Crisp, Jane, Kay Ferres, and Gillian Swanson, eds. Deciphering Culture: Ordinary Curiosities and Subjective Narratives . London: Routledge, 2000.
Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST). “Closed—Register of Refereed Journals.” Higher Education Research Data Collection , 2008. 11 June 2008 ‹ http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/research_sector/online_forms_services/ higher_education_research_data_ collection.htm >.
Edith Cowan University. “Policy Content.” Postgraduate Research: Thesis by Publication , 2003. 11 June 2008 ‹ http://www.ecu.edu.au/GPPS/policies_db/tmp/ac063.pdf >.
Gledhill, Christine, and Gillian Swanson, eds. Nationalising Femininity: Culture, Sexuality and Cinema in Britain in World War Two. Manchester: Manchester UP, 1996.
Griffith Law School, Griffith University. Handbook for Research Higher Degree Students . 24 March 2004. 11 June 2008 ‹ http://www.griffith.edu.au/centre/slrc/pdf/rhdhandbook.pdf >.
Jeffries, Stuart. “I’m a celebrity, get me an honorary degree!” The Guardian 6 July 2006. 11 June 2008 ‹ http://education.guardian.co.uk/higher/comment/story/0,,1813525,00.html >.
Kermit the Frog. “Kermit’s Commencement Address at Southampton Graduate Campus.” Long Island University News 19 May 1996. 11 June 2008 ‹ http://www.southampton.liu.edu/news/commence/1996/kermit.htm >.
McNamara, Eileen. “Honorary senselessness.” The Boston Globe 7 May 2006. ‹ http://www. boston.com/news/local/articles/2006/05/07/honorary_senselessness/ >.
O’Loughlin, Shaunnagh. “Doctor Cave.” Monash Magazine 21 (May 2008). 13 Aug. 2008 ‹ http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/monmag/issue21-2008/alumni/cave.html >.
Queensland University of Technology. “Presentation of PhD Theses by Published Papers.” Queensland University of Technology Doctor of Philosophy Regulations (IF49) . 12 Oct. 2007. 11 June 2008 ‹ http://www.mopp.qut.edu.au/Appendix/appendix09.jsp#14%20Presentation %20of%20PhD%20Theses >.
Swinburne University of Technology. Research Higher Degrees and Policies. 14 Nov. 2007. 11 June 2008 ‹ http://www.swinburne.edu.au/corporate/registrar/ppd/docs/RHDpolicy& procedure.pdf >.
University of Canberra. Higher Degrees by Research: Policy and Procedures (The Gold Book). 7.3.3.27 (a). 15 Nov. 2004. 11 June 2008 ‹ http://www.canberra.edu.au/research/attachments/ goldbook/Pt207_AB20approved3220arp07.pdf >.
Bruno starrs, qut.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
Current issue.
Information.
Section 1 - purpose and context, section 2 - definitions, section 3 - policy statement, part a - purpose of the degree, part b - admission, approval of resources, portfolio topic and supervisory panel, part c - application, part d - period of candidature, conditions of enrolment, full or part-time mode of candidature, extension of candidature, changes to supervisory panel or topic, part e - leave of absence, conflict of interest, part f - resolution of difficulties, part g - show cause and termination of candidature, part h - portfolio for examination, part i - submission for examination, part j - examination and award of degree, examination, re-writing and re-examination, access to examiner's report, award of the degree, section 4 - procedures, section 5 - guidelines.
(1) This policy establishes policy for the academic governance of the Doctor of Philosophy by Publication degree, including the admission of candidates, matters related to the enrolment and progression of candidatures, examination and graduation.
(2) Definitions for the purpose of this policy:
(3) The PhD by Publication enables the award of a doctoral level degree to candidates on the basis of their original scholarship and contribution to knowledge through demonstration of a sustained research effort. It provides formal recognition of established researchers with a solid reputation and standing based on their record of academic publication and for whom enrolment in a standard PhD or Professional Doctorate would not be suitable. The PhD by Publication requires the candidate to have already achieved the publication of a coherent body of work that is equivalent in its combined substance to the contribution to knowledge that a PhD represents, i.e. that it requires not merely the publication of a certain number of papers or articles but that these when brought together amount to a body of sustained original work advancing knowledge in its field.
(4) The degree is awarded on the basis of contribution to knowledge and a demonstrated capacity for independent research.
(5) The Research Studies Committee will approve a Schedule of Higher Degree by Research (HDR)Delegations specifying the tasks that may be undertaken by an HDR Director or equivalent on behalf of the relevant School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee, with reporting to the next meeting of that Committee. This Schedule will be an Associated Document to this Policy, and will include a list of delegations under this Policy that are held by the School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee, the Research Studies Committee, and the Dean or Director, Research Institute.
(6) Applicants must be currently employed by the University and have been employed by the University for at least five years prior to application.
(7) Applicants will normally hold an undergraduate degree.
(8) Applicants must be recognised researchers with an established record of peer-reviewed publications.
(9) Applicants who have been enrolled in a PhD or a Professional Doctorate within the previous five years are not eligible for admission.
(10) The application will be judged by an external assessor within the discipline to determine the academic standing and/or professional standing of the applicant.
(11) The School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee will provide a copy of the external assessor's report to the Dean or Director, Research Institute
(12) The School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee must endorse the application before it is considered by the Dean or Director, Research Institute.
(13) The Dean or Director, Research Institute must attest that adequate supervision and facilities are available before he/she approves admission.
(14) The School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee shall approve the portfolio topic and a supervisory panel. The supervisory panel will normally comprise a Principal Supervisor and at least one other member. Panels will be appointed in accordance with the Supervision of Research Candidates Policy .
(15) The application for admission should contain:
(16) The period of candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Publication shall be one session full time or two sessions part time.
(17) A candidate is expected to establish and maintain enrolment at the University by completing the requirements for initial enrolment and annual re-enrolment.
(18) Candidates must submit a Commencement of Candidature form within three months of first enrolment. Alternatively, the Principal Supervisor must advise the Graduate Research School of the commencement date of the candidate within that time frame. If the Graduate Research School is not advised of a commencement date via one of these methods within the three months, the candidate will be required to either defer or have their enrolment terminated.
(19) Except when the candidate is on approved leave, failure to re-enrol will lead to the candidate being deemed to have abandoned the course.
(20) Candidates are responsible for ensuring that the Graduate Research School is advised of any changes to their personal and contact details during the period of their enrolment and examination.
(21) Candidates must access their University student email account.
(22) Candidates are required to make themselves available for consultation with academic advisors on campus.
(23) At admission a candidate shall be designated as full-time or part-time by the Dean or Director, Research Institute on the recommendation of the School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee, with advice, where applicable, from the relevant Director, University Research Centre.
(24) The fee to be paid on acceptance as a candidate shall be prescribed from time to time by the Vice-Chancellor and President (VC&P).
(25) Applications for extension beyond one session full time or the equivalent may be considered by the Dean or Director, Research Institute where there is clear evidence that there have been delays beyond the control of the candidate that could not have reasonably been foreseen.
(26) Extensions may be granted for a maximum period of one session.
(27) The Dean or Director, Research Institute may approve changes of Principal Supervisor.
(28) The HDR Director may approve additions to the supervisory panel or changes to the portfolio topic during the period of candidature. Changes to portfolio topic may not be of a nature that would require substantial reworking or abandonment of work already accomplished in the candidature.
(29) Changes to the supervisory panel or portfolio topic do not constitute grounds for an extension of candidature.
(30) All changes to candidature shall be reported to the Research Studies Committee.
(31) In special cases, the School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee may grant leave of absence from candidature.
(32) As a general guide valid reasons for leave of absence include: serious medical reasons, family/personal reasons or employment-related reasons that are causing significant disruption to the candidate's capacity to study effectively.
(33) The period of such leave shall not be counted as part of the period of candidature for the degree.
(34) Staff and candidates must observe the principles of the Conflict of Interest Policy within the context of research higher degree enrolment and the appointment of supervisors, and external examiners.
(35) Supervisors and candidates must seek to resolve any problems through informal dispute resolution pathways, where possible and before taking steps to initiate a termination of candidature. Informal measures include discussions with key staff such as the relevant HDR Director or equivalent, and other staff members. Efforts to resolve disputes through informal resolution pathways must be documented and such documents must be retained by all parties to the dispute. Where a resolution to the dispute is reached, the resolution must be set out in a document agreed to and retained by both parties. Supervisors and/or candidates may seek advice from the relevant Associate Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research).
(36) Where efforts to resolve a dispute through the above informal dispute resolution pathway fail, it is open to either party to seek to resolve the dispute by formal referral to the Chair of the University Research Studies Committee [the Chair]. Such referral must include all documents demonstrating efforts to resolve the dispute through the informal pathway.
(37) On the basis of documents provided, the Chair will determine whether the requirements of clause 35 have been met. Where it is determined that the requirements are not met, the matter will be referred back into the processes as set out in clause 35.
(38) Where the Chair determines that the requirements of clause 35 are met and it is clear that a resolution could not be reached via that process, the Chair will establish a sub-committee of the University Research Studies Committee to consider the matter. The sub-committee is to meet within 21 calendar days of the receipt of the referral by the Chair.
(39) The sub-committee will consist of:
(40) Both parties will be notified of the date the sub-committee will meet, and may elect to make a submission to the sub-committee in relation to the matter.
(41) The sub-committee will make a decision within 21 calendar days of its meeting and both parties will be provided with a copy of the decision of the sub-committee.
(42) The decision of the sub-committee is final and no further appeals will be considered.
(43) Where a party to the formal dispute can show evidence of procedural irregularity or unfairness, such evidence will be referred and considered in accordance with the Complaint Management Policy .
(44) Candidature may be terminated for:
(45) If the Principal Supervisor is at any time of the opinion that the candidate is not making satisfactory progress, the Principal Supervisor, in consultation with the Supervisory Panel, shall recommend to the School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee that the candidate be invited to show cause why the candidature should not be terminated. This recommendation may suggest that the candidate be admitted to candidature in a research masters degree.
(46) The School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee will refer the recommendation to request a show cause to the Research Studies Committee. The Research Studies Committee will make a decision on requesting the candidate to show cause why they should be permitted to continue their candidature. The candidate will be told why the request has been made and they will be given ten working days from the date of the letter to respond. The Research Studies Committee will make a decision about the candidature based on the response and information from the School or Institute.
(47) Where a candidate fails to attend candidate research events deemed compulsory by the School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee, and the Committee recommends termination of candidature, the matter will be referred to the Research Studies Committee for a determination with a full explanation of why the recommendation has been made. The Research Studies Committee will make a determination about continuation or termination of candidature.
(48) The candidate has the right of appeal under the Academic Appeals Procedures in respect of decisions to terminate candidature made by the Research Studies Committee under this Part.
(49) The examinable portfolio will comprise:
(50) The collection may include:
(51) The submission will not include unpublished work, review articles, newspaper articles, articles in non refereed professional journals, work that has already been submitted successfully or unsuccessfully for the award of a degree at any university, or works where the applicant's role was that of editor.
(52) The overarching statement will:
(53) The language of expression and analysis of all work in the portfolio must be English and reach a high standard of literary presentation.
(54) A candidate may not submit as the main content of the portfolio any work or material which has been previously submitted for any degree. However, such material can be incorporated as part of the portfolio for examination if it is clearly identified by the candidate.
(55) The Supervisory Panel must be satisfied that the portfolio meets a suitable academic standard and format and presentation requirements before it may be submitted by the candidate. Supervisory panel approval for the examination to proceed will be indicated on the Examination Submission Form. This form must be endorsed by the relevant HDR Director or equivalent.
(56) If the Supervisory Panel does not agree that the portfolio is ready for examination, the candidate may refer the matter to the School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee for determination. If examination has been refused because the portfolio does not meet a suitable standard of format and presentation, referred to in clause 55, the examination will not proceed. In other cases the matter will be forwarded, with a recommendation to the Research Studies Committee for a decision. The School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee may refer the matter to the Research Studies Committee for a determination if the School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee is unable to reach agreement. If the examination is refused the candidate will be asked to remain enrolled and to take further academic advice from their Principal Supervisor.
(57) A candidate shall submit to the Graduate Research School three copies of the written component of the portfolio prepared in a form approved by the Research Studies Committee, and include a 300 word summary and a certificate of authenticity signed by the candidate to the effect that the work has not been submitted for a higher degree to any other institution. The candidate shall also indicate in the portfolio the sources of information and the extent to which the candidate has used the work of others. For advice on writing the certificate of authenticity see the Portfolio Presentation Guidelines.
(58) Any component(s) of the portfolio in other media shall be submitted in a form approved by the Research Studies Committee. The Research Studies Committee will seek advice from the relevant School or Institute on any non-printed text-based component of the submission for examination.
(59) All copies of the portfolio presented for examination will be returned to the candidate. Examiners will be requested to return their copies unless they specifically request to keep their copy and the candidate agrees.
(60) On the recommendation of the Principal Supervisor and the School or Institute HDR Director or equivalent, the School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee shall appoint two external examiners of the portfolio.
(61) An external examiner is a person who is not employed as a member of the staff of the University at the time when invited to examine the portfolio, and who has not been a member of the University staff within the five years prior to the examination.
(62) There will not normally be more than one examiner from any one institution.
(63) Past Supervisors of the candidate cannot act as an examiner.
(64) Examiners will hold qualifications at the level of or the equivalent to that which they are examining and be recognised academic leaders in their discipline.
(65) Candidates may advise their Principal Supervisor if there is a particular person in their field who they would prefer not to have as an examiner. They may also inform the Principal Supervisor of people that they would particularly like to have as an examiner. However, the final recommendation will be made to the School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee who will approve the examination panel.
(66) Candidates will not be informed of the composition of their examining panel at the time of examination. Candidates may eventually learn the identity of an examiner, if the examiner agrees to their name being disclosed on the portfolio report. Examiners may request that their identity not be disclosed.
(67) The examiners will be asked to assess the work to determine if:
(68) Each examiner shall report in writing to the Graduate Research School within six weeks of the date of posting of the portfolio. Examiners may be replaced if a report is not received within two months unless the examiner is given leave to report late.
(69) Each examiner's written report must recommend one of the following outcomes:
(70) The examiners may request to submit a conjoint report. The decision to permit a conjoint report will be made by the Research Studies Committee, in consultation with the School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee.
(71) The examiners' reports will be sent by the relevant HDR Director to the Principal Supervisor for comment and advice. The Principal Supervisor will prepare a written report for the School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee that will recommend an initial outcome and list in detail any recommended changes to the portfolio.
(72) Where the examiners present recommendations of A or M the School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee may approve the initial examination outcome and report its finding to the Research Studies Committee.
(73) Where one or more examiners recommend R, X or F the School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee will seek the advice of the Supervisory Panel and refer the matter to the Research Studies Committee.
(74) Where a "Fail" option is given the Research Studies Committee may consider a School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee recommendation for the award of an M (Hons) if it is deemed appropriate by the School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee. The recommendation may require resubmission and re-examination for the research masters award.
(75) The Research Studies Committee may specify the time within which any additional work shall be completed. Normally all corrections will be made within one session of the candidate being advised to make changes or rewrite for re-examination.
(76) The Principal Supervisor must advise the Graduate Research School if a candidate who is re-writing will need access to the library and other facilities.
(77) The Research Studies Committee will consider the School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee report and the Graduate Research School will advise the candidate of the Research Studies Committee decision.
(78) Examination outcomes remain confidential to the candidate until a final recommendation is decided.
(79) In certain circumstances where the outcome is not clear, before making any determination the Research Studies Committee may take one or more of the following actions:
(80) Option X shall be available only for initial examination of the portfolio.
(81) A re-examination will be conducted on the basis of specific advice given to the candidate on what must be achieved in rewriting.
(82) The specific instructions to the candidate for rewriting for re-examination will be approved by the Research Studies Committee.
(83) The rewriting instructions will be written by the Supervisory Panel and endorsed by the Research Studies Committee.
(84) These instructions will be provided to the examiner for the re-examination as they will form the basis of the second examination.
(85) No new criticisms may be introduced by the examiner in the second examination.
(86) The examiner(s) who recommended that the portfolio be re-examined shall normally be invited to undertake the re-examination.
(87) The rewritten portfolio will be presented for the second examination with an Examination Submission Form.
(88) Candidates will be given a copy of each examiner's report at the completion of the examination process. Each report will include the name of the examiner unless he/she requests, in writing, that his/her name be withheld. Examiners are to be informed that Freedom of Information legislation might limit the effectiveness of this option.
(89) When the Research Studies Committee is satisfied that all requirements have been met, it shall agree that the degree be awarded.
(90) On successful completion of the degree, a candidate must submit to the Graduate Research School one digitised (CD or disc in PDF format) copy of the portfolio incorporating all amendments and/or rewriting that was required as an outcome of the examination. Detailed advice on the format of the digital copy can be found on the Australian Digital Theses Program web page.
(91) The candidate must submit an electronic copy of the approved portfolio and a completed Right of Access Form in order to graduate.
(92) A digital copy of the portfolio will be made available via the University Library unless the School or Institute Research and Higher Degrees Committee, on the application of the candidate determines in exceptional cases that it will not be made available until after the expiry of a period, which shall not normally exceed one year.
(93) Forms for application for admission, variation of candidature, examination processes, nomination of examiners, thesis lodgement form and amendments completed can be found on the University's website.
(94) This policy should be read in conjunction with the Supervision of Research Candidates Policy and University Policies, including:
Copyright © 2003-2017 Western Sydney University - ABN 53 014 069 881 - CRICOS Provider No: 00917k contact | disclaimer & privacy
James davis.
Making the choice to do a PhD is no trivial decision. It’s a huge personal commitment, requiring an enormous amount of time.
The traditional PhD is centred around a thesis, which is the culmination of each candidate’s work. Just writing it can take months; this is without including the blood, sweat and research that went into it. It’s a task that requires self discipline arguably above all else, as candidates are responsible for scheduling their time properly, meeting personal deadlines and making good use of their supervisor. This is the way it has been done for a long time, but now that doesn’t have to be the case.
A PhD by publication is centred around submitting a variety of separate works intermittently, which are then bound into a thesis later. This means having papers published in reputed peer-reviewed journals during the program, making it a sound alternative.
The merits of each are hotly contested. Post-doctoral researcher Chris Keyworth from the UK insists PhDs by publication prepare candidates for academic careers far better than traditional programs. ‘Not only is this an efficient way of writing your thesis as well as preparing and submitting scientific papers,’ he recommended, ‘but it allows you to refine your writing skills throughout your PhD.’ The University of Sydney insists each paper must be thematically linked, but otherwise these programs provide students with a body of published work to their name immediately upon graduation, which can help them get future work published too.
Another advantage that Keyworth touched upon was the value of having work reviewed early on. By submitting smaller papers over the course of a program, candidates can get feedback much earlier and correct any mistakes or oversights for future reference. A traditional thesis, on the other hand, could end up riddled with these mistakes without any time to correct and learn from them.
There is still a case to be made for the traditional PhD, however. The pressure to begin publishing immediately could be overwhelming for many candidates who might otherwise be more comfortable getting acclimatised before commencing written work. Mhairi Cowden from The Conversation recommended students aim to publish their first work within six months of beginning their PhD by publication. This means completing all relevant research, writing and editing in a comfortable enough time frame for work to be sent out to potential publishers over the course of a few months. This is due to the sluggish nature of review and publication, which is a process candidates have to repeat many times if taking this route. In this way, the traditional PhD could be far better suited to those who wish to do all their writing in one large quantity near the end and not worry about dealing with publishers until after graduating.
The question of what’s right for you is entirely dependent upon what you value highest. Would you prefer easing into your PhD and only committing pen to paper near its end, or would you like to endure the publication process and get some works to your name before graduation? It seems that given the choice, most candidates ought to choose the latter. The ability to ponder and extensively research is comfortable, but the publication route equips candidates with the means to retain their PhD after graduating and learn a process crucial to their future career. Graduates that can point to seven or eight different peer-reviewed journals that feature their papers are far more employable than those with nothing to their name.
No matter what path you choose, you’ll learn and write a great deal throughout your PhD. The difference is that one teaches you how to do the singular most important thing to professors and researchers: getting published.
Copyright 2024 © PostgradAustralia. The most comprehensive postgraduate guide in Australia
By Mhairi Cowden , Australian National University
Doing a PhD is a difficult business. Long hours, personal stress, institutional pressure to complete on time – and all this for what?
Increasingly a PhD alone does not guarantee an academic career. We are expected to publish, teach and contribute to professional development. Oh and did I mention you have to publish, publish, publish?
However there is a way to publish and do a PhD – hopefully without perishing.
I recently completed my PhD by publication, which for me was a way of getting a doctorate while keeping my sanity.
A PhD by Publication is just what it sounds like, instead of producing one large monograph, you produce a series of articles to be published in peer reviewed journals or as book chapters.
The normal format is four to five research papers bookended by a substantial introductory chapter and a concluding chapter. The thesis must still read as a cohesive whole and therefore despite the articles being stand alone pieces, they must also relate to each other.
The aim is that when they are read together they become more than just the sum of their parts.
It is a relatively new concept within the social sciences and humanities but has been around for a while in the hard sciences here in Australia. It is much more common in European Universities where it is often the standard approach for doctoral studies.
There are many advantages to doing a PhD this way. One of the more self-evident ones is that it allows you to publish and finish a PhD – academically hitting two birds with one stone.
There are many pressures of doing a PhD that are taken away from publishing. PhD by publication focused my writing on achieving output and helped to avoid the trap of always pushing the publications to the side.
A PhD by publication also helps you to develop practical skills. Through my own process, I learnt how to write to journal editors, deal with rejection and pitch articles – all skills that are important for professional academic life.
This method also divides the PhD up into more manageable chunks – sometimes the hardest thing about a PhD is the enormity of the task it presents. But dividing it up into five discrete papers allowed me to see a way ahead making the PhD seem more achievable.
Last but not least, you can get both expert feedback and it can provide that “tick” factor. PhD students were usually high achieving undergraduate students used to receiving recognition and reward for their work. Entering the land of doctoral studies, you don’t get the pay off from your work until the end of many years and lack of recognition can be deeply un-motivating.
But each time something is published is a chance to celebrate and take a deep breath before moving on to the next portion.
The expert feedback you get during this process is also very helpful even it’s not always pleasant (see below). By the time your PhD goes to examiners it has already gone through a rigorous peer review process.
In times of PhD panic, it was comforting to think that my work can’t be that bad if someone had already agreed to publish it.
Of course, though, there are some disadvantages to electing to do a PhD in this way.
Chief among them is the pressure to start publishing immediately. Publishing is hardly a quick process; it can sometimes take up to two years from submission to a journal long periods of fieldwork may not be compatible.
Therefore candidates taking this route need to start straight away. Aim to have your first paper finished within the first 6 months.
It’s also worth recognising that this is not a format for the faint hearted. Rejections from journals can be brutal. You need to be prepared to take this on the chin and send it out again.
That said, this is a skill you need to develop for academia. Being exposed to it early helped me develop a thick skin and be humble about my work.
With the benefit of feedback, there’s also the downside of extra work. You may often need to rewrite work for journal editors.
After all, editors have their own agenda and interests and in some respect you are writing for them and not for you. However this taught me to stand my ground with editors and defend things I wished to keep as well as framing things for different audiences.
Another thing to be wary of when considering a PhD by publication is that you need to understand that it’s not a professional Doctorate. A Professional Doctorate recognises contribution to a profession and usually doesn’t include the same level of original contribution or indeed a thesis.
PhD by publication is still examined to the same standards as a traditional PhD. However countering this assumption that it is not a “real” PhD is sometimes hard.
Finally, because you’re likely to be treading new ground in your institution, there’s not always a clear path before you.
I did my PhD in a department which was still sorting out its policy towards this format. As a consequence I needed the strong support of your supervisor and head of department to make this work (which I was lucky enough to have). You shouldn’t expect a clear set of instructions here; guidelines and policies seem to vary between departments, disciplines and universities.
The biggest advantage is that I have come out of my doctoral studies not only with a PhD but with a healthy publication record. This I hope will assist me when taking the next step in my career.
For me, PhD with publication provided a framework, a way forward from which I could see the path to submission. It provided me with a way to get my doctorate without worrying about the process. It allowed me the opportunity to contribute to debates while developing my ideas.
If academia is to expect Australian candidates to now finish their PhD and publish, then it should promote and encourage alternative formats such as this. It can only be good for both PhD candidates and the profession at large.
Mhairi Cowden does not work for, consult to, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has no relevant affiliations.
This article was originally published at The Conversation . Read the original article .
As a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidate, you’ll complete a substantial program of independent and original research in your chosen field of study. A PhD prepares you for a range of careers - from academic to industry and is the highest degree qualification available.
Future careers.
UNSW undertakes world-class research that tackles some of the greatest challenges facing society today. When you join the UNSW research community, you join a passionate collective of people who are using research to transform minds, transform lives, and transform the world.
UNSW will support you to develop the skills and expertise you need to make a difference in your field. We are committed to providing you with an unmatched PhD experience that includes outstanding research training and mentorship, world-class supervision, and access to research environments defined by excellence and collaboration.
You will receive advanced specialist research training and produce a thesis that provides evidence for independent thought, critical analysis, and expert knowledge of the discipline in an international context. In some disciplines, creative work may form part of the thesis.
Find information about individual PhD programs and codes on the UNSW Handbook .
Learn about the graduate attributes and learning outcomes for UNSW higher degree research programs here .
The minimum requirement for admission to a PhD is:
The minimum requirement for UNSW Scholarship with admission to a PhD is:
You may think of yourself as a student, but we think of you as a professional researcher in the early stages of a long and vibrant career.
UNSW will provide you with the skills and expertise to pursue a range of career pathways after you graduate, from academia to industry.
As a PhD candidate, you’ll have access to a wealth of opportunities to work with and alongside industry through industry PhD programs to internships and mentorships .
You’ll also have access to the most comprehensive student entrepreneurship program in Australia, that can help you develop your ideas, raise capital and launch a startup.
The costs associated with enrolment in a research higher degree program vary depending on whether you are a domestic or international candidate. Learn more about the fees and costs here .
+61 2 9385 5500
A streamlined procedure has been approved for obtaining co-author authorisation. You now only need to provide a Declaration for publication incorporated in a thesis form for the inclusion of in progress or published material in the thesis, that is completed by your Principal Supervisor and the Coordinating Author.
You may include in progress or published material written during your enrolment upon approval from your advisory committee, as part of your thesis, by having either:
In this page we refer to both these kinds of inclusion of published work as “incorporated publications”; the first format, where the publications are included as distinct components, is also known as “thesis with publications”.
The Graduate Research Training Policy (section 4.65) outlines what can be included in the thesis. Your thesis must include a literature review that clearly details the research questions and a general discussion that integrates the work and places the publications into the context of the research question.
You may have to supplement the incorporated publications with additional methods sections as they are often abbreviated in published articles. You are also encouraged to include any data and discussion that was omitted from the article as an addendum in the thesis. Where a publication is included as a distinct component, you are also encouraged to include a critical reflection on the work, which could, for example, acknowledge or address limitations or impacts of the work that have appeared since publication.
When submitting your thesis, you will be required to confirm that:
(a) the work in the incorporated publications is your own, and (b) that any co-authors give permission for the article to be included in the thesis.
To do this, you must complete the Declaration for publication incorporated in a thesis form. You will need to submit a completed form for each in progress or published work included in your thesis.
Your principal supervisor must sign the Declaration form for each publication. Where there is more than one author of a publication, at least one co-author by agreement amongst the authors, should be nominated as the coordinating author (also known as corresponding author), as defined in the University’s Authorship Policy . The coordinating author is responsible for communication between the publishers and managing communication between the co-authors. The coordinating author must maintain records of any authorship agreement. The coordinating author must also sign the Declaration form.
You must upload all completed Declaration forms as a single combined file to the Thesis Examination System when submitting your thesis for examination. The signed forms should not be included in the thesis itself. Plan well ahead to obtain the required signatures to avoid delays to your examination.
Don’t forget to include your ORCID when submitting your work to publishers, conference organisers, etc. This will help you to distinguish your research activities and outputs, and make sure you get credit for your work throughout your career.
As detailed in the Preparation of Graduate Research Theses rules , your preface should outline:
There is no prescribed format for a preface; you may wish to include a written description or a table outlining the tasks performed by others and the proportion of the contribution as a percentage.
Usually this means you will have written the initial draft and you performed any subsequent editing in response to co-authors' and editors' reviews.
As specified in the Graduate Research Training Policy , your principal supervisor and coordinating author must declare that:
(a) you are the primary author of the included material, and
(b) you contributed more than 50% of the work towards the publication.
No. You need to have contributed more than 50 per cent for it to be included. You could, however, include this paper as an appendix.
Yes. It is understood that portions of the thesis that have been published or accepted for publication will have been through an editorial process. Such editorial changes should be explicitly acknowledged.
Refer to the Authorship page for information about the requirements and responsible practice.
When including complete publications, you should use the author accepted manuscripts of articles that have been accepted or published. This is the final draft as accepted by the publishers, including any changes based on referees’ suggestions before it has undergone copy-editing, typesetting and proofing. If you are certain you will not breach your agreement with your publisher, you may include the published version in your thesis.
If you are using your author accepted manuscript, while some journals request that the version you send them includes any figures or tables at the end of the submitted document, when you reproduce the article in your thesis you should place them where they logically flow within the text. It is also recommended that you use similar formatting (e.g. line spacing, font type and size) as the rest of the thesis.
You can view suggested formats for arranging the chapters of a thesis that includes publications as distinct components here . See also example theses in the University of Melbourne repository.
In most cases it is preferred that you include a separate literature survey. Even with the literature reviews included in your publications you may find you still need to add further supplementary material if the publications do not directly address all the research questions you are trying to answer in your thesis. Your supervisors and advisory committee are best able to advise you whether the literature reviews included in your incorporated publications will meet disciplinary expectations and satisfy your examiners that you: - Have clearly detailed your research question/s and how they integrate with the current literature - Have demonstrated sufficient familiarity with, and understanding and critical appraisal of the relevant literature.
No. The policy allows the thesis to be submitted with publications, it is not a thesis by publication. You must include a literature review that clearly details the research question, and a concluding general discussion that integrates the work and places it into the context of the research questions. You should also introduce each publication that is included as a distinct component, explaining its role in the work, and, where appropriate, provide a critical reflection on its contribution.
Yes, but you must cite it correctly and indicate in the preface the source of the information (eg. that the text on page(s) xx is from [name of publication], or that chapter yy is adapted from [name of publication]. In each case you should give its publication status and your contribution to the publication). It will assist your examiners if, at the start of each chapter that includes work drawn from a publication, there is a footnote explaining where the work came from and how it has been used in the chapter. You may wish to include the entire publication as an appendix so that your examiners can see where the material came from.
If you are including the list of references as part of the publication they do not need to be repeated in the overall reference list/bibliography for the thesis.
Incorporated publications can be referenced via a footnote, but if references to them are included in the bibliography an examiner may be unsure as to whether the work was completed as part of the research.
No, but you may do so if you think that it will assist readers of your thesis.
It is up to you whether you update the publication style or not. Whatever you chose, you should acknowledge your choice in the Preface, stating the differences between the publication and thesis, due to the requirements of different publishers.
Yes. Revised and resubmitted theses are examined in their entirety and the inclusion of a new incorporated publication may strengthen your response to examiners.
In most cases you should include the latest version, up to the author accepted version and update the publication status in the preface. If your examiners request changes which conflict with the editorial or peer review advice you have since received from your publisher, you may choose to address this elsewhere in your thesis, or in your written response to the examiners’ reports.
A work is suitable for inclusion if the research was conducted and the publication was in progress or published during your enrolment in your current degree. This includes:
You may need to supplement this with analysis of literature published between writing the article and submitting your thesis.
All methods need to be covered to a high degree of detail in your thesis.
No. Only work completed during your candidature can be included in the thesis. You can cite your earlier work just like you would any work that is relevant to your research. The work should be listed in the preface of your thesis.
Yes. You will need to clearly acknowledge in the preface that its status is ‘in progress’ or, that the paper has been published but not peer reviewed.
Yes. You may wish to include the entire publication as an appendix so that your examiner can see where the information came from.
Yes. All sections of the form must be completed for any multi-authored material. The coordinating author is required to reassure that all co-authors have had an opportunity to agree to the inclusion of the material in the thesis and to the contribution declared on the form. The authorship agreement template is available here.
No. You can use the figure in your thesis without completing the form but you should acknowledge the origin of the figure in the preface and appropriately cite the publication in your thesis.
No. You should provide this evidence to your advisory committee when you are discussing the proposed format for your thesis. Your principal supervisor must sign the Declaration for publication incorporated in a thesis form which confirms their agreement to the inclusion of any publication/s. The coordinating author will need to sign the form for any multi-authored material.
You can use Adobe Acrobat's 'Combine Files' tool which will allow you to combine files of different filetypes into a PDF. Alternatively, you can open a PDF copy of a file and then use the 'Organise Pages' tool which will allow you to drag additional pages where you can then save it as a single file.
You should run your whole thesis through iThenticate, including the chapters comprised wholly or partly of your published work. You can then exclude the specific matching publication source/s that correspond to the publications you have included in your thesis in a “thesis with publications” style. This means that the thesis chapter or publication is reviewed against the other literature in the repository, but not matched to itself. You should only exclude matching sources that are articles which you have appropriately included. You should outline and explain any filters and exclusions you applied in iThenticate in an accompanying declaration which you can also upload to TES.
You should not exclude publications from which you have included material (but not the complete publication), as the iThenticate report will then show where the material is present in the thesis, allowing your supervisors and Chair of Examiners to verify that it has been included appropriately.
Further information on the use of iThenticate can be found here: https://gateway.research.unimelb.edu.au/funding-contracts-and-ethics/ethics-and-integrity/research-integrity/ithenticate-text-matching-tool
The criteria for examination remain the same whether or not publications are incorporated. See the Graduate Research Training Policy for more information. You can also view the information for examiners here: https://gradresearch.unimelb.edu.au/staff#examiner-information .
If the publication status of your article changes between submission for examination and submission of your final thesis, it is appropriate to include the most recent version (up to the author-accepted version). You should also update the preface to reflect the new status. If you are submitting a list of corrections for approval and/or resubmitting for re-examination you should also note this in your index of changes.
The following are theses available openly or with University of Melbourne log-in through the University of Melbourne repository that include publications as distinct components in a “thesis with publications” style.
Al Zein, Eza (2019). Taskscape: Caring for Migrant Materials . http://hdl.handle.net/11343/235841
Arundel, Jonathan Paul (2015) The spatio-temporal distribution of honey bees and floral resources in Australia . http://hdl.handle.net/11343/59612
Bamford, Nicholas James (2016) Relationships between diet, obesity and insulin dysregulation in horses and ponies. http://hdl.handle.net/11343/148423
Bibb, Jennifer Louise (2016) Musical recovery: the role of group singing in regaining healthy relationships with music to promote mental health recovery. http://hdl.handle.net/11343/124271
Burfurd, Ingrid Ellen (2018) Beliefs and learning in the laboratory: essays in experimental economics . http://hdl.handle.net/11343/219180
Fan, Yi (2019) Quantification of mandibular morphological changes in 3D . http://hdl.handle.net/11343/225588
Kriesner, Peter (2017) Wolbachia fitness benefits and symbiont interactions in Drosophila . http://hdl.handle.net/11343/207959
Mody, Fallon (2019) Doctors down under: European medical migrants in Victoria (Australia), 1930-60 . http://hdl.handle.net/11343/221550
Nencini, Sara (2018) Tackling bone pain at the source: identifying and exploring new therapeutic targets . http://hdl.handle.net/11343/216858
Pan, Xuan (2018) Graphene quantum dot based electronic devices . http://hdl.handle.net/11343/222013
Seibt, Susanne (2018) In-situ investigations of molecular self-assembly using microfluidics. http://hdl.handle.net/11343/214671
Smith, Merryn (2018) Non-structural carbohydrate storage and use in eucalypt trees of south-east Australia. http://hdl.handle.net/11343/221163
Uddin, Shihab (2019) Functional aspects of root and leaf development in dryland crop water use under elevated CO2 . http://hdl.handle.net/11343/219849
Vahedi, Andisheh (2018) The work-family interface and child mental health: longitudinal associations via family functioning across childhood. http://hdl.handle.net/11343/217236
Al Zein, Eza (2019) Taskscape: Caring for Migrant Materials . http://hdl.handle.net/11343/235841
Schlichthorst, Marisa (2020) Engaging men in conversations about masculinity and suicide – An evaluation of the Man Up social media campaign . http://hdl.handle.net/11343/265962
Associate, Children's Policy Centre, Australian National University, Australian National University
Mhairi Cowden does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Australian National University provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU.
View all partners
Doing a PhD is a difficult business. Long hours, personal stress, institutional pressure to complete on time – and all this for what?
Increasingly a PhD alone does not guarantee an academic career. We are expected to publish, teach and contribute to professional development. Oh and did I mention you have to publish, publish, publish?
However there is a way to publish and do a PhD - hopefully without perishing.
I recently completed my PhD by publication, which for me was a way of getting a doctorate while keeping my sanity.
A PhD by Publication is just what it sounds like, instead of producing one large monograph, you produce a series of articles to be published in peer reviewed journals or as book chapters.
The normal format is four to five research papers bookended by a substantial introductory chapter and a concluding chapter. The thesis must still read as a cohesive whole and therefore despite the articles being stand alone pieces, they must also relate to each other.
The aim is that when they are read together they become more than just the sum of their parts.
It is a relatively new concept within the social sciences and humanities but has been around for a while in the hard sciences here in Australia. It is much more common in European Universities where it is often the standard approach for doctoral studies.
There are many advantages to doing a PhD this way. One of the more self-evident ones is that it allows you to publish and finish a PhD – academically hitting two birds with one stone.
There are many pressures of doing a PhD that are taken away from publishing. PhD by publication focused my writing on achieving output and helped to avoid the trap of always pushing the publications to the side.
A PhD by publication also helps you to develop practical skills. Through my own process, I learnt how to write to journal editors, deal with rejection and pitch articles – all skills that are important for professional academic life.
This method also divides the PhD up into more manageable chunks – sometimes the hardest thing about a PhD is the enormity of the task it presents. But dividing it up into five discrete papers allowed me to see a way ahead making the PhD seem more achievable.
Last but not least, you can get both expert feedback and it can provide that “tick” factor. PhD students were usually high achieving undergraduate students used to receiving recognition and reward for their work. Entering the land of doctoral studies, you don’t get the pay off from your work until the end of many years and lack of recognition can be deeply un-motivating.
But each time something is published is a chance to celebrate and take a deep breath before moving on to the next portion.
The expert feedback you get during this process is also very helpful even it’s not always pleasant (see below). By the time your PhD goes to examiners it has already gone through a rigorous peer review process.
In times of PhD panic, it was comforting to think that my work can’t be that bad if someone had already agreed to publish it.
Of course, though, there are some disadvantages to electing to do a PhD in this way.
Chief among them is the pressure to start publishing immediately. Publishing is hardly a quick process; it can sometimes take up to two years from submission to a journal long periods of fieldwork may not be compatible.
Therefore candidates taking this route need to start straight away. Aim to have your first paper finished within the first 6 months.
It’s also worth recognising that this is not a format for the faint hearted. Rejections from journals can be brutal. You need to be prepared to take this on the chin and send it out again.
That said, this is a skill you need to develop for academia. Being exposed to it early helped me develop a thick skin and be humble about my work.
With the benefit of feedback, there’s also the downside of extra work. You may often need to rewrite work for journal editors.
After all, editors have their own agenda and interests and in some respect you are writing for them and not for you. However this taught me to stand my ground with editors and defend things I wished to keep as well as framing things for different audiences.
Another thing to be wary of when considering a PhD by publication is that you need to understand that it’s not a professional Doctorate. A Professional Doctorate recognises contribution to a profession and usually doesn’t include the same level of original contribution or indeed a thesis.
PhD by publication is still examined to the same standards as a traditional PhD. However countering this assumption that it is not a “real” PhD is sometimes hard.
Finally, because you’re likely to be treading new ground in your institution, there’s not always a clear path before you.
I did my PhD in a department which was still sorting out its policy towards this format. As a consequence I needed the strong support of your supervisor and head of department to make this work (which I was lucky enough to have). You shouldn’t expect a clear set of instructions here; guidelines and policies seem to vary between departments, disciplines and universities.
The biggest advantage is that I have come out of my doctoral studies not only with a PhD but with a healthy publication record. This I hope will assist me when taking the next step in my career.
For me, PhD with publication provided a framework, a way forward from which I could see the path to submission. It provided me with a way to get my doctorate without worrying about the process. It allowed me the opportunity to contribute to debates while developing my ideas.
If academia is to expect Australian candidates to now finish their PhD and publish, then it should promote and encourage alternative formats such as this. It can only be good for both PhD candidates and the profession at large.
IMAGES
VIDEO
COMMENTS
Learn how to apply for a PhD by Prior Publication, a program for established researchers with a significant record of refereed publications. Find out the admission requirements, the candidature process and the examination criteria for this degree.
This page provides advice for current Griffith candidates looking to submit their PhD by Prior Publication. For advice on how to apply to this program, please visit the course profile.. The submission will take the form of a collection of original authored published works (as approved for inclusion in the final submission upon admission to the program), with a substantial exegesis.
In addition to the standard requirements for entry to a Doctoral Degree as defined in the Higher Degree by Research Admissions Policy, in the case of application for admission into a PhD by Prior Publication applicants must also: • present a coherent body of work comprised of pre-existing peer-reviewed outputs of recognised academic excellence that meets or exceeds the requirement for the ...
Griffith University offers a Doctor of Philosophy (by prior publication) degree for established researchers who do not hold a doctoral level qualification. Learn about the entry requirements, fees, intake dates and application process for this degree.
Philosophy. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an internationally recognised graduate research program that will enable you to become an independent researcher. With the guidance of an advisory team, you'll undertake a research project, produce an 80,000-word thesis and complete an oral examination. A PhD takes 3 to 4 years full-time.
Progression. 5.3 In a Doctor of Philosophy by Prior Published Work, the student will undertake a short program of work culminating in a thesis comprising a contextual statement and a body of published work accumulated prior to acceptance into candidature. In accordance with Section 5 of the HDR Progression Procedures.
The PhD by Prior Publication allows for formal recognition for established researchers who do not already hold a doctoral level qualification and who have substantial international standing in their respective fields based on their record of academic publication.. The degree will be awarded to a student who, through published work of which the student is either sole author or primary author ...
Refereed publications (also known as peer-reviewed) are the currency of academia, yet many PhD theses in Australia result in only one or two such papers. Typically, a doctoral thesis requires the candidate to present (and pass) a public Confirmation Seminar, around nine to twelve months into candidacy, in which a panel of the candidate's supervisors and invited...
Section 2 - Definitions. (2) Definitions for the purpose of this policy: A Doctor of Philosophy by Publication, PhD, is a research higher degree of which at least two-thirds of the study must be undertaken as independent research. The Dean is the Dean of a University School. The Director, Research Institute is the Director of a University ...
Post-doctoral researcher Chris Keyworth from the UK insists PhDs by publication prepare candidates for academic careers far better than traditional programs. 'Not only is this an efficient way of writing your thesis as well as preparing and submitting scientific papers,' he recommended, 'but it allows you to refine your writing skills ...
A PhD by Publication is just what it sounds like, instead of producing one large monograph, you produce a series of articles to be published in peer reviewed journals or as book chapters. ... new concept within the social sciences and humanities but has been around for a while in the hard sciences here in Australia. It is much more common in ...
Review of Australian Policy. The guidelines/ policies for enrolling in and completing a PhD by Publication were requested. by telephone and/or electronic mail from 39 Australian universities. Of ...
PhD by Publication. A PhD by publication is a degree awarded in recognition of an extensive amount of research published in numerous formats or journals. Unlike a conventional doctorate, you are not expected to undertake a new research project. This page will give a simple overview of what a PhD by publication is, and how to get one.
Completing a PhD by publication: A review of Australian policy and implications for practice. June 2013. Higher Education Research and Development 32 (3) DOI: 10.1080/07294360.2012.692666. Authors ...
Entry into this course requires you to have a substantial existing body of peer-reviewed publications, as outlined in the Doctor of Philosophy by Portfolio Course Rules Policy and Procedure (section 4.3 and 4.4). The Policy and Procedure notes that the University will consider applications for admission to candidature for PhD by Portfolio from ...
Specialist programs. In addition to our two main types of research degrees, we have two specialist research programs available. The Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) is a clinical psychology focused on professional practice. The Masters of Philosophy (Medicine) is an intensive two-year research degree in health and bio-medical science.
As a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidate, you'll complete a substantial program of independent and original research in your chosen field of study. A PhD prepares you for a range of careers - from academic to industry and is the highest degree qualification available. ... Sydney NSW 2052 Australia Telephone: +61 2 93851000. UNSW CRICOS ...
2001). Consequently, rules enabling PhD by publication have become widespread in Australia since the late 1990s, as universities have sought "to enhance an institution's research profile and publication output; and, through the PhD by publication route, secure both degree completions
To do this, you must complete the Declaration for publication incorporated in a thesis form. You will need to submit a completed form for each in progress or published work included in your thesis. Your principal supervisor must sign the Declaration form for each publication. Where there is more than one author of a publication, at least one co ...
The PhD by publication is variously called a thesis by publication (Nygaard and Solli Citation 2021), a thesis with publications ... There are, then, various types of PhDs by publication in Australia. That is, they may be sandwich-style theses or two-part theses, especially if it is a PhD by published work. ...
Entry requirements. You may apply for entry for a PhD if you satisfy one of the following: Masters by coursework degree with minor thesis, requiring average grades of at least H2A/Distinction (above 70% VU standard). Masters by research degree, or demonstrated exceptional ability during partial completion of a research project in a Masters by ...
Thesis including Published Works. Doctoral and research master's students are permitted to submit a Thesis Including Published Works, in accordance with the Graduate Research Thesis Examination Procedures. The Thesis Including Published Works is not a different degree, rather, it is a thesis format that includes papers that have been accepted ...
A PhD by Publication is just what it sounds like, instead of producing one large monograph, you produce a series of articles to be published in peer reviewed journals or as book chapters. The ...