How to Write a Dissertation Introduction?

Approximately one-third of master’s students find it difficult to start their dissertations. It’s more than just setting the stage for your assignment. The introduction to your assignment will always serve as the face of your assignment. It’s a blueprint for your entire research, guidelines, objective and research questions.

In this blog, we are going to talk about how to write a dissertation introduction step by step. You’ll get all the answers you need. What is the ideal length? What should I keep in mind when writing a thesis? We’ll also provide you with some practical tips and share some templates so you can use them to make your thesis better.

What is a Dissertation Introduction?

An introduction is the opening section of the article that provides the foundation…it doesn’t only help with the research topic but also outlines the purpose of the whole page….The introduction is not only about the research but also focuses on the structure of your assignment.

Purpose of the Introduction:

The purpose of the introduction is to:

• Explain what readers should know to understand the subject.
• Make sure you state the research question or hypothesis clearly.
• Indicate the purpose of the research and the area it covers.
• Make a summary of the structure, covering what is presented in every chapter.
• Show the importance and connection of the study to academic or practical issues.

Key Components of a Dissertation Introduction:

1- Research Question:

The research question is the centre of focus in a dissertation. It clearly defines what the researcher wants to explore, what they want to analyze, and what they want to resolve.

Example:

“How effective is cognitive behavioural therapy in reducing symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder among university students?”

2- Research Objectives:

These are the researcher’s specific aims that they want to achieve.

Example:

• To assess the prevalence of GAD among university students.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of CBT in managing GAD symptoms.
• To identify the limitations of existing treatment approaches.

3- Structure Outline:

This section is like the table of contents. It is about how a dissertation is organized.

Example:

• Chapter 1: Introduction and Background
• Chapter 2: Literature Review
• Chapter 3: Methodology
• Chapter 4: Findings and Analysis
• Chapter 5: Discussion and Recommendations
• Chapter 6: Conclusion

How Long Should a Dissertation Introduction Be?

The introduction of a dissertation is the starting of your thesis or argument. It is the part that sets the stage for the entire research. It allows the purpose and importance of your study while providing the reader with the background of your assignment. The length and the word count of a dissertation varies with the subject you’re writing on. Here is a quick reference table for easy guidance.

Quick-Reference Table for Word Count Guidelines

Example of a Well-Structured Introduction (for a 10,000-word Dissertation)

Introduction:

The rise in mental health disorders across the globe has put a lot of pressure on healthcare systems across the world. From these disorders, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) has become one of the most common mental health disorders, with about 5% of the world’s population suffering from it (Smith et al., 2020)In this dissertation, we look at the link between CBT and GAD in adults to determine if CBT is an effective long-term strategy.

I am conducting this research to find out how the best therapeutic approaches may be used for GAD treatment. This disorder can seriously impact daily activities, social relationships and how people feel about their lives. While several studies have examined various treatments for anxiety disorders, there is a lack of information on how CBT works for different groups and in real life.

The following is the structure of the dissertation:

Chapter 1 presents the theoretical framework of CBT and its use in anxiety disorders. In contrast, Chapter 2 provides a review of literature on the topic, with a focus on studies over the last decade. Chapter 3 describes the methodology adopted to carry out this research, participants, data collection methods, and analysis techniques. Chapters 4 and 5 are for the findings and discussion, respectively, which showcase the major trends and implications for future research. Finally, Chapter 6 ends with a summary of the findings and recommendations for clinical practice and further studies.

By addressing this specific type of therapy, this study adds to the current debate about the efficacy of psychological treatments for anxiety disorders, with an emphasis on the practical, evidence-based applications of such treatments in clinical settings.

What to Include in a Dissertation Introduction?

A Proper introduction is the foundation for the remaining part of the dissertation. Here are some of the key parts discussed in sequence…

1- Background and Context:

• Briefly summarize the topic of research.
• Highlight the wider academic or practical context.
• Write about any historical or current developments that are relevant.

2- Research Problem/Research Question:

• State the research problem or question clearly.
• Describe why this issue is important.
• State the gap in the existing literature that your study fills.

3- Research Objectives and Aims:

• Mention particular objectives or aims of the study.
• Make sure they are in line with the research question.

4- Significance of the Study:

• Describe the possible effects or contribution of the research.
• State theoretical, practical, or academic implications.

5- Methodology Outline:

• Provide a brief description of the approach or methods used in research.
• Emphasize data collection and analysis techniques.

6- Structure Overview:

• Give a summary of each chapter.
• Add a sentence or two concerning the content of each section.

7- Definitions of the Key Terms (If Applicable):

• Define any terms or jargon used in the study.
• Make definitions clear and to the point.

8- Summary and Introduction:

• Summarize the main points discussed in a few words.
• Transition to the next chapter (for instance, Literature Review).

Annotated Example of a Dissertation Introduction:

Introduction Example: “The Impact of Social Media on Academic Performance in University Students”

Background and Context:

The use of Social Media has increased drastically…which affects various aspects of daily life, including education. Most of the students in high schools spend their time on platforms like Instagram, X and Snapchat, which can highly affect their academic performance. Some studies highlight that social media is a distraction, while some mention its potential as a tool for better education (Smith, 2023).

Research Problem:

This dissertation focuses on how social media usage affects a student’s life. But despite extensive research on social media, there is very less working in practice on how social media can affect a student’s study habits and academic outcomes.

Research Objectives:

• To assess the use of social media among university students.
• To identify the relationship between social media and academic performance.
• To evaluate the potential benefits of a social media platform.

Methodology Outline:

A mixed-methods approach was used, combining quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews with 150 university students from three major institutions.

Structure Overview:

• Chapter 1: Introduction
• Chapter 2: Literature Review
• Chapter 3: Methodology
• Chapter 4: Results
• Chapter 5: Discussion
• Chapter 6: Conclusion

How to Write a Methodology for a Dissertation:

The methodology is where you will outline the research method that was used to collect data and then analyze it. It acts as a blueprint that will guide readers through the process and it will work as a rationale behind your research. If you’ve completed the introduction then this is most probably this is going to be the next logical step. Here’s how to write it better…

Restate Your Research Objectives:

First, look at the key aims of your dissertation. It helps your readers continue to understand the main goal of your research as they start reading about the methods you used.

Example: The purpose of this research is to analyze how online learning platforms influence undergraduate biology students in the UK.

Choose the Right Research Approach:

Choose whether your study is quantitative, qualitative or mixed and make sure to explain why this is the best way to conduct your research.

Example: “The research uses semi-structured interviews to learn about students’ experiences in a qualitative way.”

Define Data Collection Methods:

Explain how the data was gathered. Where did you find this information…did you use surveys, interviews, focus groups or old records? Use your research question to explain your choice of research method.

Example: “The research involved sending online surveys to 150 undergraduate students at three UK universities.”

Outline Data Analysis Techniques:

Describe the process for processing and analyzing the collected data. Which approach will you take: thematic analysis, statistical software or some coding framework?

Example: “The interview replies will be transcribed and then studied using thematic analysis to find common ideas about student engagement.”

Address Ethical Considerations:

Highlight how ethical standards like informed consent, participant confidentiality and data protection were maintained during the study.

Example: “All those involved signed consent forms and their personal details were kept private and secret because they were made anonymous.”

Discuss Limitations:

Acknowledge any limitations of your chosen methodology and how they may affect the research outcomes. This demonstrates transparency and academic integrity.

Example: “One limitation of this study is the relatively small sample size, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.”

Conclusion:

How to Write a Dissertation Introduction lays the groundwork for everything else you write in your dissertation. It helps establish the right atmosphere for your research and guides your reader through your work. By stating your research problem, objectives, methodology and chapter structure, you are making sure the work is clear and organized.

You now understand how an effective introduction for a dissertation should look, how many words it should contain and how you can adapt it to your specific field. For any kind of writing, the rules are similar: communicate clearly, follow a structure, and always have a clear goal.

Bear in mind that not only does a good introduction introduce your subject, but it also inspires your reader to continue reading. Rely on the examples, templates and suggestions in this blog to help you start and maintain your work. Once your introduction is finished, you can comfortably continue with the methodology chapter and the rest of your report.