When working on a dissertation, it is important not only to formulate scientific results but also to present them properly. At the same time, degree candidates should distinguish between the approbation of research results in the broad sense and the official procedure conducted before the dissertation defence. Let us consider what approbation is, in what forms it can take place and which documents confirm its results.
What is dissertation approbation?
Approbation of dissertation research results is the presentation of the obtained results to the scientific or professional community, their discussion and evaluation.
The forms of approbation include the following:
- publication of research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals
- presentations and their discussion at scientific conferences
- peer review of the work
- other forms of professional discussion of research results
Approbation makes it possible to present the main provisions of the work before all procedures related to the defence are completed and to receive a professional evaluation of the research results.
Approbation and publication of results: what is the difference?
Approbation involves the presentation and professional evaluation of research results. Publication is one of the ways of making scientific results publicly available and, at the same time, may be one of the forms of their approbation.
In addition, implementation of the results means their practical use in the activities of an institution, enterprise, organisation, educational process or another field. Therefore, a certificate of implementation primarily confirms the practical application of the results and is not a universal document that necessarily confirms the approbation of every dissertation.
Which documents confirm dissertation approbation?
Documentary confirmation of dissertation results depends on the way in which the research results were presented. These may include:
- a published scientific article and its bibliographic details
- published abstracts or conference proceedings
- the programme of a scientific event or a participant certificate, if such documents were issued by the organisers
- documents recording the consideration or discussion of the results within the institution
- a certificate of implementation, if the research results were actually used in practice
However, for the official procedure of preparing a PhD candidate for the defence, legislation provides for a separate document – a conclusion on the scientific novelty and the theoretical and practical significance of the dissertation results.
How does the official discussion of a dissertation before the defence take place?
To obtain the relevant conclusion regarding the approbation of the results, the candidate applies to a structural unit of a higher education institution. The application is accompanied by the dissertation in printed and electronic form, scientific publications or copies thereof in which the dissertation results are presented, a certificate confirming completion of the educational and scientific programme, and the conclusion of the academic supervisor or supervisors.
No later than one month from the date the application is received, a public presentation of the scientific results of the dissertation and their discussion are held at a meeting of the relevant core structural unit of the institution responsible for the candidate’s training.
Which document does the candidate receive after the presentation?
The results of the public presentation and discussion are recorded in a conclusion on the scientific novelty and the theoretical and practical significance of the dissertation results. The document is signed by the chairperson of the meeting of the relevant structural unit. The conclusion must be provided to the candidate no later than within two weeks from the date of the presentation. It is this document that constitutes the formal result of the dissertation discussion before proceeding to the next stage of the defence procedure.
Are publications and conferences sufficient for the approbation of results?
Scientific articles, abstracts and presentations at conferences confirm the presentation and public dissemination of research results. However, they do not replace the public presentation of dissertation results required for candidates or the conclusion prepared on the basis of its results.
The current procedure separately provides for the submission of scientific publications in which the dissertation results are presented, as well as the holding of a public presentation and the receipt of the relevant conclusion. These are different components of the candidate’s preparation for the defence.
What should a candidate take into account?
Evidence of approbation should be collected throughout the entire period of work on the dissertation. If the results are presented at a conference, published in an article or undergo another form of professional discussion, it is advisable to retain the documents and bibliographic information confirming this.
At the same time, the key formal stage for the candidate before the defence is the public presentation of the scientific results of the dissertation. Its outcome is confirmed by a conclusion on the scientific novelty and the theoretical and practical significance of the dissertation results.
Thus, the concept of approbation covers different ways of presenting and discussing research results, while the documents confirming it depend on the specific form. For the official transition to the subsequent stages of the defence, it is necessary to focus primarily on the procedures and documents established by the current legislation of Ukraine.
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