On the journey of crafting a dissertation, you come across a lot of people who help you in multiple ways, from academic or moral help to cheer you up. Acknowledging the contributions of these individuals in your dissertation is not only a professional courtesy, but it's also a meaningful way to express gratitude for their support and to highlight the importance of collaboration and teamwork in academic research.
Example: 1 Review Quality Dissertation Examples for Acknowledgement Section
The acknowledgements chapter of your thesis or dissertation appears between your title page and abstract. It should be one page long at maximum.
Use first-person pronouns and a less formal style of writing that is frequently accepted in academic writing in your acknowledgements. In contrast to the academic paper, acknowledgements are your opportunity to express something personal.
Whether you're just starting your dissertation or putting the finishing touches on it, this article will provide valuable insights, practical advice, and an acknowledgement sample for dissertation for writing a thoughtful and impactful acknowledgement section.
An acknowledgement section in a dissertation is a brief statement at the beginning or end of the document that expresses gratitude to individuals or organizations who provided support, guidance, or assistance during the research and writing process. This section is not a mandatory component of a dissertation. Still, it is a common practice to include it as a sign of appreciation for the people who contributed to the project.
The acknowledgement section is important for several reasons:
When it comes time to write acknowledgements for your dissertation, there are some key points to keep in mind:
For more information on acknowledgements, skim through this guide too:
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A. Formal Acknowledgements
It is typically used in formal papers such as dissertations and theses but can also be used in other formal documents such as books. Formal acknowledgements typically thank people in order of importance to the document being written.
It can include supervisors and mentors, librarians and archivists who provided access to primary sources, colleagues who helped with specific projects, and other contributors. Generally, formal acknowledgements should be kept brief so as not to detract from the main content of the paper. Before writing an acknowledgement of your own, analyze the acknowledgement sample for dissertation or acknowledgement thesis example to get the right idea.
B. Informal Acknowledgements
Informal acknowledgements tend to be more personal than formal ones. They are often used in less formal documents such as magazine articles or blog posts where there is less need for brevity and more room for personality and creativity.
In contrast to formal acknowledgements, which tend to list people in order of importance, informal acknowledgements often focus on thanking people for how they helped shape the author's experience rather than their tangible contributions.
For example, an informal acknowledgement may thank someone for their "moral support" or "encouragement" rather than citing specific contributions they made to the paper.
C. Group Acknowledgement
When multiple people have helped with a single project or paper, it may be appropriate to offer one group acknowledgement that thanks everyone involved collectively rather than individually.
This type of acknowledgement works best when every contributor is equally important—such as when working on group projects or co-authored papers—and can help ensure everyone feels appreciated without requiring too much space in an already crowded document.
Group acknowledgement should also include some form of contact information so that readers can reach out directly if they need clarification about individual contributions.
Here is an acknowledgement thesis example for different purposes. If your thesis or dissertation lies in a professional category of research funding, this acknowledgement sample for thesis will aid you.
1. Acknowledgements
I want to express my gratitude to my supervisor, Dr XYZ, for her guidance and support throughout my thesis research. I would also like to provide heartful credit to the members of my supervisory committee, Drs. ABC and EFG, for their helpful comments and suggestions. Finally, I would like to appreciate and thank the staff of the XYZ laboratory for their assistance with my research.
2. Funding
The research was supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF grant number XYZ). I would also like to thank the XYZ Foundation for its financial support.
3. Infrastructure
I would like to thank the Department of XYZ at the University of ABC for providing me with access to their facilities and resources. I appreciate the staff of the ABC library for their assistance in locating relevant literature.
Skim through this complete acknowledgement sample for dissertation to get inspiration for yours.
I would like to sincerely express appreciation to the individuals and organizations who provided support, guidance, and assistance throughout this dissertation's research and writing process.
First and foremost, I want to thank my dissertation advisor, [Advisor Name], for their unwavering support, encouragement, and guidance. Their insights, feedback, and expertise were invaluable in shaping this dissertation. I am also grateful to the other members of my dissertation committee, [Committee Member Names], for their time, effort, and valuable feedback throughout the process.
I would like to acknowledge the funding provided by [Funding Agency Name]. This financial support enabled me to pursue my research interests and provided me with the resources necessary to complete this dissertation.
I am grateful to my colleagues at [Institution Name] for their support and encouragement throughout the research process. Their insights, feedback, and ideas helped refine and improve my work.
Finally, I would like to thank my family and friends for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout this journey. Their love and support gave me the strength and motivation to pursue my research goals.
I am grateful to each and every one of these individuals and organizations for their support, guidance, and assistance. Without their contributions, this dissertation would not have been possible.
1. Start with a clear expression of gratitude.
Begin your acknowledgement section with a clear and concise expression of gratitude to the people who have helped you with your research. Use sincere and heartfelt language to convey your appreciation.
2. Be specific about contributions.
Be specific about the contributions of each person or organization you are thanking. It can include funding agencies, research participants, colleagues, family members, or friends who provided support and guidance throughout the research process. Be sure to acknowledge their specific contributions to your work.
3. Use professional language
Use professional language in your acknowledgement section. Avoid using informal language, slang, or colloquialisms that may detract from the overall tone of the dissertation.
4. Use appropriate vocabulary
Use appropriate vocabulary to convey your appreciation and respect for the people you are thanking. Use words that demonstrate your appreciation for their support, guidance, and contributions to your research.
5. Keep it concise
Keep your acknowledgement section concise and to the point. Refrain from rambling or including unnecessary information that may detract from the overall message of the section.
6. Proofread and edit
Finally, proofread and edit your acknowledgement section for clarity, accuracy, and style. Ask someone else to read it to ensure that it is well-written and effectively conveys your appreciation for the people and peers who have helped you with your research.
No matter what kind of research project you're working on, it's important to acknowledge those who have helped you along the way. By breaking it down into manageable steps and taking the time to thank everyone who has been part of this journey with you—from friends and family members all the way up to external organizations and publications —you can ensure that everyone who deserves recognition gets it.
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