How I used to get an overview of a new topic, compared to using ChatGPT

The other day I was in a meeting where participants were talking about different routes our institution offers towards a PhD, and I realised that I didn’t have a strong sense of the differences, and relative merits of each route.

What I would usually do in a situation like this is something like the following:

1. Run a few searches for key phrases: “phd by portfolio”, “phd by publication”, “professional doctorate”, as well as several permutations of those, including some other variables, like “compare”, “difference between”, and so on.
2. Go through the list of results returned after each search, and open promising looking links in new tabs (where “‘promising” = “universities and research institutions”, in this context).
3. For good measure, I’d also open the Wikipedia pages for each of the key phrases.
4. Then I’d go through the 15-20 tabs that are open, and close everything that doesn’t have what I’m looking for, in the detail I’m looking for.
5. I’d review each of the remaining 5-10 tabs, pulling out the relevant detail, and copy/pasting into a note.
6. Then I’d synthesise the information from the different sources.
7. This process would usually take about an hour, but sometimes up to 2 hours, depending on how much detail I needed, and how robust the final synthesis needed to be.

But ChatGPT is a synthesis machine. Encoded in its model are the likely relationships between the key phrases I’m looking for. Of course, it knows nothing about PhDs, no matter what route you want to take to get one. But it knows how other people have described different types of PhDs, and their relationships to each other. It knows what words have been used, and in which order. And it knows how to synthesise the aggregate of what all those people have said about PhDs.

It took me 5 minutes to get an overview of the difference between “PhD by Portfolio”, “PhD by Publication”, and “Professional Doctorate”, presented in a way that makes a lot of sense to me. Now, we could argue about the details in what was returned, and I’m sure that, on closer examination, there’s information that I’d disagree with. Maybe some of it would even be contradictory. But there’s no arguing that ChatGPT saved me at least an hour, and gave me a great starting point to explore further, should the need arise.

What follows below are ChatGPTs responses to my questions on the PhD by Portfolio, vs the PhD by Publication, vs the Professional Doctorate. The responses were generated on 03 May 2023, using the 23 March version of ChatGPT.

PhD by Portfolio, vs PhD by Publication, vs Professional Doctorate, according to ChatGPT

MR: What are the defining features of a PhD-level piece of work?

ChatGPT: A PhD-level piece of work is characterized by several defining features that distinguish it from work at lower levels of study. These features include:

1. Originality: A PhD-level piece of work is expected to make an original contribution to knowledge in its field. This means that it should address a gap in the existing literature, challenge established theories or assumptions, or develop a new approach or methodology.
2. Depth and complexity: A PhD-level piece of work should demonstrate a high level of intellectual rigor and complexity. It should show a deep understanding of the relevant literature and theoretical frameworks, as well as a thorough analysis of the research data or evidence.
3. Independence: A PhD-level piece of work should demonstrate the candidate’s ability to work independently, manage a research project, and make critical judgments about the research process and outcomes. The candidate should demonstrate that they can design and carry out a research project with minimal supervision.
4. Methodological rigor: A PhD-level piece of work should demonstrate the use of rigorous and appropriate research methods and techniques. The methods should be clearly described, justified, and executed with attention to detail and accuracy.
5. Contribution to the field: A PhD-level piece of work should make a significant contribution to the field of study, either by advancing knowledge or by addressing practical problems. It should be relevant, timely, and demonstrate the potential to have an impact on the field or wider society.

Overall, a PhD-level piece of work should demonstrate a high level of academic ability, intellectual curiosity, and critical thinking skills. It should represent a significant achievement and reflect the candidate’s ability to undertake original research at an advanced level.

MR: What does a PhD by Portfolio need to include, in order for it to be considered a contribution at the PhD level?

ChatGPT: A PhD by Portfolio needs to include a collection of work that demonstrates the candidate’s ability to make a significant contribution to the field of study at the PhD level. In order for the portfolio to be considered a contribution at the PhD level, it should meet the following criteria:

1. Originality: The work in the portfolio should demonstrate originality and innovation, addressing a gap in the existing literature, challenging established theories or assumptions, or developing a new approach or methodology.
2. Scope: The portfolio should demonstrate a broad and comprehensive understanding of the field of study, including the relevant literature, theoretical frameworks, and research methods.
3. Depth and complexity: The work in the portfolio should demonstrate a high level of intellectual rigor and complexity, showing a deep understanding of the research data or evidence, as well as the theoretical and conceptual frameworks that underpin the research.
4. Independence: The portfolio should demonstrate the candidate’s ability to work independently, manage a research project, and make critical judgments about the research process and outcomes.
5. Integration: The work in the portfolio should demonstrate the candidate’s ability to integrate and synthesize different sources of information and data, and to draw meaningful conclusions and insights from them.
6. Contribution to the field: The portfolio should make a significant contribution to the field of study, either by advancing knowledge or by addressing practical problems. It should be relevant, timely, and demonstrate the potential to have an impact on the field or wider society.

In addition to the above criteria, the portfolio should be presented in a clear and coherent manner, with a comprehensive narrative that contextualizes the work and demonstrates its coherence. The portfolio should also be supported by appropriate documentation, such as research proposals, ethics approvals, and any other relevant material that supports the research process and outcomes.

MR: What is a PhD by Portfolio, and how is it different to a PhD by Publication?

ChatGPT: A PhD by portfolio is a doctoral degree awarded on the basis of a collection of work that demonstrates the candidate’s research capabilities and academic achievements. The portfolio usually includes a selection of published papers, unpublished manuscripts, research reports, and other scholarly outputs that reflect the candidate’s research expertise and contributions to the field.

On the other hand, a PhD by publication is a doctoral degree awarded on the basis of a candidate’s published research. In this type of PhD, the candidate’s thesis is a compilation of their published works, which may include journal articles, conference proceedings, book chapters, and other forms of scholarly publications. The thesis may also include an introduction and conclusion that contextualizes the published works and explains their significance to the field.

The main difference between a PhD by portfolio and a PhD by publication is the type of work that is submitted for assessment. In a PhD by portfolio, the work may include a wider range of research outputs, including unpublished work, whereas a PhD by publication focuses exclusively on published research. Additionally, a PhD by portfolio typically requires the candidate to provide a more comprehensive narrative or commentary that contextualizes their work and demonstrates its coherence, whereas a PhD by publication relies on the published works to speak for themselves.

MR: How is a PhD by Portfolio different to a Professional Doctorate?

ChatGPT: A PhD by Portfolio and a Professional Doctorate are two different types of doctoral degrees, each with its own unique characteristics and requirements.

A PhD by Portfolio is a research-based degree that is awarded on the basis of a collection of work that demonstrates the candidate’s research capabilities and academic achievements. The portfolio usually includes a selection of published papers, unpublished manuscripts, research reports, and other scholarly outputs that reflect the candidate’s research expertise and contributions to the field. A PhD by Portfolio is typically awarded in academic fields and emphasizes research and scholarship.

In contrast, a Professional Doctorate is a practitioner-focused degree that is designed to develop the candidate’s professional knowledge, skills, and expertise. It is typically awarded in professional fields such as education, law, business, and health sciences. The emphasis is on the application of theory to practice, and the development of skills and knowledge that are relevant to the candidate’s professional context. Professional Doctorates often require the completion of a significant project or thesis, but the focus is on practical application rather than original research.

The main differences between a PhD by Portfolio and a Professional Doctorate are:

1. Research emphasis: A PhD by Portfolio emphasizes research and scholarship, while a Professional Doctorate emphasizes the application of theory to practice.
2. Audience: A PhD by Portfolio is typically aimed at an academic audience, while a Professional Doctorate is aimed at a professional audience.
3. Requirements: A PhD by Portfolio requires the completion of a collection of work that demonstrates the candidate’s research capabilities, while a Professional Doctorate requires the completion of a significant project or thesis that demonstrates the candidate’s professional knowledge and skills.
4. Degree title: The degree title for a PhD by Portfolio is usually “Doctor of Philosophy”, while the degree title for a Professional Doctorate may vary depending on the field of study, such as Doctor of Education, Doctor of Business Administration, or Doctor of Nursing Practice.