5 Common Dissertation Challenges and Solutions

90% of the students struggle big time when it comes to working on the dissertation. Whether it’s juggling between personal commitments, grappling with complex research and managing time, they feel like sticking their heads through the wall.

So, folks, if you are embarking on the journey of dissertation writing and need to prepare beforehand, this blog is for you.

Here we will walk you through the 5 common challenges that every student faces, along with their solutions.

So, come on! Let’s get into the blog.

Table of Contents

What are the 5 Common Dissertation Challenges and Their Solutions?

Dissertation writing is not a walk in the park. No matter how intelligent you are as a student, you will struggle with it at some point. The most common dissertation challenges students face are:

Selecting an Interesting Topic
Research Methodology Dilemmas
Time management struggles
Writer’s Block & Motivation
Feedback Difficulty

At first glance, they might look like normal problems, but when you actually sit down to work, it feels like climbing a big mountain.

The good news is that by implementing some solutions, you can complete your dissertation in no time. Enough of chit-chatting, let’s have a look.

Challenge 1: Selecting an Appropriate Topic

To actually get through the dissertation, topic selection is essential. However, due to the Internet being filled with thousands of topics, students find it difficult to select an appropriate topic.

Importance of Topic Selection

So, why is topic selection actually important? Because:

A well-chosen topic makes it easier for you to complete the dissertation without hitting a wall. Furthermore, it makes it easier for you to conduct research and convey your thoughts.
Moreover, selecting the topic that piques your interest makes the writing process more enjoyable.
Picking a topic that engages the audience is more impactful.
When students pick a topic that aligns with their academic and personal goals, it contributes to their professional development.

Solutions for Topic Identification

So, how would you identify the topic? Well, here is what you need to do!

Utilize legal research library guides, such as the Georgetown Law website, and follow legal news to stay informed about current trends.
Furthermore, ask yourself why you are writing the dissertation, what problems you want to solve and what the audience wants to read. Once you have done this, it will make it easier to pick the right topic.
Also, look for the cases that have raised legal issues.
If you are having trouble, consider seeking guidance from a professional Law Dissertation Writer. They know what topics can make a big difference in the field.

Challenge 2: Research Methodology Dilemmas

Having the research methodology dilemma is so real. And it is all because students have no clue what type of method to approach for their dissertation. Hence, for that, you need to understand different methodologies.

Types of Methodologies

The types of methodologies include,

Qualitative: In this, data is collected through interviews and focus groups to gain insights, explore ideas, and obtain in-depth subjective insights.
Quantitative: It uses statistical data and numerical analysis to test hypotheses and find results.
Mixed Methods: It is the combination of both qualitative and quantitative data.

Best Practices for Choosing the Right Methodology

To choose the right methodology, here is what you need to do:

Make sure that your methodology directly supports the research question. For example, if you are looking for the measurable results, opt for the quantitative data and for emotional analysis, qualitative is the best.
Conduct a literature review to find the existing gap between new and old information. Furthermore, develop how you can solve these problems.
Keep a record of why you have picked the methodology and provide the right reasoning for this.
Also, you can seek help from your peers, supervisors, and even the professional Law Dissertation Writing Services.

Challenge 3: Time Management Struggles

Students often struggle to balance their personal commitments, coursework, and dissertation altogether, leading to missed deadlines.

Common Time Management Pitfalls

What might actually be the reason for facing these time management issues:

Procrastinating and putting off the tasks for the last minute, thinking, they can pull it off at the last minute.
Another major problem is that they don’t prioritize the tasks from the most important to the least important ones.
Additionally, some students even try multitasking, working on different tasks altogether.
Their inability to say no and then taking on too many responsibilities also causes problems.

Effective Time Management Solutions

To overcome this problem, you should:

Break down the larger tasks into manageable chunks and allocate a deadline for each.
While working, eliminate distractions so that you can focus on the work effectively.
Use the Pomodoro technique, where you work for 25 minutes and take a 5-minute break.
Learn to say no and set solid boundaries.

Challenge 4: Writer’s Block and Motivation Issues

Writer’s block is real. And since a dissertation is a lengthy task, it makes it harder for them to stay motivated.

Understanding Writer’s Block

So what’s writer’s block?

It’s when you are struggling to get creative ideas or are unable to produce new work. The symptoms are:

Feeling disinterested or having self-doubt.
Furthermore, a decrease in writing speed.
Inability to generate new ideas.

Strategies to Overcome Creative Stagnation

Now the question is how to overcome the creative stagnation.

Change your surroundings, go for walks, take breaks, and work in a different environment.
To break out of a rut, try a different hobby.
Collaborate with your peers and consider seeking their help.

Challenge 5: Feedback and Supervision Difficulties

Lack of feedback can also make it harder for students to complete their dissertations and submit it on time.

Importance of Supervisory Feedback

When working, it is essential to receive feedback from your supervisors as it helps you find your mistakes. Furthermore, through their suggestions, you can know about your strengths and weaknesses. It even helps in improvising the content, boosting your confidence, and allowing you to submit the dissertation with ease.

Solutions for Effective Collaboration

To collaborate effectively, you should:

At the beginning of the meeting, be frank and set clear, SMART goals for your dissertation.
Regularly update your supervisor about the progress and ask for their suggestions.
Use meeting time effectively and don’t hesitate to ask questions.
Take notes in the meeting and then ask for a follow-up on these discussions and key points.

Wrap Up!

This brings us to the end of the guide! The five common dissertation challenges students face are time management, selecting the topic, writer’s block, feedback problems, and developing a research methodology.

However, by following the solutions mentioned, you can overcome the problem. Also, if you have any problems, consider seeking help from the Law Dissertation Helper. They are professional and know how to help you choose the right topic or even conduct research.

Also, fellow dissertation writers, if you have any other tips, don’t forget to comment below.

What are the Dissertation Challenges Students Face? Solutions Inside!