Real‑world examples of dissertation formatting across fields

Field‑by‑field examples of dissertation formatting in 2024–2025

If you’re hunting for examples of dissertation formatting examples across fields, the first thing you’ll notice is that no two disciplines organize research in exactly the same way. STEM programs push hard on methods and results, humanities emphasize argument and narrative flow, and professional doctorates focus on applied practice.

Below are concrete, field‑specific examples that mirror how dissertations are commonly formatted in current US and UK programs.

Example of a psychology (APA‑style) dissertation format

Psychology is one of the clearest examples of dissertation formatting that is tightly aligned to a style manual—in this case, the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). A typical PhD in clinical or counseling psychology looks like this:

• Front matter: Title page, copyright page, abstract (around 150–250 words), acknowledgments, table of contents, list of tables and figures.
• Chapter layout: Introduction, Literature Review, Method, Results, Discussion, References, Appendices.
• Headings: Up to five levels, strictly following APA heading rules (bold, italics, capitalization). For example, a Method chapter might include Level 1 headings for Participants, Measures, Procedure, and Data Analysis.
• Tables and figures: Each on its own page, placed after the reference list or embedded near first mention, depending on the graduate school’s rules.
• Citation style: In‑text author–date citations, reference list in APA format.

A real‑world model: many US psychology programs require dissertations to follow APA 7th. You can see the underlying rules in APA’s own guidance on dissertations and theses: https://apastyle.apa.org.

This is one of the best examples of how a field uses a style guide not only for citations but for headings, spacing, and even the wording of section labels.

Example of a biology or biomedical sciences dissertation (STEM, IMRaD‑heavy)

Experimental sciences provide examples of dissertation formatting across fields where the structure mirrors journal articles. A biology or biomedical PhD often follows an IMRaD‑style pattern (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion), sometimes repeated for each empirical chapter.

A common format in 2024–2025 looks like this:

• Front matter: Title page, abstract (often structured with headings like Background, Methods, Results, Conclusions), acknowledgments, table of contents, list of figures, list of tables.
• Chapter structure:
  • Chapter 1: General Introduction
  • Chapter 2: Methods (global methods or shared methods across studies)
  • Chapters 3–5: Journal‑style manuscripts (each with its own Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion)
  • Final chapter: General Discussion and Future Directions
• Data presentation: Heavy use of figures, charts, and tables. Many programs require high‑resolution images and standardized captions.
• Citation style: Often Vancouver, AMA, or a journal‑specific style. Some US medical schools refer students to NIH and NLM style resources such as the NLM Style Guide: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7256/.

These dissertations are strong examples of how formatting is shaped by publication norms. The dissertation becomes a bound collection of publishable papers, and formatting rules are built to make that transition easier.

Example of a history dissertation (humanities, Chicago‑style)

History dissertations are classic examples of dissertation formatting where narrative and argument take center stage. Instead of a strict IMRaD structure, you’ll see thematic or chronological chapters.

A typical history PhD might be organized like this:

• Front matter: Title page, abstract, acknowledgments, table of contents, list of abbreviations, maybe a list of illustrations.
• Core chapters:
  • Introduction (research questions, historiography, methodology)
  • 4–6 body chapters organized chronologically or thematically
  • Conclusion (synthesis, contribution, future research)
• Citation style: Chicago notes and bibliography, with full footnotes and a final bibliography. Footnote formatting is a major part of the visual layout.
• Appendices: Archival documents, data tables, or translations.

Many US and UK history departments point students to the Chicago Manual of Style and to university‑specific thesis guides. For instance, Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences posts detailed format rules, including margins, pagination, and front matter layout: https://gsas.harvard.edu/academics/dissertations.

This field is a good example of dissertation formatting where long chapters, extensive notes, and rich appendices are not only accepted but expected.

Example of an education EdD dissertation (mixed methods, practice‑oriented)

Professional doctorates in education (EdD) give examples of dissertation formatting across fields that are applied rather than purely theoretical. Many EdD programs now favor problem‑of‑practice formats over traditional five‑chapter dissertations.

A contemporary EdD dissertation might look like this:

• Front matter: Title page, abstract focused on a practical problem, acknowledgments, table of contents, list of tables and figures.
• Chapter structure (problem‑of‑practice model):
  • Chapter 1: Problem Statement and Context
  • Chapter 2: Literature Review (often very targeted to the local setting)
  • Chapter 3: Methodology (mixed methods are common)
  • Chapter 4: Findings (organized by research question)
  • Chapter 5: Implications for Practice and Policy, Action Plan
• Citation style: Frequently APA 7th, because education journals and organizations (such as the American Educational Research Association) rely on it.

In 2024–2025, you’ll see more EdD programs adopting practitioner‑focused formats, sometimes called capstone projects or improvement science dissertations. These are some of the best examples of how formatting is evolving to match professional practice, not just academic publishing.

Example of an engineering dissertation (technical, IEEE‑influenced)

Engineering dissertations are strong examples of dissertation formatting where equations, algorithms, and technical diagrams dominate the page.

A typical electrical or computer engineering PhD might use this structure:

• Front matter: Title page, abstract, acknowledgments, table of contents, list of figures, list of tables, list of symbols or acronyms.
• Chapters:
  • Introduction and Problem Statement
  • Background and Related Work
  • System Design or Model Development
  • Implementation and Experiments
  • Results and Evaluation
  • Conclusions and Future Work
• Citation style: IEEE numeric style is common, especially when the dissertation chapters are based on conference papers.

Equations are usually set with consistent numbering (e.g., (3.2) for the second equation in Chapter 3), and figures often include block diagrams and system architectures. These dissertations are real examples of how formatting must accommodate technical notation without sacrificing readability.

Example of a nursing or public health dissertation (applied health sciences)

Health‑related fields give examples of dissertation formatting across fields that must satisfy both academic and regulatory expectations.

A Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project or a public health DrPH dissertation often looks like this:

• Front matter: Title page, abstract, acknowledgments, table of contents, list of tables and figures, sometimes a glossary.
• Chapters:
  • Introduction and Significance to Practice or Population Health
  • Literature Review (often including practice guidelines and policy documents)
  • Methods (design, setting, sample, ethical considerations, IRB approval)
  • Results or Project Outcomes
  • Discussion, Recommendations, and Implementation Plan
• Citation style: Frequently APA or AMA, aligned with public health and medical journals. For public health, programs often refer students to CDC and NIH resources for terminology and reporting standards, such as https://www.cdc.gov and https://www.nih.gov.

These are practical examples of dissertation formatting where ethics, IRB documentation, and implementation plans have visible, labeled sections.

Comparative patterns: how examples of dissertation formatting differ across fields

When you line up these examples of dissertation formatting examples across fields, a few patterns jump out:

• Chapter titles: STEM and health sciences lean toward standardized labels (Methods, Results, Discussion). Humanities and arts use more descriptive, content‑driven chapter titles.
• Length and density: Humanities dissertations often run longer, with fewer tables and more text. STEM and applied fields compress text and expand visuals.
• Citation systems:
  • Psychology, education, nursing: APA
  • History and many humanities: Chicago (notes and bibliography)
  • Engineering and computer science: IEEE or similar numeric styles
  • Biomedical sciences: AMA or Vancouver variants
• Multi‑paper vs. monograph: In 2024–2025, multi‑article dissertations are increasingly common in STEM and some social sciences. That shift changes formatting: repeated methods sections, separate reference lists per chapter, and journal‑style headings.

These differences are not cosmetic. They reflect how each discipline builds arguments, presents evidence, and aligns with its major journals and conferences.

How to use these real examples when formatting your own dissertation

Seeing examples of dissertation formatting across fields is helpful, but copying them blindly is a fast way to run into committee pushback.

A better approach:

• Start with your university’s thesis manual. Most graduate schools publish detailed formatting rules for margins, fonts, pagination, and submission. For instance, many US institutions model their policies on long‑standing guides like Harvard’s dissertation formatting requirements: https://gsas.harvard.edu/academics/dissertations.
• Layer on your discipline’s style guide. If you’re in psychology, that means APA; in history, Chicago; in engineering, often IEEE. These guides shape headings, tables, figures, and references.
• Look at 2–3 recent dissertations from your own program. University repositories (often hosted on library sites or ProQuest) are the best examples of what your committee has already approved.
• Match structure to method. A qualitative ethnography in sociology will not look like a randomized controlled trial in epidemiology. Let your method drive your chapter layout.

In other words, treat these real examples of dissertation formatting as patterns, then adapt them to your local rules.

FAQs about dissertation formatting examples across fields

Where can I find real examples of dissertation formatting across fields?

The most reliable sources are your own university’s digital repository and other research libraries. Many US institutions host open‑access theses and dissertations through their library websites or through ProQuest and similar platforms. You can also search large repositories like the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD) at https://www.ndltd.org for international examples.

What is one example of a standard dissertation chapter structure in social sciences?

A very common example of dissertation formatting in social sciences (using APA) is: Introduction, Literature Review, Method, Results, Discussion, followed by References and Appendices. Many psychology, education, and sociology programs use this five‑chapter pattern as their default.

Do all fields follow the same formatting rules for tables and figures?

No. The examples of dissertation formatting examples across fields above show that table and figure rules vary with style guides and local policies. APA has strict rules for table notes and figure labels; Chicago is more flexible; IEEE emphasizes numbering and cross‑referencing. Your graduate school may also specify whether tables and figures must be placed at the end of chapters or embedded in the text.

Are multi‑article dissertations acceptable in every discipline?

Not yet. STEM fields and some social sciences increasingly accept multi‑article or manuscript‑based dissertations, and those are now common real examples of dissertation formatting in engineering, biology, and psychology. Many humanities programs still expect a single, monograph‑style dissertation with continuous chapters.

How do I know if my formatting matches current expectations for 2024–2025?

Check three things: your graduate school’s latest thesis manual (often updated annually), your department’s internal guidelines, and 1–2 dissertations defended in the last two years in your program. Those recent works are the best examples of how formatting rules are interpreted in practice.

Across all of these examples of dissertation formatting examples across fields, the main takeaway is simple: formatting is not one‑size‑fits‑all. It’s shaped by your discipline’s publishing norms, your institution’s technical rules, and the kind of study you’re running. Use field‑specific, real examples as your starting point, then calibrate to your own committee’s expectations.