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• Knowledge Base
• Dissertation
• Dissertation Binding and Printing | Options, Tips, & Comparison

Dissertation Binding and Printing | Options, Tips, & Comparison

Published on September 9, 2022 by Raimo Streefkerk . Revised on July 18, 2023.

Congratulations, you’ve finally finished your dissertation . It’s been professionally proofread and checked by a solid plagiarism checker .

The final step is printing your dissertation, which means choosing between:

• Types of binding
• Color vs. black & white

Single vs. double-sided

• Paper thickness

There are a few printing and binding services to choose from as well. This article presents a few options that can help you make the right decisions.

Printing service options

Table of contents

Types of dissertation binding, dissertation printing options, production and delivery times, last checks before printing, overview of printing and binding services, other interesting articles.

Binding keeps the pages of your dissertation together, and comes in a variety of price points. Spiral binding is cheaper, a hardcover book binding is much pricier.

The type of binding you choose can depend on:

• Guidelines from your university or department
• The version (draft vs. final)
• The type of work you’re submitting ( PhD vs. master’s thesis vs. undergraduate thesis )

Spiral binding (± $7)

• Professional appearance
• Opens flat, so browsing through the pages is easy
• Fairly inexpensive

Comb binding (± $5)

• Pages are easy to browse
• Binding can be opened and closed
• Can be cheap-looking

Fastback binding (± $8)

• Professional, book-like appearance
• Available in different colors
• Individual sheets can come loose with time

Paperback binding ($10–20)

This type of binding makes your dissertation more durable and professional. In most cases, it’s possible to add front and spine lettering.

• Durable and professional
• Book-like appearance
• Opening and browsing is less smooth than with spiral or comb binding

Hardback binding ($20–50)

• Customizable cover
• Quality comes at a price

Color vs. Black & White

Check your university’s guidelines to see if there is guidance about whether to print your dissertation in color or black & white. Note that printing in color is on average two to four times more expensive.

In general, a color-printed dissertation looks more professional, but it is often not required.

Printing double-sided is often cheaper than printing single-sided, due to the paper savings — it makes your dissertation half as thick. However, some universities require you to print your dissertation single-sided. Be sure to check the guidelines.

When printing your dissertation double-sided, pay attention to the following points:

• New chapters should start on the front side of the paper. You will need to take this into account and insert “blank pages” when preparing to print.
• Add a blank page after the title page so that the acknowledgments and abstract are not printed on the back of your title page.
• The page numbering is often placed in the bottom right on the right side of the page and bottom left on the left side. You can easily set this in Word by choosing “outside alignment”.
• Check your style guide to make sure there aren’t any rules for printing.

Paper weight

The thickness of the paper (measured in gsm or grams) is something most students don’t think about, but it does have a significant impact on the look and feel of your printed thesis or dissertation.

Standard printing paper has a weight of 75–90 gsm. For a bachelor’s or master’s dissertation, this is likely fine. If you want the paper to look and feel more professional and durable, a paper weight of 100–130 gsm is better. This is often used for PhD dissertations.

Number of copies

It is common to print three to five copies of your dissertation. Depending on your university’s guidelines, you might need to submit one to three copies to your supervisor and department. In addition, you might want to have a copy for yourself or your family.

The production time for printing and binding takes on average two days, and delivery takes at least another day. For an additional charge (ranging from +20 to +80%), the production and delivery time can be shortened.

Have a looming deadline? Your local print shop is likely able to print and bind your dissertation faster, and it eliminates delivery time. However, keep in mind that this is often a little more expensive.

Before sending your dissertation to a print shop, there are three things you should do:

• Save your file as a PDF By saving your file as a PDF, the formatting will be consistent on every computer. This way you prevent any unpleasant surprises, such as offset pages, when receiving your printed product.
• Check for language mistakes There’s nothing worse than finding a language mistake in your printed version. Make sure to proofread your dissertation or make use of a professional proofreading service .
• Update the contents page Before saving your dissertation as a PDF, don’t forget to update the table of contents and cross-check the page numbers listed there with the actual page numbers.

The table below provides an overview of two popular dissertation printing and binding shops, including information on delivery costs and review score.

*Prices are based on a spiral-bound dissertation of 40 pages , printed single-sided , in black , on 80-90gsm  paper, including a clear outer front and back cover .

**Prices are based on a hardback-bound dissertation of 200 pages , printed single-sided , in black , on 90-100gsm  paper.

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or research bias, make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the “Cite this Scribbr article” button to automatically add the citation to our free Citation Generator.

Streefkerk, R. (2023, July 18). Dissertation Binding and Printing | Options, Tips, & Comparison. Scribbr. Retrieved September 23, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/dissertation/binding-and-printing/

Is this article helpful?

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Thesis & Dissertation Printing

Book1one will give your thesis or dissertation the professional look it deserves..

If you are looking for a world class company to print and bind your thesis or dissertation, you will find that Book1One will give your document the high quality attention it requires and deserves. Graduate students from all over the country have used our services, and we are listed at many colleges and universities as a reliable resource for hardcover and softcover thesis and dissertation book printing. 

We understand that theses and dissertations comprise a special category in the book publishing world. They represent the culmination of a large body of work and achievement at a very high academic level – and are recognized symbols of professional accomplishment.

Cloth and Faux Leather Color Choices:

NOTE: Colors may not display accurately due to differences in monitor settings

Why choose Book1One to print your thesis or dissertation?

• We offer a number of cover options.  At Book1One, you can select from three cover options for hardcover books: a full-color printed cover, a cloth cover with foil stamping, or a faux (imitation) leather cover with foil stamping. The cloth and faux leather book coverings come in four different colors: black, navy blue, dark red, and green. The color choices are shown in the right side on this webpage. Foil stamping, printed on the front cover and spine, can be either a gold or silver color. Softcover theses and dissertations come with a full color printed cover.
• We have no minimum quantity requirements.  In most instances, the number of printed copies needed for a thesis or dissertation are low. The size of thesis/dissertation orders we receive vary from a high of around ten to a low of one copy. We can print as many or as few copies of your thesis or dissertation at an affordable price and with the same amount of attention we give to larger book orders.

We can offer you a special service regarding foil stamping.

If your foil stamping involves basic text and numbers, such as book title, author’s name, school and date, Book1One can assemble your cover for you at no additional cost to use. If you wish us to provide this service to you, when you place your order, upload a PDF file indicating what you would like printed on your front cover and spine and approximate positioning. We will fit and center the type using the Time New Roman font. For more on foil stamping click  here .

Get an instant price quote without having to call or email!

Book1One is one of very few book manufacturers who has a website price calculator that will enable you to obtain an accurate price quote without having to place a phone call or submit an email. It’s fast, easy, and our customers love it!

Simply insert the specifications of your book project and, with one click, see what the price of your project will be.

Placing your order is as easy as 1-2-3!

If you have completed the design and layout of your thesis or dissertation and are ready to upload your print ready PDF file(s) to us and place your order, simply click on the red “Place Order” button located at the top of your screen. You will then be taken through the simple three step process of (1) creating your personal account, (2) uploading your cover and page files and (3) completing the checkout procedure.

• How Our Process Works
• Plastic Coil
• Book Cover Sizing Diagrams

OUR GUARANTEE

Our guarantee to you is that we will give your project our utmost personal attention to ensure that, when finished, your books meet the highest quality production standards.

Remember, at Book1One:

• We work with easy-to-use PDF files, and our online ordering process is a snap.
• We have no minimum order requirements – even for hardcover books.
• We have no set up fees. Your only expense is the cost to print, bind & ship your books.
• Our turnaround times are fast – five business days for softcover and plastic coil bound; 10 business days for hardcover books. And rush production is available.
• You’ll receive personal “hands-on” service. We’ll answer your emails quickly, and if you call us, you’ll get a real person.

HEAR WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS HAVE TO STAY

I just received my book order of an early 1900's scrapbook replica you printed for me - and it is perfect! I can't wait to show it to my client and display it at a networking show next month. Many thanks for a great job.

Wendy McSweeney Powhatan, VA

It has been a pleasure working with you on my photo book project. Many of my colleagues have complimented the book's photo colors and quality.

R. C. Livesay Author & Photographer of The Secret Life of the Grand Lake Pelican

You did a wonderful job with our book project. Everything was done exactly the way we had envisioned it.

Fairlee MacEslin Woodstock, VT

We received our books today, and they look fabulous! You do quite a professional job. We will certainly keep you in mind for any future projects.

Shelley White Uriccio, Howe, Krell, Jacobson,Toporek, Theos & Keith Charleston, SC

Wow! You all did an amazing job printing our proposal books. Thank you so much for your most efficient and beautiful work. We'll definitely be doing this again.

Dlorah deVore CDI Contractors, LLC Little Rock, AR

My book looks amazing! This is the first time I have used your services, and I could not be happier. Thank you for exceeding my expectations in every way.

Dan M. Chicago, IL

I received my cookbooks today and wanted you to know how much I appreciate the wonderful printing and binding job you did. You have helped put together a 'treasured keepsake' for our family.

Shan Wilkins Berryville, VA

I received my books today, and all I can say is OMG! They are so much more than I expected. Thank you for providing such a wonderful service and product.

Jim D. Corydon, IN

Book1One has been an amazing resource for launching my publishing business. I couldn't have done it without their timely service and high-quality results. Thanks for helping memorylanejane.com publish some amazing Life Story Books!

Lauren Befus Founder, Memory Lane Jane

I am a designer who has ordered several low-volume books for my clients from Book1One over the last few years and have been extremely pleased with the quality as well as the customer service. I have created both hard cover and soft cover books, and the website has useful templates for formatting the book layout so everything comes together seamlessly. I also love the instant quote generator on the website, it helps to see how the different options impact the pricing without having to go back and forth with an estimator or sales rep. I will definitely keep using Book1One!

Kathryn D'Amanda Graphic Designer, Mill Race Design

Instant Quote

Quality Bindery Services, Inc.

Call (716) 883-5185

Print Industry Finishing Services | Bookbinding, Bible & Book Repair, Thesis Binding | Mailing 

Do you need your thesis bound, thesis & dissertation binding.

Trust your thesis binding to QBS, a company that reveres education, and the work you have achieved! Our pricing is reasonable. We know you’ve just spent a bundle on your education! We have been helping graduate students preserve their thesis work for years. It’s simple. Whether you want a soft cover or a hard cover -- both are available. We follow the instructions of the school you attend. We use all types of materials, including cloth, paper and leather. If your school no longer requires you to print and bind your dissertation . . . have it bound beautifully for yourself!

Download our Thesis Binding Information Flyer.

Hard Cover Value Pricing Our value pricing for hard cover thesis binding is $55 per book.

Includes hard cover, we use imitation leather

Choose from many colors, including black, navy, medium blue, brown, green and burgundy

With gold or silver foil stamping on spine and front cover

Soft Cover Value Pricing Our value pricing for soft cover thesis binding is $40 per book.

Includes soft cover, we supply the cover stock

Choose black or white cover

Printing Services

QBS also provides printing services on a variety of paper stocks. The prices are as follows:

25% cotton with watermark:        $.45 b/w  $.60 for color

24# bond copy paper:                $.30 b/w  $.40 color

100% cotton with watermark:      $.55 b/w  $.75 for color

Turn around is usually 3 weeks.

If you need your theses sooner, rush charges may apply depending on our schedule:

5 to 10 days: an additional $20 per book

4 days or less: an additional $50 per book

"My bound dissertation books arrived today, and you did an amazing job. It looks excellent. I am so thrilled and happy. I will definitely use your services again (going back to school) and I have forwarded information to my other college cohorts. Thank you so much."  B.

Step 1: Fill Out the Order Form Download our PDF Thesis Order Form Important: If you have difficulty filling out our order form via the PDF, please print the PDF form and fill it out. Scan and email to [email protected] or fax it to (716) 883-1598. Step 2: Upload Your Files Upload your files to our secure WeTransfer FTP (file transfer protocol) site.

https://qualitybindery.wetransfer.com/ Step 3: We Email Your Price Confirmation Step 4: PayPal Payment

Send payment directly from your PayPal account using our PayPal email address: [email protected] Step 5: Delivery Options

Click here for hours and directions

Quality Bindery Services Inc.

501 Amherst St. Buffalo, NY 14027

We ship per your instructions on your order form.

For more information call (888) 883-1266 toll-free or (716) 883-5185. We are here to congratulate you and to help you with this next exciting step in your career!

Order Form & How to Order

Here is an example of one of Quality Bindery Services' great Buffalo, New York customers -- D'Youville College.

D'Youville graduates, c lick the below image to download your college's order form. Others use the form in Step 1. 

Does your educational institution no longer require printed and bound theses?  They just put it online.

We think all of the work you completed to get your doctorate degree deserves a place on your bookshelf. It serves as part of your life legacy and can be handed down to your family's future generations.

BOUND THESIS TODAY!

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• Knowledge Base
• Dissertation
• Dissertation binding and printing

Dissertation Binding and Printing Options | Comparison and Tips

Published on 3 April 2019 by Raimo Streefkerk . Revised on 10 July 2019.

Your dissertation is finally finished, you got it proofread and checked for plagiarism . The final step is printing your dissertation, which means choosing between:

• Types of binding
• Colour vs. black & white

Single vs. double sided

• Paper type and thickness

You also need to decide which printing and binding service to use. This independent article explains all options and helps you make the right decisions.

Overview of printing services

Table of contents

Types of dissertation binding, dissertation printing options, production and delivery times, last checks before printing, overview of printing and binding services.

Aside from keeping the pages of your dissertation together, the binding is also responsible for your supervisor’s first impression of your dissertation. There are various types of binding, ranging from the cheaper spiral binding to the more expensive hardcover book binding .

The type of binding should depend on:

• Guidelines from your university or professor
• Your dissertation’s version (draft vs. final)
• Type of dissertation (PhD vs. undergraduate dissertation)

Spiral binding (± £7)

• Professional appearance
• Browsing through the pages is easy (can be opened flat)
• Fairly cheap

Comb binding (± £5)

• Enables easy browsing of the pages
• Binding can be opened and closed (not easily)
• Has a cheap appearance

Fastback binding (± £8)

• Professional book-like appearance
• Available in different colours
• Risk of pages falling out after a while

Paperback binding (£10-20)

• Durable and professional
• Book-like appearance
• Opening and browsing is less smooth than with spiral or comb binding

Hardback binding (£20-40)

• Customizable cover
• Quality comes at a price

Colour vs. Black & White

Unless specifically stated in your university guidelines, it is up to you to decide whether to print your dissertation in colour or black & white. Printing in colour is on average two to four times more expensive.

In general, a colour-printed dissertation looks more professional, but it is not required. Does your dissertation contain graphs or figures that rely on colour? Be sure to print at least these pages in colour.

Printing double sided is often cheaper than printing single sided due to the paper savings – it makes your dissertation half as thick. However, some universities require you to print your dissertation single sided. Be sure to check the guidelines.

When printing your dissertation double sided, pay attention to the following points:

• New chapters should start on the right side. You will need to take this into account and insert “blank pages” when preparing your dissertation.
• Add a blank page after the title page so that the acknowledgements or abstract are not printed on the back of your title page.
• The page numbering is often placed bottom right on the right side of the page and bottom left on the left side. You can easily set this in Word by choosing “outside alignment”.

Paper weight

The thickness of the paper (measured in gsm or grams) is something most students don’t think about, but it does have a significant impact on the look and feel of your dissertation.

Standard printing paper has a weight of 75-90 gsm. For a bachelor’s or master’s dissertation this is fine. If you want the paper to look and feel more professional and durable, a paper weight of 100-130 gsm is better. This is often used for PhD dissertations.

Number of copies

It is common to print three to five copies of your dissertation. Depending on your university’s guidelines you might need to submit one to three copies to your supervisor. In addition, you might want to have a copy for yourself or your family.

The production (printing and binding) takes on average two days, and delivery takes another day. For an additional charge (ranging from +20 to +80%), the production and delivery time can be shortened.

Have a looming deadline? Your local printing shop is probably able to print and bind your dissertation faster, and it eliminates delivery time. However, keep in mind that this is often a little more expensive.

Before sending your dissertation to a printing shop, there are three things you should do:

1. Save your dissertation as a PDF By saving your file as a PDF, the formatting will be consistent on every computer. This way you prevent any unpleasant surprises such as offsets when receiving your printed dissertation.

2. Check for language mistakes There’s nothing worse than finding a language mistake in your printed version. Make sure to proofread your dissertation or make use of a professional dissertation proofreading service .

3. Update the contents page Before saving your dissertation as a PDF, update the (automatic) table of contents. Don’t forget to cross-check the page numbers listed in the table of contents with the actual page number.

The table below provides an overview of the most popular dissertation printing and binding shops, both online and offline. The shops are ordered by price, with information on delivery costs and review score.

*Prices are based on a spiral bound dissertation of 40 pages , printed single-sided , in black , on 80-90gsm  paper, including a clear outer front and back cover .

**Prices are based on a hardback bound dissertation of 200 pages , printed single-sided , in black , on 90-100gsm  paper.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

Streefkerk, R. (2019, July 10). Dissertation Binding and Printing Options | Comparison and Tips. Scribbr. Retrieved 23 September 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/thesis-dissertation/binding-printing/

Is this article helpful?

Raimo Streefkerk

Other students also liked, dissertation table of contents in word | instructions & examples, dissertation title page, is professional proofreading allowed at uk universities.

Print and bind your documents from one copy upwards

Dissertation Printing

Online dissertation printing and binding.

• Print hardback, paperback or spiral bound
• Instant quote and free Royal Mail Tracked delivery for orders £10 or over
• Online cover designer (hardback/paperback)

Upload & Print

Print your Dissertation online

Doxdirect specialises in online dissertation printing and dissertation binding services for students around the world.

We know that it’s the most important (and possibly the most challenging) piece of work you’ll complete during your time at university. That’s why we’ve made printing and binding it easier.

Doxdirect offers undergraduate, postgraduate and PHD students a high quality and easy to use device-to-door solution to print your dissertation online, and have it bound professionally and delivered quickly.

How should I bind my Dissertation?

The most popular dissertation binding option is a full colour hardback book . We also offer a paperback version, and an economical spiral bound option (also known as coil binding, wire binding and wir-o binding). Your printed dissertation will look something like this…

Options for dissertation printing

Size / Orientation Hardback A4/A5 portrait or landscape (left binding edge) Paperback A4/A5 portrait or landscape (left binding edge) Spiral bound A4/A5 portrait or landscape (left or top binding edge) A3 landscape (left binding edge)

Paper Hardback 80-300gsm (plain or satin) Hard cover with spine Paperback 80-300gsm (plain or satin) Soft cover with spine Spiral bound 80-300gsm (plain or satin) Printed covers are 300gsm and printed single sided

Quantity / Pages Hardback 20 to 638 pages (double sided) Paperback 20 to 638 pages (double sided) Spiral bound 2 to 586 pages (double sided)

How much will my dissertation cost?

Royal Mail Tracked delivery to UK addresses is free for all orders over £10, and creating a cover for hardback or paperback dissertations is also free.

Cover Design Tool

You can create a cover online for both paperback and hardback dissertations, using the free in-browser Cover Designer. For spiral bound dissertations, the front and back page of your Word Doc or PDF can be used for the front and back cover.

When should I order my Dissertation by?

Standard Service

• 2 day processing + Royal Mail Tracked delivery = Delivery in 3-5 working days (estimated)
• Please note : Royal Mail do not guarantee delivery dates

If you have a little less time on your hands, you may want to use a faster premium service.

Premium Services

• Same day processing* + Courier delivery = Delivery next working day
• Next day production + Courier delivery = Delivery in 2 working days

*(Order before 2pm for same day processing. See the Delivery Policy for further details or Contact Us for guidance.)

You may also be interested in

Instant quote Try our Price Calculator below

• Standard: 80gsm, 100gsm
• Higher quality: 120gsm, 130gsm
• Premium: 160gsm, 170gsm
• Thin card: 300gsm
• Plain - matt and bright white, better for large amounts of text
• Satin - soft sheen, off-white, ideal for full coverage
• No cover: All pages will be printed on the same paper
• Colour Printed: Covers will be printed on 300gsm card in Colour
• B&W Printed: Covers will be printed on 300gsm card in B&W

Our promise to you...

Love us or your money back.

If you aren't happy with your order, return it and we'll reprint it or issue a refund.*

• Location & Hours

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• Thesis Printing

You can now order your thesis printing & binding online with our new site:  printservices.mit.edu  

You put a great deal of work into your thesis. Now we can help you package your efforts with professional polish and style. From choosing the right paper stock to cover options and binding, we will walk you through the MIT thesis specifications to present your work with the high-quality look and feel it deserves. 

MIT Copytech uses MIT-required thesis paper for all thesis print orders. Approved thesis paper is also available for purchase by the ream (500 sheets). We have an Athena thesis printer in our 11-004 location.

We provide hard-cover bookbinding for thesis printing. You can choose from an array of color choices as well as gold lettering print options on the cover and spine. Economical soft-cover binding choices are also available. Thesis covers and binding clips (required for thesis submission) can also be obtained through MIT Copytech.

Thesis supplies

Hard-cover book binding

(Please note that the binding colors on screen may appear slightly different than in person.)

 Soft-cover binding

Soft-cover accessories

Print & Copy Services

• Printing & Copying
• Large-format Printing
• Finishing & Binding
• Business Cards

Helix Binders

• Order your bound thesis
• Quick calculator
• About this service
• Thesis and dissertation print/bind
• Trade binding
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• Book print and bind
• Testimonials

Dissertation / Thesis binding and Printing

A quick, easy and cost-effective way to have your thesis or dissertation professionally printed and bound., the 1 day option is only available monday to thursday, any 1 day orders placed on a friday will not be dispatched until monday, orders for the one day option must be placed by 10am for next day delivery..

Helix Binders are a major provider of dissertation / thesis print & bind for students throughout the UK.

With the ability to match all UK university specifications you can trust Helix Binders to produce your work in the highest quality.

Add impact to your Thesis or Dissertation with professional binding

First impressions count.

Everyone knows this little phrase and it applies completely to submitting your thesis too. You’ve poured man-hours into researching, writing and proofing your Thesis – the last thing you want is to make a poor impression by submitting a substandard printed document.

A well printed and bound document will reflect all the hard work that has gone into creating the content within it.

Experienced binders

We’ve been binding dissertations and thesis for many years and know a thing or two about it. From the feedback we’re received, a beautifully bound dissertation has much more impact. Your publication is in good hands.

You’ll want the overall finish to be perfect. Neatly trimmed, durable, and free of blemishes. We inspect each document before we ship it out, giving you peace of mind that it has been printed with care and attention to detail.

Up to spec thesis binding

Many universities have their own thesis binding specifications for submitted documents and we can bind to those requirements. This ensures that you not only comply but also make the best possible impression.

Using the latest digital printing technology, you can be sure that the print quality will be excellent and we don’t skimp on the paper either. Our standard weight is 100gsm, making sure the print is legible and the document is a pleasure to handle too.

Our thesis / dissertation binding service offers you a choice of covers and finishes, meaning it is customised to you.

We also offer a variety of extra options allowing you to add even more uniqueness to your document and make it stand out.

You have a variety of delivery options too, including Next-day delivery with a 1 hour window. You won’t have to hang around all day waiting for that important thesis to arrive. We know that there is no point in getting a thesis printed and bound to a professional standard, only to find that it has been damaged in the post. We take care in packing and delivering your thesis so that it arrives in the pristine condition you’d expect.

Cost Effective

Having choice means you have a say in the final cost. Our printing and binding processes are streamlined to ensure low waste and a fast turn-around – keeping costs to a minimum and giving you the best possible finish at a great price. We have a quick cost calculator to help you get an idea of the choice and the pricing before you even place an order.

Having survived the stress of compiling your thesis , you’ll want the submission process to be smooth and easy.

We have a wide range of applications and will process your files in most common formats. If you are unsure of what format to submit your document, please do not hesitate to contact us [email protected] .

What areas do we cover?

We have produced thesis binding to students from all over the country, here’s a quick look at just how much of the UK we cover:

It doesn’t matter which university you attend, or where you are in the UK – we can print it, bind it and ship it for you.

Graphic from studyin-uk.com

Comments: 5 (Add)

Hi. Ordered my wife's PhD Thesis to be bound, all 336 pages, last week. It's arrived! We are so pleased with the quality and service. Thank you. Stephen, Lynn and Mabel the dog. One happy house.

Thank you very much for the binding. I have received the thesis and it is very well done.

Kind regards, Kevin

I binded my dissertation in 2021, and I am totally satisfied with the result! It is beautifully binded and very proud of the book!

What fantastic service, and what a great finished product. Iain was brilliant in ironing out a few glitches (caused by me tbh). I can't praise him or the service provided highly enough. If you want your thesis bound professionally you've found the right place.

Just received my bound dissertation from Helix. I had to write this brief message to say thank you so much, it is absolutely stunning. The service, quality, and simplicity of the process is amazing. I cannot recommend your company enough, I will definitely be using you for future binding projects. Many thanks, Dave.

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Dissertation Printing and Binding: A Complete Guide

A Complete Guide to Dissertation Printing and Binding

You’ve spent endless nights researching and writing whilst consuming way too much caffeine. Finally, you’re proud to say that your dissertation is finished. You’ve edited, proofread, and double checked your referencing. The only thing left to do is to find a high-quality dissertation printing and binding provider before the deadline. Unfortunately, this is also no easy feat. You need to consider:

• The type of binding
• What your printing configurations will look like
• Whether to go with an online or in-store dissertation printing provider

But don’t fret! We’ll provide you with everything you need to know in this complete guide to dissertation printing and binding !

The Dissertation Printing and Binding Process

If you’ve just written your bachelor’s thesis, then the whole professional dissertation printing and binding process may be completely new to you. Smaller essays and research papers are generally digitally submitted, so you have probably never required professional printing services before. Choosing the ideal dissertation printing and binding configurations can be tricky, as there’s a few ground rules to follow. We’ll start by breaking down the printing configurations for you.

The Dissertation Printing Configurations

The dissertation printing configurations include:

• Black and white vs colour printing
• The type of paper
• Your layout

To do justice to your student budget, search for print shops that offer 100g/m 2 paper, as well as colour printing by default. If opting for an online print shop, free delivery is always a bonus, and you should watch out for extra unexpected charges.

The Different Dissertation Binding Types

Once you’ve decided on your dissertation printing configurations, the next step is choosing the best binding. This will depend on what exactly it is you’re submitting. Your bachelor’s thesis deserves a more elegant binding than an essay you’ve spent a few weeks writing. Plus, a major thesis contributes towards a larger portion of your final grade, so you’ll want to impress your professor with a classy dissertation binding.

Don’t undermine your hard work! Completing your dissertation is a huge milestone, so the chosen binding should reflect this.

Remember: what is suitable for thesis printing and binding in one study program may not be suitable for another. Your friend studying an arts degree may have a colourful thesis with a self-designed softcover binding. The dissertation printing and binding for your biology degree will look very different.

In the end, your chosen dissertation binding will depend on what you’re submitting and how much it contributes to your final grade.

Many educational institutions have their own dissertation printing and binding requirements. Double check with your institution to see how much autonomy you have regarding your dissertation’s design.

An Introduction to the Dissertation Binding Types

You have many different dissertation binding types to choose from, but don’t be intimidated by all the choices! We’ll go through the details of each one, so you can make a well-informed decision about your dissertation binding.

The Classy Leather Book Binding Normal 0 21 false false false DE X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Normální tabulka"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:DE; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

The elegant leather book binding is exactly what you need for important papers like a bachelor’s thesis or a master’s thesis. This professional binding is guaranteed to leave a great first impression on your professors. Plus, you have many extras to choose from. Bookmarks, fold out pages, corner protectors and customized embossing are just a few of the options that will give your thesis a makeover.

Recommendations: Leather book binding is a fantastic option for almost all types of papers.

• Bachelor‘s thesis
• Dissertation
• Master’s thesis
• Larger research paper

The Classic Thermal Binding Normal 0 21 false false false DE X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Normální tabulka"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:DE; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

The classic thermal binding is incredibly versatile. It’s a great option for smaller research papers, or for extra copies of your thesis. The front cover is transparent, meaning that readers are immediately able to see your title page. The back cover is available in several colours of a faux leather material. The thermal binding will allow you to keep your dissertation classy, even whilst on a budget.

Recommendation: The thermal binding is exactly what you need for putting copies of your thesis or research paper into storage

The Personally Designed Softcover Normal 0 21 false false false DE X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Normální tabulka"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:DE; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

You’re able to design the artsy softcove r however you feel is suitable for your dissertation. Include logos, pictures, symbols, and different fonts – there are no limits. As long as your dissertation binding fulfils the requirements of your educational institution and degree program, you’re good to go.

Recommendation: The softcover is a great addition to your paper, particularly if you’re studying an arts degree. It just cannot hold as many pages as the other bindings, so it may not be suitable for a larger thesis.

Spiral Binding on a Budget Normal 0 21 false false false DE X-NONE X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Normální tabulka"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:107%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi; mso-ansi-language:DE; mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}

With the spiral binding , you get the best of both worlds. It won’t be too harsh on your student budget and you’ll still receive high-quality dissertation printing and binding. It’s similar to the thermal binding, as your front cover will be on display and you’re able to choose between several colours for the leather-like back cover. The difference is that the pages are bound together with metal or plastic spirals, instead of glue.

Recommendation: For papers that hold less weight, the spiral binding is what you need. Due to its simple nature, this cost-effective binding is unfortunately not suitable for larger papers like theses or lengthy research papers.

An Overview of the Dissertation Binding Types

Here, the information above has been compiled into one, all-inclusive table. Use this as a guideline whilst preparing your dissertation printing and binding! Don’t forget to check if there’s any specific dissertation printing and binding requirements from your university!

Finding a Dissertation Printing and Binding Provider

You’ve decided on your dissertation printing configurations and you think you know which binding will be perfect, but your work is not done yet. You need to find a dissertation printing service that will supply you with high-quality printing and binding. The first step is to decide whether you’d prefer to have your thesis delivered to your door by an online printing service , or whether you’d prefer to personally go into a print shop.

One advantage to an online print shop is that you can order your thesis from the comfort of your home and have it delivered to you within a few days. Regardless of which print shop you choose, take a look at some reviews to ensure that you’re going to get your money’s worth.

We did a bit of research ourselves and one print shop in particular caught our eye.

BachelorPrint is your go-to when it comes to dissertation printing and binding. This market-leading online print shop has an abundance of dissertation binding options for you to choose from along with various add-on opportunities. With free express shipping, your finished paper will be in your hands before you know it.

The benefits:

• Every order comes with free express shipping
• 3D preview to check your layout and formatting before ordering
• High-quality dissertation printing and binding for the student budget

Summary: High-Quality Dissertation Printing and Binding

Researching and writing your thesis may have been a daunting task, but who says the dissertation printing and binding process has to be? Read this dissertation printing and binding guide carefully and you’ll have a flawless piece of academic work to hand to your professors.

Of course, the decision is yours, but if you’re on a tight deadline, we recommend an online print shop like BachelorPrint. With free express shipping, you’re guaranteed to meet those deadlines. The online shop is incredibly user-friendly and with a 3D preview as well as a look inside function, arranging your formatting will be a breeze. These are just a few of the benefits that come with the dissertation printing and binding leader!

We wish you all the best with your dissertation printing and binding!

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Printing Services

Thesis Printing & Binding

Congratulations! The writing and research is finally finished. Now, it’s time to consult with University Printing Services to professionally print and bind your thesis.

We print on high-resolution digital devices to ensure clear grayscales, solid blacks, and sharp color.

Email a PDF file of your document or drop it off at one of the Digital Print Centers listed below:

We also invite non-University of Minnesota students to contact Printing Services for your printing and binding needs.

*It is extremely helpful when you can provide specifications for binding color, lettering color and spine/front cover layout. We want to make sure your submitted thesis will meet any requirements specific to your school or program.

Choose from 100% cotton rag content paper for durability and permanency or a high quality acid-free paper.

Binding Options:

Hard Cover Thesis Binding* $50.00**

Traditional thesis binding with a custom made hard cover using the Buckram fabric color of your choice. The spine is foil-stamped with your name, degree, and the year.

*Non-Thesis hardcover binding: $57.00 **Additional front cover printing: $9.00

Soft Cover Binding $7.00

Durable coverstock with a plain cloth spine. The title page is reproduced in black on the cover.

Turnaround time is 10 business days. No expedited delivery.

Free delivery to University of Minnesota — Twin Cities Departments We also ship off-campus at standard UPS rates

Where are we? Five convenient locations all across campus.

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Dissertation Bindings

Let your dissertation binding convey the value of your thesis. Print Britannia provides top-quality dissertation printing and binding services for thesis, PhD dissertations, and books with hard covers at the best price.

• Price (Low - High)
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Foil Printed A4 Hard Cover Dissertation Binding

A4 (210X297 mm ) Portrait - Foil Printed

100 Pages Foil Printed Hard Cover 80gsm bond paper

80 gsm Bond - A4 (210X297 mm ) Portrait - 100 Page - Foil Printed

150 Page Foil Printed Hard Cover 80gsm 120 or 170gsm bond paper

Hard cover book binding is ideal for dissertations. It offers a clean and professional appearance.

Foil Printed Hard Cover 80gsm 200 Page

80 gsm Bond - A4 (210X297 mm ) Portrait - 200 Page - Foil Printed

Foil Printed Hard Cover 120gsm 350 Page

Foil printed hard cover 80gsm 250 page.

80 gsm Bond - A4 (210X297 mm ) Portrait - 250 Page - Foil Printed

Dissertation Binding - Foil Printed 400 pages printed on 80gsm bond paper

Foil printed hard cover 80gsm 300 page.

80 gsm Bond - A4 (210X297 mm ) Portrait - 300 Page - Foil Printed

Professional Quality Dissertation Bindings Service Online

Whether it's a thesis paper, research project or journal, it demands an outstanding quality binding that will represent the value of the content. Print Britannia recognizes the hard work of students; hence we are providing journal and thesis binding services at the most competitive rate. 

Dissertation binding 

Any academic work must have a professional-looking cover. Considering this matter, we are offering hardcover binding for dissertations, thesis, books or any research projects that require binding. The hardcover not only makes the booklet sturdy and reader-friendly but also brings an elegant and professional appearance. Below you can learn more about our available binding formats. 

A4 Plain Hard Cover Binding

The most preferred binding style is plain hardcover binding. For plain cover binding, you can choose the paper type from 80gsm and 120 gsm bond paper. Then, you can also print on the spine, which will represent the title when you put it on the bookshelf. The best aspect of plain binding is that it's affordable and complements any thesis work. 

Foil Printed A4 Hard Cover Dissertations Binding Printing

If you want a little more luxurious appearance on the dissertation cover, then you can choose the foil printed option. For this, we will provide the highest quality 170 gsm bond paper. Moreover, the available cover colour for you to choose from is black and blue. However, you cannot print on the spine for foil printed hard cover binding. 

So, if you want to place an order for a bound dissertation right now, then send us the file in A4 portrait format. The file must be in the single-page format as well. And the booklet must contain a minimum of 50 pages and a maximum of 500 pages. If there is any additional specification you want on the cover, send us your requirements via email. We will meet all your expectations.  

As you place an order, you can get the delivery within 2 days in our premium delivery service. Otherwise, you can get your complete bound dissertation within 5 days in our standard service. For any queries or discussions, feel free to write to us! 

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How To Write A Dissertation Or Thesis

By: Derek Jansen (MBA) Expert Reviewed By: Dr Eunice Rautenbach | June 2020

How To Write A Dissertation: 8 Steps

• Clearly understand what a dissertation (or thesis) is
• Find a unique and valuable research topic
• Craft a convincing research proposal
• Write up a strong introduction chapter
• Review the existing literature and compile a literature review
• Design a rigorous research strategy and undertake your own research
• Present the findings of your research
• Draw a conclusion and discuss the implications

Step 1: Understand exactly what a dissertation is

This probably sounds like a no-brainer, but all too often, students come to us for help with their research and the underlying issue is that they don’t fully understand what a dissertation (or thesis) actually is.

So, what is a dissertation?

At its simplest, a dissertation or thesis is a formal piece of research , reflecting the standard research process . But what is the standard research process, you ask? The research process involves 4 key steps:

• Ask a very specific, well-articulated question (s) (your research topic)
• See what other researchers have said about it (if they’ve already answered it)
• If they haven’t answered it adequately, undertake your own data collection and analysis in a scientifically rigorous fashion
• Answer your original question(s), based on your analysis findings

In short, the research process is simply about asking and answering questions in a systematic fashion . This probably sounds pretty obvious, but people often think they’ve done “research”, when in fact what they have done is:

• Started with a vague, poorly articulated question
• Not taken the time to see what research has already been done regarding the question
• Collected data and opinions that support their gut and undertaken a flimsy analysis
• Drawn a shaky conclusion, based on that analysis

If you want to see the perfect example of this in action, look out for the next Facebook post where someone claims they’ve done “research”… All too often, people consider reading a few blog posts to constitute research. Its no surprise then that what they end up with is an opinion piece, not research. Okay, okay – I’ll climb off my soapbox now.

The key takeaway here is that a dissertation (or thesis) is a formal piece of research, reflecting the research process. It’s not an opinion piece , nor a place to push your agenda or try to convince someone of your position. Writing a good dissertation involves asking a question and taking a systematic, rigorous approach to answering it.

If you understand this and are comfortable leaving your opinions or preconceived ideas at the door, you’re already off to a good start!

Step 2: Find a unique, valuable research topic

As we saw, the first step of the research process is to ask a specific, well-articulated question. In other words, you need to find a research topic that asks a specific question or set of questions (these are called research questions ). Sounds easy enough, right? All you’ve got to do is identify a question or two and you’ve got a winning research topic. Well, not quite…

A good dissertation or thesis topic has a few important attributes. Specifically, a solid research topic should be:

Let’s take a closer look at these:

Attribute #1: Clear

Your research topic needs to be crystal clear about what you’re planning to research, what you want to know, and within what context. There shouldn’t be any ambiguity or vagueness about what you’ll research.

Here’s an example of a clearly articulated research topic:

An analysis of consumer-based factors influencing organisational trust in British low-cost online equity brokerage firms.

As you can see in the example, its crystal clear what will be analysed (factors impacting organisational trust), amongst who (consumers) and in what context (British low-cost equity brokerage firms, based online).

Need a helping hand?

Attribute #2:   Unique

Your research should be asking a question(s) that hasn’t been asked before, or that hasn’t been asked in a specific context (for example, in a specific country or industry).

For example, sticking organisational trust topic above, it’s quite likely that organisational trust factors in the UK have been investigated before, but the context (online low-cost equity brokerages) could make this research unique. Therefore, the context makes this research original.

One caveat when using context as the basis for originality – you need to have a good reason to suspect that your findings in this context might be different from the existing research – otherwise, there’s no reason to warrant researching it.

Attribute #3: Important

Simply asking a unique or original question is not enough – the question needs to create value. In other words, successfully answering your research questions should provide some value to the field of research or the industry. You can’t research something just to satisfy your curiosity. It needs to make some form of contribution either to research or industry.

For example, researching the factors influencing consumer trust would create value by enabling businesses to tailor their operations and marketing to leverage factors that promote trust. In other words, it would have a clear benefit to industry.

So, how do you go about finding a unique and valuable research topic? We explain that in detail in this video post – How To Find A Research Topic . Yeah, we’ve got you covered 😊

Step 3: Write a convincing research proposal

Once you’ve pinned down a high-quality research topic, the next step is to convince your university to let you research it. No matter how awesome you think your topic is, it still needs to get the rubber stamp before you can move forward with your research. The research proposal is the tool you’ll use for this job.

So, what’s in a research proposal?

The main “job” of a research proposal is to convince your university, advisor or committee that your research topic is worthy of approval. But convince them of what? Well, this varies from university to university, but generally, they want to see that:

• You have a clearly articulated, unique and important topic (this might sound familiar…)
• You’ve done some initial reading of the existing literature relevant to your topic (i.e. a literature review)
• You have a provisional plan in terms of how you will collect data and analyse it (i.e. a methodology)

At the proposal stage, it’s (generally) not expected that you’ve extensively reviewed the existing literature , but you will need to show that you’ve done enough reading to identify a clear gap for original (unique) research. Similarly, they generally don’t expect that you have a rock-solid research methodology mapped out, but you should have an idea of whether you’ll be undertaking qualitative or quantitative analysis , and how you’ll collect your data (we’ll discuss this in more detail later).

Long story short – don’t stress about having every detail of your research meticulously thought out at the proposal stage – this will develop as you progress through your research. However, you do need to show that you’ve “done your homework” and that your research is worthy of approval .

So, how do you go about crafting a high-quality, convincing proposal? We cover that in detail in this video post – How To Write A Top-Class Research Proposal . We’ve also got a video walkthrough of two proposal examples here .

Step 4: Craft a strong introduction chapter

Once your proposal’s been approved, its time to get writing your actual dissertation or thesis! The good news is that if you put the time into crafting a high-quality proposal, you’ve already got a head start on your first three chapters – introduction, literature review and methodology – as you can use your proposal as the basis for these.

Handy sidenote – our free dissertation & thesis template is a great way to speed up your dissertation writing journey.

What’s the introduction chapter all about?

The purpose of the introduction chapter is to set the scene for your research (dare I say, to introduce it…) so that the reader understands what you’ll be researching and why it’s important. In other words, it covers the same ground as the research proposal in that it justifies your research topic.

What goes into the introduction chapter?

This can vary slightly between universities and degrees, but generally, the introduction chapter will include the following:

• A brief background to the study, explaining the overall area of research
• A problem statement , explaining what the problem is with the current state of research (in other words, where the knowledge gap exists)
• Your research questions – in other words, the specific questions your study will seek to answer (based on the knowledge gap)
• The significance of your study – in other words, why it’s important and how its findings will be useful in the world

As you can see, this all about explaining the “what” and the “why” of your research (as opposed to the “how”). So, your introduction chapter is basically the salesman of your study, “selling” your research to the first-time reader and (hopefully) getting them interested to read more.

Step 5: Undertake an in-depth literature review

As I mentioned earlier, you’ll need to do some initial review of the literature in Steps 2 and 3 to find your research gap and craft a convincing research proposal – but that’s just scratching the surface. Once you reach the literature review stage of your dissertation or thesis, you need to dig a lot deeper into the existing research and write up a comprehensive literature review chapter.

What’s the literature review all about?

There are two main stages in the literature review process:

Literature Review Step 1: Reading up

The first stage is for you to deep dive into the existing literature (journal articles, textbook chapters, industry reports, etc) to gain an in-depth understanding of the current state of research regarding your topic. While you don’t need to read every single article, you do need to ensure that you cover all literature that is related to your core research questions, and create a comprehensive catalogue of that literature , which you’ll use in the next step.

Reading and digesting all the relevant literature is a time consuming and intellectually demanding process. Many students underestimate just how much work goes into this step, so make sure that you allocate a good amount of time for this when planning out your research. Thankfully, there are ways to fast track the process – be sure to check out this article covering how to read journal articles quickly .

Literature Review Step 2: Writing up

Once you’ve worked through the literature and digested it all, you’ll need to write up your literature review chapter. Many students make the mistake of thinking that the literature review chapter is simply a summary of what other researchers have said. While this is partly true, a literature review is much more than just a summary. To pull off a good literature review chapter, you’ll need to achieve at least 3 things:

• You need to synthesise the existing research , not just summarise it. In other words, you need to show how different pieces of theory fit together, what’s agreed on by researchers, what’s not.
• You need to highlight a research gap that your research is going to fill. In other words, you’ve got to outline the problem so that your research topic can provide a solution.
• You need to use the existing research to inform your methodology and approach to your own research design. For example, you might use questions or Likert scales from previous studies in your your own survey design .

As you can see, a good literature review is more than just a summary of the published research. It’s the foundation on which your own research is built, so it deserves a lot of love and attention. Take the time to craft a comprehensive literature review with a suitable structure .

But, how do I actually write the literature review chapter, you ask? We cover that in detail in this video post .

Step 6: Carry out your own research

Once you’ve completed your literature review and have a sound understanding of the existing research, its time to develop your own research (finally!). You’ll design this research specifically so that you can find the answers to your unique research question.

There are two steps here – designing your research strategy and executing on it:

1 – Design your research strategy

The first step is to design your research strategy and craft a methodology chapter . I won’t get into the technicalities of the methodology chapter here, but in simple terms, this chapter is about explaining the “how” of your research. If you recall, the introduction and literature review chapters discussed the “what” and the “why”, so it makes sense that the next point to cover is the “how” –that’s what the methodology chapter is all about.

In this section, you’ll need to make firm decisions about your research design. This includes things like:

• Your research philosophy (e.g. positivism or interpretivism )
• Your overall methodology (e.g. qualitative , quantitative or mixed methods)
• Your data collection strategy (e.g. interviews , focus groups, surveys)
• Your data analysis strategy (e.g. content analysis , correlation analysis, regression)

If these words have got your head spinning, don’t worry! We’ll explain these in plain language in other posts. It’s not essential that you understand the intricacies of research design (yet!). The key takeaway here is that you’ll need to make decisions about how you’ll design your own research, and you’ll need to describe (and justify) your decisions in your methodology chapter.

2 – Execute: Collect and analyse your data

Once you’ve worked out your research design, you’ll put it into action and start collecting your data. This might mean undertaking interviews, hosting an online survey or any other data collection method. Data collection can take quite a bit of time (especially if you host in-person interviews), so be sure to factor sufficient time into your project plan for this. Oftentimes, things don’t go 100% to plan (for example, you don’t get as many survey responses as you hoped for), so bake a little extra time into your budget here.

Once you’ve collected your data, you’ll need to do some data preparation before you can sink your teeth into the analysis. For example:

• If you carry out interviews or focus groups, you’ll need to transcribe your audio data to text (i.e. a Word document).
• If you collect quantitative survey data, you’ll need to clean up your data and get it into the right format for whichever analysis software you use (for example, SPSS, R or STATA).

Once you’ve completed your data prep, you’ll undertake your analysis, using the techniques that you described in your methodology. Depending on what you find in your analysis, you might also do some additional forms of analysis that you hadn’t planned for. For example, you might see something in the data that raises new questions or that requires clarification with further analysis.

The type(s) of analysis that you’ll use depend entirely on the nature of your research and your research questions. For example:

• If your research if exploratory in nature, you’ll often use qualitative analysis techniques .
• If your research is confirmatory in nature, you’ll often use quantitative analysis techniques
• If your research involves a mix of both, you might use a mixed methods approach

Again, if these words have got your head spinning, don’t worry! We’ll explain these concepts and techniques in other posts. The key takeaway is simply that there’s no “one size fits all” for research design and methodology – it all depends on your topic, your research questions and your data. So, don’t be surprised if your study colleagues take a completely different approach to yours.

Step 7: Present your findings

Once you’ve completed your analysis, it’s time to present your findings (finally!). In a dissertation or thesis, you’ll typically present your findings in two chapters – the results chapter and the discussion chapter .

What’s the difference between the results chapter and the discussion chapter?

While these two chapters are similar, the results chapter generally just presents the processed data neatly and clearly without interpretation, while the discussion chapter explains the story the data are telling  – in other words, it provides your interpretation of the results.

For example, if you were researching the factors that influence consumer trust, you might have used a quantitative approach to identify the relationship between potential factors (e.g. perceived integrity and competence of the organisation) and consumer trust. In this case:

• Your results chapter would just present the results of the statistical tests. For example, correlation results or differences between groups. In other words, the processed numbers.
• Your discussion chapter would explain what the numbers mean in relation to your research question(s). For example, Factor 1 has a weak relationship with consumer trust, while Factor 2 has a strong relationship.

Depending on the university and degree, these two chapters (results and discussion) are sometimes merged into one , so be sure to check with your institution what their preference is. Regardless of the chapter structure, this section is about presenting the findings of your research in a clear, easy to understand fashion.

Importantly, your discussion here needs to link back to your research questions (which you outlined in the introduction or literature review chapter). In other words, it needs to answer the key questions you asked (or at least attempt to answer them).

For example, if we look at the sample research topic:

In this case, the discussion section would clearly outline which factors seem to have a noteworthy influence on organisational trust. By doing so, they are answering the overarching question and fulfilling the purpose of the research .

Step 8: The Final Step Draw a conclusion and discuss the implications

Last but not least, you’ll need to wrap up your research with the conclusion chapter . In this chapter, you’ll bring your research full circle by highlighting the key findings of your study and explaining what the implications of these findings are.

What exactly are key findings? The key findings are those findings which directly relate to your original research questions and overall research objectives (which you discussed in your introduction chapter). The implications, on the other hand, explain what your findings mean for industry, or for research in your area.

Sticking with the consumer trust topic example, the conclusion might look something like this:

Key findings

This study set out to identify which factors influence consumer-based trust in British low-cost online equity brokerage firms. The results suggest that the following factors have a large impact on consumer trust:

While the following factors have a very limited impact on consumer trust:

Notably, within the 25-30 age groups, Factors E had a noticeably larger impact, which may be explained by…

Implications

The findings having noteworthy implications for British low-cost online equity brokers. Specifically:

The large impact of Factors X and Y implies that brokers need to consider….

The limited impact of Factor E implies that brokers need to…

As you can see, the conclusion chapter is basically explaining the “what” (what your study found) and the “so what?” (what the findings mean for the industry or research). This brings the study full circle and closes off the document.

Let’s recap – how to write a dissertation or thesis

You’re still with me? Impressive! I know that this post was a long one, but hopefully you’ve learnt a thing or two about how to write a dissertation or thesis, and are now better equipped to start your own research.

To recap, the 8 steps to writing a quality dissertation (or thesis) are as follows:

• Understand what a dissertation (or thesis) is – a research project that follows the research process.
• Find a unique (original) and important research topic
• Craft a convincing dissertation or thesis research proposal
• Write a clear, compelling introduction chapter
• Undertake a thorough review of the existing research and write up a literature review
• Undertake your own research
• Present and interpret your findings

Once you’ve wrapped up the core chapters, all that’s typically left is the abstract , reference list and appendices. As always, be sure to check with your university if they have any additional requirements in terms of structure or content.

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20 Comments

thankfull >>>this is very useful

Thank you, it was really helpful

unquestionably, this amazing simplified way of teaching. Really , I couldn’t find in the literature words that fully explicit my great thanks to you. However, I could only say thanks a-lot.

Great to hear that – thanks for the feedback. Good luck writing your dissertation/thesis.

This is the most comprehensive explanation of how to write a dissertation. Many thanks for sharing it free of charge.

Very rich presentation. Thank you

Thanks Derek Jansen|GRADCOACH, I find it very useful guide to arrange my activities and proceed to research!

Thank you so much for such a marvelous teaching .I am so convinced that am going to write a comprehensive and a distinct masters dissertation

It is an amazing comprehensive explanation

This was straightforward. Thank you!

I can say that your explanations are simple and enlightening – understanding what you have done here is easy for me. Could you write more about the different types of research methods specific to the three methodologies: quan, qual and MM. I look forward to interacting with this website more in the future.

Thanks for the feedback and suggestions 🙂

Hello, your write ups is quite educative. However, l have challenges in going about my research questions which is below; *Building the enablers of organisational growth through effective governance and purposeful leadership.*

Very educating.

Just listening to the name of the dissertation makes the student nervous. As writing a top-quality dissertation is a difficult task as it is a lengthy topic, requires a lot of research and understanding and is usually around 10,000 to 15000 words. Sometimes due to studies, unbalanced workload or lack of research and writing skill students look for dissertation submission from professional writers.

Thank you 💕😊 very much. I was confused but your comprehensive explanation has cleared my doubts of ever presenting a good thesis. Thank you.

thank you so much, that was so useful

Hi. Where is the excel spread sheet ark?

could you please help me look at your thesis paper to enable me to do the portion that has to do with the specification

my topic is “the impact of domestic revenue mobilization.

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