Writing a thesis or dissertation is an arduous and extensive undertaking for any student seeking an advanced academic degree. These research projects are usually the culmination of a student’s graduate education and are expected to demonstrate the student’s knowledge, skills, and ability to conduct independent research. The terms “thesis” and “dissertation” are often used interchangeably, but there are significant differences between these two types of research projects.
At the graduate level, a thesis and a dissertation are two distinct types of academic papers that are submitted by students to earn a Master’s or a Doctoral degree. However, the main difference between a thesis and a dissertation lies in their scope and depth of research.
A thesis is usually a research report presented by a master’s degree candidate. It typically involves conducting original research on a smaller scale, and the research questions are more focused and limited in scope. Students pursuing a master’s degree often complete a thesis as part of their coursework and as a requirement for their degree. A thesis demonstrates the student’s mastery of the subject matter and their ability to analyze, synthesize, and report on the findings.
A dissertation, on the other hand, is usually a research project submitted by a Ph.D. candidate. It requires an extensive and original investigation into a topic or problem in a broader area of study. The research conducted for a dissertation is more comprehensive and detailed as compared to the research done in a thesis. Dissertations are often longer than theses, sometimes extending to several hundred pages, and require the researcher to add original contributions to the field of study.
Another significant difference between a thesis and a dissertation is the methodology used to conduct the research. Generally, a thesis involves collecting data by means of surveys, experiments, case studies, interviews, or other research methods. In contrast, a dissertation often includes a comprehensive review of the existing literature on a topic, which then serves as the basis for the original research conducted.
