Most, if not all, degrees end with this requirement – but the big question remains: what is a dissertation? In some countries, this is referred to as a thesis meant for PhD degrees. Other countries still, use thesis and dissertation interchangeably. In any case, a dissertation is a research assignment, which is completed as a part of an undergraduate or postgraduate program. A dissertation usually allows students to present the results of their research, which was done in response to a proposition or question they chose to tackle. The main purpose of the project is to determine the independent research skills of students, and how much they have acquired and developed it throughout their time at university. The assessment used played a factor in determining their final grades. While it’s normal to receive some guidance from advisors, the dissertation requirement is mostly independent work. For most students, this will be the longest, most vital, and most difficult project needed to be completed at university. It requires months of preparation, hard work, and patience – most students find themselves making libraries their second homes during this period. This makes choosing a topic or subject you’re genuinely interested in a vital step in the process. Passion plays a huge role in a dissertation’s completion, and some students completely let this drive them, giving way to the creation of the longest dissertation ever. If you’re someone who is in the midst of completing this requirement, read this post to find out who wrote the world’s longest dissertation – it might give you a bit of inspiration in the process!
World’s Longest Dissertation
When it comes to the actual process of writing dissertations, graduate students usually just type away, finding no reason to increase the size of margins or manipulate line spacing just to hit their target page length. The truth is, dissertations have a reputation of being written in overwhelming lengths. Some universities released actually guidelines (not rules!) solely dedicated to the proper length of these papers. The majors who type away, and mostly present their projects in longer lengths, are exactly the people you’d expect – degrees requiring qualitative studies like history. Quantitative fields like mathematics are usually at the bottom, with shorter dissertations.
The longest phd dissertation ever written was by a historian called Joachim Schumacher. His paper was devoted to the development of sailing. His paper originally contained around 2,654 pages, but was shorted to 2,200 pages after revisions, and was submitted at the University of Konstanz, located in Germany. Because of its astounding length, it earned a place and was mentioned in the Guinness World Records.
Following closely is Bruce Williams, which authored the Archaeology and Historical Problems of the Second Intermediate Period with over 2,143 pages, which includes 598 figures, 95 tables, and 11 maps. This thesis was submitted at the University of Chicago in 1975.
Taking the title for the world’s longest dissertation title is Shaun P. Calhoun, who submitted his thesis in 2012 at the University of San Francisco. The title of his thesis 32 words long – quite a feat, and perhaps you’ll come up with an ever longer title. When it comes to writing your dissertation, the value of hard work, patience, and determination play major roles. However, what people don’t realize is that passion also serves a purpose. All these people completed their requirements not just for the sake of it, but to genuinely contribute to their respective fields. Having the longest dissertation is one thing, but completing it with genuine curiosity and desire to change the world? That’s the ultimate reward – apart from passing, that is!