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When writing a dissertation, it's not something you do all by yourself. You have support from many people and resources that help you complete your research. It's a good idea to say thanks to your mentors, research participants, friends, and colleagues who helped you along the way. Writing an acknowledgment is a way to show your appreciation for their support and contributions.
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The following guide will help you get a useful guide in learning a dissertation acknowledgement with our expert tips and techniques. Demystify the concept of dissertation acknowledgements in our blog post, providing clarity on 'What is Dissertation Acknowledgement' for your academic pursuits.
What is the Purpose of Acknowledgments in a Dissertation?
In the acknowledgements section of your thesis or dissertation, you express gratitude to those who provided support throughout your dissertation journey. This category may encompass individuals, institutions, or organizations.
Although the evaluation of your thesis won't encompass the acknowledgements, their significance remains noteworthy. This is due to their potential to shape the reader's initial perception before delving into the main content. They serve as a testament to your profound appreciation for the invaluable assistance rendered by numerous individuals and entities, vital in the successful culmination of your thesis or dissertation.
Best Tips for Your Acknowledgement Section
In a professional acknowledgement, there is a difference between a professional acknowledgement and a personal acknowledgement. Prior to acknowledging the people who helped you personally, you should acknowledge the professionals who played a significant role in your research.
Depending on the university, you might be required to acknowledge people who have directly assisted you, such as academics and professionals.
Pro Tip: You should always read the guidelines of the university before submitting your thesis.
Professional Acknowledgements
There is no doubt that this is the most important part of the dissertation acknowledgements page. Since the faculty members' names are mentioned in this section, it is best to be as precise as possible.
This means that you should take care not to miss out on any names. The faculty members who assisted you with your research should be commended and credited for their efforts.
There are several people to whom professional acknowledgements may be addressed. Below is the order:
Thanking Order
- University professors
- Editors or proofreaders
- Assistants in laboratories
- The librarians
- Colleagues
- Fellow classmates
- Friends and Family
- Research participants
Personal Acknowledgements
Everyone in your family or friend group does not need to be mentioned. You may wish to mention someone if they were inspiring or supportive. Many people thank their parents, partners, children, friends, and pets, but you can thank anyone who has encouraged you or offered tangible or intangible assistance.
In some cases, students dedicate their dissertations to deceased influential people in their lives. It is okay to do so as long as they are mentioned before any professional recognition.
Tips and Tricks
- Only mention the collective name of a group or organization if several members assisted you.
- To avoid appearing snobbish, you should thank your chair first, even if you did not feel they helped you much.
- When appropriate, use full names and titles.
- Anonymized data should be considered ethically. The first name or a generic identifier (such as "the interviewees") is best for protecting the privacy of the person you are interviewing.
Techniques for Writing Acknowledgment
Dissertation Acknowledgements can be written in two styles: list or paragraph. Organizing the names of those you wish to thank alphabetically is one way to do it.
Creating a list of all the people who assisted you in writing your dissertation is required before applying this technique of writing acknowledgements.
In your dissertation acknowledgement, you should clearly describe the issue you have dealt with during the research process. Having different people thanked will make the reader feel as if you are giving them importance and appreciation.
If there are individuals who contributed significantly to the dissertation writing process, it is very important to mention their names. In addition, it is a good idea to categorize people according to their status and designation.
You should list all the people who assisted you in the research process. You can thank all the people who have contributed to your dissertation in one paragraph if you have received assistance from a large number of people.
Tips and Tricks
- The dissertation acknowledgement does not constitute academic work and can therefore be written in an informal manner.
- Dissertation acknowledgements should be written in the first person.
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Dissertation Proposal Lays Down the Outline of Your Final Dissertation
Get a Dissertation Proposal that matches your requirements, which includes the topic title, research aim and objective, research questions, research gap, literature review, methodology and list of reference papers.
The Dissertation Proposal will be foundation of your final dissertation. It is very important to get this done perfectly to avoid any problems!
Dos and Don’ts in Your Acknowledgments
As soon as you have compiled a list of people you wish to thank, sort the list by rank. Organize the people you listed into three categories: "major thanks," "big thanks," and "minor thanks."
- Giving "major thanks" to the people who make your project possible is important. Professional acknowledgements are typically made to advisors, chairs, committees, as well as funders.
Example: I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my advisor and professors who made this research possible.
- As an in-between, “big thanks” is given to classmates, colleagues, or librarians who helped you intellectually or along the way.
Example: I am also grateful to all the laboratory assistants standing by me day and night.
- The term "minor thanks" is often used as a catch-all for anyone giving moral support or encouragement. Apart from parents, partners and friends, you can even thank your pets in this category.
Example: Lastly, I would like to mention my amazing parents for bringing out the best in me forever.
Must Include
- Consider friends, family, and even pets as personal or intangible supporters.
- Provide a brief description of what the funding bodies funded
- Use a professional tone in your writing
- It is best to thank your professional contacts first
- Make appropriate arrangements for anonymizing or grouping research participants or acknowledging non-individuals
Must Avoid
- Making use of slang or informal language
- Exceeding one page
- Including people who played a minor role in your research
FAQs about Acknowledgements
Afterward, you can include personal thanks for the support you received from friends, family, and others.
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