How to write a PH.D Thesis in Experimental Sciences and not to Die in the Attempt

1. ROSSI, JUAN PABLO F.C. AND DE ASÚA, MIGUEL

REVISTA FRAMACEUTICA

ACADEMIA NACIONAL DE FARMACIA Y BIOQUIMICA

Lugar: BUENOS AIRES; Año: 2010 vol. 152 p. 93 - 108

0034-9496

A doctoral dissertation is the way toward the highest academic degree granted by a university. As such, it should be conceived as the end result of an original experimental or theoretical work. The dissertation should demonstrate the aptitude of the graduate student to plan and conduct his/her own research project and his/her capacity for deriving from it the relevant conclusions. In the course of his work, the PhD candidateis guided by an advisor. The whole process culminates with the evaluation of the dissertation by two or three readers, who base their approval (or rejection) upon the reading of the manuscript—whereby it is of the utmost importance to present a well-written and stylistically correct text.Every thesis should contribute to the production of new knowledge. This requirement, which sounds intimidating, is actually not so hard to fulfill. The generation of new knowledge is not an unattainable goal. What is really difficult is to make a significant contribution to the existing body of knowledge. But a doctoral dissertation should not necessarily involve revolutionary findings in a given field. Any graduate student with enough motivation should be able to write a sound dissertation with fair chances of being accepted. When facing the writing of the doctoral thesis, the worst possible disposition is to indulge into a destructive hyper-self-demanding attitude. The thesis is just the first important step of a (hopefully) long academic career and should be faced realistically and with a pragmatic spirit. Taking this into account and heeding some of the recommendations listed below, the writing of the thesis could even turn into a pleasant experience.