Dissertations and master’s theses are crucial to the academic careers of PhD and master’s students, respectively. Both documents show that young scholars or scholars in training are competent enough to carry out original and high-quality research on their own.
However, there is often confusion as to what the differences are between the two. In this article, I explain what the differences and similarities between master’s and dissertation programs are and other common questions about the two.
What is a dissertation?
A dissertation is a lengthy scientific or academic report that presents the author's research and findings in support of their candidacy as part of the fulfillment of a PhD study. A dissertation is usually a longer document than a master's thesis.
It typically includes a series of scientific experiments or research papers. Some of these papers may even be individually published in journals as part of the requirements for obtaining a PhD. On the other hand, a master’s thesis usually focuses on a single experiment or study.
What is a master's thesis?
A master's thesis is a comprehensive research report that is usually required for the completion of a master's degree program. It involves the in-depth study and analysis of a particular research topic within the student's field of study.
It has been said that the point of a master’s degree is to demonstrate that the researcher can carry out research at the highest level or standard. On the other hand, the point of a PhD is to show that a researcher can come up with novel research and solutions to existing scientific problems.
Besides that, there are other differences. The master’s thesis is a single continuous document. On the other hand, the PhD, although presented as a single scientific report in book form, is a series of scientific reports. These reports may be related; however, several of them will be independent investigations that would have been published already in peer-reviewed journals.
Similarities between a thesis and a dissertation
Both programs have the following requirements:
1. The student has to carry out extensive and original research by themselves. This research has to follow the scientific process. This means the methods of collecting data have to be properly recorded and carried out, as well as the analysis.
A master’s or PhD student will receive intensive training as a researcher by their advisor. This involves training on how to collect, collate, and analyze data. This is an essential period in the life of a scholar. It is your chance to prove that you are competent enough to carry out original research on your own.
2. The work has to be published in the form of a lengthy scientific report. For both the thesis and dissertation, the student has to write out a report that takes the form of the IMRaD structure that is typical of scientific publication. IMRaD stands for Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion.
This structure is typical of lab-based studies and the hard sciences. However, versions of it are also used in the social sciences and humanities. PhDs and dissertations vary in length and depend on the requirements of your advisor and defense committee.
However, even with the scientific report, there are differences between the two programs. In the case of the master’s thesis, the scientific report is continuous and a single document. However, in the case of the PhD dissertation, it is a series of individual reports compiled into one document.
3. Both programs are peer-reviewed. Students in both dissertation and master’s programs have to go through a peer-review process. This peer review process involves what is called a committee. This committee is made up of your advisor and at least two other experts from the field of research you are studying.
Ideally, your committee member would have published several peer-reviewed papers or major books on the relevant field of study. This would ensure that they have the expertise to judge, correct, and advise you on the corrections that are required to improve your scientific report.
The thesis committee will first acquire a copy or draft of your initial manuscript days or weeks before your committee presentation. After the presentation, the committee will then award you a score, which will determine whether or not you’re allowed to graduate.
Example of master's thesis
The following is an abstract of a master's thesis. For the full document, you can download here: Impact of Oxytocin and Tetrahydrocannabinol on signs of fear in the rat
BACKGROUND: Oxytocin (OXT) has been used as a post-treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Previous research suggests that pre-treatment of intranasal OXT attenuates signs of fear in rats; however, the impact of intraperitoneal (i.p) OXT pre-treatment on signs of fear in rats is unknown. We also explored the effects of delta-9 (psychoactive component of cannabidiol) and delta-8 (delta-9 isomer) THC pre-treatment on attenuating signs of fear in the rat. METHODS: For each experiment, male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups, (n=8 per group); 1.) controls (vehicle and no foot shock), 2.) shock (vehicle and foot shock), 3.) low dose (OXT or THC), 4.) medium dose (OXT or THC), and 5.) high dose (OXT or THC). Rats were treated with OXT and THC (or vehicle) 30 min prior to fear conditioning. Day 1, rats are put into a fear-conditioning chamber which delivered five foot shocks at an intensity of 0.6 mA to the metal grate floor. Day 2, the rats were re-exposed to chamber for 5 minutes, not shocked, and freezing time was recorded via a motion detector. Day 3, rats were re-exposed to chamber for 5 min and shocked again with the same parameters. Day 4, rats were re-exposed to the chamber for 5 min, not shocked, and freezing time was recorded. RESULTS: After the first treatment/shock and freezing assessment (day 2), OXT did not significantly decrease freezing at any specific dose. Interestingly, with the second treatment/shock and freezing assessment (day 4), the high dose of OXT (1.0mg/kg) significantly attenuated freezing, relative to vehicle-treated shocked group. Preliminary data suggest that the low dose of delta-9 THC (0.5 mg/kg) showed a significant decrease in freezing compared to delta-8 THC. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that OXT and THC prophylactically mitigate symptoms of PTSD.
Example of dissertation
Below is an abstract of a PhD dissertation. For the full document, please consult the following website: Aroche, D. E. (2024). EMERGENCE: SOCIAL MOVEMENTS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND DEFENDING THE SANCTITY OF LIFE.
This study examines the aftermath of national social movements advocating for police reforms and accountability, with San Francisco emerging as a pivotal city at the forefront of criminal justice and policing transformations. Rebuilding community trust and implementing substantive police reforms aimed at preserving lives has proven to be a formidable challenge. The convergence of interests among all stakeholders, driven by a shared commitment to dismantling institutional racism and implementing reforms that fostered trust with communities of color and law enforcement, played a pivotal role.
A significant aspect of this reform process has been the development of social movement convergence, where diverse groups with varying motivations and perspectives united towards a common goal. This convergence was marked by the collaboration of community activists, policymakers, law enforcement officials, and community members, all advocating for systemic changes. Their shared objective—to effect substantial organizational changes that embody critical dimensions in protecting the sanctity of life—served as a powerful catalyst for collective action.
While the motivations for altering police department practices varied among key stakeholders, the unified commitment to justice and community well-being provided the foundation for a comprehensive and collective effort. This shared goal underscored the potential for positive change through collaborative initiatives. San Francisco's police reform journey thus stands as a testament to the power of social movement convergence, illustrating how collaborative efforts and an unwavering commitment to justice can drive substantive transformations in policing and community relations.
How long does it take to write a master's thesis?
How long it takes to write a master’s thesis depends on several factors. Ideally, a master’s thesis should take the whole two years of your time at university. However, some have written their theses in one, two, or three months. This is not recommended. Under this type of severe time pressure, many things can go wrong, and you may have to delay your graduation. Therefore, it's best to begin writing your thesis as early as the first semester.
Factors that influence how long it takes to complete your master’s thesis include 1. The type of data you have to collect; 2. How well you planned and prepared beforehand; 3. Your advisor; and so on.
How do you write a thesis statement for a master's thesis?
For a master’s thesis in the sciences, a hypothesis would be more appropriate than a thesis statement. A hypothesis should be formulated after a thorough literature review. However, for the humanities and social sciences, thesis statements may apply. To write a thesis statement, be concise and direct about stating your main idea. This should be done early in the first paragraph of the introduction.
Can I pay someone to write my master’s thesis or PhD Dissertation?
You could, but should you? The point of writing a master’s thesis is to demonstrate your competence and maturity as a scholar. Reputable universities would expect that students write their own master’s thesis. Moreover, there are severe penalties to pay for hiring someone to write a thesis on your behalf, such as your degree being revoked. In short, you could, but shouldn't.
Ethical alternatives to hiring someone to write your thesis include 1) taking specific university courses on how to write your thesis, 2) starting early and planning, and 3) hiring a private coach for intensive lessons on how to write your thesis.
How EminentEdit can help with your thesis or dissertation
At EminentEdit, we understand the importance of completing and submitting your thesis or dissertation on time. We have editors who have published their own theses and are familiar with the process. In my case, not only have I published my thesis, but I have also helped numerous authors and academics to edit their dissertations successfully.
So, we know exactly what it takes to get your thesis ready for submission.
EminentEdit provides editing and proofreading services that are:
More importantly, we are adaptable to your specific needs. | Get in touch with one of our representatives for help in editing your manuscript We know what you want to say. We help you say it better. |
Our services don't just start with proofreading the final product. It also includes help from the very start, such as editing and double-checking your thesis proposal. Our thesis editing services include the following:
Developmental editing to make sure your proposal can be transformed into a thesis that can pass your defense or committee review
Substantive editing to improve the quality of your writing on a sentence level
Extensive commentary and recommendations to improve literature review, structure, and arguments
Proofreading to make sure your writing is grammatically correct with proper spelling and punctuation
Assistance in transforming your thesis into a published scientific paper
So feel free to get in touch through our contact page here: CONTACT US AT EMINENT EDIT. Good luck with your research writing!
Cite this EminentEdit article |
Antoine, M. (2024, November 14). Dissertation vs thesis: What’s the difference? https://www.eminentediting.com/post/dissertation-vs-thesis-what-s-the-difference |
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