Doctoral Studies: The Thesis

Topic

The topic of the thesis must be in a research area in which the doctoral candidate was admitted or in the field of the programme for which the admission has been provided. [§ 11 I doctoral degree regulations (PromO)]

Demands

The thesis must be an independent academic performance by the doctoral candidate, and must represent a substantial and innovative contribution to the advancement of scientific knowledge. It must demonstrate that the doctoral candidate possesses the capability to independently apply flawless methodologies to resolve scientific issues in the selected research area and to present the results clearly and in a manner typical of the research area. [§ 11 II 1-2 PromO]

No double use

The thesis must not have been or be used for any other doctoral process or comparable procedure at a university in Germany or abroad. This applies accordingly to use within the context of other, individual examination components, in particular, a Master, Magister or Diplom thesis, unless § 11 IV 2 PromO (use of already published research results, see below) specifies a different procedure. [§ 11 II 4-5 PromO]

Use of already published research results as well as other examination achievements

Results that are already published can be incorporated in the thesis, provided in an aggregate sense they do not account for more than 50 per cent of the overall scope of the thesis; they must be annotated according to good scientific practice. [§ 11 IV 1 PromO]

Results of other examination components (e.g. a Master’s thesis) produced by the doctoral candidate may be used up to an aggregate amount of one third of the total scope of the thesis; they must be annotated according to good scientific practice. [§ 11 IV 2 PromO]

Compliance with the principles of good research practice

An reviewer is entitled to use suitable software, in particular, plagiarism detection software, to determine whether the thesis submitted was completed independently and without unauthorised assistance and, in particular, to determine whether any text passages or other sources were incorporated without annotation. [§ 14 II PromO]

Ombuds Office for Good Research Practice

Language

Generally, the thesis must be written in German or English. [§ 11 III 1 PromO]

Contrary to § 11 III 1 PromO, the thesis may also be written in a language approved for the research area according to Appendix 1 of the doctoral degree regulations. [§ 11 III 3 PromO] In these cases, no separate application is necessary.

The doctoral committee decides on exceptions upon application by the doctoral candidate; the application can be rejected without statement of reasons. [§ 11 III 4 PromO]

All members of the examination board must have a sufficient command of the examination language. [§ 11 III 5 PromO]

A German-language summary must be enclosed if the thesis is not written in German; it must state the key lines of argument contained in each section. [§ 11 III 6 PromO]

The thesis as a joint piece of work

A joint piece of work can be recognised as an independent academic performance if the contribution made by the doctoral candidate can be irrefutably delimited as an individual performance suitable of assessment, and provided the joint work permits a methodically meaningful enlargement on the treatment of the selected topic and justified reasons are provided. Each contribution is to be separately assessed as a thesis. [§ 11 V PromO]

Formalia

The dissertation must have a title page in accordance with the model in Annex IV of the doctoral degree regulations, i.e.:

"[Title of the thesis]",
"Thesis in order to acquire the doctoral degree in philosophy at the Faculty of Humanities of the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen"
"submitted by [name] from [place of birth]"
"Göttingen, [year of submission]".

[§ 11 III 2 u. Annex IV PromO]

In addition, the thesis must contain a brief curriculum vitae outlining the applicant's academic background. [§ 11 III 2 PromO]

acIn the field of Cultural Anthropology/European Ethnology, the thesis may also consist of a film or another audiovisual media format in addition to the written presentation. [§ 11 II 3 PromO]

The cumulative thesis

Submission of at least three thematically independent scientific contributions belonging to the same research area that were accepted or considered capable for publication according to an external scientific review procedure can also apply as a thesis, provided this is governed for a research area by Appendix I of the doctoral degree regulations. The reviewers shall decide on suitability for publication in this case. [§ 11 VI 1-2 PromO]

The form of cumulative thesis is only permitted in the following research areas [Appendix I 4 lit. a) PromO]:

Egyptology [Ägyptologie]
Ancient Near Eastern Studies [Altorientalistik]
Bioethics [Bioethik]
German Philology (German Linguistics) [Deutsche Philologie (Germanistische Linguistik)]
German Philology (Modern German Literature) [Deutsche Philologie (Neuere deutsche Literatur)]
Didactics of Biology [Didaktik der Biologie]
Didactics of the German Language and Literature [Didaktik der deutschen Sprache und Literatur]
Didactics of the English Language, Literature and Culture [Didaktik der englischen Sprache, Literatur und Kultur]
Digital Humanities
English Philology (English Literature and Cultural Studies) [Englische Philologie (Anglistische Literatur- und Kulturwissenschaft)]
English Philology (Medieval English Language and Literature) [Englische Philologie (Englische Sprache und Literatur des Mittelalters)]
English Philology (English Linguistics) [Englische Philologie (English Linguistics)]
Deaf Studies [Gebärdensprache/Deaf Studies]
Intercultural German Studies [Interkulturelle Germanistik]
Iranian Studies [Iranistik]
Coptology [Koptologie]
Cultural Anthropology/European Ethnology [Kulturanthropologie/Europäische Ethnologie]
Linguistic Anthropology and Indigenous American Studies [Linguistische Anthropologie und Altamerikanistik]
Musicology [Musikwissenschaft]
North American Studies [North American Studies (Englische Philologie Nordamerikastudien)]
Philosophy [Philosophie]
Psycholinguistics [Psycholinguistik]

For at least one of the contributions, the doctoral candidate should be the sole author. Depending on the number of contributions drafted by co-authors, the number of required contributions may rise. Depending on the quality of the contributions, the requirement for sole authorship of a contribution may be released. The doctoral committee decides on this in consultation with the thesis committee. [§ 11 VI 3-6 PromO)

For a publication with several authors, it should be possible to clearly delimit and assess the contributions of each doctoral candidate. A declaration confirming the contribution made by the candidate must be submitted in this respect. [§ 11 VI 7 PromO)

Publications should be supplemented by a plausible introduction to the scientific questions underlying the publications, as well as a summary, in which the applicant's own results are classified in the professional context, as well as a list of references. [§ 11 VI 8 PromO)

The cumulative thesis should be presented in a bound form. [§ 11 VI 9 PromO)

In the event that individual contributions are not yet published, the submission of a letter by the publishing house, which confirms acceptance of the contribution for publication and essential compliance to the submitted version with regard to content, is also sufficient for meeting the obligation for publication under § 24 I PromO. This is without prejudice to the right to publish the cumulative thesis as a whole in accordance with § 24 III PromO (i. e. as a dissertation print, in an academic journal, in an academic series, as an independent printed or electronic publication in the publishing trade, as an electronic publication on the document server of the Göttingen State and University Library, or by a comparable academic information infrastructure). [§ 11 VI 10-11 PromO] (see also The Publication of the thesis

Submission of the thesis

The following must be enclosed with the (online) application for doctoral examination:

one copy of the thesis in a digital form in the format of a standard word processing programme or as a PDF document (that permits extraction of the text)
any published writings of the doctoral candidate that are related to the dissertation in electronic form.
if a written version was submitted: a binding confirmation that the digital version corresponds to the written scientific paper. [§ 10 II a) PromO] (is checked in the online form and only needs to be ticked)
an affirmation in lieu of an oath that the doctoral candidate has written the dissertation independently and has not used any sources or aids other than those stated and that no corresponding doctorate has been applied for elsewhere and that the submitted dissertation or parts thereof have been presented in this context. [§ 9 I c) PromO] (is checked in the online form and only needs to be ticked)
These provisions also apply to a cumulative dissertation. [§ 11 VI 9 PromO]

Assessment

The doctoral committee appoints two reviewers s to assess the thesis. They must be authorised examiners, and at least one member must sit on the thesis committee, in most cases, the first supervisor. In exceptional cases, the doctoral committee shall name additional reviewers, especially for interdisciplinary or interfaculty work. [§ 12 I PromO]

Within three months of submitting the thesis, each reviewer should propose that the thesis be accepted, rejected or returned for revision if they would otherwise recommend rejection. [§ 14 I 1 PromO]

Within six months of submitting the thesis, each reviewer should prepare a written review on the thesis in text form; this review shall provide reasoning for the proposal made within the first three months. [§ 14 I 2 PromO] In the event that acceptance of the thesis is recommended, the review should also recommend one of the following grades: summa cum laude (with distinction), magna cum laude (very good), cum laude (good) or rite (satisfactory). [§ 14 III PromO]

If all reviewers agree on acceptance or rejection of the thesis, it is accepted or rejected, subject to an objection that might be made during the inspection period as described in § 15 II PromO. [§ 14 IV PromO]

Insofar as the reviewers do not agree on acceptance or rejection, or insofar as their assessments deviate by more than one grade, the examination board will, upon consultation of a further review, make a final decision on acceptance and grade, rejection or return of the thesis for revision. The additional reviewer becomes a member of the examination board. The additional review is to be treated in the same manner as the reviews previously carried out. The examination board shall otherwise decide on the acceptance and grade, rejection or return of the thesis for revision based on the assessments on hand, especially in the case of an objection made during the inspection period. [§ 14 V 1-3 PromO]

The assessment “summa cum laude” may be awarded only if it is recommended unanimously by the reviewers. [§ 14 V 4 PromO]

Objections made during the inspection period must be given appropriate consideration. [§ 14 V 5 PromO]

The examination board must set an appropriate deadline for completion of the revision. If a thesis returned for revision is not submitted once more within this deadline, it is regarded as rejected. If the dissertation is submitted within the deadline, the further procedure is determined according to the regular assessment procedure, but a renewed return of the dissertation for revision is excluded. [§ 14 VI PromO]

In the case of rejection of the thesis, reapplication for doctoral examination is possible only once and not before the end of a year. In this case, a new or considerably improved dissertation should be submitted. In doing this, the unsuccessful attempt should be notified. If this dissertation is also rejected, then the doctoral examination is definitively failed. [§ 14 VII PromO]

The examination office informs the doctoral candidate in writing of the decision to accept or reject the thesis. Acceptance of the thesis shall also constitute admission to the oral examination. [§ 14 VIII 1-2 PromO] The date of the oral examination is discussed between the examination board and the doctoral candidate and finally clarified with the examination office.

The research and the oral examination must be completed no later than 6 years following admission of the doctoral candidate. Any additional extension must be approved by the thesis committee. Insofar as the thesis committee does not agree to the extension, the doctoral committee shall make its decision based on a statement by the thesis committee on the end of the doctoral studies. A new thesis committee must be appointed if the doctoral studies are not ended. [§ 7 IV PromO]

In the case of a doctorate within the framework of the doctoral programme Behavior and Cognition, the research work should be completed within 3 years after admission to the programme. In justified exceptional cases, the completion time may be extended up to four times by half a year each time; the doctoral committee decides on this after receiving the opinion of the thesis committee on the basis of an application by the doctoral candidate that must be justified at least in text form. [§ 3 II Regulations for the doctoral programme Behavior and Cognition (BeCog-ProgrammO)]

In the event that the thesis is rejected for the first time, notification shall be made with reference to the provision pursuant to § 14 VI PromO (return of the thesis for revision excluded) on the possibility of a renewed application, in the event of a final rejection with a notice of appeal. [§ 14 VIII 3 PromO]

Inspection period

After receipt of the reviews and assessments, the examination office will send to the authorised examiners who are members or fellows of the Faculty of Humanities notification of the received reviews and will therein set a deadline of at least ten working days for a confidential inspection of the reviews and the thesis. [§ 15 I PromO]

The doctoral committee may appoint a further reviewer for the thesis insofar as an authorised examiner raises written and reasoned objections to the proposed acceptance or rejection of the thesis or its grade. The additional reviewer becomes member of the examination board; the additional review is to be treated in the same manner as the already carried out reviews. [§ 15 II, III PromO]

Announcement of result

The result of the doctoral examination, i.e. the grades of the thesis and the oral examination, is given to the doctoral candidate by the chairperson of the examination board after the oral examination. [§ 20 V 1 PromO]

Publication

See The Publication of the thesis.

Languages of the thesis that do not require approval

French can be chosen as an examination language as well as German and English in the following subject areas:

Didactics of the French Language and Literature [Didaktik der französischen Sprache und Literatur]
Didactics of the Italian Language and Literature [Didaktik der italienischen Sprache und Literatur]
Didactics of the Spanish Language and Literature [Didaktik der spanischen Sprache und Literatur]
Classical Archaeology [Klassische Archäologie] (only written examination)
Romanic Philology (French Literature Studies) [Romanische Philologie (Französische Literaturwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (French Linguistics) [Romanische Philologie (Französische Sprachwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Ibero-Romanic Literature Studies) [Romanische Philologie (Iberoromanische Literaturwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Ibero-Romanic Linguistics) [Romanische Philologie (Iberoromanische Sprachwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Italian Literature Studies) [Romanische Philologie (Italienische Literaturwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Italian Linguistics) [Romanische Philologie (Italienische Sprachwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Romanic Literature Studies) [Romanische Philologie (Romanische Literaturwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Romanic Linguistics) [Romanische Philologie (Romanische Sprachwissenschaft)]

Italian can be chosen as an examination language as well as German and English in the following subject areas:

Didactics of the French Language and Literature [Didaktik der französischen Sprache und Literatur]
Didactics of the Italian Language and Literature [Didaktik der italienischen Sprache und Literatur]
Didactics of the Spanish Language and Literature [Didaktik der spanischen Sprache und Literatur]
Classical Archaeology [Klassische Archäologie] (only written examination)
Romanic Philology (French Literature Studies) [Romanische Philologie (Französische Literaturwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (French Linguistics) [Romanische Philologie (Französische Sprachwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Ibero-Romanic Literature Studies) [Romanische Philologie (Iberoromanische Literaturwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Ibero-Romanic Linguistics) [Romanische Philologie (Iberoromanische Sprachwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Italian Literature Studies) [Romanische Philologie (Italienische Literaturwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Italian Linguistics) [Romanische Philologie (Italienische Sprachwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Romanic Literature Studies) [Romanische Philologie (Romanische Literaturwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Romanic Linguistics) [Romanische Philologie (Romanische Sprachwissenschaft)]

Portuguese can be chosen as an examination language as well as German and English in the following subject areas:

Didactics of the French Language and Literature [Didaktik der französischen Sprache und Literatur]
Didactics of the Italian Language and Literature [Didaktik der italienischen Sprache und Literatur]
Didactics of the Spanish Language and Literature [Didaktik der spanischen Sprache und Literatur]
Romanic Philology (French Literature Studies) [Romanische Philologie (Französische Literaturwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (French Linguistics) [Romanische Philologie (Französische Sprachwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Ibero-Romanic Literature Studies) [Romanische Philologie (Iberoromanische Literaturwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Ibero-Romanic Linguistics) [Romanische Philologie (Iberoromanische Sprachwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Italian Literature Studies) [Romanische Philologie (Italienische Literaturwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Italian Linguistics) [Romanische Philologie (Italienische Sprachwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Romanic Literature Studies) [Romanische Philologie (Romanische Literaturwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Romanic Linguistics) [Romanische Philologie (Romanische Sprachwissenschaft)]

Spanish can be chosen as an examination language as well as German and English in the following subject areas:

Didactics of the French Language and Literature [Didaktik der französischen Sprache und Literatur]
Didactics of the Italian Language and Literature [Didaktik der italienischen Sprache und Literatur]
Didactics of the Spanish Language and Literature [Didaktik der spanischen Sprache und Literatur]
Linguistic Anthropology and Indigenous American Studies [Linguistische Anthropologie und Altamerikanistik]
Romanic Philology (French Literature Studies) [Romanische Philologie (Französische Literaturwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (French Linguistics) [Romanische Philologie (Französische Sprachwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Ibero-Romanic Literature Studies) [Romanische Philologie (Iberoromanische Literaturwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Ibero-Romanic Linguistics) [Romanische Philologie (Iberoromanische Sprachwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Italian Literature Studies) [Romanische Philologie (Italienische Literaturwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Italian Linguistics) [Romanische Philologie (Italienische Sprachwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Romanic Literature Studies) [Romanische Philologie (Romanische Literaturwissenschaft)]
Romanic Philology (Romanic Linguistics) [Romanische Philologie (Romanische Sprachwissenschaft)]