The PhD by Published Work at Staffordshire University
A brief introduction to principles and process
What follows is an overview of the regulations, which can be found here:
Principles
The PhD by Published Work is an award of equivalent standing to the ‘traditional’ PhD, and to the Professional Doctorate. It is an alternate route to a research degree, primarily intended for researchers with a strong existing track record of outputs that represent a demonstrably clear and coherent research programme.
The basic principle rests upon the equivalence in research-level originality, depth, scope, and contribution to discipline knowledge, of already published outputs to the traditional doctoral thesis.‘Outputs’ could be of any type that is recognised in other spheres of higher education as research (e.g., would in principle be REF-able). This also means that they must be in the public domain. Outcomes could include papers, books, chapters, exhibitions, compositions, and so forth.
A good rule of thumb might be that a PhD by published work is based upon at least six peer-reviewed papers, produced over three or more years. It must be added that this raw number will vary considerably by discipline and by output type; so, another way of expressing the rule of thumb would be: a number of outputs that would be typical of at least three years of work by an active researcher in your subject.
Just as a PhD thesis concerns a single set of research questions and arrives by way of systematic investigation at some answers or conclusions to these questions, so the set of outputs that form the basis for the PhD by Published Work must have a clear collective focus, that is to say, represent a coherent programme of original research.In other words, the outcomes (together with appended documentation of the research process) should exhibit research questions, conclusions, and the systematic and rigorous manner in which these are arrived at. Demonstrating and documenting a coherent programme is no less important for a set of ‘traditional’ academic outputs (e.g. peer reviewed journal articles) as for creative work or professional practice.
Process
The regulations linked to above talk about two distinct stages: first enrolment, followed by making a prima facie case. It is probably best to think of these as a single stage, however, a candidate applies for the PhD by Published Work and in order to do so, assembles their prima facie case.
The prima facie case involves the following:
(i)a list of all the work that forms the proposed basis for the award;
(ii)a discussion of the manner in which these works form a coherent body of research, of appropriate level, scope, depth, originality and contribution (up to 1000 words);
(iii)declarations concerning (a) when and where the work was undertaken; (b) that it is not being used as evidence for any other higher degree; and (c) where co-authors are involved, the extent of contribution of each.
As with any other doctoral level application, the proposal must be signed off by the Dean of School, or appointed delegate. The School must also suggest a name, and supply a CV, for a member of staff to act as Academic Advisor. The proposal is then submitted to the Graduate School Committee for consideration.
If approved, the candidate is then registered with the University, and has twelve months in which to prepare their portfolio for examination. A fee is payable, which is the equivalent of a single year’s full time study on a ‘traditional’ PhD. Throughout this period, the Academic Advisor will be available to offer guidance concerning the portfolio. The Advisor will also complete an examination approval form suggesting internal and external examiners for the Committee’s approval. If the candidate is a member of staff at the University, there must be two external examiners in addition to a single internal.
The final portfolio (which the regulations call a ‘thesis’) has the following contents:
(i)An abstract of 300 words.
(ii)A critical and reflective introduction to the work, of approximately 10,000 words. (For some projects, and in some disciplines, this introduction may need to be longer. For example, where the assembled outputs do not themselves fully do the work of critical literature review, or discussion of methods. Thus, as needed, this introduction may be up to a recommended maximum of 30,000 words). This introduction must justify the level, originality, scope, depth, and contribution of the work, as well as its coherence as a single programme of research.
(iii)Copies (in some appropriate format) of the work forming the basis of the proposed award, and for creative or professional work probably also documentation of process and reception.
(iv)The declarations as per the prima facie case.
The examination event has a procedure and set of possible outcomes very similar to those of the traditional PhD.
Please contact the Graduate School with any queries: