While using or writing the two words, ‘thesis’ and ‘dissertation’, there is hardly any distinction made between both. While some prefer to use the first word, some the latter one; the dictionary offers the same meaning for both. However, if you do some research you will know how the two words are different in many ways. Read to explore:
A thesis is meant to achieve a Master’s Degree, while a dissertation is prepared by students of the next level, that is, of the doctorate level. Both are academic and research-based documents; and in the UK the two terms apply in a slightly different way. Students in UK need to write thesis for attaining a PhD, while graduate students write dissertation to acquire a doctorate.
Students working on a thesis project have to choose an original subject wherein, he/she writes a hypothesis, and creates a research proposal that is submitted to the university. Once the university accepts it, the student can follow the next stages of writing under the guidance of the university’s supervisor; and complete the thesis. On the contrary, students writing dissertation have to combine their own opinions and views with previously published knowledge.
Time is a significant factor in drawing difference between both the concepts. A thesis might require a short span of time, whereas a dissertation takes a whale of time to complete.
Students write thesis to attain scholarships to contribute to further academic studies and therefore a thesis is usually sponsored. On the other hand, a dissertation does not earn any scholarship, but is regarded as a significant contribution in academics.
Students need to follow thorough arguments to justify research findings or topics; while students writing dissertation need to focus and rely on the background data. A thesis revolves around hypothetical analysis of the various collected data, but a dissertation is about theory and its arguments are emphasized on original research.
Though there lay a few subtle differences between thesis and dissertation, both require hard work, dedication, patience and contribution of lots of time.