The academic journey commences with orientation and campus introduction sessions (OSPEK) and concludes with the final project. This final stage poses a challenge for all students. It acts as a determinant of whether a student will obtain a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree. Each level’s final project differs, with higher levels requiring a more intricate process. The following provides an overview of the distinctions between each level’s final projects: thesis, dissertation, and their significance.
Defining the Thesis, Dissertation, and Thesis
- Thesis
A thesis is a final project undertaken by undergraduates to attain a bachelor’s degree. Its purpose is to facilitate students in applying the knowledge gained during their academic journey. By composing a thesis, students enhance their analytical, comparative, and explanatory skills for the conducted research. To support the thesis creation process, students should cultivate creativity and self-motivation for timely completion.
- Dissertation
For students pursuing a master’s degree, a dissertation is the culminating project. In comparison to a thesis, creating a dissertation is more challenging and complex, as it involves composing an academic work based on empirical research for academic scrutiny.
- Doctoral Dissertation
Students pursuing a doctorate degree must complete a doctoral dissertation. Unlike the thesis and dissertation, the dissertation process is exceedingly challenging and complex, as students are required to undertake novel research.
Distinguishing Thesis, Dissertation, and Thesis
Having understood the meaning of each final project at different academic levels (undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral), it’s crucial for students to recognize the differences among them, detailed below:
- Academic Level
The primary difference is their respective academic levels. A thesis, a requirement for obtaining a bachelor’s degree, is exclusive to undergraduate students. A thesis is mandatory for master’s degree students, while a dissertation is required for doctoral candidates.
- Problem Focus
Each final project addresses distinct problem scopes. A thesis generally derives its issues from superficial empirical experiences. In contrast, a thesis focuses on a more in-depth and theoretical empirical experience. A dissertation, meanwhile, delves into deeper and more specific theoretical studies supported by empirical facts.
- Writing Process
The differentiation between a thesis, dissertation, and a doctoral dissertation lies in the writing process and authorial independence. Thesis writing typically involves intense guidance from the advisor, with a split responsibility of 60% for the student and 40% for the advisor. Thesis writing, however, entails 80% student responsibility and 20% advisor guidance. Doctoral dissertation students are expected to work harder, with 90% of the responsibility falling on the student and only 10% on the advisor.
- Academic Weight
From an academic perspective, an undergraduate thesis carries a low to medium weight, while a master’s thesis holds a higher weight due to its developmental and theoretical depth. A doctoral dissertation holds the highest academic weight as it demands the discovery of new theories within the chosen field.
- Analytical Models & Problem Formulations
For a thesis, the analytical model is of moderate complexity, leading to one or two problem formulations. A thesis requires a minimum of three problem formulations, incorporating models of moderate to high complexity. In contrast, a dissertation includes more than three problem formulations utilizing a high-complexity analysis model.
- Statistical Methods
The differentiating factor also lies in the statistical methods employed. A thesis typically uses various statistical methods such as qualitative tests, associative hypothesis tests, regression, non-parametric statistical tests, correlation, and difference tests. A thesis extends the use of qualitative tests to structural equation modeling, multivariate, path analysis, and advanced multivariate analyses. While a dissertation shares these methods with the thesis, its coverage is more complex and comprehensive.
- Advisor & Examiner Levels
For a thesis, the author is guided and examined by lecturers with master’s degrees. A thesis is guided and examined by advisors holding a doctorate or experienced master’s degree. Doctoral dissertations are directly supervised and reviewed by advisors and examiners holding the rank of professor or experienced doctors.
- Research Originality
An undergraduate thesis may replicate previous research, albeit within a different context. A master’s thesis emphasizes the originality of conducted research, while a doctoral dissertation must be entirely novel and unprecedented.
- Research Publication
A thesis requires a minimum of 20 bibliographic references and internal to a national publication. A master’s thesis necessitates at least 40 references, and publishing on a national scale. A doctoral dissertation requires a minimum of 60 bibliographic references, published on a national and even international scale.
Commonalities of Thesis, Dissertation, and Thesis
While the distinctions outlined above are clear, it’s vital to recognize the similarities between a thesis, dissertation, and a doctoral dissertation. They all constitute academic written works following scientific methods and upholding humanistic values in content and expression. Students, regardless of their academic institution, such as Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, should understand these distinctions and similarities to prepare for their final projects effectively.
At Universitas Prasetiya Mulya, the final project isn’t limited to writing an academic paper; it can also manifest as a project. Students have worked on various projects, such as developing financial technology applications, initiating businesses, and innovating new products. The university supports students in preparing both research papers and project works meticulously by offering a range of programs.
The goal is to encourage students to think creatively, innovatively, realistically, and analytically. Moreover, this top private university actively engages students in campus projects, like various campus organizations, competitions, and social activities. These initiatives are designed to maintain productivity while pursuing degrees like international business law.
One such department at Universitas Prasetiya Mulya is the International Business Law program. This department was established in response to the growing demand for skilled professionals in the areas of business and international transactions. International business law has become a fundamental source of legal solutions for resolving conflicts and issues arising in international business. This field has seen rapid development and is in high demand in the business sector. For those interested in law, applying to Universitas Prasetiya Mulya is an excellent choice.
