Ph.D. thesis contributes to obtaining the degree of sciences. The dissertation research is the result of an independent work of a scientist, confirming a deep knowledge of the studied disciplines and is of practical value for modern science.
To write a PhD thesis that is valuable for the development of science, you must:
The work on the Ph.D. thesis takes place under the scientific supervision of a scientist with a Doctor of Science degree. It is good if the topic of the dissertation research of a graduate student corresponds to the circle of scientific interests of his supervisor.
Writing a PhD dissertation begins with the definition and approval of the topic of the dissertation research. In the process of working on a dissertation, the topic may change or be clarified.
It is recommended that the topic of the candidate’s dissertation be a continuation of the topic of the master’s study, if the candidate has previously studied in the master’s program in the same training profile. The process of working on a dissertation lasts several years, but materials for research should be collected in advance.
The title of the thesis should fully reflect the subject of the research. The supervisor will help to formulate the title of the work, after which you can start writing a plan-project of the dissertation research.
Before starting work, a scientific problem is formulated – a situation that requires resolution. Normative documents contain a list of criteria that the topic of a Ph.D. dissertation must meet:
Since the defining signs of the correct topic of the dissertation research are relevance and novelty, it is important for the applicant to navigate in the specialty in which the research will be carried out. A responsible approach to writing a Ph.D. dissertation involves the following actions:
The candidate dissertation is written in stages, in strict accordance with the plan and deadlines for the provision of interim reports on the progress of work. Writing begins with working with literature: it is necessary to select a pool of authoritative publications that publish materials relevant to the research topic, to identify key researchers working on similar issues.
Since the content of the thesis should have scientific novelty, it is recommended to turn to scientific journals to find the necessary information – it is there that the most relevant materials are published. It is recommended to include data from articles published no later than five years before the dissertation was written – the use of outdated sources may become a reason for criticism of the work on its defense.
The preparation of a Ph.D. thesis should go in parallel with the scientific and pedagogical work of the dissertation candidate – writing and publishing scientific articles, teaching practice and passing intermediate attestations.
Published scientific works of an applicant for a scientific degree can become part of his dissertation research. The presence of a certain number of published articles is also a prerequisite for postgraduate studies.
The text of the candidate dissertation must be drawn up in accordance with the requirements of GOST:
The requirements of GOST also apply to the dissertation abstract, which is a mandatory supplement to the work. Requirements for writing the text for the abstract are indicated in the guidelines for graduate students of each department of a higher educational institution.
Before you start collecting information for your future dissertation, you need to answer the question – why exactly do you need this? In order to do this, you need serious motivation. Writing a dissertation is a hard long-term work, which, to a greater extent, consists in studying literature and scientific works of scientists. As practice shows, 2-3 people out of 10 are suitable for protection.
Obtaining an academic degree does not guarantee mandatory achievements in science in the future, the opposite is true – the absence does not put an end to the prospects for successful development. History knows hundreds of examples when scientific discoveries were made by talented scientists without scientific degrees. Figures possessing all possible titles and regalia often have nothing to do with science.
In order not to be disappointed at the end of the road, it is necessary to measure the efforts that are invested in the work and the result that is planned to be obtained. If a graduate student writes a work “carelessly”, not getting satisfaction from the process, then the dissertation will turn out to be “insipid” and uninteresting. The opposite option – a person lives by work, makes incredible efforts in writing, at the end he may be disappointed. When he realizes that the enormous work that was done was prepared only for the defense procedure.
As sad as it may sound – only you and, possibly, the scientific advisor will read the entire dissertation. The bulk of researchers are interested in: an introduction, the novelty that is in the work, the positions being defended, a list of your published works. It is these elements of work that should be given the most attention.
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