Appendices are normally added at the end of a dissertation. An appendix (or attachment) is a useful tool for providing additional information to support your paper, without breaking up the flow of the text. For example, you could use an appendix to present detailed descriptions of your research participants, instruments, or data collection procedures. You might also choose to include detailed statistical analysis results that are too long or complex to include in the main text of your paper.
What is an appendix by definition?
Contents
What is a appendix in a dissertation?
The appendix is a section at the end of the dissertation where you can include additional material that is relevant to the paper but would not fit easily into the main text. This might include charts, tables, data sets, or other supplemental information. By including this material in the appendix, you can provide readers with additional insights into your research without disrupting the flow of the paper.
Role of appendix section in a dissertation
The appendix section in a dissertation plays an important role in providing supplementary information that is relevant to the study but does not fit neatly into the main text. Here are six roles that the appendix can play in a dissertation:
- Background information: The appendix can be used to provide background information on the research topic, including definitions of key terms and descriptions of relevant theoretical frameworks.
- Methodology: The appendix can be used to present detailed information on the research methods used, including data collection and analysis procedures.
- Results: The appendix can be used to present auxiliary results that are not essential to the main argument of the dissertation but which may be of interest to readers.
- Tables and figures: The appendix can be used to present informative tables and figures that support the arguments made in the main text.
- Sample size: The appendix can be used to justify the sample size used in the study, if this is not clear from the main text.
- References: The appendix can be used to provide a list of references for further reading on the research topic.
Items to include in a dissertation appendix section
Here are items that are often included in the appendix section of a dissertation:
- Data sets: If you have collected primary data during your research, it is important to include it in your appendix. This allows other researchers to replicate your study and build upon your findings.
- Questionnaires: If you have used questionnaires as part of your research, it is again important to make them available in the appendix. This allows readers to see exactly what questions were asked and how they were worded.
- Interview transcripts: Just as with questionnaires, including transcripts of interviews conducted as part of your research allows readers to follow along and understand your findings more fully.
- Images: Including images in the appendix can be helpful if they illustrate a point you are making in the main text or provide additional information that cannot be conveyed through words alone.
- Tables and figures: Any tables or figures
Order of appendices
There are two types of appendix: text and visual. Textual appendixes include things like transcripts of interviews, raw data from surveys, letters, and other materials that are referred to in the main text but would be long if included there.
Visual appendixes include items like maps, diagrams, graphs, and pictures.
There is no set order for the content of an appendix, but generally speaking, textual appendixes come before visual ones. In terms of format, each type of appendix is usually laid out differently. Textual appendixes are usually presented as either prose or lists, while visual appendixes are typically presented as individual items with accompanying captions. As with all other aspects of a dissertation, the decision of how to format an appendix is up to the individual author and should be driven by what makes the most sense for the particular content.
Position of appendices
The position of appendixes in a dissertation can vary depending on the style guide used. However, most style guides recommend placing appendixes at the end of the document, before the notes and bibliography. This placement ensures that readers can easily find the information they need without having to wade through a lot of text. Additionally, it allows for easy reference if appendices are referenced in the main body of the dissertation. For example, if Appendix A is mentioned in Chapter 3, readers can quickly turn to the end of the dissertation to find more information about Appendix A. Thus, while the position of appendixes may vary slightly depending on the style guide used, they are typically placed at the end of a dissertation for ease of reference and accessibility.
Referring to appendixes in main body
In a dissertation, an appendix typically contains supplemental material that is not directly related to the main body of the text. However, there may be times when referring to this material in the main body of the dissertation is necessary. In such cases, it is recommended that the author include a parenthetical reference to the relevant appendix (e.g., “See Appendix A for more information on the research design”). By doing so, readers will be able to quickly locate and consult the relevant material without having to search through the entire appendix. Additionally, including a parenthetical reference will help to ensure that all readers are aware of the existence of supplemental material that they may need to consult.
Preparation of appendixes
The appendices of a dissertation are additional sections that are not required but can be included to provide the reader with extra information.
To prepare the appendices, first, determine what material would be useful to include. This might include data sets, surveys, questionnaires, transcripts, detailed calculations, or other information that is not essential to the main text but could be helpful for understanding your research.
Once you have determined what to include, format each item according to the specific guidelines set by your institution or publisher. Be sure to number and label each appendix clearly so that readers can easily find the information they are looking for.
Finally, include a list of all appendices in the table of contents of your dissertation so that readers know what is available.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, the appendices of a dissertation are additional sections that are not required but can be included to provide the reader with extra information. To prepare the appendices, first determine what material would be useful to include, then format each item according to the specific guidelines set by your institution or publisher. Be sure to number and label each appendix clearly, and finally, include a list of all appendices in the table of contents of your dissertation.
