Performance Criteria and Standards
General Principles
SD-AC analyzes and takes the necessary steps to ensure compliance with the criteria, standards, and performance indicators used in the procedure for authorization to operate, as well as for the accreditation/maintenance of accreditation of a Doctoral University Study Field (DSUD), as approved by ARACIS.
SD-AC may formulate, approve, and enforce transparent minimum standards of scientific performance for all members of the academic community.
Monitoring Process
The performance criteria will address at least the following general categories of activity applicable to SD-AC and IOSUD-POLITEHNICA Bucharest: (1) Institutional capacity, (2) Educational and research effectiveness, and (3) Quality management.
All members of the SD-AC community contribute to meeting the performance criteria used in periodic evaluations and respond to requests from the SD-AC Council and specialist committees for the preparation of evaluation, progress, and performance reports.
At SD-AC level, reports concerning research results will be monitored by highlighting performance as follows:
SD-AC Awards
The Doctoral School grants the following awards:
Studio et opere excellens
An annual award granted by field for the best doctoral thesis defended in the previous two years
High-Impact Doctoral Thesis
An annual award granted for the doctoral thesis with the greatest impact over the previous two years
Award Nominations
For events organized by POLITEHNICA Bucharest (Excellence Gala, etc.)
Other Awards
They may be proposed by the SD-AC Council or by the academic community. Awards are granted based on regulations and/or an evaluation methodology.
Doctoral Thesis Ratings within SD-AC
The SD-AC recommendations and quality criteria for determining the final rating in the doctoral thesis evaluation process by the public defense committee are:
Excellent (Summa cum laude)
The thesis addresses highly current topics and challenging open research problems, with justification for the absence of existing solutions in the field. It presents high-level research using an appropriate and varied methodology, with well-argued research questions/hypotheses grounded in extensive international and national literature, and with clear and conclusive research results demonstrating both the achievement of the stated objectives and their impact in the field of the doctoral thesis. The thesis introduces a new approach to a known topic, offers an innovative perspective, and contributes significant, consistent, and varied results (empirical, formal, validated, and demonstrated in different forms) to advancing the specific research field. It is recommended that the doctoral student substantiate these arguments through at least 3 top publications/contributions as first author, in addition to the CNATDCU criteria that must be met when the public defense process begins.
Very Good (Magna cum laude)
The thesis addresses current and open research topics in the field and presents very good research using an appropriate methodology, with well-argued research questions/hypotheses grounded in international and national literature and with clear and conclusive results demonstrating both the achievement of the stated objectives and their impact in the field of the doctoral thesis. The thesis introduces a new approach to a known topic, offers an innovative perspective, and contributes to advancing the specific research field. It is recommended that the doctoral student substantiate these arguments through at least 2 top publications/contributions as first author, in addition to the CNATDCU criteria that must be met when the public defense process begins.
Good (Cum laude)
The thesis is current, based on an appropriate methodology, and its objectives are properly aligned with the field of specialization. It presents clear and conclusive research results that demonstrate achievement of the objectives and address the research questions/hypotheses. It is recommended that the doctoral student substantiate these arguments through at least one top publication/contribution as first author, in addition to the CNATDCU criteria that must be met when the doctoral thesis defense process begins.
Satisfactory (the doctoral degree is awarded without distinction)
The depth of the topic, the achievement of the objectives, and even the relevance of the topic are not clearly motivated and substantiated in the doctoral thesis and cannot be demonstrated by reference to current research in the field. The methods used and the research methodology are not fully appropriate to the field of the doctoral thesis, and the results only partially demonstrate the stated objectives. At minimum, the CNATDCU criteria are met when the doctoral thesis defense process begins.
Unsatisfactory (the doctoral degree is not awarded)
The thesis does not meet the criteria for relevance or for the quality of its content and results, has serious methodological deficiencies, and does not clearly demonstrate achievement of its objectives. The objectives are not reflected in the field in which the doctoral thesis is declared, and deviations from the principles of scientific research ethics are identified in the methods used or in the results obtained.
EX
Excellent (Summa cum laude)
The thesis addresses highly current topics and challenging open research problems, with justification for the absence of existing solutions in the field. It presents high-level research using an appropriate and varied methodology, with well-argued research questions/hypotheses grounded in extensive international and national literature, and with clear and conclusive research results demonstrating both the achievement of the stated objectives and their impact in the field of the doctoral thesis. The thesis introduces a new approach to a known topic, offers an innovative perspective, and contributes significant, consistent, and varied results (empirical, formal, validated, and demonstrated in different forms) to advancing the specific research field. It is recommended that the doctoral student substantiate these arguments through at least 3 top publications/contributions as first author, in addition to the CNATDCU criteria that must be met when the public defense process begins.
FB
Very Good (Magna cum laude)
The thesis addresses current and open research topics in the field and presents very good research using an appropriate methodology, with well-argued research questions/hypotheses grounded in international and national literature and with clear and conclusive results demonstrating both the achievement of the stated objectives and their impact in the field of the doctoral thesis. The thesis introduces a new approach to a known topic, offers an innovative perspective, and contributes to advancing the specific research field. It is recommended that the doctoral student substantiate these arguments through at least 2 top publications/contributions as first author, in addition to the CNATDCU criteria that must be met when the public defense process begins.
B
Good (Cum laude)
The thesis is current, based on an appropriate methodology, and its objectives are properly aligned with the field of specialization. It presents clear and conclusive research results that demonstrate achievement of the objectives and address the research questions/hypotheses. It is recommended that the doctoral student substantiate these arguments through at least one top publication/contribution as first author, in addition to the CNATDCU criteria that must be met when the doctoral thesis defense process begins.
S
Satisfactory (the doctoral degree is awarded without distinction)
The depth of the topic, the achievement of the objectives, and even the relevance of the topic are not clearly motivated and substantiated in the doctoral thesis and cannot be demonstrated by reference to current research in the field. The methods used and the research methodology are not fully appropriate to the field of the doctoral thesis, and the results only partially demonstrate the stated objectives. At minimum, the CNATDCU criteria are met when the doctoral thesis defense process begins.
NS
Unsatisfactory (the doctoral degree is not awarded)
The thesis does not meet the criteria for relevance or for the quality of its content and results, has serious methodological deficiencies, and does not clearly demonstrate achievement of its objectives. The objectives are not reflected in the field in which the doctoral thesis is declared, and deviations from the principles of scientific research ethics are identified in the methods used or in the results obtained.
Accreditation of Doctoral Fields
Periodic accreditation/reaccreditation of doctoral fields is carried out in accordance with ARACIS criteria and methodologies, based on the guide for evaluating Doctoral University Study Fields, the standards and indicators applicable to a DSUD, and the specific standards for doctoral university studies published on the ARACIS website.
