博士论文的作用与性质

The Role and Nature of the Doctoral Dissertation

本文是根据美国研究生院协会1997年发表的一份同名研究报告编译而成。该报告调查了当前北美博士研究生教育存在的种种问题，并提出了相应的改进建议和意见，至今仍是指导北美博士生教育的基本文献。希望本文能使我们更好地了解北美博士教育的状况，并对中国的博士研究生教育有所帮助。

This article is based on an investigation report titled “The Role and Nature of the Doctoral Dissertation：Policy Statement” by the Council of Graduate Schools published in 1997. It reports a variety of issues in doctoral education in the North American universities， and offers suggestions and opinions in dealing with these issues. It still functions as a basic document in guiding the North American doctoral education. It is a source to learn the doctoral education in the North America and may help us to improve our work in China.