For postgraduate students like me, the period from May to mid-August is all about one thing: dissertations! During this time, we don’t have any classes. Instead, we’re fully focused on our research. It’s a chance for us to dive into a topic, write a proposal, collect data, and finally put our dissertations together.
Choosing a format
In my experience, students had two options for their dissertations. One was the traditional format where we would choose our own topics and do independent academic research on them. The other was a client sourced dissertation which involved collaborating with an organisation to produce research they were interested in. For this option, the organisation would provide objectives and a preferred structure, enabling students to conduct their research based on these needs.
I chose the client-sourced dissertation because it’s a unique opportunity to learn what professionals in the industry actually care about: tackling a practical problem rather than doing theoretical work. In addition, it meant I could gain hands-on experience managing client expectations and adapting to business workflows. I knew this option would develop my soft skills, such as communication and problem-solving, in a real-world context plus it’s a great way to strengthen my CV.
How I approach my dissertation
For the first month of the dissertation period, I spent a lot of time reading papers and building a solid foundation on my topic. I had a meeting with the client to clarify what they’re looking for, and also met with my academic advisor to break down the project into clear objectives and research questions. Then we had a combined meeting to make sure everyone was on the same page.
Most days when working on my dissertation, I start at around 9am with a cup of milk tea and a stack of research papers. I read through the literature to understand key concepts, theories, and methods in my field. This helps me spot any research gaps and shape the direction of my study. I also have a look at how others are designing their research and collecting data to get ideas for my own approach.
In the afternoons, I usually switch to doing some hands-on training with the analytical tool provided by the client. It’s software that I’ll be using to run experiments later on so I wanted to gain a clear understanding of how to use it effectively to support my project goals. After following some tutorials on how to use it properly, I got more familiar with the interface, its features, and how to process data effectively.
Recently, I’ve started writing my literature review which is the most important part of the dissertation. It lays out the current research, summarising what’s already known, including established theories, models, methods, and findings. This provides a theoretical and conceptual background for the research, helping me position my study within a broader academic conversation. By understanding the existing studies, I’m able to identify the research gaps, pointing to opportunities for further investigation. It also helps justify the research methods I’ve chosen by highlighting which ones have been used effectively in the past.
Checking in with coursemates
Aside from focusing on my own work, I often discuss dissertations with my coursemates too. We exchange ideas, which helps me think about different perspectives and solutions I might not have come up with on my own. Sometimes I spot mistakes during these conversations that I overlooked when working independently so it allows me to improve my work.
Chatting with friends like this also helps me relax and feel less isolated. Our shared breaks not only provide relief but also keep me motivated, making the process so much more enjoyable. Having a great support system makes a huge difference, especially during intense research periods like this.
There’s no doubt the dissertation process is a challenging one. But the blend of academic learning and real-world application is making this experience more interesting for me. I’m looking forward to completing this work and developing my skills more in the coming months!