Instructions for preliminary examiners (School of Business)
General quality requirements for doctoral theses at Aalto University
- A doctoral thesis shall contain new scientific knowledge in the field it represents.
- The doctoral thesis must present the new results clearly and in a manner meeting the criteria set for scientific texts.
- The independent contribution of the doctoral student shall be sufficient and clearly demonstrable.
- The research methods used shall fulfil the criteria set for scientific research.
- A doctoral thesis shall conform to the principles of responsible conduct of research and adhere to ethically sustainable principles.
Doctoral thesis formats
The thesis for a Doctor of Science (Economics and Business Administration) degree may be 1) a monograph or 2) a compilation of academic research papers * that collectively meet the requirements of the doctoral thesis.
The scope and general quality requirements of doctoral dissertations follow the instructions and guidelines decided by the University Academic Affairs Committee on 1 December 2015.
*) A hybrid of what is currently officially referred to as 'article-based' and 'essay-based' thesis at Aalto University.
A doctoral thesis monograph is a coherent and comprehensive piece of scholarly work that presents the doctoral student’s original research. The monograph must be authored solely by the student and based on their previously unpublished research. It may, however, refer to the student’s previous work on the same topic. A doctoral thesis monograph typically includes sections on the research problem, objectives, methodology, findings, discussion and conclusions, including an assessment of the significance of the thesis and its specific contributions to knowledge within the discipline.
A doctoral thesis based on a compilation of academic research papers consists of three or more high-quality, published or unpublished but publishable research papers that collectively address a specific research problem, along with a comprehensive summary of the thesis (thesis summary). The thesis may include both peer reviewed articles that have been published or accepted for publication and previously unpublished manuscripts that are undergoing or ready to be submitted for academic peer review.
The number of papers required is contingent upon two factors: the papers’ academic quality and significance and the doctoral student’s independent contribution to the research presented in the papers. It is the responsibility of the supervising professor to ensure the quality of the papers before the thesis is submitted for preliminary examination.
The research papers included in the doctoral thesis should be based primarily on the doctoral student’s own previously unpublished research. At least one of the papers must be a single authored paper written by the student.
The thesis summary typically includes sections detailing the research problem, objectives, methodology, findings, discussion and conclusions, including an assessment of the significance of the thesis and its specific contributions to knowledge within the discipline.
Each paper included in the doctoral thesis will be evaluated individually to determine whether it presents new results or perspectives on the research problem and contributes meaningfully to existing research.
Co-authored papers may be included in the doctoral thesis, provided the doctoral student has made a demonstrable and independent contribution to them.
When submitting the thesis for preliminary examination, the doctoral student must provide a written statement detailing their own contributions and the contributions of their co-author(s) to the co-authored papers. Papers in which the student’s own independent contribution cannot be clearly demonstrated may not be included in the doctoral thesis.
Instructions for Preliminary Examination of Doctoral Thesis
To obtain permission for the public defence of their doctoral thesis, the student must first submit the thesis manuscript for preliminary examination.Upon receipt of the doctoral student’s preliminary examination request, the Doctoral Program Committee of the School of Business will decide whether the manuscript is ready for preliminary examination. If so, the Doctoral Programme Committee appoints two Preliminary Examiners on the basis of a proposal from the supervising professor.
As a preliminary examiner, your role is to assess whether the doctoral thesis manuscript meets the minimum requirementsfor a doctoral thesis at Aalto University. Your assessment should culminate in a written, signed Preliminary Examiner's Statement submitted to the Doctoral Program Committee. Below, you will find detailed instructions to guide your evaluation process.
Scope of Evaluation
In your assessment, you are expected to:
- Provide a concise evaluation of the merits and weaknesses of the thesis.
- Discuss the research problem, objectives, methodology, findings, discussion, and conclusions. For compilation theses, evaluate both the individual research papers and the thesis as a whole.
- Assess the significance of the contributions of the thesis to knowledge within the discipline. For compilation theses, consider the coherence and impact of the papers and their alignment with the overarching research objectives.
General Quality Requirements for Doctoral Theses at Aalto University
Your evaluation should consider whether the thesis meets the following criteria:
- Original Contribution: The thesis must contain new scientific knowledge in its field.
- Clarity and Presentation: The results should be presented clearly and meet the standards for scientific writing.
- Doctoral Candidate’s Independent Contribution: The candidate’s individual contribution should be substantial and clearly demonstrable.
- Methodological Rigor: The research methods must meet the standards of scientific research.
- Ethical Compliance: The thesis must conform to the principles of responsible conduct of research and adhere to ethically sustainable practices.
Feedback and Communication
You are encouraged to provide constructive feedback and suggest improvements to enhance the quality of the thesis. If necessary, you may also communicate these suggestions to the doctoral candidate or request corrections during the process of preliminary examination.
However, all communication with the candidate must be mediated by the supervising professor. If you have any questions, need clarification, or wish to propose corrections, please contact the supervising professor directly. They are responsible for facilitating communication and addressing any issues that may arise during the examination process.
Please Note: Your role as a preliminary examiner is distinct from that of a thesis advisor. You are not expected to provide in-depth guidance or assume advisory responsibilities during this process.
Preliminary Examiner’s Statement
Your written statement should explicitly state whether the thesis manuscript meets the minimum requirements for a doctoral thesis. Specifically, you should:
- Concisely evaluate the merits and weaknesses of the thesis, addressing its adherence to the general quality requirements listed above.
- Provide constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement to enhance the quality of the thesis, as appropriate.
- Clearly state whether the thesis meets the criteria for permission to proceed to public defense.
If you conclude that the thesis meets the requirements, include a clear recommendation at the end of your statement that permission for the public defense be granted.
Important Note: Your recommendation cannot be conditional on suggested changes or corrections to the manuscript.
Timeline
You are expected to submit your Preliminary Examiner’s Statement to the Doctoral Program Committee of Aalto University School of Business within six weeks of receiving the examination materials. Please ensure your statement is signed and includes your final recommendation.
Please send the statement by email to: [email protected]
If you have any questions or need clarification, please contact the supervising professor.
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