Regulations on the Management of Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Reports at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law

In accordance with the Interim Implementation Measures for the Academic Degree Regulations of the People's Republic of China and the Detailed Rules for the Conferment of Degrees at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, and to strengthen the management of the doctoral dissertation writing process and ensure the quality of doctoral dissertations, the following provisions are made for the graduate degree thesis proposal:

I. Timing for the Proposal Report

The thesis proposal is a mandatory process for graduate students writing their dissertations. Doctoral students must participate in a proposal meeting before writing their dissertation. Doctoral students should complete their thesis proposal report and attend the doctoral thesis proposal meeting between the fifth week of the third semester and the tenth week of the fourth semester after enrollment. In special cases, with the approval of the college and upon record with the Graduate Department, an extension of one year may be granted.

II. Main Content of the Proposal Report

The proposal report mainly examines the doctoral student's independent mastery of professional knowledge and research ability, and assesses whether the preparation work for writing the thesis is thorough and detailed. This includes whether the topic selection is appropriate, whether the data collection is comprehensive and detailed, whether there is an understanding of the current research status domestically and internationally, and whether the research is pioneering and innovative.

The proposal report should cover the following main contents: the significance of the thesis topic; the main framework, content, and viewpoints of the thesis; any innovations or breakthroughs in the thesis; the status of data collection and important literature referenced; the main problems and difficulties to be faced during the thesis writing process.

III. Organization of the Proposal Meeting

(i) Each college should organize a doctoral dissertation proposal guidance group consisting of 3-5 experts in the subject and related fields, led by a group leader (who should not be the supervisor).

(ii) At least two weeks before the proposal meeting, doctoral students should submit the Zhongnan University of Economics and Law Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Report to their respective training colleges and guidance groups.

IV. Procedure of the Proposal Meeting

(i) The group leader of the proposal guidance group announces the start of the meeting.

(ii) The doctoral student presents the content of the proposal report (approximately 20 minutes).

(iii) The proposal guidance group raises questions or constructive comments on the student's proposal report and discusses them with the student. The student should fully consider the opinions formed by the review group.

(iv) After the student leaves, the proposal group reviews the student's proposal report. If passed, they fill out the Zhongnan University of Economics and Law Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Report with the group's opinions. If not passed, the review group provides modification suggestions, and the student, under the guidance of the supervisor, modifies the proposal and re-presents it at a later date.

(v) After passing the proposal report, the doctoral student must submit the Zhongnan University of Economics and Law Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Report to their training college for archiving.

V. Other Matters

(i) The download path for the Zhongnan University of Economics and Law Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Report is available in the Download Section on the Graduate Department website.

(ii) The proposal work for master's theses at Zhongnan University of Economics and Law should be conducted in accordance with these regulations.

These regulations shall be implemented from the date of announcement.