What is a thesis or dissertation and how do they differ in terms of their purpose and structure?

A thesis is a research paper written by a student to earn a degree, typically at the undergraduate or master's level. A dissertation is a more extensive research project required for a doctoral degree. Theses are usually shorter and focus on a specific topic, while dissertations are more comprehensive and contribute new knowledge to the field. Both involve original research and follow a structured format with chapters such as introduction, literature review, methodology, results, and conclusion.