Dissertation

A dissertation (abbreviated diss.), officially also inaugural dissertation, inaugural or introductory dissertation, is an academic work to obtain a doctoral degree at a scientific university with the right to award doctorates. In order to obtain a doctorate, in addition to the publication of the dissertation (university thesis), either an oral examination (rigorosum) or an oral defense of the dissertation (disputation) is necessary. The word dissertation comes from the Latin term dissertatio and means "discussion".

Explanation

A dissertation is a piece of scholarly writing that accounts for research work throughout the doctoral program. A researcher earns the Ph.D. after submitting and defending his/her dissertation. It includes all information about the original research or expanded research on a new or existing topic conducted by the Ph.D. candidate. In Germany, for example, a doctoral degree can usually only be used after the dissertation has been published.

Students may present a new theory or hypothesis in their field or present research disproving a previously presented theory. Alternatively, they may tackle a new angle, taking the established research in a new direction. The traditional order is to take doctoral courses, complete the qualifying exams and then write the dissertation. However, there are exceptions to this. At some universities, the dissertation process is integrated into the coursework. This allows students to get a jumpstart on their research while working toward the completion of their course requirements. As a result, they may graduate more quickly. The process of writing a dissertation begins in a way similar to the process for a master’s thesis. Students select their topic and then conduct a literature review, which is a thorough analysis of the existing research on that topic. From there, students can work on developing a new theory, debunking a previously established theory or finding a new angle on an existing theory. The dissertation defense is often one of the most intimidating aspects of the doctoral degree program. However, students work closely with their selected committees throughout the dissertation process. This means you can rest assured that if your committee has allowed your work to proceed to the point of the dissertation defense point, then your dissertation will almost certainly be accepted, and you will be granted your degree after your successful defense.

A thesis and a dissertation are both extensive research papers, and both require literature searches and novel findings, but the two differ in various ways. Their definitions also differ across regions. Typically, in North America, a thesis (preliminary degree on the way to a doctorate) is required for the completion of a master’s degree, while a dissertation is required for the completion of a doctoral degree. The former is long, while the latter is longer and more intensive. The goal of a dissertation is not only to prove the student’s own knowledge and skills but also to add to the existing body of knowledge in their field. Both forms of scholarly written pieces must address specific research questions. Academic writing skills are imperative for a thesis as well as a dissertation.

Requirements

A dissertation requires:

• The skillful defense of an academic argument (the stance or main point of the paper)
• Analytical reasoning and critical thinking
• In-depth expertise about the subject area
• A significant investment of time (years for dissertations and months for theses)
• A willingness to rewrite and edit based on feedback from professors, peers or committee members

Dissertation (UK exception)

The word dissertation has taken from the root Latin word ‘dissertare’ which means to continue to discuss. While the word thesis is taken from the Greek word ‘tithenai’ which means to place. Both these words explain different meanings but are we really talking about or referring right when we say dissertation or a thesis? And do these words really impact you while you are writing a thesis or dissertation? The terms dissertation and thesis are often used interchangeably. Many people may get confused with the actual difference and might ask - “how is your thesis going on?” while you are writing a dissertation or vice versa. Plus, it makes it more confusing when different countries and institutions use these terms interchangeably. Let's know the difference between dissertation and thesis in the UK:

A thesis in the UK is often meant as unpublished work submitted for a doctoral degree. On the other hand, a dissertation in the UK means a work presented at the undergraduate or master's level. The thesis is an original research work that helps candidates to earn a PhD degree while the dissertation is a part of a master's degree involving a broader research project. As the thesis requires original research work, it takes up a lot of time and plenty of background research on the subject. Therefore, a thesis contains extensive citations and references to all the work done. But the main focus remains to present original work.

Habilitation

Habilitation (sometimes habilitation thesis) is the highest university degree, or the procedure by which it is achieved, in Germany, France, Italy and some other European and non-English-speaking countries. The candidate fulfills a university's set criteria of excellence in research, teaching, and further education, which usually includes a dissertation. The degree conferral is usually accompanied by a public oral defence event (a lecture or a colloquium) with one or more opponents.

In Germany, an academic career leading to being a full professor at a chair comprises two steps of different qualification levels. The first one is a PhD program, either at a graduate school or at a chair of a university awarding doctoral titles. The second step can be a junior professorship, ideally on a tenure track position, leading into a full professorship after a positive evaluation process. As an alternative and more traditional way of an advanced academic qualification in Germany, post-doctoral researchers can spend up to 6 years on their habilitation process. This does not go along with holding a chair like junior professors do. Usually, young academics hold contracts at a chair, supporting its professor in teaching and research matters. There are advantages and disadvantages to either way of the second qualification step. Whereas post-doctoral candidates often criticize their alleged dependence on the holders of their chair, junior professorships have not been established with a tenure track position too often since the introduction of this academic concept in Germany. On the other hand, especially the concept of the Habilitation stands for a solid advanced academic degree in Germany, setting itself apart from the growing number of doctoral titles being awarded every year. It opens the door to holding a chair in Germany, but also gives room for alternatives, be it a position in think tanks, in research institutes, or consulting activities for politics and society.

The term habilitation is derived from the Medieval Latin habilitare, meaning "to make suitable, to fit", from Classical Latin habilis "fit, proper, skillful". The degree developed in the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation in the seventeenth century (c. 1652). Initially, habilitation was synonymous with "doctoral qualification". The term became synonymous with "post-doctoral qualification" in Germany in the 19th century "when holding a doctorate seemed no longer sufficient to guarantee a proficient transfer of knowledge to the next generation". Afterwards, it became normal in the German university system to write two doctoral theses: the inaugural thesis (Inauguraldissertation), completing a course of study, and the habilitation thesis (Habilitationsschrift), which opens the road to a professorship. When, for example, a Dr. med. completes his habilitation, he is allowed to use the title "Dr. med. habil. [habilitatus]", only after obtaining a professorship is the new title "Prof. Dr. med."