Top 10 Biotech Dissertation Tips For UG & PG Biotech / Life Science Students

Summary

This video provides 10 essential tips for biotech students writing their dissertation. It covers the key elements of a dissertation, including structure, substance, and style, emphasizing organization, coherence, and academic language. Dr. Vaishali explains how to structure each section, offers practical advice on planning a writing schedule, and recommends tools for referencing, vocabulary checks, and plagiarism detection. The video encourages students to start writing with what they know, seek feedback, and not worry about perfection in the first draft. The bonus tip is to revise and refine your work rather than aiming for immediate perfection.

Takeaways

• 😀 Structure your dissertation with clear sections and subsections for coherence and flow.
• 😀 Ensure the substance of your dissertation is well-researched and relevant, with depth and significance.
• 😀 The style of your dissertation should include clear, concise, academic language and proper formatting.
• 😀 Break down your dissertation into sections such as table of contents, acknowledgment, abstract, introduction, literature review, materials and methods, results, discussion, conclusion, and references.
• 😀 Maintain coherence between paragraphs by introducing the next topic at the end of each section.
• 😀 Create a writing schedule, setting deadlines for each section to manage the writing process effectively.
• 😀 Prepare all your experimental data, results, analysis, and protocols before you begin writing.
• 😀 Start writing with the sections you feel most comfortable with, such as materials and methods or results.
• 😀 Your first draft is not your final draft; don't aim for perfection in the first go. Revisit and revise after completing the first draft.
• 😀 Use referencing tools like Mendeley or Endnote to manage citations and avoid errors in your bibliography.
• 😀 After finishing the dissertation, ask a peer or family member to review it for mistakes or improvements before submission.

Q & A

What are the three key elements to focus on when writing a dissertation?

The three key elements to focus on in a dissertation are structure, substance, and style. Structure refers to the organization of the dissertation, substance refers to the depth and relevance of the content, and style refers to the clarity, academic tone, and formatting of the dissertation.

What is the importance of structure in a dissertation?

The structure is crucial as it organizes the dissertation into sections and subsections. It ensures that the content flows coherently, helping readers follow the logic and progression of the research.

How does one maintain coherence in a dissertation?

To maintain coherence, it is important that each section of the dissertation connects logically with the others. A good practice is to end each paragraph by introducing the next, ensuring a smooth transition between sections.

What sections are typically included in a biotech dissertation?

A biotech dissertation typically includes sections such as table of contents, acknowledgment, abstract, introduction, literature review (for some PhDs), materials and methods, results, discussion, conclusion, and references.

What is the role of the abstract in a dissertation?

The abstract is a brief summary of the entire research, highlighting the key takeaways and main findings. It acts like a trailer for a movie, giving readers a glimpse of the work before they read the full dissertation.

How should one approach writing a dissertation schedule?

A dissertation schedule should involve setting deadlines for each section and dedicating specific hours to writing. It's important to choose time slots that align with your productivity, whether you're a morning or evening person.

Should a dissertation be written strictly in the order of sections?

No, you don't have to write the dissertation in a strict order. It's often easier to start with sections like materials and methods, followed by results and discussion, and later tackle the introduction and conclusion.

What is the benefit of using referencing tools for a dissertation?

Using referencing tools like EndNote or Mendeley saves time and ensures accuracy in citing sources. These tools can automatically format references and handle changes in citation styles, making the process more efficient.

How can you ensure that your dissertation is free of plagiarism?

To avoid plagiarism, make use of plagiarism-checking tools and ensure proper citation of sources. Most universities provide licensed plagiarism checkers, or you can use online tools to verify your work.

What is the bonus tip for dissertation writing?

The bonus tip is that your first draft is not your final draft. Don't aim for perfection in the first go. It's important to start writing, and then revise and improve the content over time as you go along.