As a student in higher education, the thesis and the dissertation are commonly requested works, which are talked about every day but which are nevertheless distinguished on many levels. From then on, it is absolutely crucial to understand the distinctions that are made, in order to prepare for the accomplishment of these exercises, and above all to avoid any confusion.
This article will propose a comparison first separately of the two exercises, then will follow a piece of advice given to students confronted with these practices which could quite overwhelm them.
I. What is a dissertation?
A dissertation is generally written as part of a master's program, and it actually comes to sanction the accomplishment of a certain number of years of studies and is a condition even for obtaining the associated university degree. Its main objective is to demonstrate the mastery of a specific subject by the student. The latter, by engaging in it, must then engage in a critical analysis, provide preliminary research work on all existing data and studies that could concern his dissertation subject. It does not always require the production of original content, but rather a reinterpretation or synthesis of existing data on the subject; hence the vital importance of the bibliography which constitutes the first stage of the student's work. The dissertation thus requires carrying out analytical work, which must show how the student understands and applies the theories and concepts relating to his particular course.
It is the structure that most generally allows us to determine which exercise we are dealing with. Indeed, the typical structure of a dissertation includes an introduction, a literature review, a methodology, an analysis of the results, a discussion and a conclusion. Such an organization is very different from that of a simple dissertation, because it allows the student to present a coherent and well-structured argument, he will not need to establish a structure from scratch, and all he has to do is establish a plan. As for the size of the document, that is to say the length, a dissertation generally ranges between 40 and 80 pages, although this figure may vary depending on the discipline and the requirements of the institution.
As for everything related to the calendar, therefore the sequence of events, the dissertation is a particular exercise, which must be submitted at the end of a study program, but is prepared well in advance with a research director, which allows the evaluation of the student's ability to appropriate a studied subject.
II. What is a thesis
In a completely different way, the thesis represents a research work developed at the doctoral level. Unlike the dissertation otherwise and sometimes called a master's thesis, the thesis requires the student to make an original contribution to his field of study. He must develop his own thinking that does not already exist within the university research environment. This therefore implies, through independent research work and continuous writing, that the student fills the gaps that exist in his field of study. It is a question of bringing, thanks to the knowledge that he will develop for himself, a new perspective on a given subject.
As for the thesis, it is a whole structure that must be invented for the student who has no direct help for this, other than the example of his peers. There is indeed a residual similarity to that of the dissertation, but more detailed and above all much more in-depth. Indeed, it includes an introduction, a literature review, a presentation of the research questions, the methodology, the results, the analysis and discussion, as well as the conclusion.
However, the methodological part carries many additional requirements, it is therefore necessary to demonstrate more careful rigor than at the end of the master's degree. It is all this work and the framework imposed on it that must allow the student to reflect the original nature of his research work. The thesis must therefore multiply the examples, which pushes for writing and development for a total generally approaching 350 pages. However, it is good to remember that this number is largely left to the discretion of the faculty in charge of the research work.
The thesis work is not simply present to sanction the end of a study crusus, because the doctoral student works, gives conferences, intervenes in supervised work, even more he can lead a seminar; thus the writing itself allows the obtaining of a title, that of doctor in a given subject.
III. Main differences between a thesis and a dissertation
The major differences that separate thesis and dissertation exercises are represented by the academic levels at which they are required. In fact, the thesis exercise, which is only required for doctoral students, represents more than three years of personal research; and also requires the development of a thought according to a scientific process validated and controlled by a thesis director. As for the dissertation, it is a much shorter exercise, less complex and which does not require the addition of personal elements to the final rendering. On the contrary, it is customary to refer only to the reference documentation that has been gathered in the form of a bibliography by the student.
The comparison does not stop at the length or complexity of the work requested, because if several hundred pages can separate the exercises, it is quite common to take other elements into consideration. These are specifically the passage before an examination board, the control exercised throughout the research process, the anti-plagiarism standards applied, the expectations of the various professorial bodies involved, and finally the ability to carry out an oral defense of about ten minutes for one and almost an hour for the other.
Conclusion
In short, although thesis and dissertation are an integral part of higher education, they differ in all respects, whether by their objectives, their length or by the level of studies of the student who embarks on this exercise. The dissertation, generally carried out as part of a master's degree, allows the student to demonstrate his understanding of a field of study, while the thesis, submitted for a doctorate, requires the constitution of a new idea, or at least by a contribution of new ideas through the research that will have been carried out. It is important for students to understand these distinctions in order to effectively prepare their work and meet the requirements of their academic program.