Thesis structure and format
Publications can be included in part or in full, and if published, verbatim or re-formatted.
The overall length of the thesis and number of publications included may vary between disciplines. Candidates should consult with their supervisors and HDR DA regarding the normal standards in their discipline.
Thesis coherence and argument
The structure and organising logic of the thesis needs to satisfy the submission requirements. This includes providing:
- A comprehensive account of the research beyond what is included in publications (which may only tell part of the story)
- An explanation to the examiners regarding the contribution of the candidate to the publications submitted for examination.
Back-to-back publications book-ended by an introduction and a conclusion is insufficient. Instead, the thesis would usually include additional discussion and intermediate sections linking the publications together and telling the story. For example, where publications occupy whole chapters:
- The thesis introductory chapter should provide a detailed explanation of:
- How all the parts of the thesis fit together
- Which chapters or parts thereof are comprised of publications, and
- The role of the candidate in writing the publications
- Each chapter of the thesis should include an introduction:
- Explaining the conceptual links between the chapters to ensure coherence, and
- Providing extended discussion of analysis and or findings beyond what is included in publications
- At the end of the thesis, it is recommended that a complete list of references is included to aid coherence.
Co-authorship
It is acceptable to include co-authored publications in the thesis, for example, with supervisors and other candidates. Where publications are included in the thesis, the candidate (whose thesis it is):
- Would usually be the main contributor and/or lead author
- The contribution would be significant and substantial. This means candidates have been responsible for the key ideas, doing the research and writing the publication.
It is also acceptable for candidates who are co-lead authors to use the same publication within their respective theses. As per comments above about thesis coherence and argument, this would be explained to examiners in the thesis.
If a publication is included in the thesis in which the candidate is not the lead author, detailed explanation and justification must be provided.
Co-authors need to provide permission by completing the Research Outputs Declaration (PDF, 126KB).
Repetition
Some elements, such as methodology, literature review and bibliography, may be repeated within each publication. Examiners are likely to understand justifiable repetition. Unnecessary repetition, however, should be avoided.
Copyright and examination
For the purposes of examination, candidates do not need permission to include copyright works in their thesis to which they have contributed.
Once the submission has been classified as passed, however, the candidate will need to prepare the archival version for lodgement to the RMIT Research Repository. This will need to acknowledge copyright of publications. For further information see here and the RMIT Library copyright guide.
Examiners
It is strongly recommended that examiners are briefed to expect a thesis incorporating publications as this may be new to some examiners. It is the supervisors’ role to do this as part of the examiner selection process. The RMIT guidelines provided to examiners explain that it is acceptable to include publications in the thesis.
