All doctoral theses completed as part of a doctoral research project at FAU must include an affiliation to the University. A doctoral thesis is an independent piece of academic work that demonstrates the doctoral candidate’s ability to examine relevant research questions independently and using the correct methods.
The doctoral thesis must not be identical to any previous pieces of work, although it may expand upon previous research. Parts of the doctoral thesis may be pre-published, but this must be declared when the doctoral procedure is initiated. In the case of cumulative doctoral theses, for which previously published papers are submitted, the authorship of the doctoral candidate must be clearly stated.
The doctoral thesis ought to be written in German, but may be submitted in English or another language upon request.
Please refer to the General doctoral regulations (RPromO) of FAU.
This page gives you some information on citing your own work, options for publication, grants towards printing costs and translations.
Options for publication
The following options for publication are available.
The RPromO sets out various possibilities for publishing theses. In addition to publishing the thesis in this way, it is of course extremely desirable for the results to be published in international scientific journals or other publications. Ideally, this should happen whilst you are still working on your doctoral thesis. There are a number of options available to you for dealing with these “pre-prints” as they are known in your doctoral thesis in accordance with the applicable subject or faculty doctoral regulations (FPromO).
If you want to publish your results after completing your doctoral degree or have them protected by patent, it is recommended that you refrain from publishing your doctoral thesis straightaway. This is possible either by making the most of the deadlines stipulated in the doctoral regulations or by applying for an embargo notice for the publication of the doctoral thesis.
Further information is available in an information sheet from the Graduate Center.
Publishing your doctoral thesis electronically may be one alternative. If the doctoral regulations for your subject permit this option, you should take a look at OPEN FAU where you will find information on online publication at the University.
Please be sure to refer to the University Library website.
For grants towards publishing articles in open-access journals, please read the information on the relevant website. It is also important to check the quality criteria for open access publishers beforehand.
Citing your own research, in particular from pre-prints, in your doctoral thesis
According to the Regulations for safeguarding good scientific practice and dealing with scientific misconduct at FAU, individual and third-party preparatory work must be fully and correctly cited. This of course also applies to results, content or figures from the individual’s own preparatory work/publications which are used in doctoral theses. In principle, these should be referenced or cited in just the same way as work from other scientists or scholars in accordance with the standards applicable to the subject in question.
Helpful information about avoiding self-plagiarism can be found in the information sheet from the Graduate Center.
Contribution towards printing costs
Often, publication entails considerable costs for doctoral candidates that are not easy to find funding for. The reason that is often cited for the contribution towards printing costs is that the publications are aimed at a very specialist audience and the target group is therefore very small. This means that sales will be more difficult and it will not be possible to cover the full price of production through sales. The author is therefore expected to cover these costs by paying towards printing. This provides greater security for publishers when publishing academic texts.
Doctoral degrees that were completed without funding have the most difficulties in finding funding to cover their contribution towards printing costs.
Affiliation Guidelines
The link between publications and their authors with FAU is a decisive factor for many (international) rankings. Publications can only be assigned to the relevant databases at FAU if they are correctly affiliated.
Articles
If you are planning to publish an article in English, the Language Service can provide support with translating or editing your work. The costs involved depend on the subject and scope of the text and are charged at an hourly rate according to the actual time required. Please contact the Language Service for a quote.
Contact for English editing services.
Susanne Jäckle
Language Centre
Contact
Questions on the doctoral thesis
Important questions on doctoral theses and publication:
A template for the title page is available as an appendix to the General Doctoral Regulations.
All information regarding mandatory copies is available in the relevant doctoral regulations and the general doctoral regulations.