A glossary in a dissertation is a concise list of key terms or jargon used in your paper, explained in simple language. It helps readers understand tricky, field-specific language that may not be familiar to everyone. Think of it as a mini-dictionary, placed near the beginning of your dissertation (usually after the table of contents or abstract).
A good glossary includes:
- Key technical terms or abbreviations used in your dissertation
- Simple, clear definitions of those terms
- Alphabetical order for easy navigation
- One-line or short explanations (avoid overly long definitions)
Why include a glossary in your dissertation?
Not everyone reading your dissertation will be an expert in your field. Some readers might be your supervisors, examiners, or even students from other areas. It:
- Explains complex or uncommon terms
- Improves readability and flow
- Supports non-specialist readers
- Strengthens academic clarity and professionalism
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Dissertation Glossary Example
If you haven’t created a list of glossaries before then you will find the below example of a glossary in a dissertation particularly useful:
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence (AI) | Machines simulating human thinking and decision-making abilities. |
| CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) | The company’s efforts to impact society and the environment positively. |
| Data Saturation | No new themes are emerging in the collected data. |
| Ethnography | Study of cultures through close observation and interaction. |
| P-value | Shows if the results are due to chance or not. |
| Qualitative Data | Non-numerical information from words, interviews, or observations. |
| Quantitative Data | Numerical data used for analysis and comparisons. |
| Random Sampling | Equal chance selection method for study participants. |
| Research Gap | Unexplored area needing further investigation or analysis. |
| Reliability | Consistency of measurement or research results over time. |
| Thematic Analysis | Identifying patterns or themes in qualitative data. |
Where Does the Glossary Go In A Dissertation?
The glossary list is generally placed at the beginning of the dissertation paper, just after the list of tables and figures or the list of abbreviations. However, if your paper does not have a list of abbreviations or a list of tables and figures, you can place the glossary right after the table of contents.
This provides readers with the opportunity to understand the meanings of key terms they are unfamiliar with, even before they begin reading the main content of the paper.
However, if you have not used a lot of technical terms in your dissertation, you can choose to provide an explanation and the meanings of the few terms that you have used in the form of footnotes.
Glossary Vs Abbreviations List
| Glossary | Abbreviations List |
|---|---|
| Explains the meaning of specialised terms or concepts. | Only expands acronyms and initialisms (e.g., GDP = Gross Domestic Product). |
| Full sentence definitions. | Short-form expansions only. |
| May include both technical and theoretical terms. | Only includes shortened words or phrases. |
Final Checklist Before Submitting
- Is your glossary alphabetically ordered?
- Are all definitions clear and jargon-free?
- Did you check for duplicate or unnecessary entries?
- Is it formatted according to your university’s guidelines?
- Have you reviewed spelling and grammar?
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s a list of special terms—single words, phrases, etc., that are not commonly known to the ‘average’ reader or to a reader who isn’t an expert in that field.
Ideally, words are included in a glossary. However, in some cases—depending on the topic, abbreviations, phrases etc. might also be mentioned within the list of glossary in a dissertation. Sometimes, it might also include a brief definition of how to pronounce a certain word/phrase.
Keep in mind two things while creating a glossary list: keep the language of the definition simple so that every kind of reader can understand it. That’s why a glossary is given, to begin with, to simplify technical jargon and inform laymen. Secondly, arrange the terms inside it alphabetically.
No matter how many times a word or a phrase appears in your dissertation, include it and define it only once in your glossary. There should be no duplicate entries in a glossary list.
Not necessarily. If your paper uses common language without technical terms, a glossary may not be needed. But in technical, medical, scientific, or industry-focused dissertations, a glossary is strongly recommended.
Usually no. Glossaries are meant to be simple and text-based. If a concept needs a visual, explain it in the body of your paper instead.
No strict limit, but shorter is better. Aim for 1–2 sentences per term.
