A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is awarded after extensive coursework and research, which usually culminates in the writing, presentation, and defense of a PhD dissertation. This is a document that presents a thoroughly researched problem or idea, then painstakingly examines the issue and, finally, proposes a solution or a new way of thinking about the problem. A PhD dissertation is typically written someone pursuing a PhD in any field, and the form and function of the dissertation are often dictated the specific field the person has studied.
A PhD dissertation, which is also known as a thesis, is a student’s final piece of work and a person’s entry point into the professional world. Because the terms thesis and dissertation are interchangeable in some areas, there is a risk of misunderstanding. A thesis is used for post-doctoral work, whereas a dissertation is used for doctoral work. A thesis is used to refer to doctoral work in some areas, while a dissertation is used to refer to sub-doctoral work in others. A PhD dissertation, on the other hand, usually refers to the work done in order to obtain a PhD and complete one’s formal education in a specific field.
A PhD dissertation is very important for people studying scientific fields because it allows them to present their ideas and can often establish their initial reputation in the field. Examining a problem and then proposing a solution, or demonstrating research and understanding that clarifies the problem, are common themes in scientific dissertations. This can be an obvious real-world issue or a theoretical issue that others in a particular field of science are experiencing. A PhD dissertation presented someone studying the arts is more likely to take the form of a new way of looking at a piece of artwork, such as a new perspective on a literary text.
A PhD dissertation can take years to complete, and the final product can be hundreds of pages long. Most schools have dissertation style preferences that students must adhere to, and an adviser will usually work with a student to help him or her write the best dissertation possible. The final PhD dissertation is then presented to a board of reviewers, who are usually experts in the field and professors, who read it and determine its value. Before receiving a PhD, a student must first present his or her work to the board during an oral review and defense of his or her ideas.