Dissertation vs Thesis: What’s the Difference & Similarities

Feeling confused about the difference between the terms dissertation vs thesis? You’re not alone. Many students have difficulty understanding the differences between these two important scholarly documents.

Why do they seem to mean the same thing, but actually have different roles? In this article, we’ll solve the mystery of the dissertation vs thesis in clear terms. By the end of the post, you’ll understand what each involves and how they fit in your educational journey.

What Is a Dissertation?

If you’re getting a doctoral degree, you’ll be required to write a dissertation. Compared to a thesis, a dissertation is much longer, in-depth, and detailed. You are expected to contribute new information or theories to your field of study.

Therefore, your research must be original, not a regurgitation of what is already known. Dissertations can be lengthy, even exceeding 300 pages, and can take years to research and write.

What Is a Thesis?

A thesis is the final project of a master’s degree program. It is basically a long research paper written after long preparation. The thesis entails deep research on a specific topic where you will collect and analyze information, and then present your findings.

The main purpose is to demonstrate your mastery of your field and your ability to express your understanding. These are generally about 100 pages in length, although program requirements can vary a bit depending on the length requirements.

Differences Between a Dissertation vs. Thesis

There are a few criteria to consider when assessing the difference between a dissertation and thesis, such as purpose, structure, length, and more. Each has a unique academic purpose designed for where you are in your educational journey.

1. Purpose:

Thesis: Normally completed at the end of a master’s program, the thesis demonstrates a student’s understanding of a certain topic in their field. The process involves researching, analyzing, and synthesizing what is currently known about a topic that demonstrates the learning accumulated in your program. The aim is to demonstrate critical thinking and analysis.

Dissertation: The crowning academic experience in a doctoral program differs from a “thesis” in that you are tasked with generating new information and practices for your discipline. It is an original research project that creates new theories or practices. Therefore, it is a prestigious academic accomplishment because you construct and defend brand new ideas.

2. Structure:

Thesis: A thesis is similar to long research papers you may recall writing as an undergraduate. You examine current research and critique it, usually by applying additional treatment on a topic related to your future practice.

Dissertation: A dissertation uses prior studies as guidance, but the bulk of the work represents the student’s own original contribution. You have identified your hypothesis and the groundbreaking research done to support it. The complexity is increased compared to these.

3. Length:

Thesis: Usually 40-100 pages in length focused on the selected topic and analysis.

Dissertation: A dissertation is much longer, given its many research and background analyses. It is often considered book-length and ranges between 100 and over 300 pages.

4. Timeframe and Complexity:

Thesis: Writing a thesis may take a couple of semesters or 1-2 years, depending on the topic's depth and your pace.

Dissertation: It’s a much longer process since it involves extensive research and analysis. It may take 4-7 years.

5. Defense Process:

Thesis: Presentation before a departmental committee, but the defense process is sometimes more informal.

Dissertation: Requires a formal oral defense before a committee of professors, which may include faculty that are not affiliated with the degree program. Students defend the methodologies, research, and findings in detail.

6. Review and Approval:

Thesis: Typically submitted for internal review by faculty, requiring the student to demonstrate familiarity with and engagement with the existing body of literature.

Dissertation: It undergoes a stricter review process, which often includes external reviewers. Defending a dissertation is a more formal process, usually involving a public presentation to their academic community to defend their research and results.

7. Potential for Publication:

Thesis: While a thesis boosts the probability of publication, this benefit is uncommon because of their specialized nature.

Dissertation: Highly likely to foster multiple publications as it generates important new knowledge in the field, and portions of the dissertation could result in research articles to be published in academic Journals.

Dissertation vs. Thesis in Different Context 

To further clarify matters of terminology and expectations, we can explore relatively how anthropologists discuss the expectation of the dissertation versus a thesis in different cultural contexts.

American English:

In the US, the differences between a thesis and dissertation follow the previously stated guidelines. A dissertation is generally required to receive a Ph.D. Its completion involves original research for the purpose of making a unique and new contribution to the scholarship of a given discipline. A thesis, on the other hand, is usually required for a master’s degree. This involves less rigorous research.

British English:

In the United Kingdom, a dissertation refers to the research project written to obtain a bachelor’s or master’s degree. The written work usually requires in-depth study without new contributions to the field. A thesis is the equivalent of the Ph.D. degree in the United States and must demonstrate original research that makes substantial, new contributions.

Similarities Between a Dissertation and a Thesis

Although differing in purpose and scope, dissertations and theses have some common features. They both take a lot of effort and research and culminate in a lengthy, original written piece. Here are ways in which they are similar:

• Culminating Projects: Both mark the end of your degree and need a lot of work to pull together what you’ve learned.

• Research and Analysis: Demands loads of research and skilled analysis. For both, you will have lots of reading of prior literature and theories to contextualize your results.

• Structured Approach: Project work adopts a structured format, including sections like introduction, literature review, and conclusion for effective organization.

• Advisory Support: You receive advice from faculty advisors for both to ensure successful progress of the project.

• Defense Requirement: Both usually require you to orally present and defend your work to a committee, demonstrating your knowledge and understanding.

• Academic Contribution: Both are targeted at creating individual contributions to a field of study that emphasize your research abilities.

FAQ

Can I Call My Dissertation a Thesis?

In the U.S., the difference is simple: a dissertation is for a doctoral degree and a thesis is for a master’s. So, if you use the terms interchangeably, it could get confusing, particularly in an academic context.

What Is the Main Difference Between a Dissertation and a Thesis?

The main distinctions are the level of study and research input. A thesis is for master’s and involves analyzing existing research. A dissertation is for a doctorate and requires conduct of original research and a contribution of new findings to a field of study.

When to Use Thesis or Dissertation?

For a master’s degree use the term “thesis” and for a doctoral degree use the term “dissertation,” especially in U.S. academic contexts.

Is a PhD Just a Dissertation?

No, a PhD involves a few years of coursework, comprehensive exams, and original research that culminates in a dissertation. The dissertation is a major piece but not the whole of a PhD.

Conclusion

We labored through understanding the definition of a dissertation vs. thesis, determining their differences and similarities. To summarize, a dissertation is associated with doctorate studies and entails original research, while a thesis is completed in master’s programs and revolves around existing research. Nevertheless, they are both central pieces to higher learning and require diligence and intensive research.