An Investigation into China's Doctoral Dissertations in Interpreting Studies (1997-2014): Focusing on the Research Topics and Research Methods

Doctoral dissertation research reveals, to some extent, the development trend of a discipline and its methodological innovations.Probing into these research topics and methods, the authors of this study conducted a meta-analysis on 47 dissertations produced by doctoral students in interpreting studies in China from 1997 to 2014.The authors find that dissertation research in interpreting mainly focuses on topics such as processes, theories, products and teaching of interpreting.The main research methodology applied in interpreting is empirical research, with a strong emphasis on experiments.In addition, the current study reveals an encouraging trend towards the growing use of mixed methods and interdisciplinary theories and methods to explain interpreting phenomena.Limitations, however, were found in both research topics and research methods.It is pointed out that the methodology and research methods of these dissertations were not clarified, or not explicitly discussed, and some of the research designs were not scientifically reliable.In addition, theoretical discussions of empirical results were insufficient in these doctoral dissertations.Therefore, a call for an emphasis on research methodology training, research design courses and international academic exchanges is made.