Research requirement for Ph.D. candidates

North Dakota State University Department of Communication, update August 2005

To demonstrate competency in the area of scholarly activity for the comprehensive examination, a Ph.D. candidate must provide evidence of the ability to conceptualize, design, conduct, analyze, and successfully report the findings of scholarly inquiry through the refereed process in print and public presentations.

The candidate provides a report and justification of his/her scholarly activity as one of the essays evaluated during the comprehensive examination. The faculty will periodically review the records of full-time doctoral students and provide feedback to the candidate. The Advisor and Committee will sign off on the scholarly record prior to the scheduling of the comprehensive examination.

Requirements for publications

• To meet the minimum threshold in the area of publication, the candidate must accumulate five points as first, second or third author (Category A = 5 points; Category B = 3 points; Category C = 1 point). If a candidate is a fourth or subsequent author, the following points are awarded (Category A = 2 points; Category B = 1 point; Category C = .5 points). The rationale for differentiating between first/second/third/ and subsequent authors is based on the conceptual and practical contributions made by the participating authors. Examples of possible combinations:   1A = 5; 2B = 6; 1B+ 2C = 5; 5C =5

Approved categories for publication

Category A

• ISI Journals
• NCA/AEJMC/ICA Journals
• Refereed monograph/book (author)

Category B

• Regional Communication Journals/WCA Journal
• National or International Journals Related to Communication
• Regional Journals Related to Communication
• Refereed monograph/book (editor)
• Refereed book chapter (author)
• Externally published textbook
• External Grants (PI or Co-PI)

Category C

• State Journals
• Invited book chapters; textbook chapters
• Encyclopedia Entries
• Internal/Institutional Monograph/Book (author or editor)
• Workbook
• Basic Course Annual
• Book Reviews
• Internal/Institutional Grants

Requirements for presentations

• To meet the minimum threshold in the area of public presentations, the candidate must accumulate five points (Category A = 3 points; Category B = 2 point; Category C = 1 points).  

Examples of Possible Combinations

2A = 6; 1A+1B = 5; 1A+2C = 5; 1B+3C = 5; 5C = 5

Approved categories for public presentations

Category A

• Refereed Convention Paper or Panel at National/International Convention/Conference

Category B

• Refereed Convention Paper or Panel at Regional Convention/Conference                
• Invited Convention Paper at National/Regional Convention/Conference

Category C

• Panelist at National or Regional Convention/Conference
• Respondent at National or Regional Convention/Conference
• Refereed/Invited Convention Paper at State Convention/Conference