Research publications not mandatory for PhDs in a few Chinese universities
Nov 22, 2023
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Chinese universities remove mandatory research publication requirement for PhDs, sparking debate on evaluating a doctor's research. The significance of publishing research in various disciplines discussed along with the disappearance of small smartphones from the market.
Chinese universities are no longer requiring research publications for PhD students to relieve pressure and encourage creativity.
There is a need to diversify the evaluation process for PhD research beyond traditional journal publications to include conferences, open access platforms, software development, and interdisciplinary research.
Deep dives
Chinese Universities Change PhD Requirements
Several Chinese universities have recently changed their requirements for PhD students, no longer mandating research publication. These universities argue that the focus on publication puts too much pressure on students and stifles creativity. Instead, they propose evaluating innovative achievements through other means, such as degree evaluation committees and discipline-specific standards. This shift aims to create a more positive and encouraging academic atmosphere, but there are concerns about maintaining standards and assessing research output.
The Disappearance of Small Phones in the Smartphone Market
The trend in the smartphone market has shifted towards larger phones, with small phones becoming increasingly rare. Phone manufacturers prioritize bigger screens and functionalities for watching videos, playing games, and multitasking. The demand from consumers for larger devices that offer a better entertainment experience has led to the discontinuation of small phone options. While there are concerns about the inconvenience of handling larger phones and difficulty fitting them in pockets or bags, the market has largely favored bigger smartphones.
Challenges and Criticisms of Assessing PhD Research
The evaluation process for assessing PhD research is a subject of ongoing conversation and reevaluation. There are calls for a more diversified approach to validating PhDs, considering a broader range of research outputs beyond traditional journal publications. This includes assessing participation in conferences, contributions to open access platforms, software development, and interdisciplinary research. However, the evaluation process needs to be discipline-specific, considering the individual merits and necessities of each field. While there are valid criticisms regarding biases in publishing research and the pressure on PhD students, there is still value in making significant contributions and providing tangible outputs.
A few Chinese universities recently announced that research publications are no longer mandatory for their PhD students. Is this a good idea? / Where do you suppose all the good small phones have gone (19:10)? On the show: Heyang, Li Yi & Josh Cotterill
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