The hybrid thesis format integrates published or publishable material into a more traditional thesis structure.
A hybrid thesis adheres to a standard thesis chapter format, including an introduction, literature review (possibly a published review), methodology (overview of the research design and justification), and results chapters that integrate published or under-review papers. A key component is the synthesis chapter, which critically analyses and connects the findings across the papers, followed by a final conclusion.
You are encouraged to include publications in a PhD thesis where it is appropriate to do so. You are also encouraged to publish during candidature, as this supports research progress, clarifies discipline-specific expectations, contributes to academic quality assurance, and supports future career development. However, the University does not offer a PhD by publication programme (where publications are bound together for submission).
Published material can be included provided:
- Copyright permission has been obtained
- The material is reformatted to be consistent with the thesis chapter format
- It is important that the thesis forms a coherent and integrated document
- The published or submitted material was prepared during the candidate's enrolment in the research degree
- The inclusion and format of published material has been discussed and agreed with the supervisor/s
Two formats are commonly used at the University of Otago for including published material in a thesis:
- Hybrid thesis format – whereby published material is inserted either wholly or partially as chapters or sections within the thesis, usually with modification to ensure an integrated and coherent body of work
- Thesis with publications appended – whereby published material is not included in the main body of the thesis but is appended in an unmodified format
Further information