A thesis is a document that presents the author’s research and findings and is submitted in support of their candidature for a degree or professional qualification. A thesis may be written as a monograph or as a compilation thesis, wherein the introductory chapters are followed by published papers.

A dissertation is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author’s research and findings. In some contexts, the word “thesis” or a cognate is used for part of a bachelor’s or master’s course, while “dissertation” is normally applied to a doctorate, while in other contexts, the reverse is true.