PhD by publication or published works - how is it different from a traditional PhD by research?
PhD by published works, what is that? How is that different from a traditional PhD by research? In this blogpost, we will explore these two types of PhDs, examining their advantages and disadvantages, and addressing common questions – the big one being "Which is better?".
Hi, if we’ve not met before I’m Dr Elizabeth Yardley and I help PhD students get out of their own way and get their PhD finished.
Most of the students I have supported in the last 20 years have done their PhDs by research, the ‘traditional’ way in the social sciences, but in recent years, PhDs by publication have certainly become more of a thing. Several of my academic colleagues achieved their PhDs by publication and people ask me about it all the time. So, I thought it was time I wrote a blogpost about it. Let’s get into it!
PhD by research
First up, a PhD by research or the traditional way of doing a PhD.
A PhD by Research is what most people think of when they imagine getting a doctorate. It's the classic route where you get really into a specific topic, trying to uncover something new and significant over the course of three to six years. During this time, you'll work closely with one or more academic mentors who guide you through the process.
Your research journey will culminate in the creation of a thesis or dissertation—a detailed document where you lay out the research problem you tackled, how you approached it, what you discovered, and why it matters.
Once your thesis is ready, you'll face a thesis defense or viva voce (Latin for "by live voice") exam. This is where you present and defend your work in front of a panel of experts who will ask you questions to ensure that your research is solid and makes a unique contribution to knowledge.
Advantages of a PhD by research
In-depth expertise: A PhD by research allows candidates to become experts in a specific area of their field. The amount of time spent on a single research project enables someone to develop a really deep understanding of the subject matter, which in turn enables them to contribute original knowledge to the discipline.
Skill development: The process of conducting research, writing a thesis, and defending it hones a wide range of skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, data analysis, and academic writing. These skills are highly valued in academia and beyond.
Networking opportunities: Throughout the PhD process, candidates often have opportunities to attend conferences, publish papers, and collaborate with other researchers, helping them build a professional network in their field.
Structured guidance: The supervision and support provided by experienced academics help guide the candidate through the research process, ensuring that they remain on track and produce high-quality work. Many universities now have some form of doctoral training programme, where you might even go to classes about specific elements of the research process or gain a qualification in research methods. Here in England people often achieve a Postgraduate Certificate in Research Practice for completing a series of units or modules about research.
Disadvantages of a PhD by research
Time consuming: A PhD by research can take several years to complete, which may not be feasible for individuals with significant professional or personal commitments.
Isolation: The focused nature of a PhD by research can lead to a sense of isolation, as candidates may spend long periods working alone on their projects.
Pressure to publish: While publication is not always a requirement, there is often pressure to publish research findings in academic journals, which can add to the stress and workload.
PhD by published works or publication
A PhD by published works, also known as a PhD by publication, is an alternative route to earning a doctoral degree. This option is typically available to people who have already published a significant body of work in academic journals or books.
Instead of producing a traditional thesis, they submit a collection of their published works along with a critical commentary that ties the publications together into a coherent narrative.
The candidate must demonstrate how their work has contributed to the advancement of knowledge in their field. Like a PhD by research, the submission is often evaluated through a panel defense or viva voce examination.
Advantages of a PhD by published works or publication
Recognition of prior work: This route allows experienced professionals and academics to gain recognition for their prior research without having to start a new project from scratch.
Faster completion: Since the candidate has already completed a lot of research and published the results, the process of obtaining a PhD by published works is typically faster than a traditional PhD by research.
Flexibility: This option is ideal for individuals who have been conducting research alongside their professional careers and may not have the time to commit to a full-time research project.
More immediate impact: The publications submitted for a PhD by published works have already been peer-reviewed and disseminated, meaning that the candidate’s research has already had an impact in their field.
Disadvantages of a PhD by published works
High entry threshold: A PhD by published works is usually only available to candidates with an extensive and high-quality publication record, which may be challenging for early-career researchers to achieve.
Lack of structured guidance: Unlike a PhD by research, candidates pursuing a PhD by published works may not receive the same level of supervision and support, which can be a disadvantage if they are not familiar with the academic processes.
Retrospective nature: Since the publications have already been completed, there is limited opportunity for new research or exploration of different ideas.
Evaluation complexity: The process of tying together different publications into a coherent narrative that demonstrates an original contribution to knowledge can be challenging – I’ve heard a lot of people really stressing out over the critical commentary document they have to produce and they’re like, “Urgh, I should have just done a PhD by research!”.
Common Questions
1. "Which is better for my career?"
The answer to this question depends on your career goals. If you are an early-career researcher or aspire to work in academia, a PhD by research may be more beneficial. It provides the opportunity to develop deep expertise in a specific area, gain valuable research skills, and build a professional network, all of which are crucial for a career in academia.
On the other hand, if you are a seasoned professional with a significant body of published work, a PhD by published works might be more advantageous. It allows you to gain formal recognition for your contributions to your field without having to commit to a new, lengthy research project.
2. "Is a PhD by published works less prestigious?"
Both types of PhDs are considered equally prestigious, as they both require the candidate to demonstrate an original contribution to knowledge.
However, perceptions may vary depending on the academic or professional community. In some disciplines, a PhD by research may be more traditional and therefore more widely recognised, while in others, a PhD by published works might be seen as a testament to the candidate’s practical impact on the field.
So, it all depends. Yeah I know, that’s a really irritating answer, but it’s the accurate one!
3. "Can I switch from a PhD by research to a PhD by published works?"
Switching from a PhD by research to a PhD by published works is generally not common, as the two routes have different requirements and expectations. However, some universities may allow candidates to submit their published works as part of their thesis, provided they meet the necessary criteria. It’s essential to consult with your academic institution to understand the specific guidelines and options available.
4. "What are the key challenges in each route?"
For a PhD by research, the key challenges include maintaining motivation over a long period, managing the unpredictability of research outcomes, and coping with the pressure to publish.
In contrast, a PhD by published works requires the candidate to synthesise a coherent narrative from their existing publications, which can be challenging if the works cover a broad range of topics. Additionally, the lack of structured supervision can be a hurdle for some candidates.
Both a PhD by published works and a PhD by research are valuable paths to earning a doctoral degree, each with its own set of advantages and challenges. But the outcome is the same, you get that doctorate, which is really cool!
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