Difference between "Thesis" and "Dissertation"

The two terms are sometimes interchangeable. Both are written discourses on a given subject. Thesis implies that original research is involved. Dissertation implies that you have looked into something and are setting down what you have found and are perhaps including your thoughts on it. Thus a Thesis is what you will write to obtain a higher degree, but a dissertation is more likely to be a small part of a first degree.

Thanks for the information, it sure is of great help.

Hi,

Another approach is to define these words thus:

A thesis is a proposition, which needs to be maintained or proved, eg

All men are created equal.

AIDS is caused by a virus.

A dissertation is a detailed and comprehensive speech, or written document, about a subject, eg

A survey of the state of human rights in China. 

A history of the English-Speaking peoples.

The state of my health since I was a child.

Although these two terms are often associated with higher education, their use is not restricted to academic matters.

Wife to husband: The Smiths are coming to dinner tomorrow. For God's sake, don't go into another of your boring dissertations about your stamp collection.

Detective to second detective: I know he wanted his wife dead. My thesis is that he payed a hit-man to kill her. Now, all we have to do is prove it!

Best wishes, Clive

 

 

 

 A thesis is the outlining of an original theory, a dissertation is a detailed study on an already generally investigated topic