Criterion of Significant Contribution to the Development of a Specific Discipline in Habilitation Proceedings

Abstract

This article is an original research paper concerning the interpretation of one of the prerequisites for conferring the academic degree of habilitated doctor in Poland, i.e. the prerequisite of making a significant contribution to the development of a specific scientific discipline. Starting from the statement of ambiguity of the provision formulating this prerequisite, the author indicates possible ways of understanding that provision, and then determines which interpretation, in the light of recognised methods of legal interpretation, should be regarded as appropriate. The aim of the research is to prove the main thesis that the aforementioned prerequisite, contrary to widespread practice, should be understood as meaning that the contribution to the development of the discipline must be made by the habilitation candidate’s entire body of work, and not by the main work alone. In this respect, the author’s findings are original in nature, as this view, although already presented to a limited extent in the literature, has not been substantiated in detail to date. The results of the research conducted may be of significant importance for the functioning of the system of scientific promotions in Poland, as they have the potential to modify the current practice of reviewers and bodies participating in habilitation proceedings.