As impact-factor metrics become more sophisticated and sensitive to online publication, it seems to me that systematic criticism could be “popularized” by increasing the impact of the criticized author and ameliorating ego-bruising. There could be safeguards to predict and reward validity, and to take into account the difference of career maturity between the publisher and the reviewer.

Though, the fact that I’m suggesting this probably means that it’s already been thought of, developed, implemented, and discredited by now.

Of course, that’s all in an ideal world. There will always be people who can’t handle criticism, even if it’s accurate and delivered well :)

Oh, and as for length, my thesis (in Australia) is expected to be around 80,000 to 100,000 words, not including appendices.

If you look at my previous post, however, Ali, you will see that I pointed out a number of things that I would like to have seen expanded. And yes, I really think it is very hard to cover the depth of material required for a great PhD thesis in 45 double-spaced pages. Not saying it’s impossible (especially in the sciences I guess, harder in the humanities)… But setting hard page requirements is tough, and it will get more difficult as we start embracing new forms of publishing… Many programs ask for articles instead… in the future, will a PhD be a wiki, a blog, a number of Twitter entries, a 15 minute documentary, and an audiobook? :)

Thanks all for chiming in!

Stian, just arrived in Milan

As to why I sometimes don’t leave you comments – maybe because I prefer to talk to you directly on gchat :)

First of all, you are Norwegian, and all Norwegians are brilliant whether they are black, white, red or blue (which fallacy did I just commit) :)

Seriously, I think you are brilliant, and when you write you explore issues in many angles making it very difficult to tear you apart.

So, ordinary dudes like me don’t know where to challenge, while super dudes (besides Downes) have little time (although they might read your posts) to tear them apart unless you challenge them or their ideas directly with some venom based on juicy facts :)

For example, just write a post (with some flavor) entitled “David Wiley you are damn wrong!”, and trust me you will get tons of replies :)

But then again if you don’t get many comments on your blog, does not mean that your posts are not being challenged or appreciated elsewhere.

For example, I don’t get many comments either, but I have come to discover that many of my posts are being shared and talked about here and there in other blogs/sites and retweeted on Twitter quite often.

But as people continue to discover you (and your ideas) and you challenge other educators on their blog (comments), I believe comments will increase and eventually your ideas will be torn apart.

For example, you statement, “…I thought the 45 page PhD thesis was very short.” is such a rubbish and poor argument :)

Why is a 45-page PhD thesis very short? Is it short, because most other PhD thesis babble for 200 pages, when they could perhaps have made their argument in 5 to 10 pages.

What has the length of a paper to do with getting a PhD or fulfilling the requirements of a PhD thesis? Do I have to write more than 50,000 words (some places a requirement), if I could do it in 10,000 words? Could I get a PhD writing just 5 pages?

What is really the objective of a PhD anyway?

I suppose one can tear apart what I just said :)

Have a great day discovering and learning :)

Warm Regards,

Zaid