PhD Thesis in Department of Mechanical Engineering at UKZN : S. Shaikh 961129282 |
2007-04-17
The Chairman
Higher Degrees Committee
University of kwaZulu-Natal
Durban
kwaZulu-Natal
Some time ago I reviewed a doctoral thesis in respect of a degree awarded by the
University of Natal. For this purpose I had purchased an official copy from the
Library at the University of kwaZulu-Natal derived from its microfiche copy.
Author
Tile
Details: Durban, 2002. xiii, 202 leaves. Thesis (Ph.D.-Mechanical
Engineering)-University of Natal, 2002
03/02629 MAIN LIBRARY T 624.1776 SHA
At the time I became aware that some pages were missing from the copy of the
thesis purchased by me. I have recently requested that these missing pages be
supplied to me, but have been advised by! the Library's librarian that they have
searched for the thesis and found two original copies. However, Pages 49 to 51
are also missing from these two copies. I find this somewhat curious. There is a
reasonable probability that the other copies would have this same defect and
this would mean that the copies reviewed by the examiners would also have this
same defect. If this is the case and this has not been recorded in the
examiners' reports, then this would be problematic.
However, on a second thorough reading of the thesis I am of the opinion that
this is not the own unaided work of the candidate as attested in the
declaration.
Either there has been extensive plagiarism of another person's or persons' work,
or closer than acceptable collaboration with one or more experts in the field of
strength of materials. This other person or persons are almost surely academics
steeped deeply in the science of strength of materials as well as advanced
higher-order mathematics, especially three-dimensional vector calculus and
finite element analysis.
At least three and probably four different writing styles seem to be in evidence
throughout the thesis. English UK and English USA spelling alternates through
the chapters, as do styles of grammatical and mathematical expression. These
probably arise through the contributions of three or more authors, plus the
candidate.
The number of spelling and typographical errors (some 100 in number) is shocking
and unacceptable for a PhD thesis. Normally, anything more than a small handful
of such errors would require correction and re-submission.
While lengthy derivations of formulae are provided, indeed often to the
detraction of the overall flow and understandability of the thesis, two aspects
seem noteworthy, firstly there seems to be no explanation for the choice of
numerical parameters in the examples provided and secondly, no explanation of
how the numerical solutions were actually determined.
Having only a Bibliography listing all the referenced works as
well as all other material of general interest to the subject matter and not
separate References, listing only the referenced works, is a
flawed style that lends itself to plagiarism. I find this completely
unacceptable.
In general, although the subject matter is very advanced and if it were genuine,
then definitely of doctoral (indeed post-doctoral) standard, the overall style
and layout makes the aim, research methodology and contribution difficult to
understand and to assess. The overall thesis appears to be more like a
concatenation of two or three journal papers authored over a period of time by a
group of professional academic researchers in the field of strength of materials
and then given to the candidate to wordprocess (and not very well besides) into
a self-standing thesis.
Recommendation
An independent review panel should be established to review the authenticity
of this doctoral thesis as the candidate's own unaided work.
Regarding the possibility of plagiarism or collaboration, correlation should be
made with the marked references in the Bibliography, in particular the journal
papers by Verijenko, Adali, Tabakov and Piskunov. Interviews with these persons
should be conducted by the review panel. Other academics and post-graduate
students in the relevant specialist research group within the Department of
Mechanical Engineering should be interviewed to ascertain their views as well as
any relevant facts.
Finally, an oral examination of the candidate should be undertaken wherein it
should be established whether the candidate has a true personal grasp of all the
subject matter presented as his own unaided work, especially the development of
the higher-order theory and the advanced mathematics.
This is an advance notification to you as Chairman of the Higher Degrees
Committee. I believe that taking this matter further is a matter initially for
the Higher Degrees Committee and Ethics Committee. I do not wish my identity or
review to be divulged to anyone else at this stage. I have therefore designated
this communication with you as Confidential and Without Prejudice.
Depending on if and how the matter is taken forward, I would be prepared to
assist in any reasonable manner. I have BSc(Eng) from the University of Natal,
an MSc(Eng) from the University of Cape Town and PhD in Engineering from the
University of Witwatersrand. However, I am an electronics engineer and not
qualified in the general field of mechanical engineering or the specific fields
of strength of materials and finite element analysis. My own interest in this
matter is purely one of academic integrity and standards.
R.M. Young
PrEng, MSc(Eng), PhD