The dissertation ... What is? Why is it being created? What does it look like? These and other similar questions will be answered in the framework of the article.
general information
First, let's talk about what a dissertation is. What is she like? A dissertation is a special, strictly defined form of a scientific work, for which the scientific-qualification character is characteristic. It is in its final form prepared for public defense and obtaining a certain
academic degree.What are the requirements for dissertations?
Officially, it must comply with the following:
- Scientific research should be carried out directly by the author.
- The dissertation should contain a combination of new scientific principles and results.
- The document must have internal unity.
- The dissertation should indicate the personal contribution of the applicant in the study of a scientific problem.
- The new solutions that the author proposes must be clearly stated, supported by arguments and critically correlated with previously created developments.
- The sources used to create the work must be indicated.
It should be understood that scientific dissertations are special scientific works that have nothing to do with either the report of a social activist or official, or with a lecture or a scientifically popular book, or with simple informational work. What are they? A dissertation is a truly scientific work that develops and enriches science in a particular branch of knowledge. It serves as a confirmation of the scientist's personal contribution to the development of all civilization. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure that the work is done at the proper level.
We look from the technical side of the matter
So, already now there is an idea of what the dissertation is. What is it from a technical point of view? This work belongs to a certain genre and must obey certain rules and fulfill the existing requirements. One of the important aspects is the design of the dissertation. During the preparation of work, it may seem to many that a considerable number of various bad quibbles are being put forward, but these are just the requirements of standardization. It, in turn, is carried out with the aim of more convenient familiarization with scientific works. Indeed, when you need to work with a large number of documents, then interaction in a certain standard form allows you to save time and quickly look for the necessary information.
How is the dissertation constructed? Knowledge management is its cornerstone. Since this document is the work of one person, it should be a scientific and qualification work, which gives a certain increase in information.
New data
The aforementioned increment of information may be presented in various forms. So, people discover something new, create theoretical models, qualitatively improve existing knowledge, refute existing conclusions and much more. Be that as it may, a dissertation is a repository of a set of scientific results that are defended before highly qualified specialists. The data obtained are critically evaluated on the basis of their comparison with already known information. Therefore, they must be well-reasoned. But development also lies in this. The dissertation must take into account that new scientific knowledge and already known knowledge are necessarily in dialectical interaction. And research should also contain a fraction of scientific foresight. But science cannot reject what was created earlier and rely only on new achievements. Only the totality of what was created earlier and its use with new developments allows us to move forward.
How much new data?
When writing, say, a dissertation of a
candidate of sciences, it is difficult not to take into account the results obtained by studies of predecessors. Therefore, it is considered that the most appropriate in relation to the information received is a mention of this. As such, the phrase "individual results are not new." But the main thing is not this, but an assessment of the conclusions made and proposed. The dissertation council evaluates the work and decides whether to award a degree. Some difficulties arise with the characterization. When there is a conversation that a significant part of the results obtained is not new, then at first glance it is perceived as a negative assessment. But if research is a significant achievement, then board members have the right to award a degree to a person. True, in the future there may be a need to defend the decision, when the dissertation will be considered at the Academy of Sciences.
What does the government think about this?
For us, within the framework of the article, a new provision on the procedure for awarding academic degrees is of interest. In general, it is not very large, so if you want you can get acquainted with it completely. But within the framework of the article the most interesting aspects will be given. If a person wants to get a candidate or doctoral degree, then first of all, you should familiarize yourself with the eighth paragraph of the provision. It says that the applicant should submit a scientific and qualification work in which, on the basis of the studies performed by its creator, theoretical provisions are developed that can be qualified as a major scientific achievement (or a solution to a significant problem that has important economic or socio-cultural significance ) Also, justified and well-reasoned economic, technological or technical solutions can act as subjects, the introduction of which makes it possible to make a significant contribution to the improvement and development of the country's economy or increases its defense capability.
Candidate dissertations must meet at least one of the requirements. But just writing something is too little. The results should be confirmed by the supervisor or consultant, the graduating department, official opponents, the leading organization, the dissertation council and the Academy of Sciences. Is this the whole list of “barriers”? No, unofficial opponents, research teams, individual developers and non / well-wishers still have the right to criticize. But their opinion is purely advisory in nature.
Note!
The dissertation - what is it, perhaps, is already clear. It should be noted that scientific works like monographs, articles in collections of works and journals, textbooks and methodological aids, although they are an addition in this case, can not be replaced. Even when a dissertation is defended on a certain set of works, it must meet strict scientific criteria. You should pay close attention to another working moment. The dissertations have the rights of manuscripts, but at the same time they must meet the requirements that apply to printed works. In addition, in the territory of the Russian Federation it is provided that the dissertation is prepared in Russian (as a rule). Also, if presented in manuscript form, the most important points should be published. For successful defense, care should be taken to ensure that the results and progress of the research are well-disclosed. The completeness of scientific information is also reflected in the most detailed factual material, which includes detailed justifications, hypotheses, parallels and broad historical excursions.
Writing a dissertation
Initially, care should be taken to ensure that goals and objectives are set. Then you should do an analysis of the main aspects of the problem under consideration. The basis should be taken on a fundamentally new material, which includes descriptions of new phenomena, factors and patterns. In addition, it is allowed to use generalized previously known information from a different position or to consider them in another aspect. It would be best to understand what and how, an example of a dissertation would help, but, alas, its placement within the framework of the article is not possible for technical reasons. In addition, we can say that the material created may well have debatable issues in itself, which is associated with a reanalysis of existing ideas and views. The content of the work should be original, unique and not repeat the provisions given. Care should be taken to ensure that the dissertation has a high degree of abstraction, actively uses the mathematical apparatus and means of logical thinking, and has accurate data and reasoned judgments. For a better disclosure of the topic, you can use the iconic apparatus in the form of formulas, graphs, charts, diagrams, tables and other signs.
Preparation for defending a dissertation
During this process, you need to demonstrate your skill level. For this, a number of requirements are fulfilled, some of which are purely formal. So, you need not only to submit new and relevant data, but also to carefully arrange all the documentation. The latter implies compliance with established standards and the absence of various errors in the text. In order to avoid numerous comments and worsening the overall picture of reviews, care should be taken to ensure that this aspect does not worry in the future. Indeed, when they say about such a thing as a dissertation, what it is, then a lot of attention is paid to the external beauty.
Thesis defense
Initially, respect should be expressed to the supervisor, board members, and official opponents. It should not be forgotten that they work on a voluntary basis and, as a rule, are friendly towards dissenters. These people put off their affairs and go to meetings in order to help a person get a qualification statute. Therefore, the topic of the dissertation should be confidently and structured within the framework of the regulation.