From PHILIP KELLINGLEY
Rees asks: ‘What promulgates the myth that University regulations require
a large tome?’
As a part-time PhD student, I have to tell him that the answer is quite
simple. The university regulations under which I work state that a thesis
for a PhD should be between 45 000 and 60 000 words long. If Rees can arrange
for me to submit, say, 1000 words at a university elsewhere, I shall be
delighted to do so.
In the meantime, I regret that all of the items mentioned in his article
– double spacing, one side of paper, large list of references, review of
literature, etc. – appear to be compulsory elements of a thesis. Whereas
the examiner has my sympathy in having to read all this stuff, consider
that l have to produce it for him. Who has the more onerous task?
Philip Kellingley Basingstoke Hampshire
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