Doctoral and PhD Degrees Flashcards

What is the 'h-index' often used to measure in academia?

Answer: A researcher's productivity and citation impact

The h-index measures a researcher's output and citation frequency; a score of h means the researcher has h papers each cited at least h times.

What is the meaning of 'peer review' in academic publishing?

Answer: Evaluation of research manuscripts by qualified experts before publication

Peer review is the process by which qualified scholars independently evaluate a submitted manuscript's validity, quality, and significance before publication.

What is a 'dissertation prospectus' in a doctoral program?

Answer: A formal research proposal outlining the planned dissertation project

The dissertation prospectus is a detailed research proposal that doctoral candidates write and defend to receive committee approval before beginning full dissertation research.

Which type of doctorate is typically required to become a licensed clinical psychologist in the US?

Answer: Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) or PhD in Clinical Psychology

In the US, becoming a licensed clinical psychologist requires a doctoral-level degree, either a PsyD (practice-focused) or a PhD in Clinical Psychology (research-focused).

What is a 'joint degree' program at the doctoral level?

Answer: A program where students simultaneously earn two degrees from one or two institutions

Joint degree programs allow doctoral students to pursue two credentials at once — such as a JD/PhD — completing both degrees more efficiently than pursuing them separately.

What is 'academic plagiarism' and what are its consequences in doctoral programs?

Answer: Presenting another's work as one's own; consequences include expulsion and degree revocation

Academic plagiarism is the unethical use of another person's ideas or work without proper attribution, and it can result in expulsion, degree revocation, and career damage.