Two PhD synopses :summary of research to be done

A meeting of RU’s Research Development Council in progress on Tuesday. Picture by Manik Bose
Expert eye to review PhD research work
Two PhD synopses (summary of research to be done) came under the glare of Ranchi University vice-chancellor A.A. Khan today.

In his capacity as the head of the Research Development Council of the varsity, Khan rejected a PhD synopsis and ordered for the re-evaluation of another by external experts in a move to better the quality of research.

The meeting of the council, which took place after two years, scrutinised about 60 synopses of botany, zoology, chemistry, physics, geology and mathematics.

The case of PhD aspirant Anjali Shrivastava, a zoology teacher in Jamshedpur Women’s College, was rejected as the pre-registration seminar of her topic was held in botany department instead of zoology. The authorities concerned were directed to ensure that the synopsis is routed through zoology department by a pre-registration seminar.

In the other case, it came to the fore that the topic of Abhijeet Kumar Shrivastava, a PhD aspirant in chemistry, has more proximity with zoology. His topic of proposed research was “physico-chemical changes in living species under different chemical environments”. Chemistry professor R.R. Jha is his guide while retired zoology head K.N. Dubey acted as the co-guide.

Khan directed the council members to ensure that the synopses are checked by some outside experts before they are passed. The council has all professors and readers as members along with four other nominated members.

Today’s meeting scrutinised 27 cases of botany, 18 of zoology and five of chemistry. Physics witnessed four cases while geology two and mathematics one.

At the meeting, RU academics also demanded that PhD synopses should be forwarded outside the varsity in order to maintain quality and check plagiarism.

“At present, all synopses are being checked and approved by experts from within the university. The practice needs to be reviewed and external experts should be involved in the process for quality doctorate research work,” said a professor of zoology department. Another professor said that there should be a mechanism to maintain uniformity as far as evaluation of synopses by outside experts are concerned.

Khan said that cases of PhD registration were discussed. “This was for science faculty. We will conduct similar meetings for arts and commerce soon,” he said.