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44 Institute of Graduate Studies
Postgraduate Handbook

(d) Normally, the theses shall include the following in addition to the
components required of a standard thesis:
 list of publications and/or manuscripts;
 acknowledgments of joint writers and evidence of permissions; and
 published papers and accepted manuscripts.
(e) Each published paper or submitted manuscript must begin with a clear

statement of the contribution made by each writer of any jointly
written paper.
(f) The thesis shall be prefaced by a synopsis which summarises the most
important findings presented in each published paper or submitted
manuscript. It should indicate how the included works are
thematically linked or tied to a particular research framework and
how, when considered together, they contribute significantly to
knowledge in the discipline. The synopsis should be included in the

―Introduction‖ chapter.
(g) The ―Introduction‖ chapter should contain:
 description of research problem investigated;
 objectives of the study; and
 account of research progress linking the research papers.
The account of research progress must link together the various papers

submitted as part of the thesis so that the reader can understand the
logic behind the progression of the research programme.
(h) The ―Literature Review‖ chapter must contain, in accordance with
discipline norms, a critical review of relevant literature, identify the
knowledge gaps and the relationship of the literature to the
programme of research.
(i) The ―Conclusion‖ chapter establishes the cumulative effect of the
papers, the significance of the findings and the knowledge claim in the

thesis.
(j) Published or accepted papers must be presented coherently in the
thesis according to the requirement of the University of Malaya
(Degree of Doctor of Philosophy) Regulations 2007 including any
accompanying declarations.

The examination process for theses in the format of published papers is
similar to that for conventional theses by research.

Theses which have not achieved sufficient academic merit may be referred
for further work within a period of between 6 to 12 months and be
submitted for re-examination. In such cases, the candidate may choose to
submit the thesis for re-examination in the same format or in the
conventional Ph.D thesis format.