I have a hard-earned Ph.D. in a scientific discipline. To receive such a degree, one needs to make a real contribution to science. Typically, the results of such Ph.D. research are published as one or more peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals, which in turn are cited in later papers by others. The Ph.D. dissertation itself may also be cited.
As a a Ph.D., I RESENT pseudo-scholars in Victim Studies “disciplines”, and in deconstructionist/postmodern/Frankfort School versions of the humanities and social sciences, who get to put the same three letters—”Ph.D.” after their names. All these “disciplines” (which typically are at least in part based on Marxism) are WORTHLESS, if not poison!!!!
Fortunately, the vast majority of “Ph.D.” dissertations derived from these worthless, meaningless studies just gather dust in some university library. If any papers are published from them, they are in self-congratulatory “journals” that no one bothers to read.
Unfortunately, some Ph.D. graduates of these “disciplines” may get jobs in academia, where they can indoctrinate the young. Others may become political operatives, or even end up as czars in the obama Administration. Phooey to them!!!!
Remember that Ph.D. is a Doctorate of Philosophy and specifically regards the holder’s ability to teach the discipline. Doctor is the Latin equivalence of “to teach.”
That being said, please understand that I do NOT begrudge your hard work and wholeheartedly agree with your assessment that these degrees are usually garbage. Hard sciences, maths, and traditional humanities graduate studies (i.e. English) are difficult to ascend into without firm understanding of subject matter and a desire to continue.
I finished my Master’s degree in English and despite being prodded by my thesis advisor to go for a Ph.D., I felt there was nothing substantive that I could add to the extant body of knowledge. I believe that’s the problem with graduate studies programs these days: students are encouraged to stay on presumably so the university continues to make money. Meanwhile, students are turning out absolute garbage for theses and dissertations.