An Analysis of the Roles and Differences Between Thematic Papers and Doctoral Dissertations: A Case Study of the Ph.D. Program in Buddhist Studies, Graduate School, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University An Analysis of the Roles and Differences Between Thematic Papers and Doctoral Dissertations: A Case Study of the Ph.D. Program in Buddhist Studies, Graduate School, Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University

Abstract

Doctoral education comprises two critical academic components: doctoral dissertation and thematic paper, which serve distinct roles and functions in the researcher development process. This article provides a comparative analysis of the differences between doctoral dissertation and thematic paper across various dimensions including: sequential order in curriculum, objectives and goals, scope and complexity of work, supervision and evaluation, and significance for degree completion. The analysis reveals that thematic papers serve as assessment tools for evaluating student readiness before entering the main research phase, while doctoral dissertations represent major research endeavors aimed at creating new knowledge and serve as decisive criteria for graduation. Understanding these differences enables doctoral students to appropriately plan their studies and prepare themselves effectively