which will include a brief introduction to the topic, research questions , literature review , methodology , expected results , and conclusion . The dissertation outline will enable you to review the quality of our work before placing the order for our full dissertation writing service!

China Politics Dissertation Topics

It is a known fact that China’s laws and policies are quite different from the rest of the world. Still, this fact twisted later in the 21st century when China started incorporating Western thoughts and views in technology and other areas related to economic development and increasing urbanization.

Some dissertation topics with regards to the incorporation of Western ideas into Chinese politics are listed as follows:

• Incorporation of Western ideas into the Chinese political system. Critical analysis.
• Reasons why China has opted to “open” its economy, which previously was closed in its own distinctive way. A debate on the major reasons.
• Is China a threat to Western ethics? Critical analysis.
• How is the West being affected by Chinese expeditious economic expansion? A detailed analysis.
• The impact of Chinese political principles on Western Politics. A debate on the positive and negative outcomes.
• Human rights and the complexity in the Chinese and the Western political system.

Also Read: Project Management Dissertation Topics

Relationship between the Arabs and the Israelis: Dissertation Topics

The Arabs and the Israelis have such complexity and problems in their relationship, primarily focused upon the Palestinian state. Their journey over the last sixty years also paved difficulties in relationships with other countries.

So, in this context, a researcher can find various issues to investigate in detail as a research topic. Following is the list of some of the suggestions for dissertation topics regarding this phenomenon of politics.

• Reasons behind making the recognition of the Palestinian state so complex. Discuss
• Relationship between the Arabs and the Israelis in accordance with Western politics.
• Long term rivalry between the Arabs and the Israelis. Discuss the reasons.
• Role of the West in resolving the Arab-Israeli issues. Critical analysis.
• Strategies to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict. Critical analysis.
• Considering the events of the past how the UN can be utilized to resolve the Arab-Israeli dispute.

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“British Foreign Policy”: Dissertation Topics

The image of a country in different parts of the world is also dependent on its foreign policy and how efficiently it is maintained. There are many issues from British foreign policy that can make for an interesting topic for your politics dissertation.

• What are the basics of Britain’s foreign policy and how can it be justified. Reasons and critical analysis.
• Is Britain’s foreign policy successful? Reasons, cause and critical analysis.
• In what way Britain’s foreign policy is in close affiliation with the US. Critically analyze.
• Justifications showing the US strong impact on Britain’s foreign policy.
• Britain’s foreign policy in relation to its impact on Europe. Critically analyze.
• In what ways the creation of a “single European Entity” has influenced Britain’s foreign policy principles and goals.
• Britain’s foreign policy goals and principles are usually stern and limited. Give reasons to justify and discuss.
• Is Europe the reason behind Britain’s economic and social disputes? Discuss.

Relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan: Dissertation Topics

Pakistan and Afghanistan share so much in common based on their history, faith, and heritage. In the war against Soviet occupation, Pakistan supported 3.5 million Afghans because it shared certain interests with Afghanistan, but recently the settlement of Afghan refugees in various parts of Pakistan has been considered an undesirable phenomenon due to the increasing threat of terrorism and crime.

In Islamabad, actions are being taken to demolish the illegal Afghan settlements in response to the increasing threat of violence, crime, and terrorism. It is believed that the people involved in various illegal acts settle in these areas and carry out their violent acts from safe heavens. So, this phenomenon has a strong political basis, and certain dissertations can be based on it. Here’s a list of some of the dissertation topics in this regard:

• Strategies are being adopted to demolish the illegal Afghan resettlements in Pakistan. Critical analysis.
• Reasons for the development of hurdles between Pak-Afghan friendly relationships. Discuss.
• To what extent violence and terrorism can be linked to Afghanistan. Discuss and analyze.
• Strategies to resolve Pak-Afghan disputes. Discuss.
• Political history of Pak-Afghan relationships from 1947 till current scenario. Discuss major events and their flaws.
• Demolishing the illegal slums of Islamabad occupied by Afghan refugees. Reasons and justifications.
• “War of independence against Soviet occupation.” Discussion of the major events and the impacts.
• 9/11 terrorist attacks and the Pak-Afghan relationships till then. Discuss
• Pakhtoonistan issue and the challenges faced by Pakistan. Critical analysis.
• Educational opportunities for the Afghan refugees. Discuss the positive and negative impacts.

Politics and Media Dissertation Topics

Modern media is a powerful weapon in communicating what is happening throughout the world to people around the globe. Media has a strong influence on people perceiving different scenarios, which might actually not even be true.

There are certain politics involved in what media has to show and deliver to the people behind the screens. Depending on various external factors, media can either positively or negatively portray different scenarios and facts. Below is the list of some of the suggested dissertation topics if you would like to base your dissertation on media and politics.

• Can media be held responsible for the change in politics? Discuss.
• Politics, media and the ways they affect public opinions and thoughts.Critical analysis.
• The linkage between media and democracy. Discuss.
• Can media be held responsible for the spread of terror among people regarding various threats and crimes? Critical analysis.
• Long term politics is involved behind media impacting youth and children. Critically analyze based on justifications.
• Competition between different news channels and political support behind them. Discuss and critically analyze.
• The US politics behind various features of social media. Critical analysis.
• Politics affecting media in Indonesia. Discuss.
• TV commercials and politics. Critical analysis.
• The role media plays during elections. Discuss.
• Social media and its role in politics. Discuss
• Political debates and social media. Discuss
• Media as a carrier of perceptions. Critical analysis.
• Fundraising by different political parties and support of media.
• Politics and media as a source of exploitation of moral values. Critical analysis.
• Limitations politics impose on media. Critical analysis

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Political Parties Dissertation Topics

Political parties have always been one of the major elements of the development of politics. Any comparison between two or more parties can be worked upon by the researcher, or any other issue in this regard can be studied. Political parties of any country can be selected, and a dissertation can be based on their differences and similarities.

For instance, the two famous political parties of the UK- the Labor Party and the Conservative Party can be compared or individually studied by the researcher. The following are some interesting dissertation topics from this area of politics.

• Which party (Labour Party and the Conservative Party) is working dedicatedly? Critical analysis.
• Reasons that favour the Conservative Party in terms of its dedication towards the betterment of the country. Discuss.
• Which party is better in terms of public acceptance? Discuss
• Role of media in supporting the Labour Party and the Conservative Party. Critical analysis.
• In the future, which of the UK’s political parties will come into power, or which political parties will collapse? Discuss.

US Foreign Policy Dissertation Topics

The US is the most powerful country globally and has a considerable influence on the world’s politics. The following are some of the dissertation topics related to US foreign policy.

• With other nations, are the principles and goals of the US foreign policy justified? Discuss.
• China is developing at a rapid rate in terms of economic growth. Is there any threat to the US regarding Chinese economic development?
• The biggest threat to US foreign policy. Discuss.
• Development of nuclear power in the Middle East with US foreign policy. Discuss.
• US foreign policy aims at policing other parts of the world. Can this approach be termed as “bullying”? Critical analysis.
• Who is the mastermind and behind the control of US foreign policy? Critical analysis.
• What are the current goals of US foreign policy? Are they justified?
• How influential is US foreign policy on various other nations of the world? Discuss.
• What are the similarities and differences between the US foreign policy and the British foreign policy? Discuss and critically analyze.

Also Read: History Dissertation Topics

Politics and Religion: Dissertation Topics

Religion and politics are two separate entities, but they also impact each other, especially in today’s world. Below is a list of the topics related to politics and religion that the researcher can opt to aim his or her dissertation on:

• Religious beliefs and politics must be treated as separate entities. Discuss
• Is religion being used as a weapon on political grounds? Critical analysis
• Terrorism, politics and religion. Discuss the linkage between the three.

Important Notes:

As a student of politics looking to get good grades, it is essential to develop new ideas and experiment on existing politics theories – i.e., to add value and interest in your research topic.

The field of politics is vast and interrelated to so many other academic disciplines like civil engineering ,  construction ,  law , engineering management , healthcare , mental health , artificial intelligence , tourism , physiotherapy , sociology , management , marketing and nursing . That is why it is imperative to create a project management dissertation topic that is articular, sound, and actually solves a practical problem that may be rampant in the field.

We can’t stress how important it is to develop a logical research topic; it is the basis of your entire research. There are several significant downfalls to getting your topic wrong; your supervisor may not be interested in working on it, the topic has no academic creditability, the research may not make logical sense, there is a possibility that the study is not viable.

This impacts your time and efforts in writing your dissertation as you may end up in the cycle of rejection at the very initial stage of the dissertation. That is why we recommend reviewing existing research to develop a topic, taking advice from your supervisor, and even asking for help in this particular stage of your dissertation.

While developing a research topic, keeping our advice in mind will allow you to pick one of the best politics dissertation topics that fulfil your requirement of writing a research paper and add to the body of knowledge.

Therefore, it is recommended that when finalizing your dissertation topic, you read recently published literature to identify gaps in the research that you may help fill.

Remember- dissertation topics need to be unique, solve an identified problem, be logical, and can also be practically implemented. Take a look at some of our sample politics dissertation topics to get an idea for your own dissertation.

How to Structure your Politics Dissertation

A well-structured dissertation can help students to achieve a high overall academic grade.

• A Title Page
• Acknowledgements
• Declaration
• Abstract: A summary of the research completed
• Table of Contents
• Introduction : This chapter includes the project rationale, research background, key research aims and objectives, and the research problems. An outline of the structure of a dissertation can also be added to this chapter.
• Literature Review : This chapter presents relevant theories and frameworks by analyzing published and unpublished literature on the chosen research topic to address research questions . The purpose is to highlight and discuss the selected research area’s relative weaknesses and strengths while identifying any research gaps. Break down the topic and key terms can positively impact your dissertation and your tutor.
• Methodology : The data collection and analysis methods and techniques employed by the researcher are presented in the Methodology chapter, which usually includes research design , research philosophy, research limitations, code of conduct, ethical consideration, data collection methods and data analysis strategy .
• Findings and Analysis : Findings of the research are analyzed in detail under the Findings and Analysis chapter. All key findings/results are outlined in this chapter without interpreting the data or drawing any conclusions. It can be useful to include graphs, charts and tables in this chapter to identify meaningful trends and relationships.
• Discussion and Conclusion : The researcher presents his interpretation of the results in this chapter and states whether the research hypothesis has been verified or not. An essential aspect of this section is establishing the link between the results and evidence from the literature. Recommendations with regards to the implications of the findings and directions for the future may also be provided. Finally, a summary of the overall research, along with final judgments, opinions, and comments, must be included in the form of suggestions for improvement.
• References : Make sure to complete this following your University’s requirements
• Bibliography
• Appendices : Any additional information, diagrams, and graphs used to complete the dissertation but not part of the dissertation should be included in the Appendices chapter. Essentially, the purpose is to expand the information/data.

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Home > School, College, or Department > CUPA > Political Science > Theses

Political Science Masters Theses

Theses/dissertations from 2024 2024.

Artificial Intelligence as the Next Front in the Class War , Christopher Hill

Corporatizing Violence: Targeted Repression of Indigenous Dissent in Democratic States , Laikaika Layne Rivera

The Arab Spring Uprisings in Geopolitical Context , Jake Alan Rutledge

Theses/Dissertations from 2023 2023

The New Profits of Pleasure: Reality Television and Affective Exploitation in Post-Pandemic Neoliberalism , Sophia Aepfelbacher

Committees in the Oregon State Legislature: Partisan, Distributive, or Informational , Woodrow C. Moore

Theses/Dissertations from 2022 2022

Gender Equity and State-Mosque Relations in Middle East North Africa: A Case Study of Tunisia , Joy Amarachi Agbugba

Comparative Foreign Aid Analysis: Replacing the Competition Between Donors with Complementary Aid Policies , Emily Melinda Baker

Legislative Procedures and Perceptions of Legitimacy , Megan Elizabeth Cox

The Meaning and Measure of Deliberative Systems , Darren Michael McCormick

Same Game, Different Rules: Pointillist Imperialism and the New Cartography of Great Power Competition , Andrew Jesse Shaughnessy

Theses/Dissertations from 2021 2021

Trump's Legacy in the Middle East: Strategic Shift and the Geopolitics of American Foreign Policy in the Region , Bilel Kriaa

Freedom vs. Security: Analyzing the Connection between States' Prioritization of Security over Civil Liberties and Citizen Support for Democratic Norms , Carlyn Trumbull Madden

Theses/Dissertations from 2020 2020

Follow the (Electronic) Money: How Bitcoin and Blockchain Technology Are "Shaking the System" , Jim Robert Mignano

The Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) Debate: Do Savings Provisions Influence Arbitration Outcomes? , Ryan Manning Moore

Understanding Evangelical Support for, and Opposition to Donald Trump in the 2016 Presidential Election , Joseph Thomas Zichterman

Theses/Dissertations from 2019 2019

How Does Wasta Bolster Regimes? The Case of Tunisia , Issrar Chamekh

Indigenous Party Formation and Success: the Strategic Roles of Reserved Seats, Parties, and Horizontal Accountability , Michael FitzGerald

Arctic Security: the Race for the Arctic through the Prism of International Relations Theory , Michael Gregory Morgan Trujillo

Grappling with the African E-Waste Pandemic: Contributing Factors and Future Deterrence , Brittany Nicole Wideman

Theses/Dissertations from 2018 2018

Using the Syrian Civil War to Measure Hierarchy: Regional Power Transition in the Middle East , Eric Michael Clary

Understanding ASEAN : An Alternative Approach to International Relations Theory in Asia , Ryan Grimstad Driver

Evaluating the Impact of Oregon's Citizen Initiative Review (CIR) on Voter Decisions , Ari Joaquin Wubbold

Theses/Dissertations from 2017 2017

The 2016 Presidential Election: Demographic Transformation and Racial Backlash , Skyler Lillian Brocker-Knapp

Theses/Dissertations from 2016 2016

Manufacturing Consent in the Maghreb: How Mohammed VI of Morocco Survived the Arab Spring , David Michael Duke II

Substantive Representation by the Unelected: The Role of Staff Gender on Mayoral Priorities in U.S. Cities , Sara M. Hottman

BEE CAUSE: Is Legislative Action Protecting Bees from Neonicotinoids Justified? , Ursula A. Squire

Democratization, Political Performance, and Income Distribution in Argentina and Brazil , Nicholas Paul Stowell

Theses/Dissertations from 2015 2015

The Europeanization of Political Parties: A Study of Political Parties in Poland 2009-2014 , Dennis Jan Blew

An Examination of Factors that Catalyze LGBTQ Movements in Middle Eastern and North African Authoritarian Regimes , Michael Anthony Figueredo

Liberalization, Contention, and Threat: Institutional Determinates of Societal Preferences and the Arab Spring in Tunisia and Morocco , Matthew Thomas Lacouture

Theses/Dissertations from 2014 2014

The Responsibility to Protect and International Law: Moral, Legal and Practical Perspectives on Kosovo, Libya, and Syria , William R. Blackford

Synthesizing the Vertical and the Horizontal: A World-Ecological Analysis of 'the Industrial Revolution', Part I , Christopher R. Cox

Exploring Connections Between Efforts to Restrict Same-Sex Marriage and Surging Public Opinion Support for Same-Sex Marriage Rights: Could Efforts to Restrict Gay Rights Help to Explain Increases in Public Opinion Support for Same-Sex Marriage? , Samuel Everett Christian Dunlop

Moving Beyond Regulatory Mechanisms: A Typology of Internet Control Regimes , Richard Reid Hunt

The Effect of Social Media on Public Awareness and Extra-Judicial Effects: The Gay Marriage Cases and Litigating for New Rights , Sarahfina Aubrey Peterson

Explaining Ballot Initiative Contest Outcomes in California, Oregon, and Washington , Hans Daniel Stroo

Theses/Dissertations from 2013 2013

Macroeconomic and Political Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment in the Middle East , Robin Barnaby Calver

The Strategic Effects of Counterinsurgency Operations at Religious Sites: Lessons from India, Thailand, and Israel , Timothy L. Christopher

Fated to Pretend?: Culture Crisis and the Fate of the Individual , Rebecca Jade Ok

Economic Inequality's Correlation with Political Inequality and Inequality of Opportunity and the Implications for Social Justice Theory , Staci Leigh Schoff

A Dissatisfied Partner: A Conflict - Integration Analysis of Britain's Membership in the European Union , Osman Goktug Tanrikulu

Theses/Dissertations from 2012 2012

Supranationalism in the Fight Against Transnational Threats: A Comparative Study of ASEAN and EU Policy Responses to Human Trafficking , Nicholas M. Klynn

The Crisis of Cooperation: A Critical Analysis of Russian-Iranian Relations in the Post-Soviet Era , Eric D. Moore

Public Participation in Emergency Management , Jason Alexander Rood

A Strategic Model for INGO Accountability Systems , Sarah Elizabeth Wardwell

Theses/Dissertations from 2011 2011

The Fourth Amendment and Cyberspace: Conflict or Cohesion? , Federico Alberto Cantón

The Institutional Development of the American Vice Presidency , James Emory Hite

African Regime Types and International Humanitarian Non-Governmental Organizations: A Comparative Study of the Relationships of Friends and Enemies. , Krista Noel Lane

From Blooming Judicial Philosophies to Castrated Legislation: Sexuality, Desire, and Nominations to the Supreme Court of the United States , Adam Michael McMahon

The Expressive Goals of Bias Crime Legislation and the Media , Louis Panush

In or Out: Interpretation of European Union Membership Criteria and its Effect on the EU Accession Process for Candidate and Potential Member States of Southeastern Europe , Ashley Marie Rasmussen

Citizenship, Duty and Virtue: A Vision of Jefferson's America , Anthony Philip Stine

Diminished Democracy? Portland Radio News/Public Affairs After the Telecom Act of 1996 , Rebecca Webb

Theses/Dissertations from 2010 2010

Northeast Asia and the Avoidance of a Nuclear Arms Race , Samuel Fogleman

Regional Integration in East Asia , Amaleia E. Kolovos

Rashomon Comes to the Courtroom: the Adoption of the Lay Judge System in Japan, Its Impact on Jurisprudence, and the Implications for Civic Engagement , Bryan Matthew Thompson

Limitation Riders in the Postreform House: A Test of Procedural Cartel and Conditional Party Government Theories , Jessica Scott Tollestrup

Nihilism Unbound: Strauss, Nietzsche and Foucault as Nihilist Thinkers , Jeffrey Jacob Wade

Theses/Dissertations from 2007 2007

Radicalism in American Political Thought : Black Power, the Black Panthers, and the American Creed , Christopher Thomas Cooney

Theses/Dissertations from 2006 2006

Social Regulatory Policy : A Challenge to Federalism , Kimberly Janet Russell

Theses/Dissertations from 2004 2004

Prospect Theory and the Cyprus Conflict: Analyzing Decisionmaking in the Turkish Cypriot President , Tarah Marie Wheeler

Theses/Dissertations from 2002 2002

Presidential Domain: An Exploratory Study of Prospect Theory and US Climate Policy Since 1998 , Hal T. Nelson

Theses/Dissertations from 2000 2000

International Environmental Regimes and Latin America : The Role of Environmental Non-governmental Organizations , Jennifer T. Eller

Theses/Dissertations from 1998 1998

An Analysis of the Principal Arguments in Support of a Congressional Term Limit , Paul William Cadero-Smith

The Impact of Relative Gains on Interstate Cooperation in the Areas of Security and International Economy , Renato Corbetta

Free Trade, Regionalism, and the Democratic Peace Theory , Julia B. Johnson

Tocqueville’s Civic Republicanism : The Balance Between Equality and Liberty in American Democracy , Clifford Brantley Smith

Theses/Dissertations from 1997 1997

The Minimal Role of Legal Traditions at the International Court of Justice , Kalley Rae Aman

Virtue, Liberty, and the Good : A Critical Analysis of Civic Republicanism , Nathan Douglas Austin

Collective Intervention in Internal Conflicts : An Examination of Why States Participate , Andrew L. Blum

Public Interest Group Politics and American Political Culture , Patrick Henry Brennan

The Reemergence of Kantian Ethics: Have We Adequately Responded to Hegel's Objections? , Gwen C. Thompson

Theses/Dissertations from 1996 1996

Oregon's Carry Concealed Weapon Laws: A Historical Review of the Right to Personal Protection , Richard Meek Bash

Neorealism and Environmental Cooperation: Towards a Structural Explanation of International Environmental Matters , Anthony David Lott

The Dangers of Nuclear Proliferation: Five Reasons More May Not Be Better , Matthew MacArthur

Theses/Dissertations from 1995 1995

Gaining State Response on Global Environmental Problem-Solving: Developing a State-centric Approach , Heather MacGregor Bothwell

Liberalism, Community, and the Context of Choice , Marta R. Colburn

Sustainable Development in the Third World: A New Paradigm? , Terry A. Gentry

Communicative Action as Feminist Epistemology , Todd Nathaniel Gilman

John Rawls, Feminism, and the Gendered Self , Lori Kinder MacArthur

Sustainable Development in Sub-Saharan Africa: Strategies for Self-help in Food Production, Case Study of Kenya , Dieudonne Mayi

State Cooperation on Regulatory Policies for Transboundary Environmental Issues , Jennifer Lyn Pennell

North vs. South: Sovereign Equality and the Environment in the Twentieth Century , Thomas Schlesinger

Theses/Dissertations from 1994 1994

A Study of Japan's Foreign Policy Behavior: The Discrepancy between Japan's Foreign Policy and Its Voting Behavior in the United Nations General Assembly , Atsuko Sato

Theses/Dissertations from 1993 1993

The Liberal-Communitarian Debate and the Development of a Political Conception of the Person , Kenneth Howard Biggs

Common Security: a Conceptual Blueprint for an Israeli-Palestinian Political Settlement , Robert Arthur Horenstein

The United States-Japan Security Treaty of 1951: An Essay on the Origins of Postwar Japanese-American Relation , Christopher S. Johnson

Theses/Dissertations from 1991 1991

A Comparative Analysis of U.S. Foreign Policy in Iran and the Philippines , Christina M. Blumel

Chinese Intellectual Dissidents , Meiru Liu

Theses/Dissertations from 1990 1990

John Rawls, the conception of a liberal self, and the communitarian critique , Johnathan Edward Mansfield

Politics and Education: The Nicaraguan Literacy Crusade , Teresa Squires Osborne

Theses/Dissertations from 1989 1989

An Analysis of US/Soviet Arms Control: Adding a Subsystem Perspective , Peter Millard Olson

Theses/Dissertations from 1987 1987

Hugo Grotius and the liberal tradition , Karen Diane Csajko

American Foreign Policy: The Utility of Force as an Influence, Bargaining, or Coercive Force in the Caribbean Basin , Susan M. Marandas

Theses/Dissertations from 1986 1986

Manipulation or education? : symbolic language, belief system and the Truman Doctrine , John Gunn Tilson

Theses/Dissertations from 1985 1985

Formulation of the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act of 1973 , Gary G. Skalangya

Theses/Dissertations from 1984 1984

Integration in West Africa : an empirical examination of ECOWAS , Stephen C. Adkisson

Theses/Dissertations from 1983 1983

Polish foreign policy and the development of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe , Keijiro Yasui

Theses/Dissertations from 1982 1982

Congressional Power and Presidential Prerogative: The War Powers Question , Gerald Michael Worley

Theses/Dissertations from 1979 1979

The political integration of the Kurds in Turkey , Kathleen Palmer Ertur

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Essex theses, uk & north american theses, open access digitised dissertations.

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Theses or dissertations are the product of extended independent research by students. They are often required at undergraduate level (e.g. final year Capstone projects), and are nearly always a feature of postgraduate research from Master's through to Ph.D. level. The terms thesis and dissertation are often used interchangeably. In the UK, dissertation tends to be the preferred term at undergraduate and taught postgraduate level, and thesis used for original research at doctoral (Ph.D.) level. Confusingly, in the US, usage of these terms is reversed! 

Print books offering guidance on  how to write  a thesis can be found at  LB 2369  on floor 5 of the Albert Sloman Library, you can also search the library catalogue for ebook versions.

Students often need to consult theses for various reasons, including:

• checking the style and presentation of good past dissertations from their department
• not repeating research already undertaken
• using theses on a similar topic to help with the literature search, data sources, methods or data analysis

Essex Politics theses  can be found in the following locations:

• Politics Department  - copies of undergraduate and Master's dissertations. Undergraduate students have access to anonymised hard copies that can be consulted in the Meeting Room (they cannot be removed from the department). For Master's students, examples of relevant published papers on the GV993/995 Moodle page should help give guidance regarding structure, using different methodologies, etc. 
• Albert Sloman Library  - the University Library at Colchester holds print copies of all Essex Politics M.Phil. and Ph.D. dissertations up to 30 September 2016. They are listed in the catalogue, and must be consulted in the Library. To search by department type the keywords: essex thesis politics
• University of Essex Research Repository  - contains digitised versions of PhD theses submitted after 30 September 2016.

To search for dissertations from  other universities in the UK and beyond , there are a couple of very useful databases:  

EThOS  offers access to digitised UK doctoral theses

ProQuest Dissertations & Theses  lists North American & UK theses (with some coverage of other countries):

• EThOS EThOS is the British Library’s online service that provides access to UK doctoral theses. The database can be searched by anyone, but users need to register to access theses. Many theses are free to download instantly, and digitisation can be requested for those not currently available.
• ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global ProQuest Dissertations and Theses: Global (PQDTGlobal) is the world's most comprehensive collection of full-text dissertations and theses. As the official digital dissertations archive for the Library of Congress and as the database of record for graduate research, PQDTGlobal includes millions of searchable citations to dissertations and theses from 1861 to the present day together with over a million full-text dissertations that are available for download in PDF format. The database offers full text for most of the dissertations added since 1997 and strong retrospective full-text coverage for older graduate works. It also includes PQDT UK & Ireland content back to the 17th century. Each dissertation published since July 1980 includes a 350-word abstract written by the author. Where available, PQDTGlobal provides 24-page previews of dissertations and theses. more... less... Shibboleth login

Many countries maintain repositories offering open access digitised dissertations . These can be useful to search if you have specific area interests. Useful listings of these repositories by country are maintained by:

• International Theses (Bodleian Library) The Bodleian Library at University of Oxford maintains a useful directory of national e-theses repositories
• NDLTD Find ETDs The Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD) is an international organization promoting the dissemination and preservation of electronic theses and dissertations (ETDs)

If you want to cross-search your topic across countries you can use a portal that offer access to e-theses from around the world:

• Ebsco Open Dissertations
• Networked Digital Library of Theses & Dissertations
• Open Access Theses & DIssertations
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• Last Updated: Sep 5, 2024 5:26 PM
• URL: https://library.essex.ac.uk/politics