Thesis requirements

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The thesis must demonstrate the PhD candidate's ability to carry out independent scientific work at a high academic level and the overall research efforts of which the PhD candidate's work forms a part. The research must lead to new scientific knowledge. It must meet international standards within the field and it must be publishable as part of the scientific literature on the subject. The thesis can either be an independent work or a continuation of scientific work carried out in previous research. The dissertation must be written in a language that is widely understood by the international research community in the field. An abstract of the dissertation must be written in English (1-3 pages), which shall be appended to the dissertation, and an abstract that can be understood by laymen must also be included in both Norwegian and English.
In evaluating the thesis, particular emphasis is placed on whether the work is an independent and complete scientific piece of work at a high academic level in the field of study. This will be evaluated with respect to the formulation of the dissertation's hypothesis, methodological, theoretical and empirical basis, documentation, handling of sources and method of presentation. In particular, it will be assessed whether the sources and methods used are appropriate in relation to the issues raised in the dissertation and whether the arguments and conclusions presented are adequate.

The Guidelines relating to the assessment of Norwegian doctoral degrees are sent to the members of the expert evaluation committee and form the basis for the assessment of whether the dissertation meets the requirements for a Norwegian doctoral degree.