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Getting Started on the Thesis/Dissertation Writing Process
The thesis or dissertation* is the final product of your Master's or PhD research work. It's intended to be a piece of scholarly work that demonstrates your ability to participate in the academic research world: that is, to conduct research based on a particular question, critically analyze the existing literature, present your methodology and results accurately and in detail, link your findings to the broader field, and effectively communicate your research to others (see UBC's Handbook of Graduate Supervision). A PhD dissertation makes an original contribution to the field in which the research is being conducted; a Master's thesis can make such a contribution, in addition to demonstrating the writer's ability to conduct research, but doesn't have to.
Writing a thesis or dissertation takes time, planning, and a lot of hard work. The resources collected in this guide are intended to make it a little easier to finish!
*Note: thesis tends to be used for Master's degrees, dissertation for PhD degrees. On this site, we may switch back and forth between 'thesis' and 'dissertation'; unless otherwise noted, both types of writing are included.
As of June 30, 2021, UBC Library will no longer offer Thesis Formatting workshops or support. Students are encouraged to explore the many online resources that provide guidance on Thesis Formatting. For templates and FAQs, please visit the Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies website.
G+PS Information
The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (G+PS) has regulations and guidelines about many aspects of the thesis and dissertation preparation process.
- General requirements for Thesis and Dissertation preparation
- Scope of a Doctoral Dissertation. Includes information on what the purpose of a dissertation is, what skills and knowledge on the part of the student it should demonstrate, and roughly how long it should be.
- Structure of Theses and Dissertations. Includes information on all the sections that are required in a UBC thesis or dissertation.
Note that G+PS regulations for theses and dissertations sometimes change; make sure you're following the most current regulations!
Online Writing Resources
There are many thesis and dissertation writing resources online; find the ones that speak most to you!
- UBC's Graduate Pathways to Success program has a useful guide to "Getting Started with your Thesis or Dissertation".
- The Thesis Whisperer blog, by Dr. Inger Mewburn at Australian National University. Resources for many areas of the thesis and dissertation writing process. In particular, visit the "On Writing" section of the blog.
- The GradHacker blog, hosted by Inside Higher Education. Resources for many areas of your grad school life, including writing.
- University of North Carolina Writing Center's "Tips and Tools" for writing dissertations. In particular, visit the "Getting Down to Business: Tips for Writing Consistently" section.
- Cornell University's Writing from A to B: A Guide to Completing the Dissertation Phase of Doctoral Studies. While some material is specific to Cornell, a lot of it will apply to any dissertation writer.
- Doctoral Writing SIG. While it's primarily aimed at those who are supporting doctoral researchers, there are lots of insights and tips that can help you as a doctoral researcher yourself.
- The Explorations of Style blog. While this is about academic writing generally, there's a lot of content about graduate writing and about thesis/dissertation writing.
- Writing or Presenting Your Thesis or Dissertation. In particular, tips 17-29.
Books and E-Books in UBC Library to Get You Started
These are a few of the books available in UBC Library to help you with your dissertation writing process. For a wider range of books, please visit our Books on Dissertation Writing pages.
How to Write a Thesis by Call Number: LB2369 .E2813 2015Publication Date: 2015Umberto Eco's wise and witty guide to researching and writing a thesis, published in English for the first time. By the time Umberto Eco published his best-selling novel The Name of the Rose, he was one of Italy's most celebrated intellectuals, a distinguished academic and the author of influential works on semiotics. Some years before that, in 1977, Eco published a little book for his students, How to Write a Thesis, in which he offered useful advice on all the steps involved in researching and writing a thesis -- from choosing a topic to organizing a work schedule to writing the final draft. Eco's approach is anything but dry and academic. He not only offers practical advice but also considers larger questions about the value of the thesis-writing exercise. How to Write a Thesis is unlike any other writing manual. It reads like a novel. It is opinionated. It is frequently irreverent, sometimes polemical, and often hilarious.
Destination Dissertation by Call Number: LB2369Publication Date: 2015Destination Dissertation: A Traveler's Guide to a Done Dissertation is a handbook that helps students successfully complete their dissertations. It uses a metaphor of travel to frame the dissertation process. Designed for use by students in all disciplines and for both quantitative and qualitative dissertations, the book shows concrete and efficient processes for completing those parts of the dissertation where students tend to get stuck: conceptualizing a topic, developing a pre-proposal, writing a literature review, writing a proposal, collecting and analyzing data, and writing the last chapter.
Surviving Your Dissertation by Call Number: LB2369 .R83 2015Publication Date: 2014In the fully updated Fourth Edition of their best-selling guide, Surviving Your Dissertation, Rudestam and Newton answer questions concerning every stage of the dissertation process, In addition, this guide covers topics such as the many types of quantitative and qualitative research models available, the principles of good scholarly writing, how to work with committees, how to meet IRB and ethical standards, and how to overcome task and emotional blocks.
The Dissertation Journey by Call Number: LB1742 .R63 2010Publication Date: 2010The dissertation is a tough mountain to climb; you'll need the right tools and a knowledgeable guide. This informative and inspirational book readies you for each step of the dissertation process, including choosing a topic, selecting the committee, getting acclimated to academic writing, preparing for your oral defense, and publishing your research.
Excellent Dissertations! by Call Number: LB2369 .L48 2011Publication Date: 2011A dissertation is likely to be the largest single piece of work you will be asked to produce. This handy book guides you through the whole process: planning your dissertation project, managing it, and writing it up. It offers friendly and practical advice and addresses all the questions students ask, including: How do I choose a topic? How should I manage my time? How can I make best use of my supervisor? How many chapters should my dissertation have? Which is the best referencing system to use? Excellent Dissertations! Second Edition is a lively, concise and to-the point guide, which will steer you through the entire dissertation process.
Demystifying Dissertation Writing by Call Number: LB2369 .S55 2010Publication Date: 2009Research shows that five strategies correlate with the successful completion of a dissertation: establishing a consistent writing routine; working with a support group; consulting your advisor; understanding your committee's expectations; and setting a realistic and timely schedule. Building on these insights, this book is for anyone who needs help in preparing for, organizing, planning, scheduling, and writing the longest sustained writing project they have encountered.
