Dissertation vs. Thesis: Know Before You Write

While embarking on your journey in the academic world, it is most likely that you will come across the complexities of research projects including dissertation and thesis. Even though both the terms are used interchangeably, they both hold different meanings and offer different kinds of research work. Both academic writing focuses on examining a student’s knowledge, research skills, and the ability to present ideas in a structured format. But the discrepancy lies in the objective, depth of research, and the academic level at which they are pursued. 

In most universities, dissertations are usually performed at the undergraduate or postgraduate level as proof of the conceptual understanding of the subject matter. Whereas thesis is usually pursued at a doctoral level, involving a higher understanding of an original research work thereby, bringing in new innovations. Depending on which part of the country you reside in, the terms of dissertation and thesis are used interchangeably.  

This blog will help the students understand the differences between dissertation and thesis. Along with that, we will understand the key similarities, regional variation, common challenges, and tips to excel. Stay tuned until the end! 

Table Of Content

What is a Dissertation?

A Dissertation refers to a research paper or project of work, which is completed as a part of an undergraduate or postgraduate program. Even though it is not an original research work, a dissertation helps in finding gaps and providing an analysis on the research topic. The typical length for a dissertation writing is 10,000 – 20,000 words, wherein an individual works on presenting their findings with respect to the research question.  

The dissertation focuses on testing the ability to research, organize arguments, and present findings within a specific field of study. Some of the important components of dissertation include introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion. 

What is a Thesis?

A Thesis is an original research work which is typically required for the completion of doctoral programs. The purpose of a thesis is to present an individual with new knowledge, and theories with the help of independent research and analysis on the selected topic. With the completion of the Thesis PhD, an individual gains academic intelligence, researching skills, critical thinking, academic writing, and much more.  

The typical length of Thesis is 80,000 – 100,000 words, roughly expanding to 250 – 300 pages. The scope of a thesis is more complex and broader, wherein the key components include an introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, and conclusion.  

Key Differences Between Dissertation and Thesis

As the word’ dissertation and thesis are used interchangeably, one might often get confused with the substantial differences that they carry. Even though both are academic papers, they both have their own differences which make them unique and divergent from one another.  

Mentioned below are some of the key differences between dissertation and thesis for a better understanding.

Similarities Between Dissertation and Thesis

With the differences just learnt, it is also important for an individual to understand the similarities between dissertation and thesis. Mentioned below are the similarities between the dissertation and thesis. 

1. Final Research Work: Both Dissertation and Thesis are considered to be the final research work to obtain their degree, whether it is for an undergraduate, postgraduate or PhD program.  

2. Academic Writing Skills: Writing a dissertation and thesis requires an individual to be familiar with academic writing skills. Both research projects give a proper emphasis on citation, formatting guidelines, and academic conventions.  

3. Topic Selection: Both Dissertation and Thesis require the students to choose a research topic and provide extensive research work which they have acquired in their coursework. 

4. Structure and Format: Writing thesis and dissertation requires an individual set structure and format. The format and structure for both is similar and includes an introduction, literature review, methodology, findings and conclusion. 

Common Challenges Faced by Students in Writing Dissertation and Thesis

Writing both dissertations and thesis is not an easy job. It requires an individual to have proper research, criterial thinking and academic writing skills to be able to excel at their research work. However, most of the students often face challenges while writing the same. Mentioned below are some of the common challenges faced in writing, dissertation and thesis.  

1. Choosing a Research Topic: Choosing a research topic that is relevant, original, and feasible is important as it can help with the future scope and innovations in the field. It is not easy to find such a topic as it must be balanced with a lot of aspects, including personal interests, current trends and gaps, along with an acceptance from the supervisor. The topic should neither be too broad nor too narrow, making the research work difficult.  

2. Developing a Research Question: A research question is the crux of your dissertation and thesis paper as it helps in the investigation and analysis. A research question should be able to reflect the purpose, scope, and significance of the research. Developing a good research question, however, requires an individual to do a thorough literature review, identify a gap, and formulate a hypothesis to support your argument.  

3. Time Management: Writing a dissertation and thesis is often complex, requiring an individual to spend extensive time for it. This often incurs hampering their personal and work commitments, spending time on the completion of coursework and research. To manage your time well, a student needs to have a realistic and flexible plan, prioritizing important tasks, and monitoring your performance. This will help the students to complete their research work than anticipated.

Tips to Excel in Dissertation and Thesis Writing

Writing a dissertation and thesis can often be a daunting task requiring an individual to dedicate their time and interest in it. To help with dissertation and thesis writing, mentioned below are some of the tips to excel in both. 

1. Create a Clear Research Plan: A student should create a clear research plan dividing and deciding how much time should be allotted to a particular chapter of your dissertation or a thesis.  

2. Do an Extensive Literature Review: A Literature Review is done to identify the gaps in the existing literature. A student should do vast research in order to explore their research topic.  

3. Use Citation Tools: Writing a citation can often be overwhelmingly difficult. It is beneficial for the students to use citation tools that are either available or provided by the university for smoother completion of dissertation research and thesis. 

4. Edit and Proofread Thoroughly: While writing a dissertation or thesis, make sure to edit the grammatical errors and a logical flow. Along with that, proofread your documents as plagiarism is not allowed, especially in Thesis PhD.

Conclusion

Even though used interchangeably, both dissertation and thesis hold a similar value in the completion of an individual’s academic journey. Depending on the geographical location of an individual, dissertation and thesis might have different meanings. But, in all essence, they help in providing an individual with better career prospects.

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