Dear Cristina Lozano,

The relevant data presented below may be helpful:

https://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/document/guidelines-using-previously-published-work-theses-and-dissertationspdf

https://www.quora.com/Can-I-make-a-PhD-research-proposal-on-the-same-aim-and-topic-that-I-worked-on-in-my-master-thesis-and-explore-it-more-If-yes-is-it-okay-if-I-publish-now-my-master-dissertation-or-I-should-keep-it-unpublished-if-I

Does a master's thesis require original research?

Dissertations require candidates create their own research, predict a hypothesis, and carry out the study. Whereas a master's thesis is usually around 100 pages, the doctoral dissertation is at least double that length.

Can I use a PhD thesis as a reference?

Yes, you are able to reference their work in your text, as long as you make clear in the bibliography what type of document (master thesis, PhD thesis, Institution) it is.

How do you cite an unpublished PhD thesis?

Reference format for unpublished thesis/dissertation: Author, A. A. (date). Title of doctoral dissertation or master's thesis (Unpublished doctoral dissertation or master's thesis). Name of Institution, Location. Give the correct full name of the university, not its abbreviation or brand name.

Can I use unpublished thesis?

Dissertations and theses are examples of academic work and therefore must be cited properly if they have been used as a source, even though they may be unpublished. Reference list entries should include: The name of the author.

Can I use my master thesis for PhD?

Yes, you can if you plan to extend your earlier work. You can use your MA work as a foundation for your PhD dissertation.

What is the difference between master thesis and PhD thesis?

The main difference between a master's thesis and a PhD thesis is really the scope of the work. The master's thesis is assumed to be over a shorter period and therefore should have a slightly smaller scope. One might extract just one or two journal papers out of a master's thesis, but four or five out of a PhD thesis.

Dear Cristina Lozano,

See my comments to your question preceded with >>

I would like to use some data and figures from a PhD student in my lab to explain the background of my Master Thesis.

>> In my personal opinion, you cannot do it - it's not your personal achievement and you'll jeopardize the originality of that student's upcoming PhD thesis. Your Master Thesis is a public document and thus helps establish "prior art" in terms of research.

However, this data has not been published yet, so I was wondering whether I am allowed to use it or not. If I use the data, is this PhD allowed to publish their figures in a paper later?

The question is: should you? Generally speaking using another person's data is bad practice.

Any data used in such cases should be under permission of the auther and you must denote to that in your thesis

No, you have to cite these data as a reference...

Can use but only after permission from the researcher. Make sure they should not object