Q: Is a thesis considered a publication?
I wish to know whether my thesis would be considered a publication. Thank you.
The question ‘Is a thesis considered a publication?’ admits of no simple answer. However, to begin with, I assume here that typically, in the context of higher education in the United States, a ‘thesis’ – as opposed to a ‘dissertation’ –implies an argument based on existing research and is usually a requirement for a master’s degree whereas a dissertation requires its author to undertake original research and discuss its implications and is usually a requirement for a doctorate (PhD). Note that in the UK, it is often the other way around.
Next, take ‘considered’: considered by whom? The author of the thesis and the educational institution to which the thesis is submitted will certainly consider the thesis a publication, but if we assume ‘publication’ to be synonymous with ‘making public’, the matter becomes less clear-cut. (According to the Oxford dictionaries, a publication is ‘a book or journal issued for public sale’.) If the thesis is available to anyone, whether gratis or on payment, it can be considered a publication; if access to a thesis is restricted irrespective of payment, it would be inappropriate to designate it as a publication.
To sum up, the question can be answered only in the context of a specific situation, such as candidature for an academic appointment.
Answer: Access & Availability: A thesis only becomes a true publication when it's made publicly accessible through:
- University institutional repositories
- Academic databases (ProQuest Dissertations, etc.)
- Open access platforms
A thesis is usually considered an academic work but not a formal publication unless it’s published in a journal or book.
In academia, a thesis is typically considered an academic work rather than a formal publication, but this depends on how it's shared and your field of study.
When a thesis IS considered a publication:
- Indexed and available: If published as a book/monograph with an ISBN, or uploaded to databases like ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global, it qualifies as published
- Publicly accessible: If deposited in a public repository, it meets the basic definition of making content available
- Thesis by publication: In fields like the sciences, a thesis can consist of a curated collection of already peer-reviewed articles
- Most citation styles (APA, MLA, Chicago) treat theses as citable, published works
When a thesis is NOT considered a publication:
- Institutional repositories only: If simply graded and stored in a university's internal library or online repository, it is generally treated as "unpublished"
- Journal submissions: Most academic journals do not treat a university-archived thesis as prior publication, which means that you can usually extract and submit that data to a peer-reviewed journal
- It lacks the peer-review and editorial process of formal academic publishing
How to list a thesis on your CV:
- Unpublished thesis: List under "Education" or "Thesis/Dissertation" — not "Publications"
- Published thesis: If assigned a DOI/ISBN or printed by a publisher, list it as a book, monograph, or publication
- Always check the specific requirements of the institution or employer you're applying to
