What Makes A Thesis Paper Different From A Research Paper

There are many types of writing assignments that your teacher, instructor or professor may choose to give you to evaluate the learning and skills that you have learned in their class or subject. Of all the paper writing assignments, thesis and research papers are among the most common. In this light, a student like you must be able to distinguish the difference between the two. Given this case, how exactly does a thesis paper different from a research paper, or is there any difference at all? The answer is yes.

Let’s talk about the similarities between the two. Both papers need longer time to finish. They require a great deal of research and inquiry to find sufficient evidence or proof to the claims and arguments that support a particular focus area. Writing both papers is an opportunity given to the student to assess their ability to make a stand and understand a particular topic, make further inquiries about the topic, and draw conclusions from all the information gathered to support the issue or topic, which the paper was assigned to focus on and present everything in a clear and concise written format.

As for the differences, a research paper is a piece of writing designed to demonstrate and evaluate observations through a thoughtful level of inquiry. It simply is that type of paper that requires the student to explore research question and present his insights and answers to these questions in written form. It appeals to the student’s critical mind, as it demands a certain level of analytical skills on a subject that the student is familiar of. It gives the students to put their critical mind to the test in discriminating which among the available information sources if relevant to his or her focus of study. It requires the student to make use of the information sourced from the published works of the people who are considered experts on the subject as well as personal reviews that are helpful in allowing the research paper to take shape.

On the other hand, a thesis writing project involves similar procedures as writing a research paper—and more. A thesis paper is customarily longer than a research paper, as it may take a semester or a school year to finish, depending on how extensive the research involved in the study is. Compared to a research paper project, teachers, instructors and professors are obligated to work closely with their students through the completion of the project. They schedule a regular meeting to discuss the progress of the thesis writing,and to make sure that the students’ thesis stays right on track.

What primarily sets a thesis paper apart from a research paper is the purpose that it serves. Research paper could be a final requirement to a course or subject, but a thesis paper serves as the final requirement in obtaining an academic degree. Also, a thesis paper is always subjected to an oral examination, usually with an examination board, which will question the student about the topic of his or her thesis; whereas, oral evaluation or paper defense may be optional for research papers.