Perspectives of PhD research: The key components for assessing its quality

Abstract

The number of PhD theses approved for the doctoral degree is on a steady rise in different disciplines across the globe. However, the quality may not meet the requirement of the academia and industries, especially in biomedical research and development (R&D), and that is not only contributing to the escalated problem of unemployment of such population having higher degrees but also diminishing the quality of education and research. Therefore, a harmonized approach shall be adopted by the universities for an examination of the quality of PhD theses and approval of the PhD degree. Quality of PhD theses of all universities, including central, state, private, and deemed to be (private or public), which are governed by the authorized regulators, such as University Grants Commission (UGC) in India, is important for the PhD students as well as mentors and granting institutions. On the basis of the current state of the art, concepts have been conceived to capture the merit of PhD degree or higher education. Evaluation of the quality of PhD can be achieved through the articulated examination system of the three key factors such as the merit of the PhD candidate, facility and position of the PhD mentor or guide, and the examination system of the granting universities. The discussion of this article has been concentrated in the quality of PhD in biomedical sciences to assess a comprehensive picture of PhD or higher education, which would not only be helpful for judging the merit of PhD but also redefine and implement policies by the regulators of higher education for continual improvement.

Keywords

• assessment of phd quality
• factors of phd research
• quality of phd thesis