Dissertation vs Thesis: Meaning, Difference, and Similarities
Read this blog to know the meaning of thesis and dissertation with their differences and similarities.
Read this blog to know the meaning of thesis and dissertation with their differences and similarities.
Table of Content
As you know, the academic world is filled with various complicated types of writing. One of them that makes you confused is Dissertation vs Thesis. The terms dissertation and thesis are often used as synonyms, which adds to the confusion for you. However, they are completely different in the world of academics. This blog will address the differences and meaning of a dissertation and a thesis. So, what are you waiting for? Explore this blog for in-depth knowledge.
A dissertation is an independent research project that is a part of your undergraduate or master's degree. It consists of multiple sections and follows a set of guidelines to earn a degree. The most interesting fact about a dissertation is that it is one of the longest pieces of academic work.
Now that you are familiar with the dissertation meaning, let's understand its difference in American and British English. In American English, it is used for doctorates and in British English, it is utilized for bachelor's and master's degrees. Furthermore, if you face a problem in writing dissertations for your degree, you can seek assistance from dissertation writing services experts. They are well-experienced in solving the issues that you face.
Now that you have understood what is a dissertation, let's understand what a thesis is, to know their potential difference.
Dissertation Examples in PDF
Review dissertation examples in PDF so you can start working on your dissertation
A thesis is a type of research paper required for a PhD degree. The length of the thesis varies according to needs. For example, for an undergraduate, it's around 10,000 words, and for a graduate, it can be around 20,000 words. It is usually submitted at the end of a PhD program. So, writing a PhD thesis can be a disturbing experience.
Hope you are now aware of the thesis definition. As discussed above, there is a difference between American and British English in the dissertation. In the thesis, it's reverse. In American English, it is used for bachelor's and master's degrees, and in British English, it is used for doctorates. Additionally, thesis is a singular form of document while thesis plural is theses which refers to multiple documents.
Now you are aware with dissertation meaning and thesis definition. Let's learn how to structure them in academics.
As you know, the structure of a dissertation and a thesis plays a vital role in creating a logical flow and demonstrating your findings.
Section |
Purpose |
Title Page |
Mention Your Name, Date, Course, Teacher's Name, University Name and Dissertation Title. |
Abstract |
Give a small idea about your topic and mention key aspects. |
Table of Contents |
It should contain all your headings, Subheadings and Page Numbers. |
List of Figures |
List all the figures and tables that you have used with the page number. |
List of Abbreviations |
Add all the abbreviations that you have used throughout. For example: Dr for Doctor |
Introduction |
Provide a brief about your topic and add a fun fact that no one has mentioned. |
Literature Review |
Find mistakes in the literature in your findings |
Methodology |
Justify your research and approach based on quality, quantity or both. |
Results |
Present your findings in tabular or bullet points for clarity and understanding. |
Discussion |
Don't just simply show results; explain their importance. |
Conclusion |
Summarize all your key pointers and topics. |
References |
Mention all the sources from which you have borrowed info or taken an idea. |
Now you must be thinking that there is no difference in their structure, so what can be the difference in terms of academics? It is the reason why many of you get confused in Dissertation vs Thesis. Let's understand their difference in the upcoming section.
One of the primary difference between Dissertation and Thesis is that dissertation is used for a master's degree, and a thesis is required for a PhD. In addition, the purpose of a PhD thesis is to present original research that has not been published before. Let's understand their difference in tabular form for clarity.
Feature |
Dissertation |
Thesis |
Degree Level |
Master's or Undergraduate Degree |
PhD |
Purpose |
To check your research ability |
To present an original work based on existing knowledge |
Length |
Comparatively shorter than the thesis. 10000 to 20000 words |
It carries a 70,000 to 100,000+ word limit. |
Scope of Research |
It is based on already existing research. |
It promotes independent research. |
Complexity |
As you can see from the word count, it focuses on less complex issues. |
It addresses all the complex topics for better understanding. |
Oversight |
In this, you can seek guidance from advisors and internal reviews. |
As it promotes independent research, it needs self-ideas. |
Hope you have now understood the difference between thesis and dissertation. In case you face any issues regarding both these terms, you can seek support from online experts. They will help you solve your doubts within minutes. Our assignment help UK services carry the best professionals among all.
In the above sections, you have learned about dissertation meaning, its structure and how it is different from a thesis. However, they carry similarities in terms of academics. Let's know where they are similar for better understanding.
Category |
Description |
Purpose |
Both are considered the final projects to analyze your knowledge. |
Research |
Writing both of these requires in-depth research and information. |
Academic Writing |
Both are required to follow the academic guidelines and meet standards. |
Structure |
They carry a similar structure. They include the Page title, introduction, literature review, methodology, results, discussion, conclusion and references. |
Ethical Conduct |
As discussed, both are required to follow the guidelines such as avoiding plagiarism, AI and more. |
Defence |
Most importantly, you are required to defend your thesis or dissertation to gain a degree. |
Topic Selection |
Both are required to choose a relevant topic that addresses the subject mastery. |
Final Result |
The final result of a thesis and a dissertation is formal and lengthy. |
Hopefully, now you are aware of the similarities between them. In addition, if you fail to complete your task on time, you will be given guidelines. You can simply buy dissertation from our experts, who can provide you with structured documents with detailed information.
Thesis vs Dissertation, these two are often confused. Let's understand the meaning of these two terms from the UK perspective.
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