A student has to write different types of coursework during his academic career. If you're pursuing a master's or any post-graduate course, then a thesis or research paper can be common. However, you must approach every course in the best way. A thesis needs a different strategy than a research paper needs a different one. Hence, it is crucial to know the right approach so that you can ace them. This blog is about explaining the major differences between a thesis and a research paper.
What is a thesis and research paper?
A thesis is a detailed paper that is a final project for a university degree. It is needed to complete a course. You are marked on the quality of your thesis and how effectively you have managed to address research objectives. A thesis is usually 10,000 words or more, requiring extensive research and months of work. Being so detailed, every part requires extensive research and also scholarly articles.
On the contrary, a research paper is not as detailed as a thesis but is still a critical part of any course. You may be asked to submit multiple research papers or just one, depending on course requirements. A research paper is an effective type of academic writing involving appropriate research, sources, critical thinking, evaluation, and composition. These are short but need to be accurate. You need to follow a set of rules to ensure that your research paper is good to go.
Major Differences in Theses and Research Papers
- A key difference between a thesis and a research paper is the number of words that go into both types of academic writing. A thesis is a long project, while a research paper is a small account of a topic.
- The second difference between a thesis and a research paper is the structure of both. A thesis has five key chapters that are mandatory. These chapters include the Introduction, Literature Review, Research Methodology, Discussion & Findings, and Conclusion. In a research paper, the introduction, body, and conclusion sections are all present. So, this is a major difference between the two.
- The third difference is the way to approach them. A thesis needs proper time investment. A thesis can have a deadline of several months. However, a research paper is a smaller version and needs to be completed in a few days. As a result, the strategy used to complete both of these academic writings is quite different.
- The fourth difference is the purpose of doing it. A thesis needs to be completed to pass a particular course. However, a research paper is to be done in every module. Throughout the course, multiple research papers may be required.
- The final difference between a thesis and a research paper is supervision. A thesis needs to be managed by a supervisor. You will have to show your draughts to him regularly. However, there are no supervisors needed for the research paper.
These are some of the differences between a thesis and a research paper.