A thesis is often a lengthy dissertation submitted by a university degree applicant. It is a suggested style of writing. Journal articles, on the other hand, are publications that include original research papers, academic pieces, reviews, case studies, and so on. They usually appear in print journals or online magazines. Theses and research proposals tend to be used interchangeably by students, but they are not the same thing. A research proposal is a document that describes an idea for a study that will provide new information about a topic. This document can help identify important topics for further research. Students may also use the term "research plan" instead. A research plan is a detailed outline of proposed research with specific deadlines for completion. There is no standard length for the body of a thesis or dissertation. The longest book I have written was 80 pages. The average is about 50 pages. Short books are common among non-fiction writers. Young people who write fiction typically submit chapters or sections (about 1,000 words) as separate entries in contest or award programs. Research proposals are usually shorter than full dissertations. Some call for one page while others require two.