Thesis Vs Dissertation: What is The Difference?

If you are a student who is looking at pursuing higher studies, it is important to understand the difference between thesis and dissertation. While they are both lengthy and extensive papers, there are several differences in terms of the purpose and the approach.

Here is a complete understanding of what is the difference between thesis and dissertation so that you can meet the specific requirements when working on them in the future.

Dissertation Vs Thesis: Type of Degree

The type of degree that you are pursuing usually determines whether you need to write a thesis or dissertation. Normally, a thesis is required for a master’s degree and a dissertation is required for a doctorate degree. However, this is not always true when you are trying to understand the difference between thesis and dissertation. In some cases, students pursuing a master’s degree program may have a non-thesis or thesis option. However, if one wants to pursue a doctoral degree, they are encouraged to choose an option as a foundation for writing a dissertation which is mandatory at this level.

Thesis Vs Dissertation: Purpose of Writing

The intended purpose is an important factor to consider when you are trying to understand the difference between a thesis and a dissertation. A thesis is structured to improve the understanding of a particular field of study. Therefore, the students formulate a proposition that is based on existing papers and work in their respective fields. The goal is to analyze previous work and provide a different point of view. On the other hand, when it comes to a dissertation, a doctoral studies student must write an original paper with his or her hypothesis as a base. The goal is to prove or disprove the hypothesis.

However, it is essential to note that the term doctoral thesis or dissertation has different meanings in various parts of the world. Given below is a better understanding of how they differ in European Universities and those in the United States.

Thesis versus Dissertation: Universities in Europe

In European Universities, doctoral thesis versus dissertation has different implications and requirements.  The doctoral thesis is an original paper that is written in order to complete a PhD program. On the other hand, a dissertation is considered a broader undergraduate research project. Over the years, the structure of a thesis has evolved, requiring more groundwork, extensive citations, and references. However, the focus still remains on the original hypothesis and the outcome of this hypothesis.

Difference Between Thesis and Dissertation for Universities in the USA

In Universities in the United States, however, the meaning of a thesis is quite different. It is important for students who are applying to these universities to learn the meaning of doctoral thesis or dissertation is important. A thesis, which is shorter than a dissertation, is considered a preliminary degree before applying for a doctorate in these universities. In fields related to science, students of a master’s degree program are encouraged to take up advanced courses that help them gain hands-on experience doing research projects. The goal is to gain technical expertise. However, for fields like chemistry, a thesis is not mandatory to get a PhD in most universities in the United States.

If you still have questions about what is the difference between a thesis and a dissertation, you can also hire professional writers to help you complete your project successfully. These experienced writers understand the requirements based on the University that you are studying and the guidelines provided for your dissertation or thesis and provide crisp and well-structured papers.

FAQs