What Is a Graduate Dissertation? An Educational Overview

A dissertation is a requirement to earn a doctorate in philosophy. In order to earn a doctorate, you must perform research, write a dissertation and proposal essay ideas, then defend that dissertation. It takes years of research and experimenting to write a dissertation, and the time frame differs depending on the subject manner being studied. Regardless of the subject, however, all dissertations contain similar elements. You must understand what a dissertation is before you start.

What Is the Difference Between a Dissertation and a Thesis?

A thesis is a hypothesis that is tested against existing literature and experiments. A thesis is most often written for a master's degree program. A dissertation is a written defense of a particular thesis statement. A dissertation is most often required of a doctorate in philosophy student. In order to write a thesis statement, a dissertation is not needed; however, to write a dissertation, it is necessary to write a thesis.

What Is the Goal of a Dissertation?

The goal of a dissertation is to show how the thesis statement is true. This is often done through the interpretation of data that is collected in experiments used to support the thesis statement. The key goal of a dissertation is to demonstrate critical thinking and the analysis of interpreted data. In essence, a dissertation does not just let the data stand for itself; it must show how the data is meaningful and what the data means.

What Are the Requirements for a Dissertation?

Dissertations must be original and must contribute to the field of study you are studying. In addition, this contribution must be meaningful and advance the research of a certain topic. Every statement in a dissertation must be supported by original works such as a thesis or previously published data. When forming the defense of a dissertation, all of your arguments must be logical.

What Happens During a Dissertation Defense?

Although the dissertation is a defense of a thesis, the actual dissertation defense takes place in a hearing. During this hearing, a team of respected professionals who have a doctorate in philosophy in the field of study challenge your dissertation with questions regarding the thesis. Often, these questions cover subjects that are not in the thesis, forcing you to demonstrate critical thinking even further.

A dissertation is different from a thesis but requires a thesis to exist. In essence, a dissertation contributes to a field in an original way and defends a thesis with data and logical critical thinking. Understanding these basics of what a dissertation is gives you a starting point and prepares you for the real dissertation defense that occurs when you answer challenges from a committee of experts in the theater.