difference between a thesis and article

Difference between Thesis and Articles

Thesis and Journal Article are both important parts of reports in academic field. Some researchers find it the same but it has many differences so it is necessary to know what is thesis and what is article.

A thesis is a theory or statement needs to be proved while an article is a piece of writing that can be found in the newspaper, magazine, or other publication.

In terms of word length, there is no particular word limit in thesis writing which is approximately 25,000 words, while in article writing there is a word limit based on the journal approximately 5000 words. Also, thesis abstract is longer than a journal paper and article abstract is smaller in length. In addition, thesis literature is much longer than article literature.

A thesis is an academic requirement while an article meets journal standards. Thesis has a table of contents while an article follows a manuscript format.

Thesis also needs to discussed detailed research methodology carried but an article discussed specific methodology as well as experiments conducted.

Others differences includes the way it is written, a thesis needs a detailed introduction while an article needs a concise introduction. All findings presented as in the thesis but an article only selected finding.

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11 Differences Between a Thesis and an Article

Journal article and thesis are two important formats of reports in academia. There are certain differences between the thesis and article. The aim of the thesis is totally different from a journal article. Being a researcher , understanding the differences between both kind of academic writing is very essential.

Differences Between a Thesis and an Article

Courtesy: Elsevier.com

Hope, this article helps you to distinguish the difference between a thesis and an article.

What is the Difference Between Thesis and Dissertation?

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Really it is very very important for a Researcher. Without knowledge of writing an article and thesis research is a dilemma .It is fruitless. Many Many Thanks for your Support in this regard.

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Difference Between Thesis and Research Paper

On the other hand, a research paper is analytical, argumentative and interpretative in nature. It involves the pursuit of knowledge and intelligent analysis of the information collected. It contains the idea of the author, often supported by expert opinions, research and information available in this regard.

Whether you are writing a thesis or research paper, they are equally challenging and take a lot of time to prepare. In this post, we will update you on all the points of difference between thesis and  research paper.

Content: Thesis Vs Research Paper

• Key Elements
• Thesis Statement

How to start a research paper?

Comparison chart, what is thesis.

The thesis is a document containing the research and findings that students submit to get the professional qualification or degree . It has to be argumentative, which proposes a debatable point with which people could either agree or disagree. In short, it is a research report in writing that contains a problem which is yet to be dealt with.

In a thesis, the researcher puts forth his/her conclusion. The researcher also gives evidence in support of the conclusion.

Submission of the thesis is a mandatory requirement of a postgraduate course and PhD degree. In this, the primary focus is on the novelty of research along with the research methodology.

It is all about possibilities, by introducing several anti-thesis. Also, it ends up all the possibilities by nullifying all these anti-thesis.

Key Elements of Thesis

• Proposition : The thesis propagates an idea, hypothesis or recommendation.
• Argument : Gives reasons for accepting the proposition instead of just asserting a point of view.
• Maintenance of argument : The argument should be made cogent enough by providing suitable logic and adequate evidence.

Features of An Ideal Thesis

• An Ideal thesis is expected to add fresh knowledge to the existing theory.
• It communicates the central idea of the research in a clear and concise manner.
• An effective thesis is more than a simple statement, fact or question.
• It answers why and how questions concerned with the topic.
• To avoid confusion, it is worded carefully.
• It outlines the direction and scope of your essay.
• It gives reasons to the reader to continue reading.

Also Read : Difference Between Thesis and Dissertation

What is Thesis Statement?

A thesis statement is a sentence of one line, usually written at the end of your first paragraph. It presents the argument to the reader.

It is a blueprint of your thesis that directs the writer while writing the thesis and guides the reader through it.

What is Research Paper?

Research Paper is a form of academic writing. It is prepared on the basis of the original research conducted by the author on a specific topic, along with its analysis and interpretation of the findings.

An author generally starts writing a research paper on the basis of what he knows about the topic and seeks to find out what experts know. Further, it involves thorough and systematic research on a particular subject to extract the maximum information.

In short, a research paper is a written and published report containing the results of scientific research or a review of published scientific papers. Here, the scientific research is the primary research article, while the review of a published scientific paper is the review article.

In case of the primary research article, the author of the research paper provides important information about the research. This enables the scientific community members to:

• Evaluate it
• Reproduce the experiments
• Assess the reasoning and conclusions drawn

On the other hand, a review article is written to analyze, summarize and synthesize the research carried out previously.

When a research work is published in a scientific journal, it conveys the knowledge to a larger group of people and also makes people aware of the scientific work. Research work published as a research paper passes on knowledge and information to many people. The research paper provides relevant information about the disease and the treatment options at hand .

To start writing a research paper, one should always go for a topic that is interesting and a bit challenging too. Here, the key to choosing the topic is to pick the one that you can manage. So, you could avoid such topics which are very technical or specialized and also those topics for which data is not easily available. Also, do not go for any controversial topic.

The researcher’s approach and attitude towards the topic will decide the amount of effort and enthusiasm.

Steps for writing Research Paper

The total number of pages included in a Research Paper relies upon the research topic. It may include 8 to 10 pages, which are:

• Introduction
• Review of Literature
• Methodology
• Research Analysis
• Recommendations

Also Read : Difference Between Research Proposal and Research Report

Key Differences Between Thesis and Research Paper

• A thesis implies an original, plagiarism-free, written academic document that acts as a final project for a university degree of a higher level. But, Research Paper is a novel, plagiarism-free long essay. It portrays the interpretation, evaluation or argument submitted by a researcher.
• The thesis acts as a final project. Whereas a research paper is a kind of research manual of journals.
• The length of the thesis is around 20,000 to 80,000 words. On the contrary, the length of the research paper is relative to the study.
• The thesis focuses on the central question or statement of an intellectual argument that entails further research. On the contrary, the research paper is concerned with proving the central argument.
• The purpose of submitting the thesis is to get the degree or professional qualification. It also presents the knowledge of the candidate in the respective field. Conversely, the aim of publishing research papers is to prove credibility and contribute knowledge in the respective field.
• While the student submits the thesis to the educational committee or panel of professors who review it. In contrast, scientists and other researchers read and review the research paper.
• Preparation and completion of thesis is always under the guidance of a supervisor. For submission of the thesis, the university assigns a supervisor to each student, under whose guidance the thesis must be completed. As against, no supervisor is appointed as a guide in case of a research paper.
• The thesis contains a broader description of the subject matter. In contrast, the research paper contains a narrow description of the subject matter.

Once the research paper is published, it increases the fellowship and job opportunities for new researchers. On the other hand, thesis writing will enable the students to get the desired degree at the end of the course they have opted.

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February 23, 2023 at 2:38 pm

So good and informative. These are quite beneficial insights. Thanks

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Home » Article Writing Services » Difference Between Thesis and Research Article

Difference Between Thesis and Research Article

Thesis writing

The word dissertation is derived from the Latin word dissertation, which means “path”. In some countries, dissertations are also referred to as a thesis. According to the Oxford Dictionary, dissertations can also be defined as long essays on a particular subject or topic written especially for a college degree. Thesis writing can vary in scope, length, and nature, but the main aim and objective remain the same.

Research Article

A Research Article , on the other hand, could be defined as any original and non-plagiarism research. The term ‘research’ refers to the repetition of the search (examination). Repetitive research in various directions to prove the central question of the thesis is generally called ‘research’. A research article will usually, if not always, include the central question of the thesis. There are generally two types of research papers, one being qualitative and the other quantitative.

Differences Between Thesis & Research Article – In Truest Academic Sense

• A thesis is all about a single scholarly statement, and sometimes maybe it’s a summary. The existence of a thesis opens up avenues of inquiry into an infinity of speculative possibilities such as antitheses.
• While the thesis question opens up the limits of these varying possibilities, the primary focus of inquiry persists, remaining unchanged .
• A research article consists of both speculative variables (the majority of which are nullified) and constants that aim to prove the central question of the thesis or the major objective of the research.
• In its purest form, the question that a thesis hopes to answer has a sort of legality in which the outcome warrants the means potentially. Article writing involves explaining the central thesis and constitutes a process of methodological demonstration of this assertion.

Quantitative and qualitative disciplines implement this methodology in various ways depending on the provisions of that particular field. ARDA conference portal helps in writing research articles and thesis writing.

Primary Differences Between Thesis & Research Paper

There are numerous contrasts between a thesis and a research article. Some of these are major differences, while others are more nuanced or subtle. The differences described here come from classical European Enlightenment thought. There are many relevant and alternative defining paradigms and therefore, differences. While only the classicist strain will be explained here, other modes of definitions, differences and similarities will also be presented.

Primary Focus

A thesis is concerned with the central question or statement of a scientific hypothesis that results in further investigation, while a research paper is concerned with proving that central argument.

• The thesis concerns both the possibilities through the formation of numerous antitheses and the end of all the possibilities by the cancellation of all these antitheses.
• The research paper is all about proving the central statement of the thesis and accumulating proof and data to validate the same, investigating other possibilities and invalidating them and presenting speculation on prospective options for the question, which is the central part of the thesis.
• To be accurate, the research paper is all about explaining and proving the thesis.

Length Of The Argument

• The thesis is usually formed by the in-depth original reflection that puts forward a proposition or statement, but the research paper requires a tenacious resilience on the part of the researcher to prove the primary inquisition.
• The latter is a lengthy, drawn-out process in which there is the gathering of evidence, the lifting and cancellation of various other possibilities and the application of theories and evidence to the central question of research. All of this is done to prove the thesis.
• The research paper could be called an elaboration and augmentation of the primary thesis.

Problem Statement

• The term ‘thesis’ is often used in place of the term ‘research article’. This is, however, a rhetorical discrepancy in which a part is substituted for a whole.
• A thesis statement is generally part of the research paper and not the other way around.
• A thesis statement does not include the methodology. A research article illustrates this methodology and offers insight into whether it is of the quantitative or qualitative sort.
• A thesis statement is an end in itself. A research article, meanwhile, although intended to expose and explain the thesis, clearly opens up all the avenues of research that the online thesis statement holds in potentia.
• If the vast majority of these lines are canceled and proven to be “incorrect”, there are few possibilities that still refuse to go away.
• These could, in the future, go into the formation of alternative discursive structures in which the central question of the thesis is no longer valid.
• The research article seen in its “flow”, is also the end of the central thesis statement. Nevertheless, it is generally rich in theoretical and empirical information and detail.
• The thesis statement addresses a single question, while the research article raises several questions, albeit related to the central theme. Some of these questions are canceled and others remain the indicators of alternative discourse.

A research article usually consists of the thesis, but this is not always the case. The research article may be on the part of the thesis question and may have stand-alone validity. Are you confused about your research article writing and journals ? Inquiry or Comment us below we help in article writing services .

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Thesis vs. Research Paper: Know the Differences

It is not uncommon for individuals, academic and nonacademic to use “thesis” and “research paper” interchangeably. However, while the thesis vs. research paper puzzle might seem amusing to some, for graduate, postgraduate and doctoral students, knowing the differences between the two is crucial. Not only does a clear demarcation of the two terms help you acquire a precise approach toward writing each of them, but it also helps you keep in mind the subtle nuances that go into creating the two documents. This brief guide discusses the main difference between a thesis and a research paper.

This article discusses the main difference between a thesis and a research paper. To give you an opportunity to practice proofreading, we have left a few spelling, punctuation, or grammatical errors in the text. See if you can spot them! If you spot the errors correctly, you will be entitled to a 10% discount.

It is not uncommon for individuals, academic and nonacademic to use “thesis” and “research paper” interchangeably. After all, both terms share the same domain, academic writing . Moreover, characteristics like the writing style, tone, and structure of a thesis and research paper are also homogenous to a certain degree. Hence, it is not surprising that many people mistake one for the other.

However, while the thesis vs. research paper puzzle might seem amusing to some, for graduate, postgraduate and doctoral students, knowing the differences between the two is crucial. Not only does a clear demarcation of the two terms help you acquire a precise approach toward writing each of them, but it also helps you keep in mind the subtle nuances that go into creating the two documents.

Defining the two terms: thesis vs. research paper

The first step to discerning between a thesis and research paper is to know what they signify.

  Thesis: A thesis or a dissertation is an academic document that a candidate writes to acquire a university degree or similar qualification. Students typically submit a thesis at the end of their final academic term. It generally consists of putting forward an argument and backing it up with individual research and existing data.

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Research Paper: A research paper is also an academic document, albeit shorter compared to a thesis. It consists of conducting independent and extensive research on a topic and compiling the data in a structured and comprehensible form. A research paper demonstrates a student's academic prowess in their field of study along with strong analytical skills.

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How to Formulate Research Questions

Now that we have a fundamental understanding of a thesis and a research paper, it is time to dig deeper. To the untrained eye, a research paper and a thesis might seem similar. However, there are some differences, concrete and subtle, that set the two apart.

1. Writing objectives

The objective behind writing a thesis is to obtain a master's degree or doctorate and the ilk. Hence, it needs to exemplify the scope of your knowledge in your study field. That is why choosing an intriguing thesis topic and putting forward your arguments convincingly in favor of it is crucial.

A research paper is written as a part of a course's curriculum or written for publication in a peer-review journal. Its purpose is to contribute something new to the knowledge base of its topic.

2. Structure

Although both documents share quite a few similarities in their structures, the framework of a thesis is more rigid. Also, almost every university has its proprietary guidelines set out for thesis writing.

Comparatively, a research paper only needs to keep the IMRAD format consistent throughout its length. When planning to publish your research paper in a peer-review journal, you also must follow your target journal guidelines.

3. Time Taken

A thesis is an extensive document encompassing the entire duration of a master's or doctoral course and as such, it takes months and even years to write.

A research paper, being less lengthy, typically takes a few weeks or a few months to complete.

4. Supervision

Writing a thesis entails working with a faculty supervisor to ensure that you are on the right track. However, a research paper is more of a solo project and rarely needs a dedicated supervisor to oversee.

5. Finalization

The final stage of thesis completion is a viva voce examination and a thesis defense. It includes proffering your thesis to the examination board or a thesis committee for a questionnaire and related discussions. Whether or not you will receive a degree depends on the result of this examination and the defense.

A research paper is said to be complete when you finalize a draft, check it for plagiarism, and proofread for any language and contextual errors . Now all that's left is to submit it to the assigned authority.

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In the context of academic writing, a thesis and a research paper might appear the same. But, there are some fundamental differences that set apart the two writing formats. However, since both the documents come under the scope of academic writing, they also share some similarities. Both require formal language, formal tone, factually correct information & proper citations. Also, editing and proofreading are a must for both. Editing and Proofreading ensure that your document is properly formatted and devoid of all grammatical & contextual errors. So, the next time when you come across a thesis vs. research paper argument, keep these differences in mind.

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Best Edit & Proof expert editors and proofreaders focus on offering papers with proper tone, content, and style of  academic writing,  and also provide an upscale  editing and proofreading service  for you. If you consider our pieces of advice, you will witness a notable increase in the chance for your research manuscript to be accepted by the publishers. We work together as an academic writing style guide by bestowing subject-area editing and proofreading around several categorized writing styles. With the group of our expert editors, you will always find us all set to help you identify the tone and style that your manuscript needs to get a nod from the publishers.

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You can also avail of our assistance if you are looking for editors who can format your manuscript, or just check on the  particular styles  for the formatting task as per the guidelines provided to you, e.g.,  APA,  MLA, or Chicago/Turabian styles. Best Edit & Proof editors and proofreaders provide all sorts of academic writing help, including editing and proofreading services, using our user-friendly website, and a streamlined ordering process.

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Visit our  order page  if you want our subject-area editors or language experts to work on your manuscript to improve its tone and style and give it a perfect academic tone and style through proper editing and proofreading. The process of submitting a paper is very easy and quick. Click here to find out how it  works.

Our pricing is based on the type of service you avail of here, be it editing or proofreading. We charge on the basis of the word count of your manuscript that you submit for editing and proofreading and the turnaround time it takes to get it done. If you want to get an instant price quote for your project, copy and paste your document or enter your word count into our  pricing calculator.

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Your thesis or dissertation ends with the conclusion. Its primary purposes include addressing the main research question, summarizing and echoing the study, presenting future studies recommendations, and depicting your contribution's novel knowledge.