What Do You Need to Know Before Writing a Dissertation on Sharks?

Getting to write your dissertation on sharks can be your opportunity for a fun expedition into the sea of knowledge. Whether you’re a marine biology student or just a lover of these most majestic creatures, for a student of any academic science, writing your dissertation is a significant step in your journey to a career. If you are in the process of writing a dissertation on sharks, here are eight things you should know before you start.

1. Understand Shark Biology

Study shark behavior. By immersing yourself in the world of your intended subjects, you can lay the groundwork for your research. Your research options include museums, aquariums, laboratories, and even YouTube, which all have a wealth of information about shark science and nature. A basic understanding of shark biology will give you a scientific background in anatomy, physiology, and behavior and help you to identify the differences between species as well as how they interact with their environment. You’ll get a better sense of how to conduct your research and what you want to focus on. Different species of sharks have different characteristics, and each might influence the research process and your approach.


If you ever feel like you struggle with your research or other aspects of dissertation writing, you can always reach out for help. Get dissertation writing help online. There are many writing providers that have a great knowledge base and numerous expert writers who know all about your topic.

2. Focus on a Specific Research Question

There is no shortage of topics related to sharks. To keep your dissertation on track, develop a research question or hypothesis. Do you want to study shark behaviour? Or conservation? What about sharks’ role in the ecosystem? Or even the effect of human activities on shark populations? Narrowing down your topic will help you not only with your research but also keep your skull-and-bones line of thinking focused while laying out the framework for your dissertation. 

3. Consider Ethical Implications

Studying sharks involves significant ethical considerations, particularly because they are predators. Ensuring ethical research practices is crucial:

  • Humane Methods: Employ techniques that minimize harm and stress to the animals.

  • Legislation Compliance: Adhere to all relevant laws and obtain necessary permits for fieldwork.

  • Ethical Review Approval: Secure approval from your institution's ethics board for studies involving live animals.

  • Research Integrity: Ethical practices enhance the credibility and impact of your research.

Adopting these standards benefits not only the sharks but also the quality and integrity of your research.

4. Utilize the Right Methodologies

Depending on the nature of your question, some fieldwork may be required, while others would be better approached through laboratory experiments or data analysis. A common methodology involves tagging and tracking sharks on their migration routes or gathering DNA samples to discern genetic variation. It’s worth mentioning that, beyond mastering techniques, research in shark ecology and conservation can require very different skills, such as scuba diving, computer programming, and speaking multiple languages. If your shark-related project includes thesis writing, you also need great research and writing skills. So, think about that before starting your work.

5. Plan for Data Collection and Analysis

Most of your work will have to do with collecting data for your dissertation. Figure out how you plan to collect, store, and analyze your data before you begin. Whether you’re assessing quantitative measurements extracted from a data stream collected from your tracking device, or qualitative observations from field notes, it is paramount that you formulate a solid plan for the eventual handling of your data and consider becoming familiar with statistical and/or qualitative analysis software to help you make sense of your research.

6. Prepare for Fieldwork Challenges

Studying sharks up close can be dangerous. If you’ll be leading people, there are an additional set of tasks and responsibilities to think through. If you’re working with rural communities, think about access: how will you get everyone and equipment there? Remember, some places are eight hours away from the nearest airport. You might have to think through boat trips, bus journeys, or jerry-rigging together rickety trucks for travel. What hazards might the travel itself entail? Do you need to train your team? What are the risks? Do you have the right gear to protect your team? What happens if it rains constantly? What happens if you run out of food? How will you pay your team? What happens if someone gets sick? Consider the cost of gear, food, and travel, too.

Navigating the Waters of Shark Research

It’s not easy to start a dissertation on sharks. It requires more than just a love of marine biology, but the rewards are nothing short of magnificent and utterly enriching. If you start with preparation, devise the right research methods to study your subject, and prepare well for the practicalities of fieldwork, then, yes, there’s knowledge to be gained and much that can be usefully applied to conservation in order to help these misguidedly feared ocean predators. Whatever the project, every new piece of research adds more information about how the natural world works. And if you do your job right, your work might guide future policies to conservation efforts for these animals.

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