The 6-Month Master's Dissertation Timeline
Follow this proven schedule to complete on time without burnout
Month 1: Foundation
- Topic refinement & approval
- Preliminary literature review
- Research proposal completion
- Methodology design
- Ethics application (if needed)
Month 2: Literature Mastery
- Comprehensive literature review
- Theoretical framework development
- Final methodology chapter
- Data collection instruments
- Pilot study completion
Month 3: Data Collection
- Full-scale data collection
- Daily progress tracking
- Regular supervisor meetings
- Preliminary data organization
- Chapter 1-2 revisions
Month 4: Analysis Phase
- Data cleaning & preparation
- Statistical/qualitative analysis
- Results chapter drafting
- Visualizations & tables
- Interim findings review
Month 5: Writing Intensive
- Discussion chapter
- Conclusion & recommendations
- Abstract & introduction polish
- Full draft completion
- Internal formatting check
Month 6: Final Polish
- Supervisor feedback integration
- Proofreading & editing
- Plagiarism check
- Formatting perfection
- Final submission & celebration!
Chapter-by-Chapter Breakdown
Master's dissertations typically follow this 6-chapter structure. Here's exactly what to include in each:
Chapter 1: Introduction
8-12 pages
- ✓ Background & context
- ✓ Problem statement
- ✓ Research questions
- ✓ Objectives & significance
- ✓ Scope & limitations
- ✓ Chapter outline
Pro Tip: Write this last - it's easier when you know what you've actually done!
Chapter 2: Literature Review
15-25 pages
- ✓ Theoretical framework
- ✓ Key concepts review
- ✓ Previous studies analysis
- ✓ Critical gaps identification
- ✓ Conceptual framework
- ✓ Synthesis & conclusion
Pro Tip: Organize thematically, not chronologically
Chapter 3: Methodology
10-15 pages
- ✓ Research design
- ✓ Population & sampling
- ✓ Data collection methods
- ✓ Data analysis techniques
- ✓ Validity & reliability
- ✓ Ethical considerations
Pro Tip: Justify every choice with references
Chapter 4: Results
12-20 pages
- ✓ Data presentation
- ✓ Statistical analysis
- ✓ Tables & figures
- ✓ Findings description
- ✓ Preliminary patterns
- ✓ Response to research questions
Pro Tip: Present, don't interpret here
Chapter 5: Discussion
15-20 pages
- ✓ Interpretation of findings
- ✓ Comparison with literature
- ✓ Theoretical implications
- ✓ Practical implications
- ✓ Limitations acknowledgment
- ✓ Unexpected findings
Pro Tip: Answer "So what?" about your results
Chapter 6: Conclusion
5-8 pages
- ✓ Summary of findings
- ✓ Conclusions per objective
- ✓ Recommendations
- ✓ Contribution to knowledge
- ✓ Future research directions
- ✓ Final reflections
Pro Tip: Mirror introduction structure
Supervisor Relationship Mastery
How to Get the Best From Your Supervisor
A good supervisor relationship can make or break your Master's journey. Here's how to manage it effectively:
Set Clear Expectations
In your first meeting, agree on:
• Meeting frequency (bi-weekly recommended)
• Preferred communication (email/WhatsApp)
• Response time expectations
• Feedback format preferences
Prepare for Meetings
Never show up empty-handed:
• Send agenda 48 hours before
• Include specific questions
• Share draft sections for feedback
• Bring printed copies if in-person
Handle Feedback Professionally
• Don't take criticism personally
• Ask for clarification if needed
• Create an action plan from feedback
• Show you've implemented changes
• Thank them for their time
What to Do If Your Supervisor Is Unresponsive:
- Send polite follow-up after 5-7 days
- CC program coordinator if pattern continues
- Document all communication attempts
- Request a co-supervisor if needed
- Use university support services
7 Deadly Dissertation Pitfalls (And How to Avoid Them)
Scope Creep
Trying to solve world hunger in 15,000 words. Dissertation becomes unmanageable.
Perfectionism Paralysis
Endlessly editing Chapter 1 while deadlines loom for other chapters.
Literature Review Black Hole
Reading everything forever without starting to write.
Data Collection Overload
Collecting more data than you can analyze in the time available.
Formatting Last Minute
Saving all formatting for the final week, causing unnecessary stress.
Isolation Burnout
Working alone for months leading to demotivation and mental health struggles.
Complete Master's Dissertation Toolkit
Everything you need in one downloadable package
Includes: Gantt chart timeline, weekly progress tracker, meeting agenda templates, chapter checklists, sample consent forms, statistical analysis guides, editing checklist, and submission preparation checklist.
Used by students at University of Ghana, KNUST, University of Lagos, University of Nairobi, and University of Cape Town
Time Management Strategies That Work
The Pomodoro Technique for Dissertation Writing
Break your work into manageable intervals to maintain focus and avoid burnout:
25 Minutes
Focused Writing
No distractions, just writing
5 Minutes
Short Break
Stand up, stretch, hydrate
Repeat 4x
Deep Work Session
4 Pomodoros = 2 hours work
15-30 Minutes
Long Break
Walk, snack, recharge
Weekly Planning Strategy:
- Monday: Literature review (3 Pomodoros)
- Tuesday: Data analysis (4 Pomodoros)
- Wednesday: Chapter writing (4 Pomodoros)
- Thursday: Supervisor meeting + revisions
- Friday: Catch-up & planning next week
- Weekend: Rest & light reading only
Success Story: From Overwhelmed to Distinction
David's MBA Dissertation Journey
"I was 2 months behind schedule, overwhelmed by data, and considering quitting. Then I found Oxglow's framework."
Key Takeaway: "The timeline and chapter templates gave me structure. The weekly Pomodoro targets kept me accountable. I went from overwhelmed to finished in 6 weeks flat."
Final Submission Checklist
Use this comprehensive checklist 1 week before submission to ensure nothing is missed:
Margins, fonts, line spacing, headers, page numbers all match university requirements exactly
All in-text citations match reference list. Consistent citation style throughout (APA/Harvard/etc.)
Run through Turnitin or similar. Ensure similarity <10% and all sources properly cited
All numbered, titled, referenced in text, high resolution, accessible formatting
Professional proofread or use Grammarly. Read aloud to catch awkward phrasing
Correct file format (PDF usually), naming convention, portal submission, printed copies if required