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You might have previously seen acknowledgements in books, research papers, or articles. But what are they? Acknowledgements are simply a list of people who have contributed to a project in some way. These people could be family, friends, colleagues, mentors, or anyone else who has helped with the project.
What are Acknowledgements?
An acknowledgement is section of the dissertation in which the author thanks all who have helped them during research and writing. It might include family, friends, mentors, colleagues, or others who have supported you. It is essential to keep your acknowledgement short and to the point so that it does not take away from the main body of your dissertation.
The acknowledgements section in your thesis or dissertation, which appears after your title page, shouldn't be more than one page long.
You can use first-person pronouns andinformal writing style that is generallyacceptable inacademicacknowledgements. In contrast to the literary work itself, acknowledgements are your opportunity to express something more intimate.
Why Are They Important?
There are several reasons why acknowledgements are important.
- First and foremost, acknowledgements allow you to thank the people who have supported you throughout your research journey.
- Secondly, acknowledgements can help build relationships with potential collaborators for future projects.
- Finally, you are modelling good academic practice for other researchers by including an acknowledgement section in your research output.
Whom can you Appreciate in your Acknowledgements?
1. Your Supervisor
Your supervisor is the person who oversaw your research project and provided you with guidance and feedback. Without their help, your project would not have been possible.
2. Your Committee Members
Your committee members are the people who read and evaluated your research proposal. They provided you with valuable feedback that helped to improve your project.
3. Your Family and Friends
Your family and friends provide you with emotional support throughout your project. Be sure to thank them for their patience and understanding.
4. Your Peers
Your peers provide you with valuable feedback on your project. Appreciate their assistance.
5. The Staff of your Department
The staff of your department assisted you in obtaining the resources you needed for your project.
6. The Staff of your Library
Your library staff might have helped you find the information you needed for your project. Appreciate their help.
7. The Participants in your Study
The participants in your research generously agreed to share their time and experiences with you. Thank them for their cooperation.
8. The Reviewers of your Paper
The reviewers of your paper provided you with valuable feedback that helped to improve your work. Remember to appreciate them for their time and effort
How to Write Acknowledgements
You craft a list where people you assisted and contributed in your research, thesis or dissertation. Create categories for "major gratitude," "big thanks," and "modest thanks" for each person on your list.
You express "major gratitude" to those without whom your project would not be feasible. These acknowledgements frequently focus on professionals, such as your adviser, chair, committee, and any donors.
A middle ground is to say "big thanks" to people who have supported you or helped you advance your knowledge, such as your students, peers, or libraries.
The phrase "little thanks" might be used to cover all bases, especially for people who have provided spiritual assistance or encouragement. This might involve acknowledging loved ones personally, such as parents, spouses, kids, friends, or even pets.
Types of Acknowledgement Writings
They serve as a way for authors to express gratitude to those who have helped them along the way.
Professional Acknowledgments
Professional acknowledgements, on the other hand, are usually found in more technical or research-based writing, such as journal articles, reports, and Grant Proposals. In these instances, authors use acknowledgements to credit colleagues who have contributed to the work. For example, an author might write:
"Dr Smith and her research team collected the data presented in this article."
"I would like to thank Dr Jones for her helpful comments on an earlier draft of this paper."
"This work was supported by Grant XYZ from the National Science Foundation."
Acknowledgements can also be used to credit individuals who have provided financial support for the work or have given permission to use copyrighted material.
Personal Acknowledgments
Personal acknowledgements are gratitude to family members, friends, and others who have supported you during your research or writing process. These individuals might have provided emotional support, helped care for your children while you worked, or simply listened to you vent about the challenges you faced during your project. Here are some examples of what you might say in a personal acknowledgement:
I'm grateful to my parents for their unwavering support throughout my research process. I could not have done this without them.
I would also like to thank my friends for listening to me complain about my research project on a daily basis. They have been patient and helpful, and I appreciate that.
Finally, I want to thank my cat for sleeping on my keyboard while trying to write—it reminded me that taking breaks is essential!
General Tips to Ace your Acknowledgements
Here are some practical tips on how to write an acknowledgement for your dissertation.
- Keep it short and sweet.
The acknowledgement should be no more than one page long. You want to thank all of the important people in your life without going into too much detail.
- Be specific about what each person did to help you.
Did your mom proofread your chapters?
Did your best friend listen to you vent about your research topic?
Did your colleague provide you with helpful feedback?
Remember to mention this so that each person knows exactly how they helped you.
- Be sincere and personal. This is not the time to be formal or stiff. Write from the heart and let your personality shine through.
- Keep it relevant. Only mention the people who were involved in helping you with your dissertation. There is no need to list everyone you know! @
- Proofread carefully. Make sure your acknowledgement is free of typos and grammar mistakes. After all, this is a formal document that professors and other scholars will read.
- Place acknowledgements at the end of your document, after appendices but before any supplemental materials like questionnaires or surveys (if applicable).
- If you have co-authors, consult with them regarding whether they would like to be included in your acknowledgements section as well as how they would like to be acknowledged (e.g., by name only, by name and title, etc.).
- If you have received funding from an external source, you may also want to include this information in your acknowledgements section (e.g., "This work was supported by a grant from the XYZ Foundation.").
- If you choose to include acknowledgements in your thesis or dissertation, do not forget to also include them in any reprints or published versions of your work (e.g., if you publish an article based on your research).
- Check with your institution regarding any guidelines they may have regarding acknowledgements sections in theses and dissertations, as well as any copyright considerations that need to be taken into account when including previously published material in your work (e.g., required permissions from copyright holders).
Conclusion
Writing an acknowledgement for your dissertation can be challenging, but it is also an excellent opportunity to show appreciation for the people who have supported you throughout your academic journey. Following these tips can craft a sincere, personal, and professional acknowledgement that will impress your readers.
