A look at phenomenon of dissertation ghost writing in Iran: Policies and the condition of possibility

The phenomenon of the theses and dissertation ghost writing is based on a number of conditions, overlapping procedures, conjuncture of policies and all kinds of policies, legislation, and practices in the academic institution. In this study, first, the growth trend of universities and academic institutions in the last two decades and then, the transformation in the policy of promoting professors was examined, and mass student entry policy was discussed. Along with the increase in the number of students, the rules for defending graduate dissertations and the new promotion rules for faculty members became a factor in emphasizing the status of the article in Iranian universities. All of these factors should be seen in addition to the development of a number of scientific research journals. Because of policy of the independent article has been transformed into the co-writing of articles extracted from theses and dissertations. In this article, we will show that over the past two decades, articles published in journals have often been extracted from student dissertations. Thus, the policy of promoting professors, resumes reinforcement through chairing and co-chairing of more dissertations, enabling students to defend their theses and dissertation, or continuing their education by publishing an article extracted from theses and dissertations, has led to this change. Therefore, the articles extracted from the theses and dissertations have found both financial and legal value for promotion and status. Because of such a situation, the theses and dissertation and their related products have become a valuable commodity for the black market outside the university.