Dissertation India- 10 Tips for PhD Thesis Writing for Indian Universities

The treatment of all dissertation projects is quite similar to each other, be it a dissertation project for graduation, a master's, or a PhD. However, despite of the primary similarity of approach and treatment, a PhD thesis surpasses any other dissertation paper in importance, hardship and seriousness. While a researcher is supposed to write a paper of merely 20 – 30 pages of length within a time period of approximately 2 to 3 months, for a regular dissertation, for PhD thesis, the researcher is supposed to undertake a project that is nearly 500 pages long within around 3 years.

The techniques of thesis formation and approach always somewhat vary from country to country. In India, too, the techniques and treatment are different and unique from those of foreign acceptance. The socio-political structure of the country, the educational policies of the government, the recent economical growth: all these factors influence in determining the general prevailing approach of PhD thesis writing. While writing a thesis in India there are certain things one must be very careful to deal with.

 India is a country where around 15% of the population live below the poverty line. Being a third world and developing country still, the government pays less attention in higher education. Hence, funding for thesis writing is a serious problem. In fact, that is perhaps, the most important reason why thousands of happening students go abroad for higher studies. Under these circumstances, a researcher should be absolutely careful, and sound with the formation of the research proposal. Remember, research proposal is the determining factor of funding, and thus, impressing the board members is a vital factor. Form a proposal with agreeable layout from 3 – 10 pages of length, and follow the given format:

 i) Title Page

ii) Statement of Problem

iii) Literature Review

iv) Statement of Preparatory Study

v) Aim

vi) Outline

Pay special attention to the outline section, and clearly discuss the blueprint that you have made regarding how you want to address the problem along with the approximate time that the thesis would take to be completed.

 Due to this complexity of format and treatment, it is wise to follow a particular format while approaching the PhD thesis. A proper format not only helps the researcher to maintain a routine with relatively smaller goals, but also makes the whole process more clear and comprehensible. Despite of the presence of the classical format of writing thesis, which is generally accepted all over the world, there are also various other formats that a researcher might follow. In fact, it is advisable to consult the research guide before getting the format drawn for almost every university has its own format of PhD thesis formation. The general format of thesis formation is as follows:

a) Abstract

b) Introduction

c) Aim

d) Literature Review

e) Methodology

f) Data Analysis

e) Discussion

f) Future Possibilities

g) Conclusion

h) Acknowledgements

i) References

   While writing the literature review one should not only mention the important and recent works related to the subject and how they address that issue, but also provide a subjective evaluation of all those works. Literature review must not be a chapter providing mere data, it should showcase the researcher’s insight and understanding of the discoveries and researches already made, and how they influenced him/her to undertake the project.

During the methodology part, provide the list of the general research problems, and the impediment that you possibly face to solve them. Be sure to mention and explain each and every method that you are going to utilize throughout the research. The methodology chapter is huge in length, and rather tiresome to read, therefore, use precise as well as lucid sentences so that the chapter provides an intellectual interest to the reader.  

There is a huge controversy among the literary scholars regarding the difference between a unique thesis and plagiarism. However, there is no doubt that it is the data analysis section of the thesis that serves as the pedestal of the authenticity of the paper. Many Indian universities still have a conservation regarding the authenticity of the research data. Hence, be careful of the sources while gathering data, and provide a detailed discussion on how the information is accumulated, from which sources, and how they help in establishing and the argument. Specially mention the issues/happenings/information/variables that play a key role in shaping movement of the argument.

Always remember the target audience of the research and their expectations while writing the argument. Generally, they are people with deep and thorough knowledge in the particular field with which the subject is related. So, be logical and argumentative. Again, it is also your duty to appeal the people outside the target group. Thus, it is advisable to use a language that comprehensible and catchy.

Be very careful with the conclusion part. Make sure that it does justice to the title, and the argument section. To do so, review the argument and conclusion sections and see if they provide satisfactory answers to the primary research questions.

Do a thorough review of the whole process: look out for grammatical mistakes, punctuations, typing errors, data usage. It is not possible to form a thesis perfectly in the first draft – revision makes you perfect. In fact, during the revision you can find out the pros and cons of your thesis which will prove to be useful during the viva. According to the new UGC regulation, an examiner from other state will examine the thesis, thus, revision is even more important now.

 Add proper acknowledgements and references to the thesis.

There are certain formalities that a researcher should go through during the submission of the project. These are simple, yet tricky things. Hence, be cautious, and do not forget to do a double checking.

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