Descriptive writing is a style of writing that relates to putting together a vivid, sensorial picture of a person, place, object, or event. Its main aim is to strike the reader’s senses and imagination so keenly that he can visualize and experience whatever he has read.

A descriptive review simply brings out the details of the subject, like book or movie summarization. It tells what happens or what the subject is like. On the contrary, a critical review carries an evaluation and analysis of the subject͏, thereby creating creatives insights and judgments regarding its strengths, weaknesses, and overall impact.

There are several types of critical writing, but the four most common types are:

1. Critical analysis
2. Argumentative writing
3. Evaluative writing
4. Comparative writing

Here are five examples of descriptive writing:

1. Describing a sunset over the ocean.
2. Painting a picture of a bustling city street.
3. Portraying a character’s emotions through physical reactions.
4. Describing the scent of a flower garden in spring.
5. Writing about a childhood memory, capturing the sounds, smells, and sights.

The 4 C’s of critical thinking refer to the following:

1. Clarity: Being clear about the message or argument.
2. Coherence: Ensuring that the argument or message makes sense and is logically structured.
3. Consistency: Ensuring that ideas or arguments do not contradict each other.
4. Credibility: Using reliable and valid evidence to support claims.

Choose a research approach based on the research question, your needed data, and available resources. Qualitative methods are used to explore and describe complex phenomena, while quantitative methods are used to measure and test descriptions.

1. The type of research question.
2. The type of data required (qualitative or quantitative).
3. Available resources and time.
4. Ethical considerations.

The methodology-selection criteria comprise the research question nature, resource availability, ethical consideration, and research paradigm.

Choose the methodology according to your research objectives: qualitative methods to explore meanings and experiences, quantitative methods to measure or test variables, or a mixed-methods approach to combine both.

In a dissertation of 10,000 words, the methodology section should be roughly between 1,000 and 1,500 words. Although the length can differ based on the complexity of the study.

Consider your research goals, data availability, and analysis techniques. Choose the methodology that will best support your dissertation project.

1. Select your research approach (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed).
2. Choose your data collection methods.
3. Determine your sampling strategy.
4. Decide how to analyze the data.
5. Address ethical considerations.

Start by outlining your research design, data collection methods, sampling strategy, and data analysis techniques. Be sure to justify each decision and relate them to your research question(s).

1. Defining the research problem.
2. Choosing the research methods.
3. Collecting data.
4. Analyzing data.

Examples include survey methodology, case study methodology, experimental research methodology, and ethnographic research methodology.

You can consult an online dissertation helper for guidance, as well as academic resources, research methodology books, and journal articles for examples and best practices.

A mixed-methods approach combines both qualitative and quantitative research techniques in one study to provide a comprehensive understanding of a research question.

Ensure your writing is straightforward, avoid jargon, and provide sufficient detail for others to replicate your study. Break the section into clear subheadings for easy navigation.

The literature review informs your methodological choices by highlighting existing research and gaps in the literature, helping you select the best approach.

Make sure your methods directly address how you plan to answer your research questions. Each method should serve a clear purpose in answering these questions.

Justify your choices by explaining how they align with your research objectives, the research questions, and the existing literature.

Methods refer to the specific techniques used for data collection and analysis, while methodology refers to the overall approach and rationale behind the selection of those methods.

Mixed research methodology is an approach that combines both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Integrating numeric data with descriptive insights creates a more comprehensive view of the research problem.

Methodology comprises the methods, techniques, and procedures used for research. It is the frame of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to make the process systematic and sound for the intended purpose.

The four main types of research methodology are:

1. Qualitative research methodology
2. Quantitative research methodology
3. Secondary research methodology
4. Mixed research methodology

The four key steps in research methodology are:

1. Problem Identification: Defining the research problem and formulating research questions.
2. Literature Review: Reviewing existing research to inform your study.
3. Data Collection: Choosing and implementing methods for gathering data.
4. Data Analysis: Analyzing and interpreting the collected data.

An example of research methodology could be a study on consumer behavior; here, the researcher uses quantitative research methodology to collect data through surveys and then statistically analyze the results.

In all citing styles, an unpublished dissertation is generally cited by giving the author’s name, year of publication, title, and that it is unpublished.

Yes, you can use dissertations as sources, and you will be right to do so especially if it provides in-depth research on a topic. Just ensure that you are citing correctly.

Dissertations are usually published and sold through ProQuest or are hosted in university repositories or other academic sources.

While the format is relatively quite same the doctoral dissertation generally is more comprehensive so that may be varied in a slightly different manner regarding citation style.

Yes, several citation tools like Zotero, EndNote, and Citation Machine can generate references in numerous styles, including dissertations.

It normally takes 1-3 years to complete the phase of the dissertation after the coursework. On average, the whole process of a PhD inclusive of the dissertation, takes 5-7 years.

In a PhD dissertation, the main idea is to develop new knowledge about any subject, while a professional doctorate dissertation deals with solving real-world problems by applying research.

A doctoral dissertation usually includes an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion.

Yes, once your dissertation is approved, a doctoral dissertation must be defended in front of a panel of experts in the field.

Sure, lots of doctoral dissertations end up being published. They might become books or get turned into articles for academic journals.

A doctoral dissertation is a detailed and original piece of work that has to be completed by a doctoral candidate to achieve the degree, typically involving the most significant deficiency or question in the current body of knowledge related to the field of study.

A doctoral dissertation can be anywhere between 100 and 400 pages, determined by the discipline and nature of the study. Normally, the period taken to finish the dissertation after coursework is between 1 and 3 years.

A doctoral dissertation is a tough and challenging task that demands extensive research, critical thinking, and perseverance. The difficulty lies in conducting original research, arranging complex information, and contributing new knowledge to your field.

Yes, every PhD student needs to write a thesis. This thesis is the last research project that proves their ability to do major unique research and add new knowledge to their field.

Consider your academic interests, program requirements, and existing research gaps. Choose a broad field and narrow it down to a niche, which must also be feasible within the time and resources available.

Review academic literature, talk to your advisor, and think about real-world problems to determine your dissertation topic. It has to be specific enough to be explored in-depth and yet sufficiently wide to admit of available literature.

An 80% grade on a dissertation usually reflects well the topic and the research that has gone into it. However, more important is the quality of the work itself; deep, original, and relevant in comparison to the final grade.

The best dissertation topic for you is one that fits your academic interests, fills a gap in existing research, and is practicable to research. More so, it has to make a meaningful contribution to the area of study.

A dissertation topic is considered good if it lies within the achievable scope of the available resources and time. In other words, if the topic is too broad or does not have enough resources, then it may need some refinement.

The dissertation topic must be relevant, original, and feasible and add value to the field in which the academic interests are based. It should be supported with more than enough research materials.

Dissertation topics can be sourced from a review of academic journals, searches in university dissertation databases, and consultation with your advisors. Reading recently published studies may also help in the identification of what has not yet been adequately covered in the literature.

Typically, students have the choice of picking their dissertation topic within the requirements of their program and with approval from their supervisor.

There is no ‘best topic’ and choosing the best topic usually depends on your academic field, the level of study, and your personal interests. Ideas should be generated from real-life scenarios, depending on observation or a problem situation that prompts the need for a research study to solve existing problems. “

Read existing literature, define research gaps, discuss with an advisor, current issues in the field with an advisor, and keep an open mind to new angles.

Selecting a topic for dissertation writing – make sure it is reflective of what you are researching. It needs to be specific and to the point and indicate the main concern of your research in such a way that it suits academic standards.

Yes, you can acknowledge a higher power if your faith has been a significant factor in your success. The expression of thanks should be respectful and within the norms of the scholarly document.

Yes, you can thank your supervisor for acknowledging your dissertation, as they have guided and supervised you throughout this research.

Acknowledge your supervisor, committee members, research collaborators, family, and anyone else who gave you direct support throughout the process of conducting your research.

Usually, they are placed in the text of your thesis or dissertation after the table of contents and before the introduction or abstract.

The acknowledgments should range from one to two pages in length. Try to make it short and sweet.

You thank those who have supported you through the highs and lows of your research journey, whether academically, emotionally, or financially.

You mention your supervisor, committee members, and family, as well as any other collaborators in your research. You must explain how they helped you.

Acknowledge your supervisor, committee members, peers, funding organizations, and family members who supported you through the process.

Thank your dissertation supervisor for their guidance, feedback, and mentorship. Be specific about how their input helped shape your research.

In research papers, acknowledgments typically follow the abstract or appear at the end of the introduction, depending on the style guide or publisher’s requirements.