How to Write a Compelling Rationale in Dissertation? Step-by-Step Guide

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of writing a compelling rationale for your dissertation that is applicable to all academic levels. Join us as we delve into the intricacies of this essential component of your research.

A dissertation rationale is important because it validates the significance of your research work. According to the prestigious journal Nature, the length of a compelling rationale in a dissertation is 6-8 pages long. You can craft your research rationale before or after conducting your research. In both situations, a research rationale explains why you carried out your research and how did it work out. 

A rationale must be compelling to convince your readers that the study was important. By addressing the potential research gaps in your work, you can make it really interesting for the readers. 

Here, we will provide you with step-by-step guidance on how you can achieve your objectives. 

What Is Rationale in Dissertation?

As per the Charlesworth Author Services, the rationale in a dissertation is the justification submitted by students for undertaking a given study. It sheds light on why a researcher focuses on the research questions, including the significance of the research aims. Also, the rationale talks about the literature gaps that a dissertation may intend to fill. 

The study objectives, research questions and hypothesis follow the rationale. The rationale provides the students with structured assistance for writing a dissertation on any given topic. In simple words, it rationalises the need for research in that particular domain. 

A perfect dissertation rationale has the following five main components: 

1. Research background
2. Identification of the knowledge gap
3. Overview of the goals of the study
4. The discussion of the importance of methodology
5. An explanation of the relevance of research 

How to Write the Rationale in a Dissertation?

The clear description of the collected data acts as the basis of a well-written research rationale. In applied research, students have to base their rationale on the existing issues with certain procedures. By presenting the readers with enough evidence, you establish the fact that you have conducted your original research and that you are not just repeating what other people have already said. 

Here are the steps you can follow to craft a compelling rationale for your dissertation: 

1. Understand the Dissertation Topic

Before you start writing a rationale for the dissertation, you must have a clear understanding of the topic of your research. Ensure to stay well-versed in the subject matter and pay attention to the research questions you want to address. The context of the study must be clear in your head first. Only then you can make it clear in the minds of your readers. In case of confusion, you can ask for the support of your dissertation supervisor for clarity. 

Per the University of Derby Library, the introduction part outlines your area of interest and tells the readers what led you to the chosen area. A well-written rationale discloses all the interesting perspectives of your intended research. 

2. Figure Out the Gap

You can start crafting a rationale in a dissertation by explaining the existing knowledge in detail. It must be related to the topic of your research work. Ensure that you point out your current position of understanding of the topic and highlight all the gaps that you can. The unanswered questions and areas are the places where you need to do further investigation. Focusing on such areas shall result in desirable results. 

Also, to find the gaps, a comprehensive study of the existing sources, i.e., a systematic literature review, must be conducted. That is to say, you must review the existing data sources in great detail. 

3. Define the Issues

Here, you have to clearly mention the research problem or the major research questions that your dissertation aims to address. Make it specific and concise so the readers may easily understand the focus of your research. According to the Taylor & Francis Online article titled Formulating a convincing rationale for a research study, it is important to have clear research questions and well-defined objectives. 

Along with highlighting the issues, you can explore the major questions associated with the project you are working on. Shedding light on the advantages you can have will also work well in your favour. 

4. Highlight the Importance

When crafting a rationale in the dissertation, it is incredibly important to explain why your research work matters. You can discuss the potential impact of the results you are expecting to achieve. They will be both in the form of practical applications and theoretical contributions. 

You should consider exploring these aspects in enough detail: 

• How does your research add to the existing body of knowledge in your field of study? 
• Does your research work have some real-life applications or implications or not? 
• Is the research relevant to a given community, field or industry, or is it independent? 

By highlighting the importance of your research work in the rationale, you increase its value in the eyes of readers. Hence, it will appear convincing to the receiving parties. 

5. Establish the Relevance

By establishing the relevance of your rationale in the dissertation, you can justify the relevance of your entire research work. For instance, the relevance factor enables you to explain how the research fits into the broader context. 

Further, you can find out how it aligns with the current societal trends, needs and academic discussions. A sure-fire way to enhance the importance of your research is to connect it to the larger debates or issues in your field of study. This can further make the readers realise the importance of the work you have crafted. 

6. Provide Evidence 

The provision of evidence is absolutely important when it comes to crafting a sound rationale in a dissertation. You should provide examples and proof to demonstrate the need for the research work you intend to do. It can be beneficial to cite the relevant statistics, studies and real-life scenarios. 

If you can find an example from a real-life crisis about the gaps you address in your papers, it will be great in establishing the relevance of your work. 

What Is the Purpose of Rationale in Dissertation?

The purpose of crafting a dissertation rationale is to tell the readers why your research work needs to be conducted. Sometimes, it is also termed the justification or purpose of the research work. In simple words, the research rationale links the research background to the questions of your project. 

It also provides an extensive coverage of the theoretical framework, literature review and the research objectives. 

What to Include in the Dissertation Rationale? 

Well, every rationale is different and discusses certain elements of the approach or study methods followed by the given dissertation. However, there are certain elements that are commonly found in all kinds of successful rationale examples. 

You should make sure to touch on the following elements: 

• A brief and concise summary of the results you draw from the overview of the existing relevant literature
• The area of knowledge which hasn’t yet been discovered by you
• The contested findings on the same topic taken from the previous studies on a similar topic
• Evaluation of the necessity to build on the existing research

Apart from these, you can also explain why the existing methodology needs to be improved. By mentioning newer technologies or techniques, you can pretty much convince your readers that the research work needs to be conducted. 

What Is an Example of a Rationale?

In a dissertation research rationale, the students have to discuss the aims of the research in great depth and detail. They have to discuss the need, issue, or problem that gave rise to the research idea. Reviewing an example can be helpful in this regard. 

Here is an example of the rationale in a dissertation that we have taken from White Rose eTheses. 

Conclusion 

When crafting your rationale for your dissertation, keep in mind that your study has to contribute to professional development in the field. It must present an overview of the conclusions you derive from the literature review. Also, explain the gaps in the current knowledge that your research work fills. Reliable dissertation writing companies in the UK provide both conclusive and inconclusive research findings from previous studies to scholars. 

All in all, the rationale, novelty, and significance of the study are important. Incorporating the right elements is a significant component of your publication because it can potentially justify it. As we discussed above, you can build a strong foundation for the legitimacy of your research.