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The Masters dissertation is a scholarly document of a maximum of 15,000 words based on independent research and thought. Typically, it includes data collection and analysis that integrates evolutionary anthropology perspectives and research approaches as relevant to the specific field of study in an original way. In most cases, the dissertation will report on original data collected by the student in order to address a particular empirical question within the scope of the degree. Such a dissertation will include a literature review on other similar work demonstrating the practical or theoretical justification for this particular dissertation, a description of the methodology, and appropriate analysis and discussion of the results.

The purpose of the dissertation is to provide both an exercise in and a test of the student's mastery of research approaches in evolutionary anthropology to an issue of their choice. The topic chosen usually arises either from a professional interest of the student, or as part of developments toward PhD research.

The intended outcome, therefore, is a dissertation that demonstrates the ability of the student to address an original research question by collecting and analysing relevant data, and discussing them in the context of the existing body of knowledge, considering potential limitations. Students should be able to apply and develop the methods learnt to other contexts as appropriate. In doing so, dissertations are expected to be an original contribution to knowledge.