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Thesis and Dissertation: Are Both the Same?

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.