What defines a PhD dissertation/thesis? Unicorn Meta Zoo #1: Why another podcast? Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar ManaraFrom whom do I get references when my original advisor leaves academia?To stay or leave PhD after having completed 4 yearsShould I stay in my PhD?What is the difference between a thesis and a dissertation?PhD Dissertation Introduction: What to call section on thesis structure/overview?How can I know if I’m working through my PhD correctly?What positions in industry should I apply for after a phd and postdoc in software engineering?What is the difference between a masters thesis, a PhD thesis, and a journal paper?PhD interview question: BSc dissertation/'thesis'To what extent my discriminating PhD supervisor can influence the future of my academic career?
How can I wire a 9-position switch so that each position turns on one more LED than the one before?
What's called a person who works as someone who puts products on shelves in stores?
Will I lose my paid in full property
Was there ever a LEGO store in Miami International Airport?
How was Lagrange appointed professor of mathematics so early?
What *exactly* is electrical current, voltage, and resistance?
Co-worker works way more than he should
What was Apollo 13's "Little Jolt" after MECO?
Protagonist's race is hidden - should I reveal it?
Simulate round-robin tournament draw
How to keep bees out of canned beverages?
Processing ADC conversion result: DMA vs Processor Registers
What happened to Viserion in Season 7?
What is ls Largest Number Formed by only moving two sticks in 508?
"Working on a knee"
Coin Game with infinite paradox
Married in secret, can marital status in passport be changed at a later date?
Israeli soda type drink
When does Bran Stark remember Jamie pushing him?
How to translate "red flag" into Spanish?
A journey... into the MIND
Could a cockatrice have parasitic embryos?
Is there a way to fake a method response using Mock or Stubs?
What's parked in Mil Moscow helicopter plant?
What defines a PhD dissertation/thesis?
Unicorn Meta Zoo #1: Why another podcast?
Announcing the arrival of Valued Associate #679: Cesar ManaraFrom whom do I get references when my original advisor leaves academia?To stay or leave PhD after having completed 4 yearsShould I stay in my PhD?What is the difference between a thesis and a dissertation?PhD Dissertation Introduction: What to call section on thesis structure/overview?How can I know if I’m working through my PhD correctly?What positions in industry should I apply for after a phd and postdoc in software engineering?What is the difference between a masters thesis, a PhD thesis, and a journal paper?PhD interview question: BSc dissertation/'thesis'To what extent my discriminating PhD supervisor can influence the future of my academic career?
This might be a bit of an abstract question, but what defines a dissertation? Some colleagues and myself have been debating this and some are arguing that three peer-reviewed publications or a long monograph make a dissertation. However, others are arguing that the dissertation is defined not by the length or number of publications, but the significance of the contribution. Is there any scholarly consensus on this, or is this a continuing discussion in academia?
phd thesis
add a comment |
This might be a bit of an abstract question, but what defines a dissertation? Some colleagues and myself have been debating this and some are arguing that three peer-reviewed publications or a long monograph make a dissertation. However, others are arguing that the dissertation is defined not by the length or number of publications, but the significance of the contribution. Is there any scholarly consensus on this, or is this a continuing discussion in academia?
phd thesis
45
A dissertation is whatever the committee will sign off on and the university will accept. Anything beyond that is opinion and custom.
– Jon Custer
Mar 26 at 14:43
1
Just as a curiosity, in my country of origin it depends on the degree: monograph for finishing the bachelor degree, dissertation for finishing the masters degree and thesis for finishing the doctorate (there is no PhD over there). So, we say "bachelor's monograph, master's dissertation and doctorate's thesis". If someone says "I'm writing my doctorate dissertation" it will sound very strange.
– Gerardo Furtado
Mar 27 at 2:51
It would help to indicate at what level. In British English, a dissertation is an original work at masters, undergraduate, or high-school level. Most of the answers seem to assume a dissertation is produced for a PhD - in British English that would be a thesis.
– Martin Bonner
Mar 27 at 6:52
@MartinBonner done.
– anonymous
Mar 27 at 16:49
add a comment |
This might be a bit of an abstract question, but what defines a dissertation? Some colleagues and myself have been debating this and some are arguing that three peer-reviewed publications or a long monograph make a dissertation. However, others are arguing that the dissertation is defined not by the length or number of publications, but the significance of the contribution. Is there any scholarly consensus on this, or is this a continuing discussion in academia?
phd thesis
This might be a bit of an abstract question, but what defines a dissertation? Some colleagues and myself have been debating this and some are arguing that three peer-reviewed publications or a long monograph make a dissertation. However, others are arguing that the dissertation is defined not by the length or number of publications, but the significance of the contribution. Is there any scholarly consensus on this, or is this a continuing discussion in academia?
phd thesis
phd thesis
edited Mar 27 at 16:49
anonymous
asked Mar 26 at 14:39
anonymousanonymous
1,966627
1,966627
45
A dissertation is whatever the committee will sign off on and the university will accept. Anything beyond that is opinion and custom.
– Jon Custer
Mar 26 at 14:43
1
Just as a curiosity, in my country of origin it depends on the degree: monograph for finishing the bachelor degree, dissertation for finishing the masters degree and thesis for finishing the doctorate (there is no PhD over there). So, we say "bachelor's monograph, master's dissertation and doctorate's thesis". If someone says "I'm writing my doctorate dissertation" it will sound very strange.
– Gerardo Furtado
Mar 27 at 2:51
It would help to indicate at what level. In British English, a dissertation is an original work at masters, undergraduate, or high-school level. Most of the answers seem to assume a dissertation is produced for a PhD - in British English that would be a thesis.
– Martin Bonner
Mar 27 at 6:52
@MartinBonner done.
– anonymous
Mar 27 at 16:49
add a comment |
45
A dissertation is whatever the committee will sign off on and the university will accept. Anything beyond that is opinion and custom.
– Jon Custer
Mar 26 at 14:43
1
Just as a curiosity, in my country of origin it depends on the degree: monograph for finishing the bachelor degree, dissertation for finishing the masters degree and thesis for finishing the doctorate (there is no PhD over there). So, we say "bachelor's monograph, master's dissertation and doctorate's thesis". If someone says "I'm writing my doctorate dissertation" it will sound very strange.
– Gerardo Furtado
Mar 27 at 2:51
It would help to indicate at what level. In British English, a dissertation is an original work at masters, undergraduate, or high-school level. Most of the answers seem to assume a dissertation is produced for a PhD - in British English that would be a thesis.
– Martin Bonner
Mar 27 at 6:52
@MartinBonner done.
– anonymous
Mar 27 at 16:49
45
45
A dissertation is whatever the committee will sign off on and the university will accept. Anything beyond that is opinion and custom.
– Jon Custer
Mar 26 at 14:43
A dissertation is whatever the committee will sign off on and the university will accept. Anything beyond that is opinion and custom.
– Jon Custer
Mar 26 at 14:43
1
1
Just as a curiosity, in my country of origin it depends on the degree: monograph for finishing the bachelor degree, dissertation for finishing the masters degree and thesis for finishing the doctorate (there is no PhD over there). So, we say "bachelor's monograph, master's dissertation and doctorate's thesis". If someone says "I'm writing my doctorate dissertation" it will sound very strange.
– Gerardo Furtado
Mar 27 at 2:51
Just as a curiosity, in my country of origin it depends on the degree: monograph for finishing the bachelor degree, dissertation for finishing the masters degree and thesis for finishing the doctorate (there is no PhD over there). So, we say "bachelor's monograph, master's dissertation and doctorate's thesis". If someone says "I'm writing my doctorate dissertation" it will sound very strange.
– Gerardo Furtado
Mar 27 at 2:51
It would help to indicate at what level. In British English, a dissertation is an original work at masters, undergraduate, or high-school level. Most of the answers seem to assume a dissertation is produced for a PhD - in British English that would be a thesis.
– Martin Bonner
Mar 27 at 6:52
It would help to indicate at what level. In British English, a dissertation is an original work at masters, undergraduate, or high-school level. Most of the answers seem to assume a dissertation is produced for a PhD - in British English that would be a thesis.
– Martin Bonner
Mar 27 at 6:52
@MartinBonner done.
– anonymous
Mar 27 at 16:49
@MartinBonner done.
– anonymous
Mar 27 at 16:49
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
Don't have a source, and things may be different in different parts of the world, but I've always considered a dissertation to be:
A long monograph submitted in partial completion of the requirements for a PhD
- Dissertations are generally submitted by grad students as they complete their PhDs -- other academics might publish long monographs, but that wouldn't be considered a dissertation.
- Certainly I don't think there is a well-defined standard for how significant a contribution has to be to merit a dissertation -- it's whatever the committee will accept (though in principle, it should have some new advance, not merely a survey or report).
- Some institutions may allow you to staple together your papers to produce a dissertation; most require a separate document that re-hashes work that may (or may not) have been published elsewhere.
8
Indeed, on point three, I have seen dissertations that, quite literally, where a heavy duty top sheet with a title and name on it and then several reprints of published papers stapled behind it. (Of course, this is from when one actually got reprints of papers, but that is another story.)
– Jon Custer
Mar 26 at 15:04
2
...where "long" means anything from "at least 20 pages" to "at least 500 pages".
– JeffE
Mar 28 at 6:03
add a comment |
This depends on field and on location. In mathematics, generally, if not universally, a dissertation is a significant contribution advancing mathematics in a subfield, where significance is judged by an advisor and a committee. It doesn't need to be published at all, though the candidate may have one or more papers based on it.
In other fields, a "dissertation" is, as you suggest, just a collection of published papers, where the quality is left, perhaps, to the editors and reviewers. It might even be a single publication.
A dissertation could be long or short, but its length has nothing to do with its quality. A three line proof that P = NP would, in CS, if correct, be a monumental contribution.
There isn't really a discussion "in Academia" though there might be within some fields or at some universities. A new field, in particular, might go through a period of uncertainty as to what should be generally accepted within that field. Most likely it would settle out somehow within a few years.
In those fields in which advisors/supervisors play an important part, it is the definition of the supervisor that weighs the most.
The question of "significance" is, of course, subjective and will depend on the institution, department, committee, and advisor. But the property of novelty should be more objective. Should a PhD recipient always make a novel contribution to the field or subfield (and perhaps leave the "significance" or "impact" to be decided in the future)? I should hope so, but I doubt it's always the case, even in hard sciences and mathematics. I dunno. (Personally I think there is a glut of PhDs and wish that some of the quantity were traded for quality and novelty.)
– robert bristow-johnson
Mar 26 at 23:13
add a comment |
It would be more interesting to talk about what a dissertation ought to be. I have always been against the (rather modern) convention of a candidate stapling together 5 published papers and calling it a dissertation. If one is to really be a Doctor of Philosophy, then he should really understand the philosophy of his field and his dissertation should show it.
You published 5 papers, two of which were "monumental" and all in highly respected journals? Swell. That shows that your advisor can hand you problems and you can solve them (or hand you topics and you can research and write interesting things about them.) But is doesn't show that you know what an interesting problem or topic is. Sure, you can get an assistant professorship and then work in a research group at a flagship university, but still, it's the PI handing you problems which you solve.
But how to your papers fit into the larger body of knowledge? What makes them useful and interesting? Where are these topics going to lead? Those are higher-level questions, and I think the dissertation should not only be a publishable result, but also should show the world why the result should be published (and funded and pursued further.)
I speculate that the pressure (which I believe began with the Viet Nam war college deferment) to produce a lot more Ph.D.'s has caused academia to loosen the standards for who gets to be a Doctor of Philosophy. We now have about 3 times the number of Ph.D.'s that society really needs and most of them are just grinding out papers that no one really cares about.
So my opinion is that a dissertation is a publishable result wrapped in a good thick layer of why it's a publishable result.
So, one novel and justifiably novel result is worth more than five "solutions to hard problems?
– anonymous
Mar 26 at 22:27
@anonymous "Worth more"? That isn't my issue. I would think that academia wants to know what this student is made of. I'm interested in evaluating the person, not the results (or in addition to the results.)
– B. Goddard
Mar 26 at 22:30
I think that's my point though. If the student works hard, makes a significant breakthrough, then it does it really make sense to say, "OK, now gives us four more publications!" So I'm interpreting what you are saying as, one significant advancement that the student is able to articulate and position in the literature well is better than volume, even if it's very productive work.
– anonymous
Mar 27 at 4:43
@anonymous If the student publishes 5 "good" papers and only one is "breakthrough", but he doesn't know why the one paper is a notch above the others, then he is somehow lacking in the philosophy of his field.
– B. Goddard
Mar 27 at 12:31
1
@anonymous Yes. He should write down why it's a breakthrough. The point of the dissertation is to prove to others that you have mastered the philosophy of your field. He should write about further direction that this breakthough should lead to.
– B. Goddard
Mar 27 at 16:42
|
show 1 more comment
Obviously there is not a consensus, given the differences in practice. Even if debating this, I don't think there is an easy answer and you will get different points of view (different pluses and minuses and tradeoffs).
I tend to the view (in the sciences) that the dissertation is just a hurdle to get out of the way, but much less important in learning or in contribution than what you did in publications. I think a gentle stitching together of previously done papers along with a perfunctory intro and background is fine. (Perfunctory because I think a thorough review makes more sense when a senior scientist.) The main disadvantage to spending too much time or effort on the thesis is that it either keeps you longer or it takes away from lab work and real papers. Time is not infinite.
In general, I think most students would be better advised to try to get through the thesis fast AND to look at it somewhat cynically as a pass/fail school exercise. In other words, NOT like writing the King James Bible. On the other hand, your papers ought to be very well honed little gemstones. They are going into the archived literature (so is the thesis, but nobody looks at it.) This might be very different for someone in the humanities where writing a monograph is an important skill. But we need to be realistic that somebody working on helium-3 is getting a doctorate in condensed matter physics, not "philosophy" (despite the confusing term "Ph.D.")
I do like the use of the dissertation to be able to include results not yet published (but then please try to get the chapters converted later...nobody reads dissertations like they read papers). In addition, you can include a little more work that does not fit well into regular papers (failed experiments, etc.) The rationale is that at least you are getting it published somewhere. But still better in articles if possible.
In addition, you can go more into details on future work ideas, innovations in lab technique or tools, or practical advice on benefits of different methods. Follow-on students in the lab group can benefit from this and are a likely audience to read the dissertation.
1
+1 I'd argue a PhD is just a hurdle to get out of the way, aspiring academics should graduate as quickly as possible.
– user2768
Mar 27 at 8:21
"as a pass/fail school exercise." It should be noted that in some countries (certainly in Germany) a doctoral degree is graded. And the grade is exclusively determined by the dissertation and the defense. So this may be dangerous advice.
– Maeher
Mar 27 at 22:09
The advice also appears badly misguided in some fields, where students typically are not expected to produce papers during their studies.
– Andrés E. Caicedo
Mar 27 at 22:58
@user2768 That is also terrible advice in some areas. It may take a significant amount of time to acquire the required knowledge to be able to contribute meaningfully.
– Andrés E. Caicedo
Mar 27 at 23:10
1
@user2768 "longer than necessary" is the key thing. My point is that what is necessary varies quite wildly depending on the topic. I know many examples of people that graduated quickly and found themselves as a consequence grossly underprepared.
– Andrés E. Caicedo
Mar 28 at 11:39
|
show 1 more comment
Your Answer
StackExchange.ready(function()
var channelOptions =
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "415"
;
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);
StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
createEditor();
);
else
createEditor();
);
function createEditor()
StackExchange.prepareEditor(
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: true,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: 10,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader:
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
,
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
);
);
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2facademia.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f127069%2fwhat-defines-a-phd-dissertation-thesis%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
Don't have a source, and things may be different in different parts of the world, but I've always considered a dissertation to be:
A long monograph submitted in partial completion of the requirements for a PhD
- Dissertations are generally submitted by grad students as they complete their PhDs -- other academics might publish long monographs, but that wouldn't be considered a dissertation.
- Certainly I don't think there is a well-defined standard for how significant a contribution has to be to merit a dissertation -- it's whatever the committee will accept (though in principle, it should have some new advance, not merely a survey or report).
- Some institutions may allow you to staple together your papers to produce a dissertation; most require a separate document that re-hashes work that may (or may not) have been published elsewhere.
8
Indeed, on point three, I have seen dissertations that, quite literally, where a heavy duty top sheet with a title and name on it and then several reprints of published papers stapled behind it. (Of course, this is from when one actually got reprints of papers, but that is another story.)
– Jon Custer
Mar 26 at 15:04
2
...where "long" means anything from "at least 20 pages" to "at least 500 pages".
– JeffE
Mar 28 at 6:03
add a comment |
Don't have a source, and things may be different in different parts of the world, but I've always considered a dissertation to be:
A long monograph submitted in partial completion of the requirements for a PhD
- Dissertations are generally submitted by grad students as they complete their PhDs -- other academics might publish long monographs, but that wouldn't be considered a dissertation.
- Certainly I don't think there is a well-defined standard for how significant a contribution has to be to merit a dissertation -- it's whatever the committee will accept (though in principle, it should have some new advance, not merely a survey or report).
- Some institutions may allow you to staple together your papers to produce a dissertation; most require a separate document that re-hashes work that may (or may not) have been published elsewhere.
8
Indeed, on point three, I have seen dissertations that, quite literally, where a heavy duty top sheet with a title and name on it and then several reprints of published papers stapled behind it. (Of course, this is from when one actually got reprints of papers, but that is another story.)
– Jon Custer
Mar 26 at 15:04
2
...where "long" means anything from "at least 20 pages" to "at least 500 pages".
– JeffE
Mar 28 at 6:03
add a comment |
Don't have a source, and things may be different in different parts of the world, but I've always considered a dissertation to be:
A long monograph submitted in partial completion of the requirements for a PhD
- Dissertations are generally submitted by grad students as they complete their PhDs -- other academics might publish long monographs, but that wouldn't be considered a dissertation.
- Certainly I don't think there is a well-defined standard for how significant a contribution has to be to merit a dissertation -- it's whatever the committee will accept (though in principle, it should have some new advance, not merely a survey or report).
- Some institutions may allow you to staple together your papers to produce a dissertation; most require a separate document that re-hashes work that may (or may not) have been published elsewhere.
Don't have a source, and things may be different in different parts of the world, but I've always considered a dissertation to be:
A long monograph submitted in partial completion of the requirements for a PhD
- Dissertations are generally submitted by grad students as they complete their PhDs -- other academics might publish long monographs, but that wouldn't be considered a dissertation.
- Certainly I don't think there is a well-defined standard for how significant a contribution has to be to merit a dissertation -- it's whatever the committee will accept (though in principle, it should have some new advance, not merely a survey or report).
- Some institutions may allow you to staple together your papers to produce a dissertation; most require a separate document that re-hashes work that may (or may not) have been published elsewhere.
edited Mar 27 at 2:09
answered Mar 26 at 14:47
cag51cag51
19.1k94071
19.1k94071
8
Indeed, on point three, I have seen dissertations that, quite literally, where a heavy duty top sheet with a title and name on it and then several reprints of published papers stapled behind it. (Of course, this is from when one actually got reprints of papers, but that is another story.)
– Jon Custer
Mar 26 at 15:04
2
...where "long" means anything from "at least 20 pages" to "at least 500 pages".
– JeffE
Mar 28 at 6:03
add a comment |
8
Indeed, on point three, I have seen dissertations that, quite literally, where a heavy duty top sheet with a title and name on it and then several reprints of published papers stapled behind it. (Of course, this is from when one actually got reprints of papers, but that is another story.)
– Jon Custer
Mar 26 at 15:04
2
...where "long" means anything from "at least 20 pages" to "at least 500 pages".
– JeffE
Mar 28 at 6:03
8
8
Indeed, on point three, I have seen dissertations that, quite literally, where a heavy duty top sheet with a title and name on it and then several reprints of published papers stapled behind it. (Of course, this is from when one actually got reprints of papers, but that is another story.)
– Jon Custer
Mar 26 at 15:04
Indeed, on point three, I have seen dissertations that, quite literally, where a heavy duty top sheet with a title and name on it and then several reprints of published papers stapled behind it. (Of course, this is from when one actually got reprints of papers, but that is another story.)
– Jon Custer
Mar 26 at 15:04
2
2
...where "long" means anything from "at least 20 pages" to "at least 500 pages".
– JeffE
Mar 28 at 6:03
...where "long" means anything from "at least 20 pages" to "at least 500 pages".
– JeffE
Mar 28 at 6:03
add a comment |
This depends on field and on location. In mathematics, generally, if not universally, a dissertation is a significant contribution advancing mathematics in a subfield, where significance is judged by an advisor and a committee. It doesn't need to be published at all, though the candidate may have one or more papers based on it.
In other fields, a "dissertation" is, as you suggest, just a collection of published papers, where the quality is left, perhaps, to the editors and reviewers. It might even be a single publication.
A dissertation could be long or short, but its length has nothing to do with its quality. A three line proof that P = NP would, in CS, if correct, be a monumental contribution.
There isn't really a discussion "in Academia" though there might be within some fields or at some universities. A new field, in particular, might go through a period of uncertainty as to what should be generally accepted within that field. Most likely it would settle out somehow within a few years.
In those fields in which advisors/supervisors play an important part, it is the definition of the supervisor that weighs the most.
The question of "significance" is, of course, subjective and will depend on the institution, department, committee, and advisor. But the property of novelty should be more objective. Should a PhD recipient always make a novel contribution to the field or subfield (and perhaps leave the "significance" or "impact" to be decided in the future)? I should hope so, but I doubt it's always the case, even in hard sciences and mathematics. I dunno. (Personally I think there is a glut of PhDs and wish that some of the quantity were traded for quality and novelty.)
– robert bristow-johnson
Mar 26 at 23:13
add a comment |
This depends on field and on location. In mathematics, generally, if not universally, a dissertation is a significant contribution advancing mathematics in a subfield, where significance is judged by an advisor and a committee. It doesn't need to be published at all, though the candidate may have one or more papers based on it.
In other fields, a "dissertation" is, as you suggest, just a collection of published papers, where the quality is left, perhaps, to the editors and reviewers. It might even be a single publication.
A dissertation could be long or short, but its length has nothing to do with its quality. A three line proof that P = NP would, in CS, if correct, be a monumental contribution.
There isn't really a discussion "in Academia" though there might be within some fields or at some universities. A new field, in particular, might go through a period of uncertainty as to what should be generally accepted within that field. Most likely it would settle out somehow within a few years.
In those fields in which advisors/supervisors play an important part, it is the definition of the supervisor that weighs the most.
The question of "significance" is, of course, subjective and will depend on the institution, department, committee, and advisor. But the property of novelty should be more objective. Should a PhD recipient always make a novel contribution to the field or subfield (and perhaps leave the "significance" or "impact" to be decided in the future)? I should hope so, but I doubt it's always the case, even in hard sciences and mathematics. I dunno. (Personally I think there is a glut of PhDs and wish that some of the quantity were traded for quality and novelty.)
– robert bristow-johnson
Mar 26 at 23:13
add a comment |
This depends on field and on location. In mathematics, generally, if not universally, a dissertation is a significant contribution advancing mathematics in a subfield, where significance is judged by an advisor and a committee. It doesn't need to be published at all, though the candidate may have one or more papers based on it.
In other fields, a "dissertation" is, as you suggest, just a collection of published papers, where the quality is left, perhaps, to the editors and reviewers. It might even be a single publication.
A dissertation could be long or short, but its length has nothing to do with its quality. A three line proof that P = NP would, in CS, if correct, be a monumental contribution.
There isn't really a discussion "in Academia" though there might be within some fields or at some universities. A new field, in particular, might go through a period of uncertainty as to what should be generally accepted within that field. Most likely it would settle out somehow within a few years.
In those fields in which advisors/supervisors play an important part, it is the definition of the supervisor that weighs the most.
This depends on field and on location. In mathematics, generally, if not universally, a dissertation is a significant contribution advancing mathematics in a subfield, where significance is judged by an advisor and a committee. It doesn't need to be published at all, though the candidate may have one or more papers based on it.
In other fields, a "dissertation" is, as you suggest, just a collection of published papers, where the quality is left, perhaps, to the editors and reviewers. It might even be a single publication.
A dissertation could be long or short, but its length has nothing to do with its quality. A three line proof that P = NP would, in CS, if correct, be a monumental contribution.
There isn't really a discussion "in Academia" though there might be within some fields or at some universities. A new field, in particular, might go through a period of uncertainty as to what should be generally accepted within that field. Most likely it would settle out somehow within a few years.
In those fields in which advisors/supervisors play an important part, it is the definition of the supervisor that weighs the most.
edited Mar 26 at 14:50
answered Mar 26 at 14:45
BuffyBuffy
59k17182280
59k17182280
The question of "significance" is, of course, subjective and will depend on the institution, department, committee, and advisor. But the property of novelty should be more objective. Should a PhD recipient always make a novel contribution to the field or subfield (and perhaps leave the "significance" or "impact" to be decided in the future)? I should hope so, but I doubt it's always the case, even in hard sciences and mathematics. I dunno. (Personally I think there is a glut of PhDs and wish that some of the quantity were traded for quality and novelty.)
– robert bristow-johnson
Mar 26 at 23:13
add a comment |
The question of "significance" is, of course, subjective and will depend on the institution, department, committee, and advisor. But the property of novelty should be more objective. Should a PhD recipient always make a novel contribution to the field or subfield (and perhaps leave the "significance" or "impact" to be decided in the future)? I should hope so, but I doubt it's always the case, even in hard sciences and mathematics. I dunno. (Personally I think there is a glut of PhDs and wish that some of the quantity were traded for quality and novelty.)
– robert bristow-johnson
Mar 26 at 23:13
The question of "significance" is, of course, subjective and will depend on the institution, department, committee, and advisor. But the property of novelty should be more objective. Should a PhD recipient always make a novel contribution to the field or subfield (and perhaps leave the "significance" or "impact" to be decided in the future)? I should hope so, but I doubt it's always the case, even in hard sciences and mathematics. I dunno. (Personally I think there is a glut of PhDs and wish that some of the quantity were traded for quality and novelty.)
– robert bristow-johnson
Mar 26 at 23:13
The question of "significance" is, of course, subjective and will depend on the institution, department, committee, and advisor. But the property of novelty should be more objective. Should a PhD recipient always make a novel contribution to the field or subfield (and perhaps leave the "significance" or "impact" to be decided in the future)? I should hope so, but I doubt it's always the case, even in hard sciences and mathematics. I dunno. (Personally I think there is a glut of PhDs and wish that some of the quantity were traded for quality and novelty.)
– robert bristow-johnson
Mar 26 at 23:13
add a comment |
It would be more interesting to talk about what a dissertation ought to be. I have always been against the (rather modern) convention of a candidate stapling together 5 published papers and calling it a dissertation. If one is to really be a Doctor of Philosophy, then he should really understand the philosophy of his field and his dissertation should show it.
You published 5 papers, two of which were "monumental" and all in highly respected journals? Swell. That shows that your advisor can hand you problems and you can solve them (or hand you topics and you can research and write interesting things about them.) But is doesn't show that you know what an interesting problem or topic is. Sure, you can get an assistant professorship and then work in a research group at a flagship university, but still, it's the PI handing you problems which you solve.
But how to your papers fit into the larger body of knowledge? What makes them useful and interesting? Where are these topics going to lead? Those are higher-level questions, and I think the dissertation should not only be a publishable result, but also should show the world why the result should be published (and funded and pursued further.)
I speculate that the pressure (which I believe began with the Viet Nam war college deferment) to produce a lot more Ph.D.'s has caused academia to loosen the standards for who gets to be a Doctor of Philosophy. We now have about 3 times the number of Ph.D.'s that society really needs and most of them are just grinding out papers that no one really cares about.
So my opinion is that a dissertation is a publishable result wrapped in a good thick layer of why it's a publishable result.
So, one novel and justifiably novel result is worth more than five "solutions to hard problems?
– anonymous
Mar 26 at 22:27
@anonymous "Worth more"? That isn't my issue. I would think that academia wants to know what this student is made of. I'm interested in evaluating the person, not the results (or in addition to the results.)
– B. Goddard
Mar 26 at 22:30
I think that's my point though. If the student works hard, makes a significant breakthrough, then it does it really make sense to say, "OK, now gives us four more publications!" So I'm interpreting what you are saying as, one significant advancement that the student is able to articulate and position in the literature well is better than volume, even if it's very productive work.
– anonymous
Mar 27 at 4:43
@anonymous If the student publishes 5 "good" papers and only one is "breakthrough", but he doesn't know why the one paper is a notch above the others, then he is somehow lacking in the philosophy of his field.
– B. Goddard
Mar 27 at 12:31
1
@anonymous Yes. He should write down why it's a breakthrough. The point of the dissertation is to prove to others that you have mastered the philosophy of your field. He should write about further direction that this breakthough should lead to.
– B. Goddard
Mar 27 at 16:42
|
show 1 more comment
It would be more interesting to talk about what a dissertation ought to be. I have always been against the (rather modern) convention of a candidate stapling together 5 published papers and calling it a dissertation. If one is to really be a Doctor of Philosophy, then he should really understand the philosophy of his field and his dissertation should show it.
You published 5 papers, two of which were "monumental" and all in highly respected journals? Swell. That shows that your advisor can hand you problems and you can solve them (or hand you topics and you can research and write interesting things about them.) But is doesn't show that you know what an interesting problem or topic is. Sure, you can get an assistant professorship and then work in a research group at a flagship university, but still, it's the PI handing you problems which you solve.
But how to your papers fit into the larger body of knowledge? What makes them useful and interesting? Where are these topics going to lead? Those are higher-level questions, and I think the dissertation should not only be a publishable result, but also should show the world why the result should be published (and funded and pursued further.)
I speculate that the pressure (which I believe began with the Viet Nam war college deferment) to produce a lot more Ph.D.'s has caused academia to loosen the standards for who gets to be a Doctor of Philosophy. We now have about 3 times the number of Ph.D.'s that society really needs and most of them are just grinding out papers that no one really cares about.
So my opinion is that a dissertation is a publishable result wrapped in a good thick layer of why it's a publishable result.
So, one novel and justifiably novel result is worth more than five "solutions to hard problems?
– anonymous
Mar 26 at 22:27
@anonymous "Worth more"? That isn't my issue. I would think that academia wants to know what this student is made of. I'm interested in evaluating the person, not the results (or in addition to the results.)
– B. Goddard
Mar 26 at 22:30
I think that's my point though. If the student works hard, makes a significant breakthrough, then it does it really make sense to say, "OK, now gives us four more publications!" So I'm interpreting what you are saying as, one significant advancement that the student is able to articulate and position in the literature well is better than volume, even if it's very productive work.
– anonymous
Mar 27 at 4:43
@anonymous If the student publishes 5 "good" papers and only one is "breakthrough", but he doesn't know why the one paper is a notch above the others, then he is somehow lacking in the philosophy of his field.
– B. Goddard
Mar 27 at 12:31
1
@anonymous Yes. He should write down why it's a breakthrough. The point of the dissertation is to prove to others that you have mastered the philosophy of your field. He should write about further direction that this breakthough should lead to.
– B. Goddard
Mar 27 at 16:42
|
show 1 more comment
It would be more interesting to talk about what a dissertation ought to be. I have always been against the (rather modern) convention of a candidate stapling together 5 published papers and calling it a dissertation. If one is to really be a Doctor of Philosophy, then he should really understand the philosophy of his field and his dissertation should show it.
You published 5 papers, two of which were "monumental" and all in highly respected journals? Swell. That shows that your advisor can hand you problems and you can solve them (or hand you topics and you can research and write interesting things about them.) But is doesn't show that you know what an interesting problem or topic is. Sure, you can get an assistant professorship and then work in a research group at a flagship university, but still, it's the PI handing you problems which you solve.
But how to your papers fit into the larger body of knowledge? What makes them useful and interesting? Where are these topics going to lead? Those are higher-level questions, and I think the dissertation should not only be a publishable result, but also should show the world why the result should be published (and funded and pursued further.)
I speculate that the pressure (which I believe began with the Viet Nam war college deferment) to produce a lot more Ph.D.'s has caused academia to loosen the standards for who gets to be a Doctor of Philosophy. We now have about 3 times the number of Ph.D.'s that society really needs and most of them are just grinding out papers that no one really cares about.
So my opinion is that a dissertation is a publishable result wrapped in a good thick layer of why it's a publishable result.
It would be more interesting to talk about what a dissertation ought to be. I have always been against the (rather modern) convention of a candidate stapling together 5 published papers and calling it a dissertation. If one is to really be a Doctor of Philosophy, then he should really understand the philosophy of his field and his dissertation should show it.
You published 5 papers, two of which were "monumental" and all in highly respected journals? Swell. That shows that your advisor can hand you problems and you can solve them (or hand you topics and you can research and write interesting things about them.) But is doesn't show that you know what an interesting problem or topic is. Sure, you can get an assistant professorship and then work in a research group at a flagship university, but still, it's the PI handing you problems which you solve.
But how to your papers fit into the larger body of knowledge? What makes them useful and interesting? Where are these topics going to lead? Those are higher-level questions, and I think the dissertation should not only be a publishable result, but also should show the world why the result should be published (and funded and pursued further.)
I speculate that the pressure (which I believe began with the Viet Nam war college deferment) to produce a lot more Ph.D.'s has caused academia to loosen the standards for who gets to be a Doctor of Philosophy. We now have about 3 times the number of Ph.D.'s that society really needs and most of them are just grinding out papers that no one really cares about.
So my opinion is that a dissertation is a publishable result wrapped in a good thick layer of why it's a publishable result.
answered Mar 26 at 21:20
B. GoddardB. Goddard
5,05421118
5,05421118
So, one novel and justifiably novel result is worth more than five "solutions to hard problems?
– anonymous
Mar 26 at 22:27
@anonymous "Worth more"? That isn't my issue. I would think that academia wants to know what this student is made of. I'm interested in evaluating the person, not the results (or in addition to the results.)
– B. Goddard
Mar 26 at 22:30
I think that's my point though. If the student works hard, makes a significant breakthrough, then it does it really make sense to say, "OK, now gives us four more publications!" So I'm interpreting what you are saying as, one significant advancement that the student is able to articulate and position in the literature well is better than volume, even if it's very productive work.
– anonymous
Mar 27 at 4:43
@anonymous If the student publishes 5 "good" papers and only one is "breakthrough", but he doesn't know why the one paper is a notch above the others, then he is somehow lacking in the philosophy of his field.
– B. Goddard
Mar 27 at 12:31
1
@anonymous Yes. He should write down why it's a breakthrough. The point of the dissertation is to prove to others that you have mastered the philosophy of your field. He should write about further direction that this breakthough should lead to.
– B. Goddard
Mar 27 at 16:42
|
show 1 more comment
So, one novel and justifiably novel result is worth more than five "solutions to hard problems?
– anonymous
Mar 26 at 22:27
@anonymous "Worth more"? That isn't my issue. I would think that academia wants to know what this student is made of. I'm interested in evaluating the person, not the results (or in addition to the results.)
– B. Goddard
Mar 26 at 22:30
I think that's my point though. If the student works hard, makes a significant breakthrough, then it does it really make sense to say, "OK, now gives us four more publications!" So I'm interpreting what you are saying as, one significant advancement that the student is able to articulate and position in the literature well is better than volume, even if it's very productive work.
– anonymous
Mar 27 at 4:43
@anonymous If the student publishes 5 "good" papers and only one is "breakthrough", but he doesn't know why the one paper is a notch above the others, then he is somehow lacking in the philosophy of his field.
– B. Goddard
Mar 27 at 12:31
1
@anonymous Yes. He should write down why it's a breakthrough. The point of the dissertation is to prove to others that you have mastered the philosophy of your field. He should write about further direction that this breakthough should lead to.
– B. Goddard
Mar 27 at 16:42
So, one novel and justifiably novel result is worth more than five "solutions to hard problems?
– anonymous
Mar 26 at 22:27
So, one novel and justifiably novel result is worth more than five "solutions to hard problems?
– anonymous
Mar 26 at 22:27
@anonymous "Worth more"? That isn't my issue. I would think that academia wants to know what this student is made of. I'm interested in evaluating the person, not the results (or in addition to the results.)
– B. Goddard
Mar 26 at 22:30
@anonymous "Worth more"? That isn't my issue. I would think that academia wants to know what this student is made of. I'm interested in evaluating the person, not the results (or in addition to the results.)
– B. Goddard
Mar 26 at 22:30
I think that's my point though. If the student works hard, makes a significant breakthrough, then it does it really make sense to say, "OK, now gives us four more publications!" So I'm interpreting what you are saying as, one significant advancement that the student is able to articulate and position in the literature well is better than volume, even if it's very productive work.
– anonymous
Mar 27 at 4:43
I think that's my point though. If the student works hard, makes a significant breakthrough, then it does it really make sense to say, "OK, now gives us four more publications!" So I'm interpreting what you are saying as, one significant advancement that the student is able to articulate and position in the literature well is better than volume, even if it's very productive work.
– anonymous
Mar 27 at 4:43
@anonymous If the student publishes 5 "good" papers and only one is "breakthrough", but he doesn't know why the one paper is a notch above the others, then he is somehow lacking in the philosophy of his field.
– B. Goddard
Mar 27 at 12:31
@anonymous If the student publishes 5 "good" papers and only one is "breakthrough", but he doesn't know why the one paper is a notch above the others, then he is somehow lacking in the philosophy of his field.
– B. Goddard
Mar 27 at 12:31
1
1
@anonymous Yes. He should write down why it's a breakthrough. The point of the dissertation is to prove to others that you have mastered the philosophy of your field. He should write about further direction that this breakthough should lead to.
– B. Goddard
Mar 27 at 16:42
@anonymous Yes. He should write down why it's a breakthrough. The point of the dissertation is to prove to others that you have mastered the philosophy of your field. He should write about further direction that this breakthough should lead to.
– B. Goddard
Mar 27 at 16:42
|
show 1 more comment
Obviously there is not a consensus, given the differences in practice. Even if debating this, I don't think there is an easy answer and you will get different points of view (different pluses and minuses and tradeoffs).
I tend to the view (in the sciences) that the dissertation is just a hurdle to get out of the way, but much less important in learning or in contribution than what you did in publications. I think a gentle stitching together of previously done papers along with a perfunctory intro and background is fine. (Perfunctory because I think a thorough review makes more sense when a senior scientist.) The main disadvantage to spending too much time or effort on the thesis is that it either keeps you longer or it takes away from lab work and real papers. Time is not infinite.
In general, I think most students would be better advised to try to get through the thesis fast AND to look at it somewhat cynically as a pass/fail school exercise. In other words, NOT like writing the King James Bible. On the other hand, your papers ought to be very well honed little gemstones. They are going into the archived literature (so is the thesis, but nobody looks at it.) This might be very different for someone in the humanities where writing a monograph is an important skill. But we need to be realistic that somebody working on helium-3 is getting a doctorate in condensed matter physics, not "philosophy" (despite the confusing term "Ph.D.")
I do like the use of the dissertation to be able to include results not yet published (but then please try to get the chapters converted later...nobody reads dissertations like they read papers). In addition, you can include a little more work that does not fit well into regular papers (failed experiments, etc.) The rationale is that at least you are getting it published somewhere. But still better in articles if possible.
In addition, you can go more into details on future work ideas, innovations in lab technique or tools, or practical advice on benefits of different methods. Follow-on students in the lab group can benefit from this and are a likely audience to read the dissertation.
1
+1 I'd argue a PhD is just a hurdle to get out of the way, aspiring academics should graduate as quickly as possible.
– user2768
Mar 27 at 8:21
"as a pass/fail school exercise." It should be noted that in some countries (certainly in Germany) a doctoral degree is graded. And the grade is exclusively determined by the dissertation and the defense. So this may be dangerous advice.
– Maeher
Mar 27 at 22:09
The advice also appears badly misguided in some fields, where students typically are not expected to produce papers during their studies.
– Andrés E. Caicedo
Mar 27 at 22:58
@user2768 That is also terrible advice in some areas. It may take a significant amount of time to acquire the required knowledge to be able to contribute meaningfully.
– Andrés E. Caicedo
Mar 27 at 23:10
1
@user2768 "longer than necessary" is the key thing. My point is that what is necessary varies quite wildly depending on the topic. I know many examples of people that graduated quickly and found themselves as a consequence grossly underprepared.
– Andrés E. Caicedo
Mar 28 at 11:39
|
show 1 more comment
Obviously there is not a consensus, given the differences in practice. Even if debating this, I don't think there is an easy answer and you will get different points of view (different pluses and minuses and tradeoffs).
I tend to the view (in the sciences) that the dissertation is just a hurdle to get out of the way, but much less important in learning or in contribution than what you did in publications. I think a gentle stitching together of previously done papers along with a perfunctory intro and background is fine. (Perfunctory because I think a thorough review makes more sense when a senior scientist.) The main disadvantage to spending too much time or effort on the thesis is that it either keeps you longer or it takes away from lab work and real papers. Time is not infinite.
In general, I think most students would be better advised to try to get through the thesis fast AND to look at it somewhat cynically as a pass/fail school exercise. In other words, NOT like writing the King James Bible. On the other hand, your papers ought to be very well honed little gemstones. They are going into the archived literature (so is the thesis, but nobody looks at it.) This might be very different for someone in the humanities where writing a monograph is an important skill. But we need to be realistic that somebody working on helium-3 is getting a doctorate in condensed matter physics, not "philosophy" (despite the confusing term "Ph.D.")
I do like the use of the dissertation to be able to include results not yet published (but then please try to get the chapters converted later...nobody reads dissertations like they read papers). In addition, you can include a little more work that does not fit well into regular papers (failed experiments, etc.) The rationale is that at least you are getting it published somewhere. But still better in articles if possible.
In addition, you can go more into details on future work ideas, innovations in lab technique or tools, or practical advice on benefits of different methods. Follow-on students in the lab group can benefit from this and are a likely audience to read the dissertation.
1
+1 I'd argue a PhD is just a hurdle to get out of the way, aspiring academics should graduate as quickly as possible.
– user2768
Mar 27 at 8:21
"as a pass/fail school exercise." It should be noted that in some countries (certainly in Germany) a doctoral degree is graded. And the grade is exclusively determined by the dissertation and the defense. So this may be dangerous advice.
– Maeher
Mar 27 at 22:09
The advice also appears badly misguided in some fields, where students typically are not expected to produce papers during their studies.
– Andrés E. Caicedo
Mar 27 at 22:58
@user2768 That is also terrible advice in some areas. It may take a significant amount of time to acquire the required knowledge to be able to contribute meaningfully.
– Andrés E. Caicedo
Mar 27 at 23:10
1
@user2768 "longer than necessary" is the key thing. My point is that what is necessary varies quite wildly depending on the topic. I know many examples of people that graduated quickly and found themselves as a consequence grossly underprepared.
– Andrés E. Caicedo
Mar 28 at 11:39
|
show 1 more comment
Obviously there is not a consensus, given the differences in practice. Even if debating this, I don't think there is an easy answer and you will get different points of view (different pluses and minuses and tradeoffs).
I tend to the view (in the sciences) that the dissertation is just a hurdle to get out of the way, but much less important in learning or in contribution than what you did in publications. I think a gentle stitching together of previously done papers along with a perfunctory intro and background is fine. (Perfunctory because I think a thorough review makes more sense when a senior scientist.) The main disadvantage to spending too much time or effort on the thesis is that it either keeps you longer or it takes away from lab work and real papers. Time is not infinite.
In general, I think most students would be better advised to try to get through the thesis fast AND to look at it somewhat cynically as a pass/fail school exercise. In other words, NOT like writing the King James Bible. On the other hand, your papers ought to be very well honed little gemstones. They are going into the archived literature (so is the thesis, but nobody looks at it.) This might be very different for someone in the humanities where writing a monograph is an important skill. But we need to be realistic that somebody working on helium-3 is getting a doctorate in condensed matter physics, not "philosophy" (despite the confusing term "Ph.D.")
I do like the use of the dissertation to be able to include results not yet published (but then please try to get the chapters converted later...nobody reads dissertations like they read papers). In addition, you can include a little more work that does not fit well into regular papers (failed experiments, etc.) The rationale is that at least you are getting it published somewhere. But still better in articles if possible.
In addition, you can go more into details on future work ideas, innovations in lab technique or tools, or practical advice on benefits of different methods. Follow-on students in the lab group can benefit from this and are a likely audience to read the dissertation.
Obviously there is not a consensus, given the differences in practice. Even if debating this, I don't think there is an easy answer and you will get different points of view (different pluses and minuses and tradeoffs).
I tend to the view (in the sciences) that the dissertation is just a hurdle to get out of the way, but much less important in learning or in contribution than what you did in publications. I think a gentle stitching together of previously done papers along with a perfunctory intro and background is fine. (Perfunctory because I think a thorough review makes more sense when a senior scientist.) The main disadvantage to spending too much time or effort on the thesis is that it either keeps you longer or it takes away from lab work and real papers. Time is not infinite.
In general, I think most students would be better advised to try to get through the thesis fast AND to look at it somewhat cynically as a pass/fail school exercise. In other words, NOT like writing the King James Bible. On the other hand, your papers ought to be very well honed little gemstones. They are going into the archived literature (so is the thesis, but nobody looks at it.) This might be very different for someone in the humanities where writing a monograph is an important skill. But we need to be realistic that somebody working on helium-3 is getting a doctorate in condensed matter physics, not "philosophy" (despite the confusing term "Ph.D.")
I do like the use of the dissertation to be able to include results not yet published (but then please try to get the chapters converted later...nobody reads dissertations like they read papers). In addition, you can include a little more work that does not fit well into regular papers (failed experiments, etc.) The rationale is that at least you are getting it published somewhere. But still better in articles if possible.
In addition, you can go more into details on future work ideas, innovations in lab technique or tools, or practical advice on benefits of different methods. Follow-on students in the lab group can benefit from this and are a likely audience to read the dissertation.
edited Mar 27 at 19:19
anonymous
1,966627
1,966627
answered Mar 27 at 1:54
guestguest
3013
3013
1
+1 I'd argue a PhD is just a hurdle to get out of the way, aspiring academics should graduate as quickly as possible.
– user2768
Mar 27 at 8:21
"as a pass/fail school exercise." It should be noted that in some countries (certainly in Germany) a doctoral degree is graded. And the grade is exclusively determined by the dissertation and the defense. So this may be dangerous advice.
– Maeher
Mar 27 at 22:09
The advice also appears badly misguided in some fields, where students typically are not expected to produce papers during their studies.
– Andrés E. Caicedo
Mar 27 at 22:58
@user2768 That is also terrible advice in some areas. It may take a significant amount of time to acquire the required knowledge to be able to contribute meaningfully.
– Andrés E. Caicedo
Mar 27 at 23:10
1
@user2768 "longer than necessary" is the key thing. My point is that what is necessary varies quite wildly depending on the topic. I know many examples of people that graduated quickly and found themselves as a consequence grossly underprepared.
– Andrés E. Caicedo
Mar 28 at 11:39
|
show 1 more comment
1
+1 I'd argue a PhD is just a hurdle to get out of the way, aspiring academics should graduate as quickly as possible.
– user2768
Mar 27 at 8:21
"as a pass/fail school exercise." It should be noted that in some countries (certainly in Germany) a doctoral degree is graded. And the grade is exclusively determined by the dissertation and the defense. So this may be dangerous advice.
– Maeher
Mar 27 at 22:09
The advice also appears badly misguided in some fields, where students typically are not expected to produce papers during their studies.
– Andrés E. Caicedo
Mar 27 at 22:58
@user2768 That is also terrible advice in some areas. It may take a significant amount of time to acquire the required knowledge to be able to contribute meaningfully.
– Andrés E. Caicedo
Mar 27 at 23:10
1
@user2768 "longer than necessary" is the key thing. My point is that what is necessary varies quite wildly depending on the topic. I know many examples of people that graduated quickly and found themselves as a consequence grossly underprepared.
– Andrés E. Caicedo
Mar 28 at 11:39
1
1
+1 I'd argue a PhD is just a hurdle to get out of the way, aspiring academics should graduate as quickly as possible.
– user2768
Mar 27 at 8:21
+1 I'd argue a PhD is just a hurdle to get out of the way, aspiring academics should graduate as quickly as possible.
– user2768
Mar 27 at 8:21
"as a pass/fail school exercise." It should be noted that in some countries (certainly in Germany) a doctoral degree is graded. And the grade is exclusively determined by the dissertation and the defense. So this may be dangerous advice.
– Maeher
Mar 27 at 22:09
"as a pass/fail school exercise." It should be noted that in some countries (certainly in Germany) a doctoral degree is graded. And the grade is exclusively determined by the dissertation and the defense. So this may be dangerous advice.
– Maeher
Mar 27 at 22:09
The advice also appears badly misguided in some fields, where students typically are not expected to produce papers during their studies.
– Andrés E. Caicedo
Mar 27 at 22:58
The advice also appears badly misguided in some fields, where students typically are not expected to produce papers during their studies.
– Andrés E. Caicedo
Mar 27 at 22:58
@user2768 That is also terrible advice in some areas. It may take a significant amount of time to acquire the required knowledge to be able to contribute meaningfully.
– Andrés E. Caicedo
Mar 27 at 23:10
@user2768 That is also terrible advice in some areas. It may take a significant amount of time to acquire the required knowledge to be able to contribute meaningfully.
– Andrés E. Caicedo
Mar 27 at 23:10
1
1
@user2768 "longer than necessary" is the key thing. My point is that what is necessary varies quite wildly depending on the topic. I know many examples of people that graduated quickly and found themselves as a consequence grossly underprepared.
– Andrés E. Caicedo
Mar 28 at 11:39
@user2768 "longer than necessary" is the key thing. My point is that what is necessary varies quite wildly depending on the topic. I know many examples of people that graduated quickly and found themselves as a consequence grossly underprepared.
– Andrés E. Caicedo
Mar 28 at 11:39
|
show 1 more comment
Thanks for contributing an answer to Academia Stack Exchange!
- Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!
But avoid …
- Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.
- Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.
To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
StackExchange.ready(
function ()
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2facademia.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f127069%2fwhat-defines-a-phd-dissertation-thesis%23new-answer', 'question_page');
);
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Sign up or log in
StackExchange.ready(function ()
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
);
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Sign up using Google
Sign up using Facebook
Sign up using Email and Password
Post as a guest
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
Required, but never shown
45
A dissertation is whatever the committee will sign off on and the university will accept. Anything beyond that is opinion and custom.
– Jon Custer
Mar 26 at 14:43
1
Just as a curiosity, in my country of origin it depends on the degree: monograph for finishing the bachelor degree, dissertation for finishing the masters degree and thesis for finishing the doctorate (there is no PhD over there). So, we say "bachelor's monograph, master's dissertation and doctorate's thesis". If someone says "I'm writing my doctorate dissertation" it will sound very strange.
– Gerardo Furtado
Mar 27 at 2:51
It would help to indicate at what level. In British English, a dissertation is an original work at masters, undergraduate, or high-school level. Most of the answers seem to assume a dissertation is produced for a PhD - in British English that would be a thesis.
– Martin Bonner
Mar 27 at 6:52
@MartinBonner done.
– anonymous
Mar 27 at 16:49