What Are the Common Challenges Students Face When Writing a master’s Dissertation?

What Are the Common Challenges Students Face When Writing a master’s Dissertation

Approved Dissertation Topic Selection

What Are the Common Challenges Students Face When Writing a master’s Dissertation

A master’s dissertation is one of the largest academic achievements a student can receive regarding an academic program and how a student should have gained the analytical and critical thinking skills to perform independent research and academic writing. The dissertation provides an opportunity for a student to make an original and meaningful contribution to their programme of study on multiple levels, but many students will encounter several significant challenges in writing a dissertation, particularly at the master’s level. While the challenges can potentially affect academic performance, the technical completion of the master’s dissertation may also have a significant impact on the student’s ability to deliver high-quality work within the established timeframe. Learning about these challenges helps students prepare for them and supports overcoming dissertation challenges when needed.[1]

1. Selecting a Suitable Research Topic

Selecting a clear, relevant, and researchable topic is frequently one of the earliest and most common dissertations writing problems for students preparing to write their dissertations. Many students find it difficult to strike a balance between personal interest and topics that allow successful completion of a master’s dissertation.[2]

Typical issues include the following:

Difficulty finding a legitimate research gap
Selecting a subject that is either too broad or too narrow
A lack of alignment with the supervisor’s area of expertise
Limited access to either data or literature

If the topic selected is not appropriate and aligned with the research objectives, there may be multiple revisions and delays in the overall process due to lack of motivation.

2. Conducting an Effective Literature Review

Developing a literature review is daunting for many students due to the time-consuming nature of critically evaluating existing research and positioning their work within an academic framework. The volume of available information further contributes to common dissertation writing problems faced by postgraduate students. [3]

Some of the challenges associated with writing a literature review include:

Finding appropriate academic sources
Synthesizing literature instead of simply summarising it
Identifying suitable theoretical frameworks for your research study
Managing the myriads of information available to you

Without proper organization, a literature review will not have the necessary flow to allow for a complete understanding of an author’s critical evaluation of his/her work.

3. Research Methodology and Design Issues

Selecting and justifying an appropriate methodology is one of the most complex challenges in writing a dissertation, as a weak research design can undermine the entire study.[4]

The following are Typical Challenges Students Face When Selecting Methodologies and Justifying Methodologies:

Deciding Between Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methodologies.
Creating Valid Instruments for Research (Questionnaires, Interviews).
Being Aware of Sampling Techniques.
Obtaining Ethical Approval and Informed Consent.
Students Are Uncomfortable Utilizing Correct Academic Language to Describe Their Methodological Choice.

4. Academic Writing and Structure

Academic writing at master’s level requires clarity, accuracy, and formal conventions. Transitioning from coursework-based assessments often creates additional dissertation writing problems for students. [5]

The following are some of the most common writing challenges faced by graduate students:

Maintaining a Formal Academic Tone
Structuring Chapters Logically
Avoiding Plagiarism and Improper Paraphrasing
Linking Arguments Coherently Across Chapters.

Although students may be conducting good quality research, if their writing skills are not solid, their grades will reflect this shortcoming.

5. Formatting, Referencing, and Appendices

Students frequently underestimate the complexity of formatting and referencing requirements, which are recurring challenges in writing a dissertation.[6]

Inconsistent Citations (e.g., APA, Harvard, etc.)
Incorrect Table/Figure Formatting
Uncertainty Regarding Appendices
Meeting Word Limits

Students who do not comply with the university’s format requirements may have marks deducted.

6. Time Management and Deadlines

Balancing dissertation work with employment, family, or other commitments is a major source of master’s thesis difficulties.

Postgraduate students have several time-related challenges:

Challenge of complexity is a source of procrastination
Poorly planned schedules or unrealistic timeframes
Writing and editing the dissertation at the very end of the process
Feeling stressed out by short deadlines to submit their dissertation

When postgraduate students cannot manage their time effectively, they usually wind up with poor quality materials.

7. Supervisor Communication and Feedback

Effective communication with supervisors is essential, yet many students struggle with interpreting feedback, adding to common dissertation writing problems.[7]

Challenges faced by students include:

Feedback that is vague or contradictory
Limited access to a supervisor
A need to feel comfortable asking a supervisor question
Misunderstanding what is expected from them as an academic student.

Consequently, these problems can cause delays in a student’s academic progression, as well as frustration.

8. Summary of Common Master’s Dissertation Challenges

Challenge Area	Description
Topic Selection	Difficulty identifying a focused, feasible research topic
Literature Review	Managing sources and developing critical analysis
Methodology	Selecting and justifying appropriate research methods
Academic Writing	Maintaining structure, coherence, and scholarly tone
Formatting & Referencing	Meeting institutional guidelines and citation rules
Time Management	Balancing deadlines with other responsibilities
Supervisor Interaction	Interpreting feedback and maintaining communication

Conclusion

Writing a master’s dissertation involves far more than conducting research. Students face numerous challenges in writing a dissertation, including topic selection, literature review, methodology design, formatting, time management, and supervision. Although these dissertation writing problems are common, they can be addressed through early preparation, skill development, effective communication, and structured academic support. Understanding these master’s thesis difficulties early enables students to adopt strategies for overcoming dissertation challenges and completing their dissertation with confidence.

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References

How to write a dissertation or masters thesis. (n.d.). Postgrad.com. Retrieved January 28, 2026, from https://www.postgrad.com/advice/exams/dissertations_and_theses/top_tips_writing_postgraduate_thesis/
McBeath, B., & Hopkins, K. (2024). Strategies for selecting and changing research topics. Human Service Organizations, Management, Leadership & Governance, 48(1), 117–121. https://doi.org/10.1080/23303131.2023.2300108
Snyder, H. (2019). Literature review as a research methodology: An overview and guidelines. Journal of Business Research, 104, 333–339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.07.039
Kapoor M. C. (2016). Types of studies and research design. Indian journal of anaesthesia, 60(9), 626–630. https://doi.org/10.4103/0019-5049.190616
Phillips, V., & Barker, E. (2021). Writing for publication: Structure, form, content, and journal selection. Journal of perioperative practice, 31(6), 230–233. https://doi.org/10.1177/1750458921996249
Kambhampati, S. B. S., & Maini, L. (2019). Formatting References for Scientific Manuscripts. Indian journal of orthopaedics, 53(3), 381–383. https://doi.org/10.4103/ortho.IJOrtho_197_19
Bak H. (2020). Supervisor Feedback and Innovative Work Behavior: The Mediating Roles of Trust in Supervisor and Affective Commitment. Frontiers in psychology, 11, 559160. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.559160