The difference between a research paper and a thesis
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While a research paper, term paper, and thesis all involve academic research, they differ in purpose, style, and required components. A thesis is written to obtain an academic degree or qualification and requires original work, while a research paper does not necessarily require original contributions or a supervisor. A thesis involves a longer timeline, usually over multiple years, and an oral examination, while a research paper is typically part of a class assignment. Both a thesis and research paper require academic research and critical analysis, but a thesis has higher expectations for originality and contributions to the field of study.
The difference between a research paper and a thesis
- 1. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A RESEARCH PAPER AND A THESIS The common aspectof a researchpaper,a termpaperand a thesisisthat theyare all academic documents.Althoughthereissome overlappinginthe requirements,theydifferbypurpose,style and specificcomponents. Helpful Links:SampleResearchPaperProposal (Annotated) -- ResearchPaperVSTermPaper Research Paper VSThesis One of the differencesbetweenaresearchpaperanda thesisisthe purpose as a thesisisa document writteninsupport of obtaininganacademicdegree orqualification.Itisusuallylongerthanresearch paperand thuscompletedinanumberof years.A thesis,alsocalleddissertation,isusuallyassociated withpostgraduate studies,i.e.researchortaughtMaster’s degree,PhDorM.Phil level andiscarriedout undera supervisionof aprofessororan academicof the university.Supervisorisapersonwhose jobis to oversee andguide the progressof thesiswriting.One of the supervisor’sassignmentsistoenable the developmentorenhancementof the student’swritingandpresentationskillsandcapabilityof independentresearch.Inmostuniversitiesthe supervisorhasthe obligationtomeetwiththe student on regularbasisanddiscussthe progressof the thesiswriting,includingthe taskof readingthe draftof the thesisandmake suggestionsforchangesandimprovementswhere necessary.Insome institutions there hasbeena move towardssupervisoryteamswhichconsistof yoursupervisorpluscombinationsof co-supervisors,mentorsandindependentacademicswithorwithoutknowledge of yourresearcharea. One of the aspectsof thesiscompletionisthe oral examinationtakingplace aftersubmittingyourthesis at the university.The oral examinationmeansusuallythe presentationof yourthesisinfrontof an examinationboardandansweringtheirquestionsaboutthe topic.The final resultsof yourthesiswillbe givenafterthe oral examination. Needa custom dissertation?Findout more... A researchpaperisusuallybeenwrittenasapart of a subjectanddoescommonlynotaccount as a separate subjectormodule andthusdoesnot require anindividual supervisor. A thesisanda researchpaper,bothrequire the demonstrationof extentacademicresearchandthe evidence of capacityforcritical analysis.The completionof thesishoweverrequiresalsothe inputof original workandauthor’sfindingsinthe fieldof chosentopic.Whenchoosingatopicfora thesisthe author mustthustake intoconsiderationthe expectationof originalityinthe fieldorthe inputof some relevantnewinformationorideas. Sometimesitisalsoacceptedthatthe authorsimplyprovidesconstructive critical analysisof existing theoriesorviewpointswithoutnecessarilyofferinganynew ones.In shortacademicrequirementsfora thesis,especiallythe demandof originality,are muchhigherthanfora researchpaper.Each university setsitsown rulesandregulationsforpresentationstyle andthe lengthof athesisdependingonthe researcharea. In some universitiesthe rulescanbe stricter,foreseeingveryspecificstyle andformat requirements.There are howevercertaincomponentsthatare alwaysprerequisiteinthesis
- 2. presentationstyle,suchastable of contentsorabstract. You may include adedicationor acknowledgementanddependingonthe researchfield,graphics,tablesorresearchmethods.Allthe aforementionedcomponentsmightnotbe expectedinaresearchpaper.However,asbothare academicdocumentsbibliographytogetherwithaccurate referencingmustbe presented.