Dissertation/thesis format can be also celled as dissertation/thesis style. It means certain rules according to which dissertation paper must be written. If the dissertation paper is written not according to the rules of definite style or format, it is considered as mistake and in such a way if influences the final grade of your dissertation.
You might have paid attention on such words as “definite style or format”. It means that dissertation/thesis format is not only one. There are several dissertation/thesis formats or styles.
The choice of the dissertation/thesis format depends upon the dissertation, its topic, and the field to which it is related. There are two fields - Humanities and Sciences. If your dissertation is connected with first field, you probably write MA dissertation in order to get MA degree. If it is connected with the second field, then you write MS dissertation and you will get MS degree. If your dissertation/thesis paper is connected with Humanities, then you can write dissertation in following styles or formats: Turabian style, MLA style and Chicago style. In the Internet, it is possible to find information about each of these styles. It is also possible to find information in the library, because each style has a book, which is written about it. If your dissertation paper is connected with Sciences, then you can write dissertation in either APA style or Vancouver style. The information about these styles you can find in the same way as with styles for dissertations connected with Humanities