Thesis by publication

A thesis by publication, also known as an article thesis,^[1] is a doctoral dissertation that, as opposed to a coherent monograph, is a collection of research articles with introductory summary chapters. It comprises already published journal articles, conference papers and book chapters, and occasional not yet published manuscripts. Today, article theses are the standard format in natural, medical and engineering sciences, while in social and cultural sciences, for example in the Nordic countries, there is a strong but rapidly decrescent tradition to produce coherent monographs, or doctoral students may have a choice between monograph and compilation thesis.^[2][3]

The thesis by publication format is chosen in cases where the student intends to first publish the thesis in parts in international journals. It often results in a higher number of publications during the doctoral studies than a monograph and may render in higher number of citations in other research publications; something that may be advantageous from research funding point of view and may fascilitate readership appointment after the dissertation. A further reason for writing a compilation thesis is that some of the articles can be written together with other authors, which may be helpful especially for new doctoral students. A majority of the articles should be reviewed by referees outside the student’s own department, supplementing the audit carried out by the supervisory staff and dissertation opponent, thus assuring international standards.^[2]

A thesis by publication is a form of compilation thesis (a term used in Nordic countries). A less common form of compilation thesis is an essay thesis, comprising previously unpublished independent essays.^[1]

Summary chapters

The introductory summary chapters of a thesis by publication should be written independently by the student. They should clarify the contribution of the doctoral student if the appended papers are written by several authors. They should include an extensive bibliography or literature review, placing the scope and results of the papers in the wider context of current state of the international research. They may supplement the articles with a motivation of the chosen scope, research problems, objectives and methods, and a strengthening of the theoretical framework, analysis and conclusions, since the extent of the articles normally does not allow this kind of longer discussions.^[1][4][5]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Article theses and essay theses, Turku School of Ecnomics, Finland, October 2010.
2. ^ ^{a b} About monographs and compilation theses, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
3. ^ Niclas Hagen,The compilation thesis as a genre and as a method, 7 May 2011 blog, affiliated with Lund University, Sweden.
4. ^ Guidance on the structure of a compilation thesis, Lund university, Faculty of engineering, Sweden. Last updated: 27 April 2011.
5. ^ On the choice of thesis format and on writing the ”kappa” of a thesis of publication