Dissertation Methodology Writing Advice

The dissertation methodology section explains reasons behind methodologies chosen during research.  The details include data that helped you discover your findings and their reliability.  The information should aim to answer questions related to research or even test against your related hypotheses.  The following suggestions may help you in determining how to present your findings in a clear definitive manner.

• Review different writing strategies to help present data to the best of your ability.  Revising your work during the draft stage, how to present main ideas and proper ways to display citations are a few examples. Take time to create rough drafts and let yourself write.  Try not to put much emphasis on errors. Concentrate on getting facts, details and information on paper, and then revise.
• When you start writing, begin with what you already know.  Your rough draft may include more information based on personal experience or what research you picked up previously. 
• Breakup your writing; write one page daily.  You may elect to write more in a day but at least make one page the minimum. You can choose which page to write so doing it in order can be optional.
• Have an outline handy to maintain a cohesive flow throughout your dissertation data. Use the tree/core/root concept with your ideas; start with an idea, draw a line to connect it to another branch with ideas circulating from the root or core concept.
• Set goals when breaking up your work into smaller tasks.  You can set goals for each week to make it easier.  Make goals realistic, specific and measurable.  Use a calendar to track progress.  Reward yourself when accomplishments are achieved.
• Time yourself to see how long you can write continuously.  You can aim for 5 hours per day but work toward smaller goals such as 45 minutes to build momentum.  You can shoot for writing several days a week but you don’t need to exceed the number of hours.  Take 15 minute breaks to walk around and stretch.  This also helps you practice observing your surroundings.
• Your writing environment may help improve your progress.  It may also help to physical change your atmosphere such as writing in another room, the library or outdoors; as long as you feel comfortable. 
• Take time to prepare your productivity the night before and plan your writing early in the day.