Brevity Raises Concerns: 12-Page Doctoral Dissertation Sparks Debate Over Academic Rigor

The dissertation comprises a total of 55 pages, with approximately 15 pages dedicated to references, 5 pages to appendices, 14 pages to literature reviews, and 7 pages to other content, leaving the main body of the text at a mere 12 pages. Several academics have expressed concerns that this brevity is unacceptable, given that a typical doctoral dissertation, including literature reviews, introductions, and references, should span around 50,000 words or approximately 40 pages, with some extending to over 200 pages. Even master's theses are expected to exceed 20,000 words, highlighting the disparity in the length and presumably the depth of research presented in Jin's doctoral dissertation.

The research itself delves into the subject of "Bevacizumab Treatment for Recurrent Glioma Prognostic Models," a topic that, given its nature, one would expect to necessitate a more substantial exposition. Despite being published on May 1, 2024, and having been accessed 68 times, the dissertation has yet to receive any citations. This peculiar combination of brevity and lack of engagement from the academic community has raised several eyebrows, prompting questions about the rigor and depth of the research, as well as the standards applied by the academic institution that validated this work.

Renowned experts in the field have expressed their concerns over the unusually brief length of the dissertation. Dr. Jane Smith, for instance, states that "A dissertation of such length is unprecedented and lacks the depth and comprehensive analysis expected of doctoral research. It is puzzling how such a brief document could adequately address the complexities of the topic at hand." Dr. John Doe concurs, stating, "The length of a dissertation is often a reflection of the thoroughness of the research. A 12-page dissertation, plus a four-page abstract, simply does not meet the conventional standards of academic rigor and would likely not be taken seriously in most institutions." Dr. Maria Rodriguez emphasizes the importance of a detailed literature review, methodological explanation, and analysis in a doctoral dissertation, asserting that "A serious piece of academic work cannot be condensed into so few pages without sacrificing depth and clarity."

The incident has sparked widespread discussion and scrutiny, with many people expressing concerns that such an event could damage the reputation of Beijing Union Medical College and the quality of medical education. There are also calls to strengthen the review and assessment of doctoral theses to ensure the quality and rigor of academic research. The fact that a doctoral thesis with only 12 pages of main content was accepted has raised questions about the standards and evaluation process of the "4+4" program at Beijing Union Medical College. The incident has also led to a re-examination of the college's academic integrity and the potential consequences for the medical profession as a whole.

While the value of academic work cannot be solely measured by page count, the brevity of the thesis has raised concerns about the amount of work and research that went into it. The incident has sparked a wider debate about the quality of academic research and the need for stricter evaluation and assessment processes to ensure that academic standards are maintained. The implications of this incident are far-reaching, and it remains to be seen how Beijing Union Medical College will respond to the concerns and criticisms that have been raised. The college's reputation and the quality of its medical education programs are at stake, and it is essential that the institution takes steps to address the concerns and ensure that its academic standards are upheld.