Thesis/Dissertation Guidelines

Thesis/Dissertation format guidelines

Thesis/Dissertation Template

Sample Pages

For steps to complete a thesis/dissertation, check out our page, found here.

Preparation

Typing

• Font style preference is Times New Roman.
• Font size should be 12pt.
• Standard black font is used throughout the text.
• Color may be used in tables, figures, charts, and diagrams.
• The style must be consistent throughout the thesis/dissertation.

corrections

All corrections (including typographical errors) must be made prior to submission of the final electronic version.

margins

Margins must be strictly observed throughout the paper.

On all pages (except on the first page of each chapter) including tables, figures, images, questionnaires, appendices, etc.:

• Begin at one inch from the top of the page.
• End at one inch from the bottom of the page.
• Left hand margin should be one-half inches (1.5'').
• Right hand margin should be one inch (1'').

spacing and indentation

• All text contained in the body of the thesis/dissertation must be double-spaced.
• All paragraphs begin indented .5" from the left hand margin.
• The spacing of long quotations, footnotes, tables, bibliographies, captions, etc. should conform to the specifications of this webpage or conform to the style manual specified for a student's discipline.

Common Manuals of style
Purdue OWL Resources (APA, MLA, Chicago Guide)
APA Manual
MLA Handbook
The Chicago Manual of Style
MFA Handbook
IEEE Editorial Style Manual
ACS Guide to Scholarly Communication

pagination

Page Numbering for Preliminary Pages

• Consecutively using lower case Roman numerals (i, ii, iii,...).
• DO NOT use punctuation marks with the Roman numerals on page numbers.
• Centered 1 inch from the bottom of the page.

Page Numbering for the Body of the Paper and Reference Pages

(All pages beginning with Chapter I)

• Consecutively using Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3,...).
• DO NOT use punctuation marks with the Arabic numerals on page numbers.
• Do not use the word "page" followed by the number.
• Centered 1 inch from the bottom of the page.

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*The title page, copyright page, approval page, dedication page, and acknowledgement page should be included in the page count but should not have a visible page number on the page. The abstract page, list of tables, list of figures, and abbreviations should have visible page numbers.

tables and figures

• Usually inserted in the text near where they are first mentioned.
• To ensure readability, larger tables/figures can be single spaced and placed on a separate page or pages as appropriate.
• All tables and figures must be of professional quality.

Images

• Color images are permitted.
• Images must be clear prints.
• Images must be reduced to meet margin requirements.

Text pages

Style

• For matters of style not covered by these guidelines, consult a style manual appropriate to the discipline.
• Once a style manual selected, it must be observed consistently throughout the thesis/dissertation.
• Margins: Text must meet the margin requirements outlined on this webpage.
• All text is double-spaced with the exceptions of direct quotations.
• Direct Quotations: Three or more lines in length are not typically double-spaced. They are typically indented five spaces from the left and right margins of the text and single-spaced. Check with a style manual appropriate to the discipline.

Chapters

• The Thesis/Dissertation should be divided into chapters (CHAPTER I, II, III, etc.).
• The main text of the document begins on the first page of CHAPTER I.
• Each chapter should represent an important division of the subject investigated.
• The title should indicate a definite and logical division of the subject of the problem.
• Chapter headings begin 3 inches from the top of the page (which differs from the standard one inch top margin for the rest of the document) and appear on two lines (no punctuation), capitalized and centered.
• Each chapter should have a title (example: INTRODUCTION). Chapter titles are centered and in capital letters.

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Arrangement

Arrangement of Pages

• All pages are counted.
• Not all pages will have the page number printed on the page.
• The first page that has a printed page number in the ABSTRACT.
• Number preliminary pages with lower case Roman numerals (iii, iv, v,...).
• The body of the text should be numbered utilizing Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3,...).
• Print page numbers on the bottom, center of the page.

Title Page (Required)

Title:

• Title of Thesis/Dissertation must be in ALL capital letters.
• Double spaced.
• Clearly describe the contents of the thesis/dissertation.

Student Name:

• Capital letters.
• Double spaced.

Degree(s) Already Earned:

• List more than one degree in chronological order.
• List college/university.
• List month/year degree conferred.

Degree Earning:

• Name of degree student is a candidate for.
• Month and year in which the degree is to be awarded.
• Note: Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (MFA) Students use different wording on their title page.
• Refer to sample pages for a visual.

Copyright Notice Page (Optional)

Registering for Copyright: A student may register for copyright by filling out an application form provided by the United States Copyright Office, depositing a copy of the work, and paying the filing fee. For more information regarding copyright laws and regulations please visit: https://www.copyright.gov/

• Copyright symbol ©.
• Student's full legal name.
• Year the Copyright is registered for publication.
• The copyright notice should be centered on the page.

Using Materials Copyrighted by Others

As the author, the student must certify that any copyrighted materials used in the manuscript beyond "fair use" are with the written permission of the copyright owner. Copies of permission letters from the copyright holder(s) must be incorporated into the manuscript as an appendix. For further information, please refer to PQ/UMI® GradWorks Guide F2006.

Signature Page (Required)

• Student's name
• Student's degree being awarded
• Committee member information
• Student's Date of Defense
• Do not include the signature of the committee members on the manuscript being uploaded to OhioLink, only typed names, departments, and date members signed the actual form.

Dedication page (optional)

A dedication page expressess gratefulness from the writer towards any other person(s) for whom the student wants to pay honor.

acknowledgement page (optional)

An acknowledgement page acknowledges person(s) who in some way supported the research.

abstract page (Required)

Students should consult with their department for an appropriate Style Manual before writing the abstract.

Abstract Heading:

• Use thesis/dissertation title.
• All capital letters.
• Centered.
• Double spaced.

Student's Name:

• All capital letters.
• Centered.
• Double spaced.

Abstract Title:

• Add the word, "Abstract."
• Bold the word, "Abstract."

Abstract Requirements:

• Summarization of the contents of the thesis/dissertation that should include the issue(s) being examined, the procedure and methods used, the results, and any conclusions that are drawn.
• 350 words maximum.
• Double spaced.
• Symbols and foreign word phrases must be printed clearly and accurately.

table of contents (required)

Heading: TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Capital Letters.
• 1" Top Margin.
• Centered.

Subheading: Page

• Upper/Lower case.
• Right-Justified.
• Treat all content under "Page" as the page number column. No words should appear within the page number column.

Sections

• Abstract (required).
• Tables (if any).
• Figures (if any).
• Chapter (required).
• Chapter Numbers and Chapter Titles (required).
• Chapter Numbers and Chapter Subheading (if any).
• Bibliography or References (required).
• Appendix or Appendices (if any).

Abstract

• Capital letters.
• Begins as 1.5" left margin.
• Apply leaders between the word ABSTRACT and the Roman numeral page number.

List of Tables (Required if paper contains tables)

• Capital letters.
• Begins as 1.5" left margin.
• Apply dotted points between LIST OF TABLES and the Roman numeral page number.

List of Figures (Required if paper contains figures)

• Capital letters.
• Begins as 1.5" left margin.
• Apply dotted points between LIST OF FIGURES and the Roman numeral page number.

Chapter (required)

• Capital letters.
• Use the word CHAPTER (not CHAPTERS) only once.
• Begins as 1.5" left margin.
• Do not apply a page number to the word CHAPTER.

Chapter Numbers and Chapter Titles (required)

• On the next line, indent 5 spaces under the word CHAPTER.
• Use capital Roman numerals to introduce chapters (I, II, III, etc.).
• Capitalize the chapter title.
• Apply dotted lines between the chapter's title and the Arabic page number.

Chapter Numbers and Chapter Subheading (if any)

• One the next line under the chapter's title, indent 5 spaces.
• Use Arabic numbers to introduce subheadings that correspond with the chapter (for Chapter I: 1.1, 1.2, 1.3; for Chapter II: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3).
• Capitalize subheading titles.
• Apply dotted lines between the sub-topic and the Arabic page number.

The numbering of subheadings within a chapter is the student's preference. However, if numbers are noted in the Table of Contents, the numbering must be replicated within the text body.

Bibliography or References (required)

• Capital letters.
• Begins as 1.5" left margin.
• Apply dotted lines between the word BIBLIOGRAPHY or REFERENCES.

Appendix or appendices (optional)

• Use the word APPENDICES if there is more than one
• Capital letters
• Begins as 1.5" left margin
• If there is only one, display as:

APPENDIX...................................#

• If there are more than one, display as:

APPENDICES..............................#

     A. TITLE OF APPENDIX A............#

     B. TITLE OF APPENDIX B.............#

• Apply dotted lines between the appendix title(s) and the Arabic page number

Information about tables and figures

• Usually inserted in the text near where they are first mentioned.
• To ensure readability, larger tables/figures can be single spaced and placed on a separate page or pages as appropriate.
• All tables and figures must be of professional quality.

Notes page (optional)

• Roman numeral numbering continues.
• Notes should be typed in a manner consistent with the style manual being used for the thesis/dissertation.
• Notes must meet the margin requirements.
• Single space notes at the bottom of the page or double space notes at the end of the text.
• If notes appear at the end of the text, these pages should be numbered continuously with the text in Arabic numbers.

Text

• The first line of the text begins 1 or 2 lines below the chapter title and name.
• Only the first page of each chapter begins with a three inches top margin.
• Remainder of the chapter and other sections of the manuscript begin with one inch top margin.

Bibliography or references (required)

• Students should refer to the style manual recommended by their department for the correct preparation of the bibliography/references.
• A list of all sources used in the preparation of the thesis/dissertation whether or not they are referred to directly in the text or notes.

index page (optional)

• If any, Arabic numbering continues.
• An Index is an alphabetically arranged list of subjects with page numbers indicating where the subject appears in the text.
• If included, the Index follows the Appendix/Appendices.