väitöskirjana

väitöskirjana is a Finnish term referring to a doctoral dissertation, the scholarly work required to obtain a doctorate (tohtorin tutkinto) at a Finnish university. It is a substantial, original research project that contributes new knowledge to a specific academic field. The process of writing and defending a väitöskirjana typically involves several years of dedicated research, data collection, analysis, and scholarly writing.

The väitöskirjana must demonstrate the candidate's ability to conduct independent scientific research and to present their findings in a clear, coherent, and well-supported manner. It undergoes a rigorous peer-review process. After the dissertation is completed and approved by the candidate's supervisor(s), it is typically made public for a period, allowing for further review by the academic community.

The final stage of the doctoral process is the public defense (julkistamisseremonia) of the väitöskirjana. During this event, the candidate presents their research to an examination committee and answers their questions. The committee then makes a recommendation on whether the candidate has successfully defended their dissertation and is therefore eligible for the doctoral degree. The term "väitöskirjana" itself directly translates to "as a doctoral dissertation" or "in the form of a doctoral dissertation," highlighting its role as the central artifact of doctoral studies.