I’m writing my dissertation proposal. The doctoral program requires three papers and a dissertation to tie them together. My proposal involves analysis of certain geological characteristics for three distinct regions, then a meta-analysis for the dissertation. Is it viable or is it salami-slicing?

r/

The regions are distinct (each in a different country), though the methodology for each region’s analysis would be constant in order to pave the way for the final meta-analysis. I’m just worried that “A geological analysis of [region 1] using [methods]”, “A geological analysis of [region 2] using [methods]” and “A geological analysis of [region 3] using [methods]” (those aren’t the titles, but you get my point) would be construed as salami-slicing up the research, even though such analyses haven’t been done in these regions at all and would therefore objectively and beneficially expand the literature about said regions.

Do I need to worry?

Comments

  1. GerswinDevilkid Avatar

    There’s really only one piece of valid advice here: Talk to your advisor, committee or others in your department.

    Because nothing we say matters.