How to Prepare Your Thesis or Dissertation What does a university or examiner expect of a thesis or dissertation? Often a thesis or dissertation may need to be written in a different style depending on the field of study, as universities normally apply similar criteria when examining theses or dissertations submitted. It is common for universities to send examiners a list of criteria as a guide for examiners responsible for assessing the theses or dissertations of students. The criteria often vary, based on to the level of study related to the thesis or dissertation. However, the following are common criteria applied in such cases, and students should bear these in mind. Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of previous relevant research on the chosen topic Present a critical review/analysis of previous research on the chosen topic Present a clear, well defined and comprehensive investigation of the chosen topic Demonstrate the application of appropriate research