People talk about dissertations and theses as though they are synonyms. However, in actual practice, they are not. In this article, we will discuss the difference between dissertation and thesis.
So, while being distinct from each other, dissertation and thesis are closely related. We could call them cousins, if not twins.
When we take a closer look at the difference between dissertation and thesis, we see that writing a thesis implies that you are sharing your understanding of matters that others already know about. However, a dissertation is different because writing a dissertation implies that you have come across something new by yourself.
Overall, a student gets the full idea about the difference between dissertation and thesis when he starts writing either of the two. This blog post is dedicated to explaining the difference between the two as we explore both side by side. We’ll see how they differ and overlap, and also consider the option that fits your academic journey the best.
The Key Difference between Dissertation and Thesis
The factor common among dissertation and thesis is that they are both elongated pieces of academic writing. Goals and timings for both, however, stay different.
Let us consider an example for an improved understanding. If you discuss how social media negatively influences study habits, this will be a thesis, as it is an analysis of a commonly known matter. However, if you talk about how AI tools influence education, it will be a dissertation because you are likely to discuss some new points here, which you discovered in your research.
This makes it clear that a dissertation and thesis are, indeed, different from each other.
Let us consider this table that defines the difference between Dissertation and Thesis.
| Feature | Thesis | Dissertation |
| Level | Generally for Master’s | Generally for PhD |
| Purpose | Demonstrates what you’ve learned | The shared information is a new addition to the field |
| Focus | Defined by the existing research | Based on original research |
| Tone | Analytical and reflective | Argumentative and exploratory |
| Final goal | Express understanding | Express discovery |
Many students initially feel that a dissertation is merely a larger version of a thesis. However, while a thesis is about mastering knowledge, a dissertation is focused on creating it.
The writing procedure
Now, we clearly understand the purpose of both a thesis and a dissertation. In the following section, we will understand how both of them are written. The starting procedures are pretty similar, but the journey that follows isn’t.
In the case of thesis, a clear map is followed. You first read what others have written and then choose a question. It is now time to test your ideas, and then you explain what you found.
But a dissertation bears similarities to building a map by yourself. The starting point for a dissertation is to first take up a question that no one has ever answered before. Exploration is involved while writing a dissertation wherein you make mistakes and discover gaps. Then, slowly, you jot together something new.
The following table compares the writing process for a dissertation and thesis in further detail:
| Stage | Thesis | Dissertation |
| Research Goal | Explain existing ideas | Create or test new ideas |
| Literature Review | Summarizes what’s already known | Finds what’s missing |
| Data | Could use existing data | Generally collects new data |
| Writing tone | Follows guidance | More independent |
| Supervision | Guided step-by-step | More self-directed |
The Differences in Structure and Purpose
The core area of confusion between a dissertation and a thesis appears when we look at their structure. While both are long, academic pieces of writing, the purpose each serves is different.
When you write a thesis, you are attempting to prove what is already known. However, it is a dissertation where you discover what is not already known.
Similarly, in general, when you write a thesis, you are given a topic. But in the case of a dissertation, you choose a topic for yourself.
The Difference in Tone and Style
Tone and style of a thesis and dissertation bear differences. A dissertation is more interactive, but a thesis could sound robotic at times.
Your thesis is more guided because it is an attempt to prove what’s already there. The tone will be careful here, as all content is supported by past research. Attempts are made not to make the tone personal.
However, a dissertation is going to be a vast playing field as you bring new ideas into the academic world. Your tone will be more confident, just as an author’s is. The following table demonstrates how the tone differs when writing a thesis or dissertation.
| Writing Element | Thesis | Dissertation |
| Tone | Factual, guided | Confident, independent |
| Use of “I” or “my” | Rare | More acceptable |
| References | Heavily based on past research | Balanced between old and new data |
| Voice | Passive | Mix of passive and active |
| Focus | Learning | Contributing |
It is easy to see that when writing a dissertation, you need to have more independence in direction, style, and tone.
Differences in length and structure
Irrespective of whether you are writing a thesis or a dissertation, its length is a matter that concerns all students. This part discusses these matters in further detail.
The structure of a thesis is more basic and involves an introduction, methods, literature review, and conclusion. A dissertation is different because, for each section, it goes deeper. New research chapters are going to be there, besides additional analysis. At times, multiple studies are listed under a single topic.
Overall, the length of a thesis falls in the range of 8k to 20k words. A dissertation is much longer and frequently falls in the range of 50k to 100k words. While a thesis has 5-6 chapters, a dissertation has 8-12 chapters.
Now, when we move on to the data section, a thesis shares simple results. However, in a dissertation, detailed experiments and analysis will be involved. Review depth for a thesis will be moderate, but for a dissertation, it will be more extensive.
For all similarities a thesis shares with a dissertation, the finish line for a dissertation lies much further.
Overall, a thesis shows how well you understand the subject. It demonstrates your ability to explain upon learning and analysing.
But by writing a dissertation, you create knowledge. A dissertation is no longer about learning, but creating.
Let us consider an example that demonstrates the differences between a thesis and a dissertation. When Donna was doing her Master’s, she wrote a thesis concerning renewable energy in cities. However, at the time of doing his PhD, she tested solar panel materials in real-world settings. The findings for her dissertation were even used in a local government project.
So, it is very much possible that your dissertation is no longer about grades anymore and has begun to help people out.
Final Thoughts
Even though a thesis and dissertation look similar at first appearance, they are truly different in essence. While a thesis shows what you have learned, a dissertation stands for what you’ve discovered.
A thesis is all about learning, but a dissertation is about discovering new things. However, time and patience are required when you set out to write either one of them. There is a reasonable bit of learning involved in both, at every step.
Your dissertation, more than your thesis, has the potential to go beyond academics to help people in the real world.
