leeds uni dissertation examples

Welcome to White Rose eTheses Online

White rose etheses online.

Welcome to White Rose eTheses Online, a shared repository of electronic theses from the University of Leeds, the University of Sheffield and the University of York.

Student from the University of Leeds, Sheffield or York? Need to upload your thesis? Start by creating an account , or login to your account

If you are unsure if this is the right place for you, check the FAQs .

Recent additions for Leeds , Sheffield , York or all recent additions .

What is White Rose eTheses Online?

This repository gives access to theses awarded by the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield and York. The available repository content can be accessed for free, without the need to log on or create an account, as per the instructions of the depositing author. We also make the content available through aggregator sites via harvesting mechanisms.

Dissertation Format Regulations

Please click on each of the seven headings below to see the regulations which must be followed to format your dissertation correctly:

1. Number of copies

One electronic copy must be uploaded to the Assessed Assignment Submission area, within the module section of Minerva.

A hard copy of the Dissertation is not required.  

If you need to upload any additional data in a separate document, there is an additional submission area to upload this.

2. Indicative length

The main body of the Dissertation must not exceed the word limit.

Does Count toward word count

The word count covers everything within the main text of the Dissertation, including:

• the abstract and contents page
• lists of tables and illustrative material
• any tables, diagrams, subtitles, footnotes and references which are included within the main text.

Does not Count toward word count

The word count does not include;

• the title page and front cover
• any acknowledgements
• bibliographies
• end lists of references

Words presented as images

Any words presented in graphs, tables, or other graphics must be included in the word count.

Words displayed in these formats may need to be counted manually, as they will not be detected by the word count function on most word processing software.

Appendix Abuse

You must not use appendices to present matters of substance which should be included in the main body of the text.

The text must remain understandable without reference to any appendices.

3. Text and Layout

Font and size.

Dissertations should be presented using a standard font, and a font size of between 10 and 12 points.

Text must not be presented using only upper case letters.

Line Spacing

All standard text must be presented using double or one and a half line spacing.

Indented quotations and footnotes have an exception to the above rule, and may use single spacing.

For Microsoft Word this means standard dissertation text should have a spacing setting of either 2.0 or 1.5

Margins along all sides of the document (left, right, top and bottom) should not be less than 2.5cm (25mm).

For reference, the "normal" margins setting on a Microsoft Word document is 2.54cm on all sides - this is acceptable.

4. Pagination

All pages of text and appendices in your dissertation should be numbered consecutively.

Images and diagrams should also have their own consecutive numbering where possible.

5. Title Page

You must use the Leeds University Business School Dissertation / Project coversheet as your title page.

This can be downloaded from the Forms and Guidance Page

6. Table of Contents

Your dissertation document must include a contents page.

The contents page should list all main numbered chapter headings (such as 1, 2 , 3).

It is good practice to break down chapters into numbered sections, and these should also be listed on your contents page (such as 1.1, 1.2, 1.3).

Please carefully check the section above on word counts (2. indicative length) for information on which text contributes to your maximum permitted word count.

7. Acknowledgements

It is common to include a list of acknowledgements at the start of your dissertation, but you do not have to do so.

Students may wish to acknowledge the help their Supervisor provided, as well as the support of others such as family members or friends.

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Dissertation support from Skills for Learning

The Library's Academic Support Team has lots of tips for writing a successful dissertation:

It’s never too late!

Some of you will be nearing the finish line. Others may have barely started. Whatever stage you’re at with your dissertation, there’s still time to pull it round into a solid piece of academic work .

Begin by putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard).  When approaching a tricky section or chapter, i t’s OK to splurge out ideas on the page to start with  ( although these will need organising and refining later ) . G etting  started  is often  the  biggest  hurdle .

Use dictation software

If you're struggling to organise your  thought s, you might want to try ‘speaking’ them instead. Nowadays, Word has Dictate built into both desktop and online versions  so you can speak your text at the click of a button. 

T his can be a  helpf ul starting point if you have lots of ideas . O nce you have  some  text  on the page , you can begin to  work  out what’s useful and what ’s not.

Planning will save you time

Once you have an idea of what to write,  make a plan . Y our work will be far more organised if you plan each section/chapter and stick to it. It’s important for your work to be well structured and logical – things that are hard to achieve without a plan in mind.

See the Skills for Learning Essay Writing web page   for planning techniques .

Write about what interests you

It's likely that you will find more information about your topic than you could possibly need. How can you be selective? By choosing the part of your topic that captures your imagination. You're much more likely to write convincingly if you're passionate about your subject. Just be sure to select appropriate evidence to support the points you're making.

If you're having the opposite problem - too little information - your topic might be too specific or you might not be looking in the right places. Take a look at the subject guides or contact your Academic Librarian  if you need help finding resources. You can speak to your supervisor for advice on refining your topic.

Don’t forget to edit and proofread

One of the  most common errors students make is submitting assignments without re-reading them. It’s even more important to make time to edit and proofread a dissertation. Longer pieces of work must be checked carefully to ensure your argument is clear, your evidence is sound, and your spelling, grammar and layout are accurate.

Attend a Dissertations Workshop

For more tips and information , come along to  a Skills for Learning dissertations workshop . Ou r friendly Academic Skills Tutors will focus on  dissertation content, styl e and language. It’s also the perfect opportunity to ask   your burning dissertation-related  questions. Look out for the sessions and  book your place via MyHub .

You can also check the Skills for Learning Dissertations & Literature Reviews web page  for more advice and resources. 

Originally published March 2021. Updated October 2023.

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The Library : Dissertations

What is a dissertation.

Final year students are required to complete a large piece of work for their degree or professional qualification. For undergraduates this is known as a dissertation, final year project or major independent study. Postgraduates will normally complete a thesis.

These pages will tell you how the Library can support you in writing your dissertation, as well as finding past dissertations.

Support for dissertations and projects

Independent study.

• The Skills for Learning  Dissertations and Literature Reviews webpage explains their structure and content as well as providing guidance on dissertation proposals. There are worksheets and interactive tasks available.
• The Research Skills pages look at the research process, including research design , research ethics and analysing and presenting data .
• The Finding Information and Reading page explains search strategies and techniques and provides worksheets on evaluating search results.
• The Library's Subject Guides have information on finding high quality information in each subject area for use in literature reviews and dissertations.
• The Academic Integrity Tutorial in MyBeckett is a complete guide to referencing and avoiding plagiarism for LBU students: this FAQ explains how to enrol.

 Additional support

•  Skills for Learning support English as an Additional Language for students. One-to-one support with this and other skills like finding information, academic writing, referencing and IT can be booked through our Get Help form .
• The Skills for Learning website has a topic page for each key study skills area. Online workshops are open to all and bookable through MyHub . You can request recordings of previous workshops from [email protected] .
• Study Cafes run regularly for focused, supported study time and drop-ins are also available for quick study skills queries: see MyHub .

Ask us about dissertations - try searching our frequently asked questions

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Research report writing: proposals, dissertations, and academic writing

• School of Children, Young People and Families

Research output : Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review

Access to Document

• 10.4018/978-1-6684-5602-6.ch029 Licence: Unspecified

Fingerprint

• Report Writing Keyphrases 100%
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• Proposal Writing Keyphrases 100%
• Ethical Issue Economics, Econometrics and Finance 100%
• Ethical Issues Keyphrases 50%
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T1 - Research report writing

T2 - proposals, dissertations, and academic writing

AU - Tshabangu, Icarbord

AU - Ba', Stefano

AU - Madondo, Silas Memory

PY - 2022/3

Y1 - 2022/3

N2 - This chapter discusses the critical aspects necessary to produce a research report from a study undertaken. Since research is based on a systematic endeavour which seeks to establish valid findings, the chapter addresses notions of criticality that ought to be espoused by the inquirer and the need to present findings being mindful of the demands related to academic writing. Furthermore, the chapter outlines the structures and steps that are necessary to produce a good enough proposal, ethical issues, gaining consent and ultimately how to produce a dissertation report at the end of all research activities and data analysis. It is noted in this chapter that a good proposal is most likely to end as a plausible research output. An informative study need not be diminished by a lack of academic writing skills, poor organisation, and unethical conduct.

AB - This chapter discusses the critical aspects necessary to produce a research report from a study undertaken. Since research is based on a systematic endeavour which seeks to establish valid findings, the chapter addresses notions of criticality that ought to be espoused by the inquirer and the need to present findings being mindful of the demands related to academic writing. Furthermore, the chapter outlines the structures and steps that are necessary to produce a good enough proposal, ethical issues, gaining consent and ultimately how to produce a dissertation report at the end of all research activities and data analysis. It is noted in this chapter that a good proposal is most likely to end as a plausible research output. An informative study need not be diminished by a lack of academic writing skills, poor organisation, and unethical conduct.

U2 - 10.4018/978-1-6684-5602-6.ch029

DO - 10.4018/978-1-6684-5602-6.ch029

M3 - Chapter

SN - 9781668456026

BT - Research anthology on doctoral student professional development

A2 - Khosrow-Pour, Mehdi

A2 - Clarke, Steve

A2 - Jennex, Murray E.

A2 - Anttiroiko, Ari-Veikko

A2 - Kamel, Sherif

A2 - Lee, In

A2 - Kisielnicki, Jerzy

A2 - Gupta, Amar

A2 - van Slyke, Craig

A2 - Wang, John

A2 - Weerakkody, Vishanth

PB - IGI Global

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How do I find copies of past dissertations, projects or theses in Discover?

We keep very few  print  dissertations, projects and theses in the Library. You can search Discover using the search box below to find print dissertations/theses we hold.  We advise searching for your subject area if possible, eg 'business':

You may wish to look at those for a similar subject, and we also advise you to ask your course team if they have past examples.

Leeds Beckett PGR theses (MPhil, PhD, DBA etc.) are held in the Leeds Beckett Theses and Data Repository . Beyond Leeds Beckett, the British Library's Ethos repository  allows you to search the PhD theses they hold. 

Also,  Open Dissertations ,  ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global , and  DART-Europe E-theses Portal  are further sources of research theses and projects from around the world.

Please  contact us if you need further help.

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