Original or Postgraduate
Original Paper vs. Postgraduate Paper
1. Original Paper
An Original Paper is a scholarly article that presents new and unpublished research findings. It is based on original ideas, experiments, or theories and contributes significantly to the academic field.
Characteristics of an Original Paper
- Novelty: Presents new research, theories, or experimental results.
- Independent Contribution: Written by researchers or academics without being tied to a degree requirement.
- Peer-Reviewed: Undergoes a rigorous double-blind peer review process.
- Comprehensive Analysis: Provides a deep theoretical and practical discussion.
- Citation & Referencing: Based on extensive literature review and academic sources.
Examples of Original Papers
- A new interpretation of Shakespeare’s influence on modern Iraqi theater.
- An empirical study on the impact of English drama on Iraqi university students.
2. Postgraduate Paper
A Postgraduate Paper is a research paper written as part of a master’s or doctoral program. While it may present new insights, it is primarily aimed at fulfilling an academic requirement rather than making an independent contribution to the field.
Characteristics of a Postgraduate Paper
- Purpose: Written to fulfill a requirement for a master's or Ph.D. degree.
- Guided Research: Often supervised by an advisor and follows institutional requirements.
- Limited Scope: May focus more on demonstrating research skills than on significant academic contributions.
- Possible Refinement: May be developed into an Original Paper after revision and peer review.
Examples of Postgraduate Papers
- A master’s thesis analyzing Brechtian techniques in contemporary Iraqi drama.
- A Ph.D. dissertation on postcolonial themes in modern English plays.
Key Differences
| Feature | Original Paper | Postgraduate Paper |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Contributes new knowledge to the field | Fulfills an academic degree requirement |
| Authorship | Researchers and academics | Postgraduate students |
| Novelty | Highly original research | May build on existing academic work |
| Review Process | Peer-reviewed for journal publication | Evaluated by university supervisors and committees |
| Publication | Published in academic journals | May later be adapted for publication |
Both types of papers are valuable, but an Original Paper is more suited for journal publication due to its focus on new knowledge and independent contribution to the academic field.
