A thesis as a collection of articlesWriting thesis as a collection of papers
University of reading, UK. Access dat 28 may 2018. or series of papers, also known as thesis by published works, or ''article thesis'', is a doctoral dissertation that, as opposed to a coherent

monograph A monograph is a specialist work of writing (in contrast to reference works) or exhibition on a single subject or an aspect of a subject, often by a single author or artist, and usually on a scholarly subject. In library cataloging, ''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, occasionally, not-yet-published manuscripts. A

thesis A thesis ( : theses), or dissertation (abbreviated diss.), is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings.International Standard ISO 7144: ...

by publication is a form of compilation thesis (a term used in Nordic countries). Another form of compilation thesis is the essay thesis, which is composed of previously unpublished independent

essay An essay is, generally, a piece of writing that gives the author's own argument, but the definition is vague, overlapping with those of a letter, a paper, an article, a pamphlet, and a short story. Essays have been sub-classified as formal a ...

s.Article theses and essay theses
, Turku School of Economics, Finland, October 2010. Today, article theses are the standard format in natural, medical, and engineering sciences (e.g., in the

Nordic countries The Nordic countries (also known as the Nordics or ''Norden''; literal translation, lit. 'the North') are a geographical and cultural region in Northern Europe and the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic. It includes the sovereign states of Denmar ...

), 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. At other times, doctoral students may have a choice between writing a monograph or a compilation thesis.About monographs and compilation theses
, University of Gothenburg, SwedenNiclas Hage
The compilation thesis as a genre and as a method
7 May 2011 blog, affiliated with Lund University, Sweden. 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 doctoral studies than a monograph, and may render in a 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 especially helpful for new doctoral students. A majority of the articles should be reviewed by referees outside of the student’s own department, supplementing the audit carried out by the supervisory staff and dissertation opponent, thus assuring international standards.

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 Bibliography (from and ), as a discipline, is traditionally the academic study of books as physical, cultural objects; in this sense, it is also known as bibliology (from ). English author and bibliographer John Carter describes ''bibliography ...

literature review A literature review is an overview of the previously published works on a topic. The term can refer to a full scholarly paper or a section of a scholarly work such as a book, or an article. Either way, a literature review is supposed to provid ...

, placing the scope and results of the articles in the wider context of the current state of 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 these kind of longer discussions.Guidance on the structure of a compilation thesis
, Lund university, Faculty of engineering, Sweden. Last updated: 27 April 2011.

References

{{Academic publishing Scientific documents Academic publishing Doctoral degrees

Introductory chapters

See also

References