Direction in dissertation or thesis (5)

I believe the answer is:

north

'direction' is the definition.
(compass direction)

'in dissertation or thesis' is the wordplay.
'in' indicates the answer is hidden within the clue.
'NORTH' is hidden within 'dissertation or thesis'.

(Other definitions for north that I've seen before include "Pole" , "Magnetic or true?" , "Arctic" , "usually featured at the top of the charts?" , "Bridge position" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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