OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
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Congratulations! You have arrived at an important step in the pursuit of your graduate degree—the writing of your thesis or dissertation. Your scholarly publication reflects the results of your research and academic pursuits at Oregon State University.
Students are responsible for:
Your document must clearly state your objectives and conclusions, and present your results in a lucid and succinct manner. It must have a professional appearance and be user-friendly.
Ethical research practice requires you to avoid the following:
Standard Document Format refers to one thesis document that addresses a single theme. The Pretext Pages, Introduction, Conclusion, and Bibliography are mandatory. Your committee determines the additional chapters; you choose the chapter titles. The following parts comprise the Standard Document Format:
Manuscript Document Format is a single thesis document made up of several scholarly manuscripts or journal articles addressing a common theme. All manuscripts/articles must be related or address a single, common theme. You must be the primary author of each manuscript. Co-authors other than your major professor must be mentioned in a Contribution of Authors page (see Figure 9) in the pretext section of the document. Formatting should be consistent for each journal article and must follow the thesis guide formatting not the separate journal formats. The following parts comprise the Manuscript Document Format:
Note: Within the larger Manuscript Format thesis document, Chapter Heading Pages (see Figure 1 below) precede individual manuscripts that have already been published. If not published, page is not required. Manuscripts must uniformly conform to these thesis guidelines.
Page #
MANUSCRIPT TITLE
CENTERED AND ALL CAPS
Your name and other authors
Journal name
Address of journal
Issue manuscript appears in
Figure 1. Chapter Heading Page for Manuscript Document Format
The left margin must be 1 inch unless printing and binding a personal or departmental copy then change to 1.5 inch. All other margins must be at least 1 inch, preferably 1.2 for top margin. Nothing may invade a margin. Every page must meet margin requirements. Margin requirements are especially important if binding a copy of your thesis.
Pretext pages: Do not add page numbers to pretext pages.
Body: The body of the text begins with page 1 and all successive pages are numbered consecutively with Arabic Numbers (e.g. 2, 3, etc.) including Appendix/Appendices and Bibliography. Page numbers should be the same size and font as the body of the text. Page numbers must appear at the top right corner of pages, approximately 1 inch from the top edge of the page and at least 1 inch from the right edge of the page. Page numbers must not invade any margins. There should be at least one space between the page number and the first line of text.
Your title must be worded exactly the same throughout the document as it appears on the Abstract page, Title page and centered on page one (optional). Titles longer than one line should be single-spaced. The document's title does not count as a heading level.
Line spacing must be 1.5 or double, consistent throughout the document and matching which one you choose for the body of the thesis. Use single spacing only in the following situations:
Use regular, unadorned print, 10- to 12-point size for text (headings may be 14-point only if all headings are 14-point). Font size within figures and tables can be smaller but must be readable. Use the same font style and font size throughout.
Chapter names are Level 1 headings. Subheadings of a chapter are Level 2 headings. Subheadings of chapter subheadings are Level 3 headings, and so forth. Each level must look different from the other levels. Headings of the same level must look the same throughout the document. All headings, regardless of level, must be the same font size. Either number all headings or number none (See figures 10a and 10b). Single space headings that are more than one line. Use adequate and consistent spacing between the headings and the text. A minimum of two subheadings may be used within a given level. Each level 1 heading begins a new page.
A numbered, counted page should be inserted in front of your document's appendix/appendices. The word APPENDIX (or APPENDICES) should be centered about 1/3 down this page. This heading page and its page number should appear in the Table of Contents.
Use Blocked Quotes for quoted material longer than three lines. Use the same font size as within the text. Single-space the quotation, and indent it evenly on both sides. Left justify the quotations.
Use the same font size as within the text. Choose a reference style with the guidance of your major professor and your committee and be consistent. Single-space each citation and use adequate and consistent spacing between citations.
Footnotes collected at the end of a chapter are called endnotes. Use the same font size as within the text. Single-space each endnote, and use adequate and consistent spacing between endnotes.
No orphan lines may appear at the top or bottom of a page. No headers or footers may be used. Footnotes are acceptable.
Figures and tables may be located in one of two places in your document. You must choose one system and use it consistently throughout your work.
The definition of a figure is quite broad. “Figures” include charts, diagrams, drawings, examples, graphs, illustrations, maps, photographs, etc. In the majority of cases, if it's not a table, it is a figure. All figures must be listed in the pretext pages' List of Figures.
A table is broadly defined as a compact, systematic list of data (facts, figures, values, etc.), generally arranged in columns and/or rows. All tables must be listed in the pretext pages' List of Tables.
A figure's or table's label denote the type of figure or table and its number, and a figure's or table's caption is its title and description. Every figure or table must have a label and caption unless there is only one of its type in the document. Use consecutive label numbers by order of appearance within the text. Each figure or table must have a unique number, i.e., Table 1.1 for the first table in Chapter 1, Table 2.1 for the first table in Chapter 2, or start with 1 and number consecutively. As always, pick one method and use it consistently throughout your document. Label and caption font size is the same as body text size. Add one space between the figure or table and its label and caption, and between the figure or table and text. The label and caption should be placed outside its boundaries, commonly above a table and below a figure.
Illustrations that take up more than one page should have the label followed by “(Continued)” on the second page. If both a figure/table and its label and caption do not fit on one page, place only the label on the page with the figure or table, and place the label and caption on a separate page that precedes the figure or table (called a legend page). Single-space the label and caption and center it 1/3 of the way down the page. Include no other text on this page. List the page number of the legend page in the pretext list.
There are two ways of managing the inclusion of oversized figures if printing personal copies:
Because of their shape, some figures/tables may need to be placed crosswise on a page. If so, the top of the figure/table should be at the left margin as viewed normally (i.e. portrait orientation), and the caption should be parallel to the right margin. Reformatting pages numbers to match location of portrait oriented page numbers is not required. Margin requirements apply.
Choose high-contrast colors to differentiate lines, bars, or segments or use symbols with or without the color.
Regardless of general format, the thesis includes particular parts in an established order as listed below. Model pages are provided for most pretext pages. In all cases, margin requirements apply (see above) and the same font style/size must be used in the body of the text and elsewhere. All titles of pretext pages should be formatted identically with respect to font size and style.
Download templates for pretext pages.
An abstract is a summary of the document's purpose, methods, major findings, and conclusions. Your name (designated “Student Name”) must appear exactly the same throughout the document. In all cases, use the official name of the major as found in the OSU Catalog on the Graduate School's website under Programs. Please add underlines where indicated in the examples. (See figs. 2, 3, and 4)
AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF
Thomas A. Edison for the degree of Master of Science in Physics presented on January 30, 2024A.
Title: Upon Recording Telegraph Messages Automatically.
Abstract approved: _______________________________________
Major I. ProfessorB
Begin text here, using the same line spacing (either double space or 1.5), font style and font size as within the body of the text in your document.
Figure 2. Abstract Page for Master's Degree. AThe line breaks in these four lines are single space with a space after the defense date. BInclude major professor's middle initial unless there is none. Do not include their title. Co-major Professors may share the same signature line; put both names below the line.
AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF
Student Name for the degree of Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies in First ConcentrationA., Second Concentration, and Third Concentration presented on Defense DateB.
Title: Underlined Title Here
Abstract approved: _______________________________________
Major I. ProfessorC
Begin text here, using the same line spacing (either double space or 1.5), font style and font size as within the body of the text in your document.
Figure 3. Abstract Page for Master's Degree. AThe line breaks in these four lines are single space with a space after the defense date. BThe line breaks in these six are single-spaced with a space between the defense date and title. CInclude major professor's middle initial unless there is none. Do not include their title. Co-major Professors may share the same signature line; put both names below the line.
AN ABSTRACT OF THE DISSERTATION OF
Student Name for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Official Name of Major presented on Defense DateA.
Title: Underline Title here.
Abstract approved: _______________________________________
Major I. ProfessorB
Begin text here, using the same line spacing (either double space or 1.5), font style and font size as within the body of the text in your document.
Figure 4. Abstract Page for Doctoral Degree. AThe line breaks in these four lines are single-spaced with a space between the defense date and title. BInclude major professor's middle initial unless there is none. Do not include his/her title. Co-major Professors share the same signature line; put both names below the line with several spaces between names.
Copyright by Thomas A. Edison
January 30, 2022
All Rights Reserved or Creative Commons License
Figure 5. Copyright Page. Please choose either All Rights Reserved or Creative Commons License but not both. The copyright page is required. Inclusion of this page does not obligate you to go through a formal copyright process. Name must appear exactly the same throughout the document. Second line is the final defense date. Wording should begin one third down from the top and is centered.
Upon Recording Telegraph Messages
Automatically
Title must match Abstract and page one title exactly. Do not boldface the title.
by
Thomas A. Edison
Add two spaces after the title.
A THESIS
submitted to
Oregon State University
Doctoral students may use “A DISSERTATION” instead of “A THESIS” on Title Page, Abstract, and Approval Pages.
in partial fulfillment of
the requirements for the
degree of
Follow division of this sentence (in partial fulfillment of...) exactly.
Master of Science
Spacing should be the same after your name, “Oregon State University,” and your degree.
Presented January 30, 2023
Commencement June 2023A
Defense date.
Figure 6. Title Page. ACommencement date is the June following the defense date, so if defense is after the commencement ceremony it would be for the following year. Only month & year, no date or it will be rejected.
On the Approval Page the Major Professor represents the major. The Approval Page considers your advisor as your major professor, regardless of his/ her official rank or tenure home. Official major names and department names can be found in the OSU Catalog. Some majors and departments have the same name while others differ. Your signature constitutes consent to have your document available for public reference in Valley Library, but the signatures on this page have been replaced with the ETD Submission Approval form.
Master of Science thesis of Thomas A. Edison presented on January 30, 2023.
APPROVED
_______________________________________
Major Professor representing Physics
_______________________________________
Head of the Department of PhysicsA
_______________________________________
Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School
I understand that my thesis will become part of the permanent collection of Oregon State University libraries. My signature below authorizes release of my thesis to any reader upon request.
_______________________________________
Thomas A. Edison, Author
Figure 7. Standard Approval Page. AIf not part of a department, please list the head/chair/dean of the school or college.
Alternate wordings for signature lines:
Wording with two major professors:
Co-Major Professor, representing Name of Major
Co-Major Professor, representing Name of Major
Head/Chair of the Name of Department, School or College
Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School
Wording with dual majors:
Co-Major Professor, representing Name of 1st Major
Co-Major Professor, representing Name of 2nd Major
Head/Chair of the Name of Department, School or College
Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School
Wording for MAIS:
Major Professor, representing Name of Major Area of Concentration
Co-Major Professor, representing Name of 2nd Major
Director of the Interdisciplinary Studies Program
Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School
The acknowledgements page is optional but recommended. The exact content of the page is up to the student. Use same text spacing: 1.5 or double-space.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author expresses sincere appreciation...
Figure 8. Acknowledgements Page.
Manuscript document format only. If no contributions remove this page. Use same text spacing either 1.5 or double space.
CONTRIBUTIONS
Dr. So-and-so assisted with data collection. Such-and- such was involved with the design and writing of Chapter 2. Dr. Whoisit assisted in the interpretation of the data.
Figure 9. Contributions (manuscript format only).
Ensure that the page numbers accurately reflect where the headings appear in the text. Listing the chapter headings in the Table of Contents is required; listing the subheadings is optional, and you may list some levels but not others. Levels are denoted by indention in the Table of Contents. Wording, spelling, and capitalization of headings in the Table of Contents must match the heading in the body of the text exactly. If headings are numbered in the Table of Contents, they must be numbered correspondingly in the text.
List appendix or appendices (if applicable) in the Table of Contents, if more than five then create a separate List of Appendices. In either case, list the Appendices Heading Page (see page 3) in the Table of Contents. When listing an individual appendix, include its title.
If the Table of Contents is more than one page, subsequent pages should have the heading “TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued)” and additionally "PAGE" underlined above the page numbers.
Return twice between the TABLE OF CONTENTS heading and the first item in the table.
Do not underline, bold, or italicize in the Table of Contents (unless scientific species name)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
1 Chapter Title
1
1.1 Level 2 Heading
12
1.2 Level 2 Heading
15
1.2.1 Level 3 Heading
17
1.2.2 Level 3 Heading
18
1.2.3 Level 3 Heading
25
1.3 Level 2 Heading
28
2 Chapter Title
32
2.1 Level 2 Heading
36
2.2 Level 2 Heading
41
2.2.1 Level 3 Heading
45
2.2.2 Level 3 Heading
46
3 Chapter Title
53
3.1 Level 2 Heading
53
3.2 Level 2 Heading
59
Bibliography
67
Appendices
70
Appendix A Title
71
Appendix B Title
83
Figure 10a. Table of Contents with Numbering.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Chapter Title
1
Level 2 Heading
12
Level 2 Heading
15
Level 3 Heading
17
Level 3 Heading
18
Level 3 Heading
25
Level 2 Heading
28
Chapter Title
32
Level 2 Heading
36
Level 2 Heading
41
Level 3 Heading
45
Level 3 Heading
46
Chapter Title
53
Level 2 Heading
53
Level 2 Heading
59
Bibliography
67
Appendices
70
Appendix A Title
71
Appendix B Title
83
Figure 10b. Table of Contents without Numbering.
Lists are required if two or more figures appear within the text. (Reference figures 11a and 11b.)
Lists are required if two or more tables appear within the text. (Reference figures 11a and 11b.)
Choose one of the two methods of numbering in the model pages illustrated in Figures 11a and 11b and use it for both Lists of Figures and Lists of Tables. If a list is longer than one page, subsequent pages should be headed “LIST OF FIGURES (Continued)” or “LIST OF TABLES (Continued)" along with "Figure" or "Page" underlined above the figure names and page numbers. The first sentence of the figure or table caption must be listed, and the wording must match the text exactly. List only one page number per figure or table. When there is a legend page in front of a figure (see information on FIGURES below), list the legend page only. Figures in the appendices are listed on a separate List of Appendix Figures list.
Add two spaces between the LIST OF FIGURES/TABLES heading and the first listing.
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure
Page
1.
Name of the figure
29
2.
First sentence of the legend matches the text exactly
34
3.
List only one page number
34
4.
Keep numbers and words in separate columns
34
Figure 11a. List of Figures/Tables with Consecutive Numbering.
LIST OF TABLES
Figure
Page
1.
Name of the table
22
2.
Spacing requirements are the same as for the List of Figures
29
3.
A List of Appendix Tables would look the same
38
4.
All pretext headings should look the same
44
Figure 11b. List of Figures/Tables with Numbering by Chapter.
If list of appendices is short, it may be attached to the Table of Contents. For more than 5 appendices, or list different heading levels are listed in the appendices, a separate List of Appendices is required. If two or more figures appear in the appendices, a List of Appendix Figures and/or a List of Appendix Tables are required.
For two or more figures in the appendices.
For two or more tables in the appendices.
If you are including other lists, such as lists of abbreviations, nomenclature, symbols, and so forth, each list must have its own page. The elements of these lists do not need numbering or page numbers.
If desired, you may dedicate your document to the honor of someone. Dedications are usually short. Margin requirements apply. Use the same font/font size as text body. Arrangement of page is at your discretion.
You may include a preface.
Follow standard or manuscript document format.
The Graduate School no longer requires you to submit a paper copy of your thesis/dissertation.
A formatting template for thesis and dissertation pretext pages can be found on our website.
Submit one PDF copy of your thesis/dissertation, without signatures, electronically to ScholarsArchive. Ensure accessibility with Adobe Acrobat Pro. For uploading and accessibility instructions refer to the library's website.
DO NOT SELECT PUBLIC DOMAIN OR CCO. You may add a Creative Commons License to your item that allows copyrighted works to be shared and re- used. Either select License Type: Creative Commons or License Type: No Creative Commons License. DO NOT assign a Creative Commons license if you plan to place an embargo on your thesis or dissertation that allows only the OSU community access to your work.
One signed Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) Submission Approval form by your Major Professor, Head/Chair/Director/Dean of your major, and yourself. The Graduate School Dean's signature will be added after the submissions of the form.
You can request an embargo in ScholarsArchive so your work will be accessible only to Oregon State University faculty, staff and students for up to two years.
Graduate School
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Phone: 541-737-4881
Fax: 541-737-3313