Doctoral dissertations

A monograph is a unified scientific presentation in the name of its author alone, based on independent research and previously unpublished. During the monograph work, the author may publish articles related to the topic of the dissertation and refer to them in the dissertation.

A compilation dissertation is a publication consisting of an introductory chapter and at least three scientific manuscripts dealing with a common research problem or set of problems. A compilation dissertation may consist of peer-reviewed articles already published or approved for publication, or previously unpublished manuscripts that are in the scientific peer review process or ready to be submitted to the peer review process.

Compilation dissertation's summary section
A compilation work intended for dissertation must include a section summarising the articles or manuscripts prepared by the doctoral candidate, presenting the research problem, objectives, methods, materials, results and the positioning and contribution of the work in the research field. The goal is a summary section that is more than the sum of the individual articles or manuscripts.

Joint publications in a compilation dissertation
A compilation dissertation can also include joint publications, if the doctoral candidate's independently produced part in them can be determined. If the dissertation contains joint publications, the author of the research must provide a separate written explanation of his or her independent contribution when submitting his or her manuscript for preliminary examination. The explanation must include the approval of the other authors.  In addition, the author's independent contribution must be highlighted in the introductory chapter of the dissertation in an appropriate manner. For justified reasons, the same joint publication or essay may be used in the dissertations of several different

The doctoral dissertation shall be written in Finnish, Swedish or English, or in some other language with the consent of the school. The language used in the manuscript shall be the same as in the final doctoral dissertation. An abstract both in Finnish and in the language used in the publication shall always be enclosed in the doctoral dissertation. If the doctoral dissertation is written in Finnish, the abstract shall be in English. If the doctoral dissertation is written in some other language than that of the candidate’s mother tongue, it is recommended that the dissertation is submitted for language revision before submitting it to the examination. The language check should be agreed with the supervisor well beforehand. The supervisor will give more instructions about how to conduct the language check and how to cover the related costs.

In the evaluation, the preliminary examiner must pay attention to the following evaluation criteria:

1.Choice of topic, setting the research problem and positioning the research in scientific and social debate

2.Theoretical mastery, conceptual clarity and conceptual-theoretical development work of topic

3.Complexity of research methods used and their management, as well as quality of research material

4.Management of research results and their critical evaluation5.Adherence to good scientific practice and ethically sustainable principles

6.Critical approach and maturity of reflection

7.Demonstrated personal input and independent work

8.Consistency, clarity of presentation and correctness of language of dissertation9.Ability to create new scientific knowledge

10.(Opponent: doctoral candidate's ability to defend his/her dissertation at public examination)