Doctorateness across Higher Education Institutions in Norway

Abstract

This article investigates doctorateness in Norway by evaluating the juridical regulations for doctoral studies at all PhD-awarding universities and university colleges according to the following categories: admission, compulsory training, the PhD dissertation, supervision and evaluation, and completion. Descriptive qualitative document analyses were applied. As such, the article contributes to the growing field of knowledge on the assessment of PhD education. The findings indicate that the majority of the PhD regulations align on several descriptors of doctorateness. However, the article suggests improving the reliability of doctorateness by standardizing and unifying some areas in the regulations.