Direction found 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' says the answer is hidden in the clue.
'NORTH' can be found hidden inside 'dissertation or thesis'.
'found' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for north that I've seen before include "One looking for contract" , "Boreas was the god of the - wind" , "One of four bridge players" , "Pole" , "Prime Minister" .)