Thesis and dissertation

Both the thesis and the thesis are academic research works that differ, mainly, by the degree of complexity, extension and function. However, after preparing and presenting a thesis or a thesis, an academic degree can be obtained.

A thesis It is a theoretical or experimental research work, developed individually or in a group, in which an original topic is developed or from a new approach, with the intention of contribute knowledge to a specific area.

For its part, dissertation It is a research work of less scope than a thesis, whose main purpose is demonstrate investigative and methodological capacity of student. When preparing a thesis, it is not expected that an original topic will be developed or new contributions will be made in an area of ​​knowledge. However, this includes a review of the literature and a description of a problem..

	Thesis	Thesis
Definition	It is a research work that aims to produce new knowledge or develop a specific topic from a novel approach, being the final requirement to obtain a degree or postgraduate.	It is an individual monographic work that has the objective of demonstrating the mastery of a research methodology by the student, and with which they can obtain an academic degree or postgraduate degree.
Main purpose	Develop an original research work that provides new knowledge in an area of ​​knowledge.	Demonstrate the ability of a student to develop a research work using a scientific methodology.
Characteristics	It is an in-depth investigation in a specific area. Produces original knowledge or about something already known but with a novel approach. Its approval allows access to an undergraduate or graduate degree. It can be individual or group. It is accompanied by a tutoring or orientation. Must be submitted and approved by a jury.	It is a monographic research with high methodological rigor. It is mainly theoretical-pragmatic. Its approval allows the obtaining of a technical, undergraduate or postgraduate degree (except doctorate). It's an individual job. Tutorial accompaniment may be required. It is common for it to be presented and defended before a jury.
Grades or levels	University baccalaureate, bachelor's, master's and doctorate.	Undergraduate and technical courses, university baccalaureate, bachelor's and master's degrees.
Time of preparation	Depending on the level, normally six months to three years.	Depending on the level, from six months to two years.
Extension	Variable, generally around 100 pages, and can reach 500 pages.	Variable, around 50 pages, and can reach 100 pages.

What is a thesis?

A thesis It is a monographic research work of high methodological rigor prepared at the end of an academic year. Its purpose is to produce original knowledge on an unpublished subject, or a subject known from a novel or little explored approach.

The thesis can be theoretical or experimental, and is carried out using a scientific methodology. In this the objectives, the problem, the hypothesis and the results of said work are clearly stated..

The thesis document and its defense are conditions for obtaining a undergraduate or graduate degree. This work is presented before a jury, which asks questions of the candidate, in order to decide if he is worthy of said degree.

Finally, with the approval of the thesis, the degree of bachelor's, master's or doctorate is obtained, as the case may be..

Characteristics of the thesis

• It is a rigorous research work in a specific area.
• Its development must generate original knowledge, either by its content or by the approach of its elaboration.
• Once presented, defended and approved, it grants access to an undergraduate or graduate degree.
• Bibliographic references must be specific and relevant.
• It can be prepared individually or in groups.
• It is an argumentative or expository text.
• If there is a research hypothesis, it is sought to demonstrate or refute it.
• Its length is variable and depends on the level, generally between 50 and 100 pages (excluding references and annexes).
• The elaboration time depends on the subject and the degree of data collection, being at least six months in the degrees and reaching about three years for a doctorate.
• The conclusions must show the position of the researcher and be based on solid and relevant sources and arguments..
• It must be approved by a jury and the defense can be accompanied by various audiovisual resources.
• There is tutorial support for the student during the research and the preparation of the thesis.

Bachelor's thesis

The bachelor's thesis is intended to introduce the student to the practice and steps of research.

At this level, the candidate for a degree is not expected to carry out highly investigative work. The idea is for the student to be able to develop a methodology and research problems and to explore ways of producing knowledge.

Master's Thesis

The main characteristic of the master's thesis is to analyze an unpublished or previously studied topic, generating new knowledge. To do this, a deep research work is carried out, generally on a hypothesis or theory, which will be tested or proposed..

Although it is not expected that revolutionary scientific work will be carried out, with the master's thesis the objective is that there be some contribution to knowledge in the area of ​​academic interest of the student.

Doctoral thesis

The doctoral thesis addresses an original topic, or from a novel perspective, starting from a research problem that is considered necessary to solve.

The type of research carried out is expected to be of high quality at a methodological, formal and referential level. In this way, the results obtained add new knowledge to the specific field or discipline..

What is a thesis?

The dissertation it is a research work monographic that is carried out individually and whose objective is for the student to demonstrate that he has the ability to conduct an investigation following an appropriate methodology.

Both the thesis and the thesis have similar characteristics. Both share the rigorous use of a methodological framework. However, the depth and breadth of a thesis is less to the thesis.

As with the thesis, with the thesis you can obtain an academic degree. These are generally undergraduate, graduate, and graduate degrees. However, unlike the thesis, the presentation, defense and approval of a thesis does not lead to obtaining a doctorate.

Characteristics of the thesis

• It is a monographic investigation of a specific topic (but less in depth than in the thesis).
• Presents the analysis of a topic and shows that the student masters the methodology and its research approach.
• Once presented, defended and approved, it grants access to an undergraduate or postgraduate degree (except doctorate).
• It is made individually.
• Bibliographic references must be specific and relevant.
• It is an argumentative or expository text.
• If there is a research hypothesis, it is sought to prove or disprove it.
• Its length is variable, comprising about 40 or 50 pages of running text on average (without including references or annexes).
• Processing time can range from six months to two years, depending on the level.
• Appears before a jury for his defense.
• You may require tutorial support and follow-up.

Structure of a thesis or thesis

Both the thesis and the thesis must follow a logical structure that communicates the research process, its objectives, problems, methods and results..

There is no single way to develop the structure that a thesis or dissertation follows. For example, the theoretical and methodological framework can be presented in separate chapters of the document, or they can be located in the same chapter as sub-chapters..

In the same way, it is possible that the results section is linked to the discussion section or that it is a separate section.

The specific format of the thesis or thesis will depend on the rules or recommendations of each institution, university, department or school.

Below, you can see a general structure, commonly used.

Cover page

The title page serves to identify the document. In this you will find the name of the institution, faculty and school (or department), the title of the thesis, identification of the degree, identification of the author, identification of the jury, identification of the tutor, date and location.

Summary or synthesis

The abstract briefly sets out the objectives, methodology, results and conclusions of the research. It indicates the nature of the work and is a short text, generally less than 300 words. In addition, it is accompanied by a series of keywords on the main topics included in the thesis.

Index of contents

In the table of contents, readers are located spatially in the document, indicating the chapters, sub-chapters and general content of the thesis on their respective pages. There can be more than one list of contents, in case there are graphs, figures or tables.

Introduction

The introduction presents the objective or purpose of the research carried out, its foundations, the hypothesis (if any), its importance in the specific discipline and its methodology. It is a short text, so it is developed in a few pages. You can incorporate a summary of each chapter of the thesis.

Background and problem statement

The background section indicates that information and other previous research (if any) that have served as the basis for the topic to be discussed. The problem that has been worked on, its relationship with the background and how the perspective chosen by the student covers it (objectives, hypotheses, research questions, methodology, etc.) is also pointed out. This section serves to contextualize the research.

Justification

The justification attempts to answer questions related to the importance of the type of research carried out and its usefulness (academic, scientific and social).

Theoretical, reference or conceptual framework

In the theoretical framework (also known as the reference or conceptual framework), the literature pertinent to the object of study is systematically presented and analyzed. Here the most important concepts are exposed and explained, according to the scientific work already carried out on the subject. It proposes the framework of concepts on which the subject will be understood and defines the field of study.

Methodological framework

The methodology used to develop the research is framed within the methodological framework, so that it can be replicated or tested by other researchers. Issues such as the research design, the method (if it was qualitative, quantitative or mixed), the techniques, the instruments used, analysis of the samples, etc. This should be succinct, clear and descriptive.

Results and Discussion

In the results section, the most important results obtained are presented, as a result of the methodology used and corresponding to the objectives of the research. It is important to contrast what the research has generated with the hypothesis presented. The presentation of results usually includes tables, graphs, diagrams or other visual resources that help the interpretation of the data and results. There may be a brief discussion on the scope and limitations of the research.

Conclusions and recommendations

The conclusions of the research are presented. It is important to say what was achieved with the research work, considering its results. If the hypothesis is accepted or rejected (if there is one) and what this work brings to the area of ​​knowledge. Future recommendations may be included.

Bibliographic references

The bibliographic references are constituted by the bibliographic information of the texts, documents, sources or elements used to elaborate the work and cited in it. It is important that the references are clear and can be traced to verify the good use of them, in addition to avoiding any problem related to the plagiarism of material. Generally, each institution uses specific style rules when writing references..

Annexes or appendices

The annexes, also known as appendices, are those elements that complement what was developed in the research. Here are placed copies of instruments, images, copies of some important reference, graphics, etc..