How to identify originality in a scientific manuscript or in a doctoral thesis?

ABSTRACT

Originality is an indispensable requirement in science, especially for the acceptance of doctoral theses or when one intends to publish scientific articles. In the existing literature, we can find many definitions of originality, but there is no broad consensus to adopt a generalized definition; as a result, there is a lack of rigor in definitions involving the term, lack of clarity about the identification of their characteristics, lack of a description about them and we can’t understand the characteristics that differ a scientific article from a doctoral thesis. Using two surveys constructed for this purpose and the bibliographic review of 48 scientific articles during 2017, we found 12 characteristics that are specific and concrete of the term originality. In addition, we found what differs the term originality when it is linked to a scientific article and a doctoral thesis. Thus, there is already a basis for researchers, teachers, editorial teams and students to be able to identify originality in scientific work or for other stakeholders to construct a correct definition for this term. The work presented is also beneficial in contexts of standardization and quality of scientific research.

Keywords:
Originality; Scientific manuscript; Ph.D; Thesis; Dissertation