rhizoverbBeta
DictionarydissertationDetailed scholarly study
noun

dissertation

dis-er-TAY-shun/ˌdɪsərˈteɪʃn/

A long scholarly study of a subject, especially one submitted for an advanced degree.

Her dissertation examines how urban gardens affect local food supplies.

A substantial research manuscript is the focal object in a small advanced-degree oral defense: a candidate presents its plotted findings while two academically robed examiners scrutinize matching bound copies.
Etymology
dissertLatindebate, discuss, examine
+ationLatinaction or process

The base means “debate” or “examine”: a dissertation was first a discussion or discourse. The word then came to mean a formal written treatise, eventually including research submitted for a doctoral degree.

In context

Apologetics Canada36:47
my own actually doctoral research for my dissertation is in regards to some of the major manuscripts that we have
Rediscovering the Bible with Tara-Leigh Cobble

More examples

  • He defends his dissertation before a panel of professors.
  • The library keeps copies of dissertations from past graduates.
  • She expands her dissertation into a book on medieval trade.

Forms

dissertation · dissertations

Similar words

thesis
In American degree programs, often a master's rather than doctoral paper.
treatise
A systematic written study, not necessarily submitted for a degree.