Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by Prior Published Work

The PPPW has two parts: (1) a contextual statement and (2) a collection of refereed publications, book chapters and/or books. The works must be completed and published prior to admission, whereas the contextual statement is completed during the PPPW enrolment period. Further information is detailed in section 8 of the HDR Thesis Rules.

The number of publications varies enormously, but a minimum of six first or sole author clustered refereed works is required.  The publications can be a combination of books, book chapters, refereed journal articles, or a book and attendant articles. Works cannot have been submitted for examination as part of any another qualification.

The publications must be clustered and must reveal an arc of research development that confirms an original contribution to knowledge.  The period of the publications can be historically spread, as long as they develop into an argument that becomes the original contribution to knowledge.

Artefacts can be included in the PPPW, but a strong exegetical case must be made that demonstrates the original contribution to knowledge that is generated through the artefacts.

The student must be the sole author or the most significant author for all the publications that are included in the thesis. The student’s contribution to co-authored publications must be at least 75%.  The examiners must be able to confirm the credibility and authenticity of the student’s research and authorship, and the student’s role and contribution in the thesis.  It is a requirement to obtain the approval of co-authors of publications that are included in the thesis. These permissions must be completed on the Co-authorship Approval Form prior to submitting your thesis. This form will be provided to examiners.

The contextual statement is the over-arching introduction that commences the PPPW thesis.  It is crucial to the success of the doctorate. It holds many functions.  It must show the relationship between the articles and the originality of the thesis. These variables and attributes cannot be assumed. 

Firstly, the contextual statement must connect the publications, showing their relationship, and the arc of knowledge they convey.  Put another way, the contextual statement presents the ‘story’ of the research. 

Secondly, it must demonstrate an awareness, use of and reference to relevant historic and current literature.  Each individual paper will have its own references section but students should also include a reference list/bibliography for their contextual statement.

Thirdly, it must confirm the authorship, the role of the author in the construction of this research, with attention to methodology, ontology and epistemology. 

Fourthly, and most importantly, the contextual statement confirms the original contribution to knowledge.  The originality must be proven.  In other words, the articles may disseminate strong research.  But high-quality research is not sufficient for a PhD.  The candidate must confirm the significant and original contribution to knowledge.  What do we know now that we did not know before the publication of your research?  To make this case, metrics can be deployed and/or more qualitative confirmations about impact and engagement.

Finally, a conclusion should highlight the original contribution to knowledge, discuss problems encountered throughout the research and future directions of the work.

Noting the requirements of the contextual statement – and its pivotal role in the success of the PhD – the length varies from between 10,000 words to 40,000 words. 

The minimum period of enrolment is six months and the maximum is one year. Refer to the HDR Policy Section 4.5.

Please refer to the –

HDR Thesis Rules, section 8 

HDR Supervisor Policy, Section 4

HDR Progression Procedures, Section 5

Watch an explanatory video on the PPPW

Watch a video on the experience of a PPPW student

Read examples of PPPW theses below:

• Michael Sandow, 2020, Can the wrist be explained? The application of computer based quantitative analysis to explain carpal biomechanics and identify therapeutic solutions for wrist dysfunction, Flinders University, College of Medicine and Public Health
• Sarah Mares, 2020, Mental health consequences of detaining children who seek asylum in Australia and the implications for health professionals: A mixed methods study (2002–2019), Flinders University, College of Medicine and Public Health
• Randal Morton, 2019, Development and implementation of quality of life measures in head and neck cancer patients, Flinders University, College of Medicine and Public Health
• Michael Habicht, 2018, Research with Egyptian Mummies A bioarchaeological approach to the past, Flinders University, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences