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Dissertation: meaning, definitions and examples

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dissertation

 

[ˌdɪs.əˈteɪ.ʃən ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

academic writing

A dissertation is a long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one that is done in order to receive a degree at college or university. It involves extensive research, analysis, and original contribution to the field.

Synonyms

paper, thesis, treatise.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
dissertation

A dissertation is a long piece of writing on a particular subject, especially one that is done to earn a degree at a university. It is typically written at the graduate or doctoral level.

  • She spent the last two years working on her dissertation
  • His dissertation examines the impact of climate change on coastal cities
thesis

A thesis is similar to a dissertation but is often shorter and done for a master's degree. It involves research on a particular topic.

  • She defended her master's thesis last week
  • The thesis explores new methods of teaching mathematics
paper

A paper is a general term for any scholarly article or essay that is usually shorter and can be written by students or researchers. It can be used at any educational level.

  • I have to write a ten-page paper for my history class
  • His paper on renewable energy was published in a scientific journal
treatise

A treatise is a detailed and formal written work on a subject, often longer and more comprehensive than a dissertation or thesis. It is commonly used in scholarly work in the humanities and is not necessarily associated with a degree.

  • He wrote a treatise on political philosophy
  • The book is an exhaustive treatise on medieval architecture

Examples of usage

  • The student spent months working on his dissertation about climate change.
  • She defended her dissertation in front of a panel of professors.
  • The dissertation focused on the impact of social media on mental health.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'dissertation' comes from the Latin 'dissertare', which means 'to discuss' or 'to argue'.
  • It originally referred to a formal discussion of a subject, evolving into a lengthy written work for academic purposes.

History

  • The practice of writing dissertations has roots in medieval European universities around the 12th century.
  • Traditionally, dissertations were used to demonstrate mastery of a subject before receiving a degree, especially at the doctoral level.

Education

  • In many educational systems, a dissertation is an essential requirement for obtaining a PhD, often representing years of research.
  • Dissertation topics can range from highly specialized research in a field to broader investigations of social, political, or cultural issues.

Psychology

  • The process of writing a dissertation can cause significant stress and anxiety, referred to as 'dissertation blues' among students.
  • Research indicates that peer support and effective time management are vital for success in completing dissertations.

Pop Culture

  • Dissertations have been referenced in literature and film, often portraying the struggles and triumphs of graduate students.
  • In some comedy shows, characters’ over-the-top dissertation topics are used as a humorous critique of academia.

Translations

Translations of the word "dissertation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dissertação

🇮🇳 प्रबंध

🇩🇪 Dissertation

🇮🇩 disertasi

🇺🇦 дисертація

🇵🇱 rozprawa

🇯🇵 論文 (ろんぶん)

🇫🇷 dissertation

🇪🇸 disertación

🇹🇷 tez

🇰🇷 논문 (nonmun)

🇸🇦 أطروحة

🇨🇿 dizertace

🇸🇰 dizertačná práca

🇨🇳 论文 (lùnwén)

🇸🇮 disertacija

🇮🇸 ritgerð

🇰🇿 диссертация

🇬🇪 დისერტაცია

🇦🇿 dissertasiya

🇲🇽 tesis

Word Frequency Rank

At #7,311 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.