MULTIPAPER DISSERTATION

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MULTI-PAPER DISSERTATION

• Donna Grant
• April Reed
• April 21, 2006

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Outline

• The Traditional Dissertation
• Alias Names
• Definition of Multi-Paper Dissertation
• Sample Format for Multi-paper Dissertation
• Where Multi-Paper Dissertation is Used
• List of Schools using multi-paper format
• Advantages Disadvantages of Multi-paper format
• Guidelines
• Conclusion
• References

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The Traditional Dissertation

• Ph.D. and its dissertation were imported from
  Germany in mid-19th century to provide students
  with training in scientific methodology
• Often considered either
• "training instrument
• "original and significant contribution to
  knowledge"

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Strengths of Traditional Dissertation to be
maintained

• Some advantages of traditional format that should
  be retained with multi-paper format
• process of writing dissertation provides shared
  experience for everyone who has achieved an
  academic doctorate
• provides an explicit template for writer to
  follow, need for good models for multi-paper
  format0
• provides training in developing a solid research
  plan
• decision about acceptance of dissertation by
  student's dissertation committee (Duke Beck)

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Alias Names

• Scandananavian
• Alternative
• Stapled-papers
• Paper-based
• Multi-paper

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Definition of Multi-Paper Dissertation?

• Three to four publishable journal articles as
  core
• An alternative format for a doctoral
  dissertation
• Not a 200-300 page document

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Sample Format of Multi-Paper Dissertation

• Abstract
• Introduction
• Explanation of related papers (Glue)
• Three to four publishable journal style articles
• Conclusion
• Future Research
• Appendix
• Other requirements from committee
• Comprehensive Literature review

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Where Multi-Paper Dissertation is Used

• Scandinavia for most fields
• Various schools in the US for finance, economics,
  marketing, medicine in particular
• Also used in some business and IS schools in US
• Detmar Straubs presentation at 2005 PhD Project
  ISDA Conference
• Discussion with Lars Mathiassen, professor at
  Georgia State University

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List of Some Schools Using Multi-paper format

• Mississippi State
• Arizona State
• Ithaca College
• Univ of California (Davis)
• East Carolina Univ
• Vanderbilt
• Univ of Ottawa
• Univ of Texas at Austin
• San Diego State Univ
• Northwestern Univ
• Univ of Wisconsin LaCrosse

• Indiana State Univ
• Univ of Central Florida
• Univ of Texas at El Paso
• Univ of Western Ontario
• Univ of British Columbia
• Univ of Australia (Sydney)
• Georgia State Univ
• State Univ of New York (Buffalo)
• Temple Univ
• Univ of Oklahoma

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Advantages of Multi-paper

• Fosters learning and experience in publishing
  process
• Initiate students in the kind of work they will
  be doing
• Recommendations and comments from reviewer can
  improve quality, however this process is
  sometimes very long
• Easier to disseminate knowledge
• Accelerates publishing for competitive job markets

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Advantages (continued)

• Facilitates a variety of methodologies
  (conceptual, experimental, exploratory,
  qualitative, quantitative)
• Helps mitigate against poor results
• Milestones for students and helps monitor
  progress for advisor
• Assists in building a research program

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Disadvantages of Multi-paper

• With multiple authors on a paper, it raises
  concerns regarding individual or original
  contribution
• Not many models to follow
• Not one big project for deep contributions to an
  area many smaller projects
• Requires advisor to determine how many papers is
  enough for dissertation
• Sometimes difficult to determine how to break up
  projects, not coherent or too repetitive
• Not always applicable some studies are too big

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Disadvantages (continued)

• Lack of support from some academics and
  universities
• Some academics concern, lost of scholastic
  experience and knowledge or complete research
  or taking shortcuts to research to finish papers
• Managing time between dissertation and publishing
  revise and resubmit cycle
• Risk of more work or longer time (many small
  projects and publishing cycle)

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Guidelines for using Multi-paper format

• Make sure your committee is in agreement with
  this alternative format
• Must have coherent, but flexible structure and
  process (papers may build on each other or cause
  change in direction)
• Essential to be aggressive and proactive in
  publication process
• Vital to manage dissertation and publication
  process

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Conclusion

• Multi-paper is a viable proven format
• Multi-paper is not for everyone or every
  dissertation
• Project management is key for dissertation and
  publication processes

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References

• AIS World message list, http//www.isworld.org/
• Avison, D. Pries-Heje, J. (2005). Research in
  Information Systems A Handbook for research
  supervisors and their students. Burlington, MA
  Elsevier Ltd.
• Duke, N., Beck, S. (1999). Education should
  consider alternative formats for the
  dissertation. Educational Researcher, 28(3),
  31-36.
• Krathwohl, D. (1994). A slice of advice.
  Educational Researcher, 23(1), 29-32, 42
• Thomas, J., Nelson, J., Magill, R. (1986). A
  case for an alternative format for the
  thesis/dissertation. Quest, 38, 116-124.
• Monaghan, P. (1989). Some fields are reassessing
  the value of the traditional doctoral
  dissertation. The Chronicle of Higher Education,
  35(29), A1.