# Theses: Home

**Source**: https://subjects.library.manchester.ac.uk/theses
**Parent**: https://subjects.library.manchester.ac.uk/

## Specialist Library Support

**Specialist Library** **Support**

The Library provides expert support to students, staff and researchers in the specialist areas of business data, copyright, maths and statistics, referencing support, advanced searching and systematic reviews. This includes:

- [Online resources](https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/training/specialist-library-support/)
- [Workshops](https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/training/specialist-library-support/)
- [Drop-ins](https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/training/specialist-library-support/)

If you’ve tried our online resources and workshops and need more help, you can get expert help via our [online help pages](https://manchester-uk.libanswers.com/teaching-and-learning), attending a drop-in session, giving us a call or arranging a consultation.

## Introduction

Thesis and dissertation are terms used to describe a longer piece of written work involving personal research usually done as part of a university degree.

In the UK, the term *thesis* describes the written part of the submission for a research degree at masters or PhD level. The term *dissertation* generally refers to an extended piece of writing based on extended reading and some independent research at undergraduate or masters level. However, they are reversed in the US, where *dissertation* is usually used to describe a piece of extended writing for a PhD. You will see references to both theses and dissertations in the resources in this guide.

As original research is reported in theses, they are a rich source of information about research in your field.  They can help you to:

- discover current research
- assess research topics
- obtain more references to books and articles

## My Learning Essentials: Online support for your dissertation

[Dissertations: choosing your topic](https://www.education.library.manchester.ac.uk/mle/dissertation-topic/)

This resource will take you through the key elements of the early stages of your dissertation such as writing your research question and the objectives for achieving it.

[Dissertations: planning](https://www.education.library.manchester.ac.uk/mle/dissertation-planning/)

This resource will highlight some of the key stages in planning to write your dissertation. It will also highlight some useful tools to help you along the way.

[Dissertations: Getting started with literature reviews](https://www.education.library.manchester.ac.uk/mle/lit-review/)

This resource will give you an introduction to literature reviews. It will also give you advice on what a good literature should include, and how to prepare for writing your literature review.

View all workshops and online resources in this area on the\
**[My Learning Essentials webpages](https://www.library.manchester.ac.uk/training/my-learning-essentials/)**

- [**Next:** Manchester Theses >>](https://subjects.library.manchester.ac.uk/c.php?g=539861&p=4086278)