It is impossible to obtain academic degrees without writing and defending a dissertation. This process is one of the key stages of a scientific career, during which a scientist presents the results of his/her scientific research. Successful defence of a dissertation depends not only on the quality of the research, but also on compliance with a number of requirements and norms. In this article, we will review the main requirements for dissertations, as well as the procedure of their defence.
Actual requirements for writing a dissertation in Azerbaijan
In order for a scientist to successfully defend a dissertation, it must meet a number of criteria that are determined by the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan. They include various areas: from the content of the work, to its design. Also, the requirements may vary depending on the academic degree for which the scientist is applying.
1. General requirements
Dissertation for the degree of Candidate of Sciences:
- the work must offer a new approach to solving a current problem in the relevant field of science;
- an improved review of developments in the field of engineering, technology and economics is provided, taking into account their practical value;
- applicants for the degree of Candidate of Sciences must pass examinations in their speciality in accordance with the requirements of the Commission (in case of defence in two specialities – in each subject).
Dissertation for the degree of Doctor of Sciences:
- the research must be aimed at solving a new scientific problem of social, cultural or economic significance;
- the dissertation develops new theoretical concepts that may contribute to the further development of the relevant scientific field;
- the work considers and solves economic, technical and technological problems that have scientific substantiation and can significantly accelerate scientific and technological progress;
- the applicant cannot present for the defence of the doctoral dissertation those scientific provisions and results which he/she has already used in the candidate's dissertation.
2. Structure
The dissertation must be written in accordance with the established requirements for the structure. It is worth noting that the university may have its own requirements for the structure of the work, so at the initial stage it is worth clarifying this aspect with the supervisor. Usually, the dissertation includes the following elements:
- title page;
- table of contents;
- a list of abbreviations (if there are any in the dissertation);
- introduction;
- main part (presentation of the material);
- result;
- materials used;
- appendices.
3. Formatting of the dissertation
The formatting of the dissertation requires adherence to a number of standards and requirements covering various elements of the work, such as text, tables, graphs, figures and references to sources. The Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Azerbaijan regulates the basic requirements for the design of the dissertation, which can be found in detail on the official website.
Nevertheless, in the process of writing the work, it is also important to check with the supervisor for additional requirements that may be imposed by a particular university.
4. Academic integrity and absence of plagiarism
One of the most important requirements when defending a dissertation is academic integrity. This refers to honesty in presenting the results of the research, proper citation of other scholars' work, and the mandatory use of one's own original ideas.
The presence of borrowed texts without proper formatting can lead to rejection of the work. That is why before submitting a paper for review, it is worth checking for plagiarism with the help of special programmes.
5. Reviewing and publishing
Before submitting a dissertation for defence, it is necessary to undergo a review procedure. The scientific supervisor, as well as other specialists in the relevant field, can give their comments and recommendations, which should be taken into account when finalising and preparing the final version of the work.
In addition, in order for an applicant to be admitted to the dissertation defence, it is necessary for the main results of the research to be published in scientific journals indexed in international databases such as Scopus and Web of Science.
Depending on the type of dissertation (candidate or doctoral dissertation), the requirements for the number of publications differ:
- For a degree of Candidate of Sciences, a minimum of five articles must be published, including:
- one article in a prestigious foreign journal. - For a degree of Doctor of Science, a minimum of twenty articles is required, including:
- six articles published in prestigious foreign journals.
- for humanities and social sciences – at least three articles.
- for natural sciences – at least six articles.
Thus, fulfilment of these requirements plays a key role in the process of preparation for the dissertation defence and helps to confirm the scientific significance of the work.
Dissertation defence: what is necessary to know?
The dissertation defence process involves several key steps, namely:
1. Presentation of the work
At the defence, the candidate presents the main results of his/her research in front of the board members, explaining in detail the goals, objectives, methodology and results obtained. It is important to convey the essence of the work clearly and concisely so that it is clear to the members of the board how the research has been carried out and what conclusions have been drawn.
2. Answering questions
After presenting the work, the board members ask questions that relate to the content, methods, conclusions and results. The applicant should answer these questions, demonstrating a thorough understanding of their topic and confidence in the results of the research.
3. Discussion of the work
After answering the questions, a discussion of the paper is held, where reviewers and board members can express their comments, suggestions and wishes. This is an opportunity for the applicant to provide further clarification of their work.
4. Evaluation and decision-making
After the discussion of the dissertation, a vote is taken to decide on the success of the defence. The members of the council evaluate the quality of the work as well as the degree of readiness of the applicant for the degree.
How to prepare for the dissertation defence?
Preparing for the dissertation defence is an important stage that requires careful work. In order to increase the chances of success, you should take a few simple steps:
- Prepare a presentation that will display the main results of the research. It should be clear and concise and not duplicate what you tell during the presentation.
- Prepare in advance answers to possible questions from the panel members. This way, you will not be confused during the defence and will demonstrate your competence in the topic.
- Plan and structure your presentation clearly. It is also worth rehearsing in front of a mirror or friends. This will help minimise your fear of public speaking and check that you are within the time limit (15-20 minutes).
The dissertation defence process is a complex and demanding job that requires attention to content, quality of formatting, compliance with academic standards and principles of integrity. Understanding and adhering to the basic norms is the key to a successful defence and further academic career.
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