The artistic doctoral outcome

"The artistic doctoral outcome must be an independent artistic research project that meets international standards regarding academic level and ethical requirements in the research field." (sec. 11-1)

The requirements for the artistic doctoral outcome are described in the regulations for the PhD in Artistic Research at Inland University, and are elaborated on here.

"Artistic practice shall form the core of the artistic doctoral outcome." (sec. 11-1)

Artistic experiments, processes, expressions, and outcomes are core to the development of the artistic doctoral outcome. The artistic doctoral outcome should enable others to become familiar with and study the research carried out in, and through, the artistic practice. Accordingly, artistic processes and expressions are important parts of the doctoral outcome and can be communicated through a public artistic presentation taking place as part of the final assessment, as well as through documentation and reflection.

Forms of presentation

"If part or all the public presentation of the artistic doctoral outcome takes place in the form of an exhibition, screening, performance, installation, or other event taking place at a specific time and location, the entire assessment committee is normally required to be present at the same time." (sec. 15-1)

Many artistic expressions can only be experienced in a specific place at a specific time. The audience's experience may provide a level of understanding that cannot be fully conveyed through documentation. A public presentation of the entire or part of the artistic doctoral outcome allows the audience and the evaluation committee to have this first-hand experience with the artistic practice. For example, a film screening in a cinema can provide a richer experience than watching the film on a TV screen.

The candidate has the option to include a public presentation as part of the doctoral outcome and can decide on the design, location, and time of the presentation. It is important to plan the public presentation well in advance to ensure display agreements and other practical matters are arranged. The public presentation is typically held at a nearby location of Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, allowing students and academic staff to attend.

Artistic processes and outcomes can also be conveyed through documentation.

Explicit reflection

"At the same time, the artistic practice must be accompanied by an explicit reflection, which, when the project is presented, allows others to take part in the way of working and potential insights made possible through the artistic research." (sec. 11-1)

The explicit reflection involves an articulation through language that helps expose the artistic doctoral outcome as a research effort and contribution to the field. Explicit reflection can be written, but it is also possible to use other formats, such as audio and video. Podcast, «audio papers»¹, videos, and documentary films are some examples of alternative formats. Inland University regularly offers courses in academic writing that may also be relevant for fellows in artistic research.

"The artistic doctoral outcome must be at a level that contributes to development of new knowledge, insight, and experience within the subject area.

The artistic doctoral outcome may consist of one or several parts that comprise a whole. If the artistic doctoral outcome consists of several parts, the candidate must provide an account of how they are related.

The candidate himself/herself chooses the medium and form of the doctoral outcome." (sec. 11-1)

The artistic doctoral outcome is a comprehensive exposition of artistic practice and reflection that serves “to broaden our knowledge and understanding through an original investigation. It begins with questions that are pertinent to the research context and the art world, and employs methods that are appropriate to the study. The process and outcomes of the research are appropriately documented and disseminated to the research community and the wider public”.

The artistic doctoral outcome often requires use of a combination of artistic means, media, and formats, such as film, video, sound, images, illustrations, text, and design. Artistic practice and explicit reflection can be separate components, but artistic practice and explicit reflection can also be intertwined. Explicit reflection can be incorporated into artistic expressions, and reflection can incorporate artistic qualities. An example is how a documentary film can simultaneously be both a work of art and explicitly reflective. If the artistic doctoral outcome consists of multiple parts, explicit reflection can help to explain the connection between them. Finding an appropriate medium and form for the artistic doctoral outcome is an important part of both the research process and the research outcome.

Archiving

"The artistic doctoral outcome must be documented in a permanent format."  (sec. 11-1)

The artistic doctoral outcome must be documented and archived in such a way that that others can study it later. If the artistic doctoral outcome comprises a public presentation in the form of an exhibition, screening, performance, installation, or other event taking place at a specific time and location, documentation of this event should be included in the archiving of the doctoral outcome.

Research Catalogue serves as institutional open archive for artistic research at INN University, and artistic doctoral results are normally archived as expositions in INN University's portal on the Research Catalogue.

It should also be apparent from the artistic doctoral outcome that the work was done in accordance with recognized research ethics guidelines for artistic research, and whether notification form for personal data the work has been reported to Sikt Norwegian Agency for Shared Services in Education and Research.

• Notification for personal data to Sikt Norwegian Agency for Shared Services in Education and Research
• In addition to the above, it may be of use to study the Guidelines for the assessment of doctoral degrees in artistic research at Inland University

Collaborative work

"The artistic doctoral outcome must be documented in a permanent format."  (sec. 11-1)

"It is the responsibility of the PhD committee to decide whether an artistic doctoral outcome produced by several people jointly can be submitted for evaluation. In this case, it must be possible to identify the contributions of the individuals involved.

If the artistic doctoral outcome or parts of the outcome have been produced in collaboration with other cooperating partners, the PhD candidate must follow the norms for co-authorship that are generally accepted within the academic and artistic community, in accordance with international standards.

A doctoral outcome containing collaborative contributions from cooperating partners must include a signed declaration that describes the candidate's contribution to each of the works." (sec. 11-2)

More on co-authorship at The National Research Ethics Committees.

Language

"Where language is used in the artistic doctoral outcome, this material must be made available in English." (sec. 11-1)

Whenever language is used within the artistic doctoral outcome, the content needs to be available in English. The artistic doctoral outcome might primarily use Norwegian or other relevant languages, but in this case an English translation must also be provided. The method of translation will depend on the format of the material. For example, a Norwegian film may be subtitled in English and a Norwegian podcast may have an English transcript. Written language should be thoroughly worked out. It is advisable to allocate funds from the doctoral project budget for professional translation and copy-editing services. INN University has resources for translation and language editing, but it is important to keep in mind that these services can take time to complete.