Can Two Students Work Together on Their PhD Thesis?

The question of whether two students can work together on their PhD theses is one that often arises in academic circles. The answer is nuanced and depends on specific institutional guidelines and the guidance of advisors and thesis committees.

Collaborative Research vs Individual Effort

The primary requirement for a PhD thesis is that it represents the independent and original research efforts of the student. That said, it is common for research teams to collaborate on fieldwork or laboratory research. However, each student's thesis must focus on separate research topics. This collaboration can involve sharing resources, laboratory space, or expertise, but the final work must be attributed to the individual who conducted the research.

For instance, a student named Alex may collaborate with a fellow student, Jamie, on a specific research project like conducting fieldwork or experiments. Each student would then take an aspect of this broader research and expand upon it, ensuring that the thesis results from their own original work. This cooperation can be beneficial, as it leverages the strengths of different individuals and allows for a more comprehensive approach to research.

Adjudication and Academic Integrity

While collaboration in the research phase is acceptable, the actual writing of the thesis must be individual. If it is discovered that two students have engaged in inappropriate collaboration, the university may need to adjudicate the situation. In extreme cases, both students could be disqualified from the program.

For example, suppose two students, Tom and Jerry, collaborated extensively on their individual research projects, leading to overlapping content in their theses. In that case, the university may deem this excessive collaboration and take action to ensure academic integrity is maintained. It is essential to establish clear boundaries and guidelines with the advisor and thesis committee to avoid such issues.

Collaborative Thesis: Possibilities and Requirements

In rare cases, more than one person can write a Masters thesis together, often known as a collaborative thesis. This approach is more common for interdisciplinary research topics that require diverse perspectives. Collaborative theses involve multiple authors jointly developing and writing the thesis, pooling their expertise and research efforts. This is particularly beneficial when the research topic is complex and cannot be managed by a single individual.

For a collaborative thesis to be successful, it is crucial to ensure that all authors contribute equally and have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities. Academic integrity guidelines must be strictly adhered to, and each author's contributions must be properly acknowledged in the thesis. If you are interested in pursuing a collaborative thesis, it is advisable to discuss the idea with your academic advisor or program coordinator to understand the specific requirements and possibilities at your institution.

For instance, a group of students, including Alex, Jamie, Edwin Perkins, Richard Dobson, Reggie Kandzersky, and Nicholas Roman, might collaborate on a joint research project with the guidance of a faculty advisor, William Montagna. Each student would contribute specific aspects of the research, leading to a thorough and comprehensive thesis. This collaborative effort would enhance the depth and breadth of the research, ensuring that all team members receive proper credit for their contributions.

It is important to note that even in a collaborative scenario, the final submission must still be the independent work of the individual student. This means that each student must write their section of the thesis, ensuring originality and independence in their contributions.