Dissertation Macrostructures

Sources: Anderson et al. (2020); Paltridge (2002).

Traditional-simple

Reports on a single study, typically in the introduction, methods, results and discussion (IMRD) format.

Traditional-complex

Reports on more than a single study, in modified IMRD format. Introduction, literature review and methods chapters usually overview the studies combined, followed by chapters that focus on each individual study.

Topic-based

Typically organized into several chapters that cover the range of subtopics (not studies) relevant to the research topic, with an introductory and concluding chapter.

Manuscript-style

Consists of published, in-press or accepted, or publishable manuscripts. May include an introduction and conclusion.

Hybrid simple-manuscript

Organized using IMRD format but contains previously published content within chapters or as chapters, content may be modified or included in its entirety.

Hybrid topic-manuscript

Organized using the topic-based structure but contains previously published content within chapters or as chapters, content may be modified or included in its entirety.