When comparing "thesis vs dissertation," it's crucial to recognize that the difference largely depends on your geographical location. Let's see how these terms are interpreted in the US and British-speaking countries. Master’s thesis vs. Ph.D. dissertation in the United States In the U.S., the difference between a thesis and dissertation is tied to the level of academic degree and the scope of research. Here’s a closer look at what each term means: A thesis paper is a research project that students in the US must finish in order to receive a master's degree. It involves gathering existing research on a particular subject, adding personal analysis, and sometimes conducting new research. But a Master's thesis is generally a shorter and less in-depth work than a dissertation. Its goal is to demonstrate a student's understanding of a subject matter and their ability to interact with academic resources. On the other hand, a dissertation is a far more extensive piece of research required to obtain a PhD in the United States. Students need to carry out their own research and share the findings. A dissertation demonstrates the student's ability to conduct independent study and make a contribution to their academic discipline. The main difference between a thesis and a dissertation is that a dissertation introduces something new while a thesis shows how well you understand current ideas in a field. Master’s dissertation vs. Ph.D. thesis in Europe In Europe and other British-speaking countries across the Atlantic, the meaning and purpose of a thesis and a dissertation are the opposite of what they are in the United States. Here’s what these terms mean in this context: In Europe, a dissertation is the study project that is usually turned in for a bachelor’s or master's degree. It's somewhat equivalent to a master's thesis in the U.S., and involves a focused exploration of an underreported topic. Even though original outcomes are always welcome, it usually doesn't require the level of personal input expected in a doctoral thesis. In Great Britain and European countries, a Ph.D. thesis is completed as the final step in order to earn a doctorate degree. Much like the dissertation in the U.S., a European doctorate thesis requires in-depth investigation, experiments, and fresh ideas that will eventually move the field of academia forward. So, while the terminology differs, the European master's dissertation and Ph.D. thesis are used for the same academic reasons as their American counterparts. The master's dissertation shows that you have a deep understanding of a subject and is the final part of a master's study. The Ph.D. thesis, on the other hand, is original research at the doctoral level that makes a major addition to the field. What is the difference between a thesis and a dissertation: key aspects We've already learned how the definitions of a thesis vs dissertation differ depending on where you study. Now, let's dig deeper into other aspects that set them apart. Here’s a brief overview of the core differences between a dissertation vs thesis in the US and British-speaking countries. Aspect U.S. thesis U.S. dissertation British dissertation British thesis Degree level Master's Doctoral (PhD) Master's Doctoral (PhD) Purpose Demonstrate understanding Original research contribution Demonstrate understanding Original research contribution Length 20,000-40,000 words 60,000-100,000+ words 15,000-30,000 words 70,000-100,000+ words Research focus Builds on existing research Original research Builds on existing research Original research Degree of independence Moderately guided Highly independent Moderately guided Highly independent Note: In both the US and UK, the level of detail, research, and analysis required increases as the student progresses from a master's level to a PhD. For further comparison, we'll take a U.S. master's thesis and a PhD dissertation as our basis. Keep in mind that the distinctions we will discuss below are completely the opposite in European countries. Different purpose The best way to remember the difference between a thesis and a dissertation is that they each have a fundamentally different purpose. A thesis aims to demonstrate that the writer understands relevant scholarly theories. You, as a researcher, need to review the existing literature and methodologies, and then analyze them critically. A dissertation, on the other hand, is meant to make a breakthrough. It relies on student’s ability to execute research from the get-go. You need to select a unique topic, conduct experiments, gather and analyze data and suggest new applications or theories. Difference in degree level The underlying differences between a dissertation and thesis is the degree level they need to be finished for. American students submit a thesis for a Masters degree, or, in some cases, a bachelor’s degree, whereas a dissertation is required as part of a doctoral degree (PhD). Various scope and length When comparing a thesis vs. dissertation, you will see a noticeable difference in their size and scope. A thesis tends to be shorter and is around 40-100 pages long. Most of thesis length is devoted to a summary and synthesis of scholarly studies. Student’s individual perspective on the topic makes up only 15-20% of the whole work. A dissertation is considerably longer and typically takes a few academic years to be completed. Dissertations sometimes can exceed 200 pages, given that young researchers are expected to provide unique findings in the field lacking improvement. This extensive scope requires thorough research, data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Distinction in the level of original research and contribution Original research is a distinct feature that sets dissertation apart from other academic projects. The major part of your PhD work should be coming up with your own way to look at the data and results you've gathered. In contrast, a thesis often builds upon existing studies. Even though a masters thesis relies on original research to some extent, it mainly aims to show that the student can extract applicable theories and put thoughts together in a way that makes sense. Degree of independence in thesis vs dissertation The research process for both a thesis and dissertation is quite similar. In both cases, students need to collect and process data, and then introduce findings. However, the degree of autonomy slightly differs. When writing a thesis, students usually work closely with their advisor or committee members. The scope of research is more focused, and they receive more direct support and feedback. Unlike a master’s thesis, dissertation requires a higher level of independence. PhD candidates should develop their own research question, plan how to examine it, and perform a study with less assistance. Difference in data sources The data sources used in a thesis and a dissertation highlight their fundamental differences. A master’s thesis primarily relies on secondary sources, including: scholarly journals; academic books; scientific periodicals; government reports; prior studies. In contrast, a doctoral dissertation involves both secondary sources and the collection of original data. Beyond analyzing published works, it incorporates primary research methods and hands-on investigations: observations; lab experiments; surveys; questionnaires; interviews; focus groups. Students working on a dissertation, should conduct primary research to supplement the reported data.