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It is the responsibility of the writer, under the direction of the advisory committee, to organize and arrange the thesis so as to present an appearance appropriate to such a scholarly document.
- Pagination Instructions
- Organization of Thesis
- Type size should be equivalent to 10 or 12 point.
- If it is desired to produce a bound printed version of the document, then the writer should adhere to the following margins in the text of the thesis: one inch for the top, bottom and right sides and one and one-half inches for the left side. If double-sided pages are printed, then the requirements for left and right margin are reversed for left facing (i.e. even numbered) pages. This will allow the text to be read in the bound version.
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 Title Page
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The three parts of the title page are the title, author's full name, and a submission statement.
All text should be centered between the margins used.
Title: The title of the document should be double spaced and in all capitals, with the second and succeeding lines indented on each side of the page so that the title forms an inverted pyramid.
Author's Full Name: The full name of the author (as it appears in University records) is in all capitals and centered. The author's degrees follow, with the current name of the educational institution granting the degree and the year. The name and the degree are to be centered between the title and the Submission Statement. Double-space for one degree; single-space for two or more degrees with a double-space between degrees.
Submission Statement: The Submission Statement indicates that the work is submitted to partially fulfill degree requirements. Single space the information, putting the degree in all capital letters, and arrange in an inverted pyramid shape.
Examples
Title Page - Doctorate
Title Page - Masters |
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Approval Page
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The Approval Page provides space for the committee and the Dean of the Graduate College to sign, indicating their approval. The page consists of the title and places for committee names/signatures.
Title: The thesis title appears on the Approval Page aligned exactly as on the title page and with the same spacing.
Signature Lines: The Signature Lines should be centered between the margins.
Enter the words 'Thesis Approved' or 'Dissertation Approved' as appropriate, flush left before the lines. The size of the bottom margin depends on the number of signatures (for four signatures, leave four inches of margin below the Dean's signature line; for five or more signatures, provide three inches of margin). In all cases, never insert more lines than there will be signatures.
Type the Graduate Dean and Committee Member names on the Approval page of the electronic copy. the Graduate Dean's name should appear as "A. Gordon Emslie". If Dr. is used for one name, a similar title must appear on all names.
Example of Master's Thesis Approval
Example of Doctoral Dissertation Approval
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Preface or Acknowledgments
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The Preface (or Acknowledgments), normally written after the completed thesis or dissertation, explains information the reader needs to know for a clear understanding of the thesis or dissertation. It may include such matters as subject, purpose, and/or scope of the thesis or dissertation; acknowledgments recognizing adviser's assistance as well as that of other faculty and staff; special contributions (family, librarians, correspondents, research foundations, etc.); financial support (grants, awards, etc.). |
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Table of Contents
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The Table of Contents includes headings for at least all chapter titles, first level subheadings, bibliography, and appendix titles. Make certain that the Table of Contents entries correspond exactly with the entries as they appear in the text.
Examples
Table of Contents, page 1
Table of Contents, page 2 |
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List of Tables
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The List of Tables (if tables are presented in the text) follows the Table of Contents, beginning on a new page. You may combine the List of Tables with the List of Figures if the combination does not exceed one page. The author is responsible for coordinating all titles and numbers on the List of Tables with those in the document.
Example
Example of Table |
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List of Figures
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The List of Figures (if figures are presented in the text) follows the List of Tables, beginning on a new page. The author is responsible for coordinating all titles and numbers on the List of Figures with those in the document.
Example
Example of Figure |
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Nomenclature/List of Symbols
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The Nomenclature and/or List of Symbols (if applicable) follow(s) the List of Figures. The Nomenclature includes abbreviations and terms found in the document that the writer uses frequently and does not define at each usage. The List of Symbols includes all special symbols used in the document that the writer does not define at each usage.
Examples
Nomenclature
List of Symbols |
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Margins for Preliminary Pages
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Place main headings two inches from the top of the pages. Other margins are identical to the main body of the thesis: one and one-half inches on the left, and one inch right and bottom margins. Top margin for any succeeding pages after the heading page (first page) is one inch. |
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Numbering Preliminary Pages
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Number all preliminary pages with lower case Roman numerals. Place numbers one-half inch from bottom of page, centered on the text field. Count the title page as Roman number page i , but do not show the page number. |
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Body of Document
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Text: The writer and advisory committee determine the format to be used (style acceptable in the writer's discipline), the exact number of chapters and their sequence. The text is to be double spaced.
Margins: Margins should be as follows: A one inch margin at top, bottom and right-hand side of the page and a one and one-half inch margin on left-hand side of the page. The only exception is that the first page of each chapter and references should be 2' top margin.
Page Numbers: All text pages are to be numbered consecutively with Arabic numerals. Placement of page numbers is as follows:
- Page numbers for chapter, bibliography, and appendix title pages are usually placed ˝ inch from bottom center of page with other pages numbered ˝ inch from top of page and aligned with right margin.
- It is permissible, however, to number all pages at the bottom center, or upper right-hand corner (except preliminary pages which must remain at bottom center).
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Subheadings
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If you are not following a particular style accepted in your discipline, samples of various levels of subheadings are presented in the example below.
Example
Reference Material
Reference material includes the bibliography and appendix (if applicable). This material supplements the thesis content, aiding the reader in understanding.
Example
Bibliography: The Bibliography lists all materials the author found useful in preparing the document. It follows the last page of text and usually contains an alphabetical listing of references. Preparation of such a list is to be based on the style manual selected by the writer and adviser. If you are not following a style used in your discipline, see this example page.
Example
Appendix: An appendix contains material too detailed for inclusion in the body of the document. All material in the Appendix must conform to the margins specified above. The Appendix follows the Bibliography.
Example
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Vita
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Include your vita, or biographical sketch, with the document. List all educational institutions attended after graduation from high school and the date you received the undergraduate or graduate degree (or both). List professional organizations and other personal information of a scholarly nature. Do not include a list of publications. You must add as a last line in Education section: 'Completed the Requirements for the (degree title) degree at Oklahoma State University in (month, year/graduation)'. Do not number the vita page. Margins are identical to the preliminary pages. The Vita is limited to one page.
Example |
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Abstract
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The University requires a uniform, brief abstract of each thesis or dissertation submitted to the Graduate College. The abstract provides information about the thesis or dissertation for interested persons and enables them to decide whether or not they wish to read the entire work. The abstract should be placed after the vita. Allow a one and one-half inch left margin and a one-inch margin top and right margin. Place the signature line 1 inch from the bottom edge of the page. For 'Number of Pages in Study' use the number of the last page before the Vita. Since the abstract page becomes part of the university record, it must be prepared on OSU thesis bond paper; OSU thesis bond paper is available in the OSU Student Union.
NOTE: If you are using a font too large to allow 'Location' to be on the same line as 'Institution', then you may place 'Location' a double space below 'Institution', flush left. The Abstract must be contained on one page with a 350 word limit.
Example
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Visuals
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Visuals consist of materials that supplement the text and consist mainly of three types: tables, figures, equations.
Tables: Tables consist of data arranged in horizontal and vertical rows; the data may be numeric, verbal, or a combination. Organize the table with your reader in mind. Allow quick and unambiguous access to the information. Information presented in the table must be within the margins specified for the text of the document. Consult your style manual for designing tables. If your department does not follow a specific style, refer to the Appendix.
Figures: All illustrative materials other than tables are considered figures. These may include charts, graphs, drawings, etc. They also help the reader understand the material in the text. All figures must conform to margins specified for the text of the document. Consult your style manual for designing and presenting figures. If your department does not follow a specific style, refer to the Appendix.
Equations: If using equations, follow the appropriate style manual for placement and numbering practices. Make certain that all equations are consistently presented in the text.
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Research Involving Human Subjects
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Federal policy requires that ALL research involving human subjects be approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to ensure that the rights and welfare of human subjects are properly protected.
Therefore, all research dealing with human subjects conducted by OSU faculty, staff, and/or graduate and undergraduate students must be reviewed by the IRB.
The review letter, returned to the student by the IRB office, is required to be inserted in an Appendix to the document. The IRB letter should
be reduced to fit within applicable margins.
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Copyright
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When does copyright begin?
The instant an idea is expressed and entered in "tangible form" (e.g. a computer file or a paper copy), copyright exists. This includes a Thesis or Dissertation.
Therefore, when the question is asked "Do you want to copyright your document?", UMI is really asking "Do you want to register your document with the Copyright Office located in the United States Library of Congress?" You are given this opportunity during the online submission process, but it is not a requirement of the OSU Graduate College.
Copyright Act:
Please visit OSU's online tutorial for more information on the Copyright Act and how it affects you. http://itle.okstate.edu/copyright/start.htm
For additional information about Copyright and Intellectual Property visit the Library of Congress Copyright Office website at: http://www.copyright.gov/
A copyright page is not a requirement for a thesis or dissertation. The document has copyright protection for the author at the time of submission. If a copyright page is included in the document, it should be placed between the Title page and the Approval page. Although the page number is Roman numeral "ii", do not display the page number on the page. The copyright information should be centered using the same margins as in the text of the document. Click here for Example. |
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