Dissertation vs. Thesis: What are the key differences & similarities?

If you are pursuing a graduate degree, you will likely come across the terms thesis or dissertation. While these two research works share some similar aspects, they are not quite the same. Make sure you understand the difference between a thesis and a dissertation before you start working on your final project.

• A thesis is a final project submitted by the U.S. students at the end of their bachelor’s or master's degree. Most thesis papers involve just analysis – you need to gather existing research works, find the patterns and share your thoughts.
• A dissertation (in the U.S.) is a long-form research work based on individual research and authentic findings. Students typically perform it to complete a Ph.D. program.

However, the definitions of a dissertation vs. thesis vary by country, as the degrees they’re associated with. In this blog post, we’ll break down the differences between a dissertation and thesis across various contexts.

Thesis vs. Dissertation: difference in meanings across regions

When comparing "thesis vs dissertation," it's crucial to recognize that the difference largely depends on your geographical location. Let's see how these terms are interpreted in the US and British-speaking countries.

Master’s thesis vs. Ph.D. dissertation in the United States

In the U.S., the difference between a thesis and dissertation is tied to the level of academic degree and the scope of research. Here’s a closer look at what each term means:

• A thesis paper is a research project that students in the US must finish in order to receive a master's degree. It involves gathering existing research on a particular subject, adding personal analysis, and sometimes conducting new research. But a Master's thesis is generally a shorter and less in-depth work than a dissertation. Its goal is to demonstrate a student's understanding of a subject matter and their ability to interact with academic resources.
• On the other hand, a dissertation is a far more extensive piece of research required to obtain a PhD in the United States. Students need to carry out their own research and share the findings. A dissertation demonstrates the student's ability to conduct independent study and make a contribution to their academic discipline.

The main difference between a thesis and a dissertation is that a dissertation introduces something new while a thesis shows how well you understand current ideas in a field.

Master’s dissertation vs. Ph.D. thesis in Europe

In Europe and other British-speaking countries across the Atlantic, the meaning and purpose of a thesis and a dissertation are the opposite of what they are in the United States. Here’s what these terms mean in this context:

• In Europe, a dissertation is the study project that is usually turned in for a bachelor’s or master's degree. It's somewhat equivalent to a master's thesis in the U.S., and involves a focused exploration of an underreported topic. Even though original outcomes are always welcome, it usually doesn't require the level of personal input expected in a doctoral thesis.
• In Great Britain and European countries, a Ph.D. thesis is completed as the final step in order to earn a doctorate degree. Much like the dissertation in the U.S., a European doctorate thesis requires in-depth investigation, experiments, and fresh ideas that will eventually move the field of academia forward.

So, while the terminology differs, the European master's dissertation and Ph.D. thesis are used for the same academic reasons as their American counterparts. The master's dissertation shows that you have a deep understanding of a subject and is the final part of a master's study. The Ph.D. thesis, on the other hand, is original research at the doctoral level that makes a major addition to the field.

What is the difference between a thesis and a dissertation: key aspects

We've already learned how the definitions of a thesis vs dissertation differ depending on where you study. Now, let's dig deeper into other aspects that set them apart.

Here’s a brief overview of the core differences between a dissertation vs thesis in the US and British-speaking countries.

For further comparison, we'll take a U.S. master's thesis and a PhD dissertation as our basis. Keep in mind that the distinctions we will discuss below are completely the opposite in European countries.

Different purpose

The best way to remember the difference between a thesis and a dissertation is that they each have a fundamentally different purpose.

A thesis aims to demonstrate that the writer understands relevant scholarly theories. You, as a researcher, need to review the existing literature and methodologies, and then analyze them critically.

A dissertation, on the other hand, is meant to make a breakthrough. It relies on student’s ability to execute research from the get-go. You need to select a unique topic, conduct experiments, gather and analyze data and suggest new applications or theories.

Difference in degree level

The underlying differences between a dissertation and thesis is the degree level they need to be finished for. American students submit a thesis for a Masters degree, or, in some cases, a bachelor’s degree, whereas a dissertation is required as part of a doctoral degree (PhD).

Various scope and length

When comparing a thesis vs. dissertation, you will see a noticeable difference in their size and scope.

A thesis tends to be shorter and is around 40-100 pages long. Most of thesis length is devoted to a summary and synthesis of scholarly studies. Student’s individual perspective on the topic makes up only 15-20% of the whole work.

A dissertation is considerably longer and typically takes a few academic years to be completed. Dissertations sometimes can exceed 200 pages, given that young researchers are expected to provide unique findings in the field lacking improvement. This extensive scope requires thorough research, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.

Distinction in the level of original research and contribution

Original research is a distinct feature that sets dissertation apart from other academic projects. The major part of your PhD work should be coming up with your own way to look at the data and results you've gathered.

In contrast, a thesis often builds upon existing studies. Even though a masters thesis relies on original research to some extent, it mainly aims to show that the student can extract applicable theories and put thoughts together in a way that makes sense.

Degree of independence in thesis vs dissertation

The research process for both a thesis and dissertation is quite similar. In both cases, students need to collect and process data, and then introduce findings. However, the degree of autonomy slightly differs.

When writing a thesis, students usually work closely with their advisor or committee members. The scope of research is more focused, and they receive more direct support and feedback.

Unlike a master’s thesis, dissertation requires a higher level of independence. PhD candidates should develop their own research question, plan how to examine it, and perform a study with less assistance.

Difference in data sources

The data sources used in a thesis and a dissertation highlight their fundamental differences. A master’s thesis primarily relies on secondary sources, including:

• scholarly journals;
• academic books;
• scientific periodicals;
• government reports;
• prior studies.

In contrast, a doctoral dissertation involves both secondary sources and the collection of original data. Beyond analyzing published works, it incorporates primary research methods and hands-on investigations:

• observations;
• lab experiments;
• surveys;
• questionnaires;
• interviews;
• focus groups.

Students working on a dissertation, should conduct primary research to supplement the reported data.

Structural difference between a dissertation and thesis

Both thesis and dissertation are organized into chapters, but they differ in terms of detail.

A thesis is structured like an extended research paper. It is focused more on evaluating existing studies rather than introducing entirely new findings. As such, thesis papers are often used as the basis for doctoral dissertations. The key thesis sections include:

• Introduction
• Literature Review
• Methodology.
• Findings/Results
• Conclusion.

Dissertation has additional sections that explain methodological frameworks and what statistical methods have been used to analyze the collected data. It typically includes the following sections:

• Introduction
• Literature Review
• Methodology
• Data Analysis
• Findings/Results
• Discussion
• Conclusion
• Appendices.

Similarities between a thesis and dissertation

While a thesis and a dissertation differ in many aspects, they also share important similarities:

• Both thesis and dissertation are final projects required for successful degree completion.
• Each requires a clear research question or hypothesis.
• Both works involve a significant amount of independent research and critical thinking.
• Both require a comprehensive review of existing literature to frame the research.
• Research methods must be carefully chosen and explained in both projects.
• Ethical guidelines must be followed when conducting and reporting research.
• For each project, students must provide convincing arguments and in-depth analysis.
• Attention to academic integrity and appropriate citation is critical.
• Either draft needs to be carefully reviewed and edited.

A thesis and a dissertation must follow the same ethical and academic guidelines, notwithstanding their differences in scope.

Final thoughts on dissertation vs thesis

The main difference between a thesis vs dissertation boils down to the degree level and the amount of independent effort that goes into each work. As a rule, a thesis is for a master's degree, while a dissertation is for a PhD program fulfillment. Master's students often work closely with instructors on an understudied topic. PhD candidates, on the contrary, need to be more independent and report results that are absolutely new.

Whether you're writing a thesis or a dissertation, both are major academic achievements. They show how well students can scrutinize a matter and resonate with it. But bear in mind, the precise instructions for thesis and dissertation differ between countries and even universities, so always check with your school for explicit directions.

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