The Ethical Dilemma of Having Someone Write Your Dissertation

A few years ago, in a graduate program, a dissertation supervisor was rumored to be helping students write their dissertations. This was a well-known rumor within the faculty. Personally, I find this practice ethically dubious.

The Risks and Rewards

Is it possible to have another person write your dissertation and then pass it off as your own work? Yes, it is possible, but it carries significant risks. If you want to be a liar and a cheat throughout your career, you might opt for this route. However, the consequences can be severe. You will likely lack the knowledge you supposedly acquired through the dissertation process, and if you get a professional position, you will be expected to demonstrate the skills and knowledge you claim to have. Furthermore, you will be teaching your children to lie and cheat, which is not a responsible or ethical approach.

The Pros and Cons

Cheating by hiring someone else to write your dissertation might seem like a quick fix, but it is not advisable for several reasons:

You will become known as a cheater, and this reputation will follow you from university to university. Academic institutions take academic integrity very seriously, and once caught, you could be black-balled from further opportunities. The knowledge gained through the dissertation process is crucial. A dissertation is not just a written document but an immersive process that requires in-depth research, critical thinking, and original contribution to the field. While it might be remotely possible to find a fraudulent institution that sells such documents, these are unethical and not worth the risk. A REAL university dissertation is a product of months of hard work under the guidance of faculty experts. The process involves: Identifying a research question Creating research strategies Reading and taking notes on relevant literature Writing a literature review Discussing progress with advisors Handing in drafts for feedback Meeting a defense committee for a formal presentation and QA session

The defense committee, which includes your main advisor and 2-3 tenured faculty members, ensures that the work is original and well-researched before granting you permission to defend.

The Consequences of Cheating

If you were to attempt to deceive your advisor, they would likely catch on early in the process. How can you defend a dissertation that you barely understand? Your advisor would schedule the defense, and during this formal and rigorous process, you would be expected to demonstrate a deep understanding of your research topic. If you cannot answer the questions posed by your defense committee, the charade would be revealed, and your reputation would be ruined.

Conclusion

The risks of having someone else write your dissertation far outweigh the potential benefits. Honesty, integrity, and hard work are the foundations of a successful academic and professional career. If you opt to cheat, you are not only punishing yourself but also setting a poor example for others. Instead, invest the time and effort into your own research and learning. You will emerge with a true understanding of your field and a valuable addition to your academic and professional repertoire.