Paper-based thesis and dissertations: analysis of fundamental characteristics for achieving a robust structure

Paper aims This study identifies fundamental characteristics for developing a paper-based thesis (PBT), providing some recommendations to researchers who decide for this academic research report. Originality This paper contributes to the literature by providing guidance to develop PBTs, which has been attracting researchers' interest because it demonstrates publication capacity and potential as a researcher. Additionally, it is still not entirely clear which issues and countermeasures researchers should address when choosing the paper-based structure. Research method The authors searched for articles of PBTs already published, institutional documents (e.g., regulations for conducting PBTs in Brazil and abroad) and journal papers concerning this subject. A content and document analysis were conducted in the papers and PBT internal regulations, respectively. Main findings Results indicate five main factors that impact the success of a PBT approach: (i) the initial planning for this academic model; (ii) alignment between the articles and the thesis/dissertation; (iii) research design construction; (iv) copyrights requirements; and (v) issues regarding co-authorship. Based on that, the study also builds some guidelines to structure a robust PBT. Implications for theory and practice Our recommendations might be meaningful to scholars and researchers bring more theoretical, empirical, and structural robustness when developing a PBT final document.