Collection of articles

A thesis as a collection of articles[1] or series of papers[2], also known as thesis by published works,[1] or article thesis,[3] is a doctoral dissertation that, as opposed to a coherent monograph, is a collection of research papers with an introductory section consisting of summary chapters. Other less used terms are "sandwich thesis" and "stapler thesis". It is composed of already-published journal articles, conference papers and book chapters, and occasional not yet published manuscripts. A thesis by publication is a form of compilation thesis (a term used in Nordic countries). Another form of compilation thesis is an essay thesis, comprising previously unpublished independent essays.[3]

Today, article theses are the standard format in natural, medical, and engineering sciences (for example in the Nordic countries), while in social and cultural sciences, there is a strong but decreasing tradition to produce coherent monographs i.e. thesis as a series of linked chapters. Other times, doctoral students may have a choice between writing a monograph or a compilation thesis.[4][5]

The thesis by published works 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 facilitate 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.[4]

Introductory chapters

The introductory or summary chapters of a thesis by published works should be written independently by the student. They should include an extensive annotated bibliography or literature review, placing the scope and results of the articles in the wider context of current state of the international research. They constitute a comprehensive summary of the appended papers, and should clarify the contribution of the doctoral student if the papers are written by several authors. They should not provide new results, but may provide synthesis of new conclusions by combining results from several of the papers. 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.[3][6][7]

References
  1. Writing thesis as a collection of papers, University of reading, UK. Access dat 28 may 2018.
  2. "Thesis as a series of papers", The University of Western Australia, access date 29 may 2018
  3. Article theses and essay theses Archived 2011-09-30 at the Wayback Machine, Turku School of Economics, Finland, October 2010.
  4. About monographs and compilation theses Archived 2013-09-14 at the Wayback Machine, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
  5. Niclas Hagen,The compilation thesis as a genre and as a method, 7 May 2011 blog, affiliated with Lund University, Sweden.
  6. Guidance on the structure of a compilation thesis Archived 2011-09-27 at the Wayback Machine, Lund university, Faculty of engineering, Sweden. Last updated: 27 April 2011.
  7. On the choice of thesis format and on writing the ”kappa” of a thesis of publication
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