A Comparative Study of the Defense of Nursing PhD Thesis in Iran and Top United States Universities

Background : The most important event in the doctoral course is the completion and defense of the dissertation, which leads to learning and improving the necessary skills to conduct research and improve performance in the field. Evaluating a doctoral dissertation defense program helps to identify the strengths and weaknesses of this process. Therefore, this comparative study has investigated the thesis defense process in Iran and top American universities. Methods: The present study is a descriptive-comparative study that was conducted in 2021-2022. After receiving the doctoral dissertation defense program of Iran and American universities from related reputable sites, a comparison was made using the Bereday’s model. Results: In the universities of medical sciences of both countries, there is a specific schedule for the oral, written defense and publication of the dissertation. In Iran, before defending a dissertation, it is required to publish the article, in the United States, it is sufficient for the article to be ready to be sent and published. Doctoral dissertation in Iranian and American universities of medical sciences is often a qualitative research and a small number of mix methods. Conclusion: In Iran, the number of units allocated to the dissertation is almost half of the educational units, and the obligation to publish articles before defending the dissertation has led to a longer doctoral course. According to the main philosophy of this course, which is to train professors, researchers and leaders in the nursing profession and solve clinical problems, the lack of attention to education and directing doctoral students only towards research areas is contradictory to the main goals of this course. Findings: In the universities of medical sciences in both countries, there is a mandatory course such as quantitative and qualitative research methods before obtaining a dissertation unit, a specific schedule for completing the steps, obtaining a degree subject to oral and written presentation and publishing a dissertation article. In Iran, before defending a dissertation, it is required to publish the article, but in the United States, it is sufficient for the article to be ready for submission and publication. The doctoral dissertation on nursing in Iranian and American universities of medical sciences is often a qualitative research and a small number of combined research. Conclusion: In Iran, the number of units allocated to the dissertation is almost equal to half of the educational units. Considering the main philosophy of this course, which is to train professors, researchers and leaders in the nursing profession and solve clinical problems, it seems that little attention is paid to teaching and directing doctoral students only towards research areas with the main goals of this course. Is contradictory. Also in Iran, the requirement to publish articles before defending the dissertation has led to a longer doctoral program.