Dissertation vs. Thesis: Understanding Differences & Similarities

As a graduate student, you've probably heard the terms "dissertation" and "thesis" being used interchangeably. This creates a lot of confusion among students of what they really mean. 

While they might seem like synonyms, there are actually significant differences between the two. Understanding these differences is important, as it can affect the type of research you conduct. 

This blog will explain the key differences between dissertations and theses. So continue reading to clear up any confusion you may have. 

Thesis and Dissertations - Definitions 

Before we go into the differences between the two, let’s start by defining what we mean by "thesis" and "dissertation."

What is a Dissertation? 

A dissertation is a piece of original research that is conducted as a requirement for a doctoral degree. It is also known as a “doctoral dissertation.”

The purpose of a dissertation is to contribute new knowledge to the academic community by conducting research in a particular field of study. The research is conducted independently by the candidate and is presented in the form of a written report.

Moreover, the research presented in a dissertation is expected to be original, thorough, and well-documented. It is often published as a monograph or a series of articles in scholarly journals.

What is a Thesis?

A thesis is also a compulsory research assignment that presents the results of original research conducted by graduate students. A thesis is typically required as partial fulfillment of a master's degree program.

The purpose of a thesis is to demonstrate the student's mastery of a particular subject and their ability to conduct research. A thesis is heavily reliant on literature reviews and uses established research to reach independent conclusions. 

Definitions Change Based on Your Location

Both the thesis and dissertation are final projects necessary to earn a degree. However, the definitions change based on where you are. The above definitions are true for the US, while it’s totally opposite for Europe.

• In the US, a dissertation is written for a Ph.D. program. While a thesis is written for a master’s or graduate.
• Meanwhile, in Europe, a dissertation is done during a master’s or graduate degree. While a thesis is written as a part of a Ph.D.

Now that you know the basic concept, read on to learn more about their differences and similarities.

Differences between Thesis and Dissertations 

While dissertations and theses are both research papers, there are several key differences between the two. 

This table summarizes the major differences:

Feature	Dissertation	Thesis
Degree	Ph.D (In the US)	Master’s (In the US)
Length	Longer, Ranging from 100 to 500 pages	Shorter. Ranging from 30 to 100 pages
Goal	To contribute new knowledge to the academic community	To synthesize existing research or to analyze a specific aspect of a topic
Purpose	Demonstrates the student's ability to conduct independent research and contribute to the academic community	Demonstrates the student's mastery of a particular subject
Presentation	Written draft; Oral Presentation; Defense in front of Scholarly Committee	Written draft, Presentation.
Note: This table is from the US point-of-view. The characteristics of thesis and dissertation are opposite for European countries.

Let’s look at each difference in detail.

Degree Requirement 

Thesis and dissertation are required for different types of degrees after specific years of studying. 

Dissertation is required for completing a doctoral program, while thesis is required to complete your graduate school studies. 

In case of Europe, it’s the opposite. You need to write thesis as a doctoral student and dissertation for graduate studies.

Length 

One of the most obvious differences between dissertations and theses is their length. 

Dissertations are typically longer than theses, often ranging from 100 to 500 pages. Meanwhile, theses are usually shorter, ranging from 30 to 100 pages. 

This is because dissertations are more comprehensive and require more extensive research than theses.

Goals 

Another key difference between dissertations and theses is the goal or objective. 

The objective of a dissertation is to contribute new knowledge to the academic community. In contrast, theses often focus on synthesizing existing research or analyzing a specific aspect of a topic. 

Purpose 

The purpose of a dissertation is to demonstrate the student's ability to conduct independent research and contribute new knowledge in the field. 

In contrast, the purpose of a thesis is to demonstrate the student's mastery of a particular subject. That is why it is often more focused and narrower in scope than a dissertation.

Presentation 

Another significant difference between dissertations and theses is how they are presented to the academic community.

While both require a written draft, a dissertation includes a defense in front of a scholarly committee. During the defense, the student presents their research to the committee, followed by a period of questioning and discussion. 

The committee may ask questions about the research methodology, results, and conclusions, and may challenge the student's ideas and arguments.

Meanwhile, the thesis may only contain a simple presentation along with a question-and-answer session with the faculty members. It varies depending on the program and institution.

Here’s a short video that briefly describes these differences:

Similarities Between Dissertation and Thesis

Dissertation and thesis are also similar in some ways. Here are some similarities between thesis and dissertation:

Structure

Both dissertation and thesis contain the following components of research:

• Title
• Abstract
• Introduction
• Literature Review
• Main body
• Research methods/material
• Results
• Discussion
• Conclusion
• Bibliography
• Appendix

However, the length and depth of each section may vary depending on the specific requirements and scope of the research.

Supervision

Students conduct their thesis or dissertation under the guidance and supervision of an academic scholar. The Supervisor (or Advisor) helps and guides them throughout the process of completing their research. 

The supervisor is also responsible for ensuring that research is conducted in an ethical and academically sound manner.

Other Similarities 

Apart from the structure and academic procedure, there are also other similarities, such as:

• They are both long-form research assignments that are required to earn a degree.
• Both require students to demonstrate their ability to write and communicate their research effectively, using appropriate academic conventions.
• Both require a specific and well-defined hypothesis or research questions.
• Both require students to demonstrate a deep knowledge of their field.
• Both require students to analyze data and draw conclusions based on their findings.
• Both require students to demonstrate their ability to think critically and independently.

Dissertation and Thesis Examples 

Here are a few examples of dissertations and theses to give you a better idea of what each entails.

In Conclusion, 

While the terms "dissertation" and "thesis" are often used interchangeably, there are important differences between the two. 

Dissertations are typically longer, more comprehensive, and require more extensive research than theses. Additionally, the goals and objectives of dissertations and theses differ.

However, they are also similar in some ways. Both dissertations and theses are opportunities to demonstrate your expertise, critical thinking skills, and contribution to your field.

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