The
main
difference
between
a
thesis
and
a
dissertation
is
the
time
it
takes
to
complete
them.
As
already
mentioned,
a
thesis
is
submitted
at
the
end
of
a
master’s
program,
but,
as
a
thesis,
it
is
submitted
to
pursue
a
doctorate.
A
thesis
is
a
collection
of
research
that
ensures
that
the
researcher
is
knowledgeable
and
knowledgeable
about
the
research
topic
learned
in
the
degree
program.
On
the
other
hand,
a
dissertation
offers
the
researcher
an
opportunity
to
add
new
theories
and
information
to
the
existing
literature
in
the
field
of
research.
A
thesis
is
a
presentation
of
learned
and
existing
information,
and
the
purpose
of
the
thesis
is
to
develop
a
unique
concept
and
defend
it
on
the
basis
of
theoretical
and
practical
findings.
A
diploma
thesis
is
approximately
100
pages.
However,
a
PhD
thesis
should
be
much
longer
than
a
dissertation
and
must
include
background
information
and
research.
A
thesis
should
include
your
research
proposal,
grant
proposal,
literature
review,
idea
of
the
research
topic,
and
all
other
minute
details
of
your
research.
Ideally,
a
thesis
including
all
the
details
mentioned
above
should
be
three
times
longer
than
the
length
of
a
master’s
thesis.
The
thesis
and
the
dissertation
are
both
considered
as
a
final
project
and
must
be
graduated
from
their
respective
programs.
Your
thesis
and
dissertation
require
a
deep
and
precise
understanding
of
the
research
problem.
Both
types
of
academic
writing
should
address
specific
research
questions.
Academic
writing
skills
are
as
essential
for
a
thesis
as
for
the
dissertation.
Ethical
practices
should
be
followed
when
coordinating
and
documenting
research
data.
Plagiarism
is
not
accepted
either.
Both
require
analytical
skills
to
back
up
the
results.
The
thesis
and
dissertation
require
rigorous
editing
and
critical
proofreading
before
submission.
Introduction
The
purpose
of
the
introduction
is
to
convince
the
reader
of
the
academic
value
or
justification
of
the
research
presented
in
the
thesis.
This
justification
is
usually
achieved
by
citing
an
issue
in
the
author’s
particular
academic
field
that
has
not
been
sufficiently
addressed.
For
example,
a
student
preparing
for
a
master’s
degree
in
international
relations
might
write
his
master’s
thesis
on
the
topic
of
the
failure
of
international
cooperation
to
solve
the
impending
crisis
of
climate
change.
Once
the
topic
is
introduced,
the
author
will
discuss
the
thesis
topic
that
will
help
solve
the
problem,
“the
research
question.”
In
this
particular
example,
the
research
question
might
be:
“Is
the
lack
of
coercive
power
granted
to
international
organizations
such
as
the
United
Nations
an
obstacle
to
international
cooperation
on
the
issue
of
climate
change?
After
discussing
the
problem
and
the
research
question
in
the
introduction,
the
master’s
thesis
will
move
on
to
the
literature
review
section.
This
part
of
the
thesis
involves
a
discussion
of
current
research
related
to
the
specific
topic
and
the
research
question
posed.
This
is
not
an
exhaustive
description
of
the
current
“literature”
on
the
subject
(which
would
take
up
too
much
time
and
space),
but
rather
a
description
of
the
most
important,
solid
research.
and
the
most
controversial
that
have
been
made
on
the
subject.
For
the
literature
review
to
be
useful,
it
must
include
research
that
presents
multiple
methodologies,
perspectives
and
conflicting
opinions.
Masters
without
thesis
Also
known
as
didactic,
professional
or
coursework
masters,
this
type
of
master
involves
the
study
in
class
of
a
predefined
set
of
core
subjects
each
semester
.
.
All
core
subjects
(and
optional
subjects)
end
with
an
exam.
You
will
also
be
required
to
do
project
work
that
involves
research
and
writing,
but
it
is
unlikely
to
be
published.
Therefore,
the
non-thesis
version
of
an
MSc
is
suitable
for
you
if
you
are
a
generalist
and
like
to
learn
about
different
fields.
The
structure
of
this
course
aims
to
lay
the
foundations
for
a
professional
career:
teamwork,
leadership,
creativity,
etc.
It
takes
a
typical
student
up
to
2
years
to
complete
the
required
courses
and
obtain
the
master’s
degree.
Purpose
Perhaps
the
biggest
difference
between
a
thesis
and
a
dissertation
is
the
intended
purpose.
A
thesis,
usually
required
for
a
master’s
degree,
is
designed
to
test
the
student’s
understanding
of
their
field
of
study.
The
student
formulates
a
proposal,
or
thesis,
based
on
previous
work
done
by
others
in
the
field.
The
student
analyzes
previous
work
in
his
dissertation
supporting
a
certain
point
of
view.
A
doctoral
student
usually
completes
a
thesis
and
focuses
on
basic
research.
A
student
with
a
thesis
must
think
about
a
subject
in
his
field
that
has
not
yet
been
studied.
The
student
must
then
formulate
a
hypothesis
and
carry
out
original
research
to
prove
or
disprove
the
hypothesis.
Whether
you’re
already
a
grad
student
or
just
looking
to
prepare
as
much
as
possible,
it’s
always
good
to
do
some
research
when
you
have
questions
about
your
education.
The
difference
between
a
thesis
and
a
dissertation
may
seem
small,
but
you
should
know
the
differences
between
them
before
you
start
working
on
either.
Thesis
vs.
Dissertation
Graduate
students
tend
to
misuse
the
words
“dissertation”
and
“dissertation”
interchangeably,
but
they
are
generally
two
different
types
of
academic
papers.
As
stated
above,
a
thesis
is
the
final
project
needed
to
complete
many
masters
degrees.
A
thesis
is
a
research
paper,
but
it’s
just
about
using
other
people’s
research
and
making
your
own
points
of
analysis.
A
thesis,
on
the
other
hand,
is
a
more
in-depth
academic
research
paper,
mostly
written
by
doctoral
students.
A
thesis
requires
applicants
to
create
their
own
research,
hypothesize
and
conduct
the
study.
While
a
master’s
thesis
is
usually
around
100
pages,
a
doctoral
thesis
is
at
least
twice
as
long.
According
to
Professor
John
Stackhouse,
you
can
derive
many
benefits
from
choosing
a
master’s
program
that
requires
the
completion
of
a
thesis
project.
A
thesis
offers
you
a
valuable
opportunity
to
engage
in
interesting
research
to
further
your
learning
in
your
career.
Employers
often
prefer
students
who
have
a
dissertation
in
their
portfolio,
as
it
demonstrates
their
acquired
writing
skills,
knowledge
of
the
field,
and
ambition
to
learn.
Defending
your
thesis
will
also
strengthen
critical
communication
and
public
speaking
skills,
which
can
be
applied
in
any
career.
Indeed,
many
graduates
end
up
publishing
their
thesis
work
in
academic
journals
to
gain
a
higher
level
of
credibility,
even
for
senior
positions.