Dissertation and Thesis Handbook 2016 7-18-2016(1)

University Expectations for Preparing a Dissertation or Thesis

University Expectations for Preparing a Dissertation or Thesis

The School of Graduate Studies publishes the Handbook and Style Guide for

The Dissertations and Theses Handbook is designed to assist graduate students in preparing their doctoral dissertations and master’s theses, providing essential guidelines applicable across all disciplines It outlines specific formatting requirements set by the School of Graduate Studies, serving as a valuable resource for graduate coordinators, faculty, advisors, and committee members to understand the standards for dissertation and thesis writing The School of Graduate Studies mandates that all dissertations and theses demonstrate educational significance and methodological rigor At Morgan State University, dissertations are a prerequisite for all doctoral degrees, while most Master of Arts candidates are required to complete a thesis Additionally, theses may be necessary for Master of Science candidates and those in various specialized Master’s programs Students should refer to the current School of Graduate Studies Catalog and consult their program graduate advisor to confirm thesis requirements.

Preparing a dissertation is essential for doctoral students as it enhances their understanding of research methodology and develops their scholarly skills within their academic discipline Key research skills include effective oral and written communication about their chosen subject At Morgan, all doctoral candidates (PhD, DEng, DrPH, and EdD) must conduct original research and defend their dissertation Students are advised to consult with faculty advisors and graduate coordinators regarding dissertation requirements To be accepted by the School of Graduate Studies, all doctoral dissertations must adhere to specific important standards.

 Demonstrate thorough knowledge of prior scholarship, including qualitative or quantitative research relating to the dissertation topic;

 Reveal ability to analyze, critique, interpret, and integrate information from prior scholarship into hypotheses or research questions sufficient to form the basis of a dissertation;

 Reflect use of appropriate research methodology, including current data collection techniques and appropriate data analysis tools including the use of proper statistical applications and other software applications;

 Display findings in a sequential and logical manner, and when needed, through the use of appropriate tables, graphs, or other methods of presenting quantitative or qualitative data;

 Include a coherent discussion of the relationships among the prior scholarship, the hypotheses or research question(s), the findings and data, and the meaning of the results; and

 Reflect a mastery of grammar, punctuation, sentence construction, paragraph formation, and style consistent with requirements outlined and approved in this

The School of Graduate Studies maintains the authority to reject dissertations that do not adhere to established standards It is anticipated that the dissertation committee will ensure compliance with these standards, as evidenced by the signatures of its members included in the final dissertation.

The thesis aims to equip master's students with essential research, methodological, and communication skills, enabling them to engage in meaningful discussions and contribute to the advancement of knowledge within their academic fields.

In order to be accepted by the School of Graduate Studies, the thesis must:

 Demonstrate knowledge of prior scholarship relating to the thesis topic;

 Reveal ability to analyze, critique, and integrate information into hypotheses or research questions sufficient to form the basis for a thesis;

 Reflect use of appropriate research methodology that will result in reliable findings;

 Present findings in a manner appropriate for displaying quantitative or qualitative data;

 Include a coherent discussion of findings and the meaning of the results; and

 Reflect a mastery of grammar, punctuation, sentence construction, paragraph formation, citations, and style consistent with published research in an academic discipline

The School of Graduate Studies maintains the authority to reject theses that do not adhere to established standards It is expected that the thesis committee ensures compliance with these standards, as evidenced by the signatures of its members included in the thesis.

Author of the Dissertation or Thesis

The graduate student is the primary author of their doctoral dissertation or master’s thesis and is responsible for maintaining high standards of quality in content, style, and grammar The process of preparing and evaluating these academic works is a collaborative effort that includes the student, their chairperson, committee members, and the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies It is essential that all dissertations and theses are composed in English.

While students can anticipate support from the committee chair and members, they bear full responsibility for adhering to the required standards, citation styles, formats, and overall quality of their dissertations and theses Key responsibilities encompass various aspects essential for successful completion.

 Choosing a dissertation or thesis topic that represents one’s own original research;

 Consulting regularly with committee chairpersons and committee members to review progress on the development of chapters in the dissertation or thesis;

 Developing and organizing the subject matter to reflect with clarity the content and analysis of arguments and any proposed hypotheses;

 Assuring that the quality of data, of the evidence, and of the logical reasoning presented is consistent with theories, principles, and methodologies of the discipline;

 Assuring that the format, composition, text, layout, and appearance of illustrations and bibliography are of the highest professional quality;

 Certifying the accuracy of references and citations;

 Securing copyrights for the dissertation or thesis through UMI/ProQuest during the submission process;

 Securing appropriate permission to reproduce copyrighted material in the thesis or dissertation; and

 Meeting all deadlines set by the School of Graduate Studies for the submission of dissertations and theses

Committee Chairpersons’ and Committee Members’ Responsibilities

The committee chair and members play a crucial role in guiding students through their research journey, assisting them in exploring scholarly literature, selecting suitable research methodologies, analyzing data, and presenting their findings for dissertations or theses They are tasked with providing fair and continuous evaluations of written drafts, ensuring adherence to disciplinary standards and degree requirements Their responsibilities encompass a range of supportive and evaluative functions essential for student success.

 Reviewing the candidate’s transcript to verify the status of eligibility to write the dissertation or thesis;

 Approving topic(s) and methodology for the dissertation or thesis;

 Reading and offering constructive criticism on drafts of the dissertation or thesis related to the quality of data and evidence, reasoning, editorial and linguistic quality, and references and citations;

 Guiding and advising the candidate’s work in reference to its organization and content;

 Evaluating the dissertation or thesis based on the requirements of the degree for which one is a candidate;

 Helping prepare the manuscript for scholarly publication;

 Reviewing the research and the manuscript for concerns related to academic integrity and providing evidence that such a review has occurred;

The candidate will receive support in adhering to the deadlines set by the School of Graduate Studies for their oral defense, as well as in the submission of their dissertation or thesis to the same institution.

In its evaluation of the dissertation or thesis, the committee may assign the following assessments:

 Conditionally Passed (minor adjustments are needed in substance and/or format)

 Deferred (major adjustments are needed in substance and/or format)

 Failed (needed adjustments are too extensive, or the candidate failed to defend satisfactorily)

School of Graduate Studies’ Responsibilities

The Dean of the School of Graduate Studies plays a crucial role in certifying that dissertations and theses meet established standards, focusing on both adherence to stylistic guidelines and the quality of content and analysis Dissertations and theses are only accepted after the Dean, or their designee, has completed this certification process.

 Publishing dissertation and thesis requirements in consultation with the College and School Deans, department chairpersons, and graduate coordinators;

 Advising graduate students, committee chairs, and other committee members about the standards for preparation of the dissertation or thesis;

Create an annual calendar that outlines the submission dates and deadlines for dissertations and theses to the School of Graduate Studies, as well as the reporting dates for the results of oral defenses.

 Reviewing each dissertation or thesis to ensure that it has been prepared in conformity with the requirements prescribed in this Handbook; and

 Certifying or denying that the dissertation or thesis has met the necessary standards, including standards related to academic integrity

Shared Understanding of the Dissertation or Thesis

A dissertation or thesis represents a significant academic endeavor that showcases the rigor of the program, the author's expertise, and the integrity of the university Critics often assess a university's quality based on its research output and graduate success Morgan State University, designated as an “R3: Doctoral Universities–Moderate research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation, owes part of this classification to the successful graduation of its doctoral students in research disciplines.

Morgan students' dissertations and theses must meet the highest standards of academic integrity and preparation, with a bound copy featuring original committee signatures archived in the University library This copy must match the version submitted to UMI/ProQuest, which provides copyright and publishing services for graduate schools nationwide and globally Utilizing modern web technology, these works are submitted as Portable Document Files (PDFs), as detailed in the Handbook Importantly, these manuscripts represent published works, often showcasing original research or critical analysis, and may include creative pieces like screenplays and novel excerpts As published materials, they must adhere to the specific stylistic guidelines established by Morgan State University.

Therefore, when preparing these publishable works, the author must keep in mind that the quality must be durable and that the style and formatting must be impeccable

Conflicts may arise between style manuals and the requirements of this Handbook; however, all style manuals acknowledge that dissertations and theses must adhere to both professional standards and graduate school guidelines These manuals also provide formatting rules for journal submissions, which are crucial for the publication process, as they facilitate smoother copy-editing Published articles often differ significantly from their submitted manuscripts, with journals typically using single-spaced print and incorporating figures and tables within the text rather than at the end This Handbook aims to assist authors in creating a “camera-ready” copy that is easy to read, which is why footnotes are required at the bottom of each page and tables and figures must be included in the text Additionally, proper typographical marks like em-dashes and en-dashes should be utilized, and double spacing is maintained due to the larger standard paper size (8.5 by 11 inches), enhancing readability in this format.

Copyright for a student's work is established when the manuscript is created, whether in print or digital format Registering this copyright grants authors and publishers the legal authority to take action against infringement To safeguard the interests of students, advisors, and the University, Morgan State University mandates that all candidates register their copyrights through UMI/ProQuest.

University Expectations for Academic Conduct and Ethical Research

University Expectations for Academic Conduct and Ethical Research

The School of Graduate Studies at Morgan emphasizes the importance of responsible and ethical research among its graduate students To maintain research integrity, students must steer clear of practices such as data falsification, privacy violations, conflicts of interest, cheating, plagiarism, and copyright infringements Engaging in unethical research not only undermines the academic and scientific community but also exposes students to severe penalties.

Federal Policy on Research Misconduct

Research misconduct in federally funded dissertations and theses can lead to serious federal sanctions for graduate students Defined by federal policy, research misconduct includes fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism in the research process or reporting Fabrication involves making up data, while falsification refers to manipulating research materials or omitting data, leading to inaccurate representations Plagiarism is the unauthorized use of another's ideas or words without proper attribution Importantly, honest errors or differences in opinion are not classified as misconduct Potential federal sanctions may include reprimands, special requirements, suspension or termination of funding, and debarment, with such actions publicly listed by the U.S General Services Administration.

System (EPLS; https://www.epls.gov/) that provides a current listing of all who have been suspended or debarred from federal contracts The complete code is reproduced in Appendix A

Definitions and Penalties of Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism

The following passages are from the School of Graduate Studies Catalog, Regulations and Procedures; Academic Regulations; Section V Responsible Academic Conduct and

Academic dishonesty is among the most egregious offenses a student can commit because it interferes with the University’s primary mission of educating and evaluating students

Academic dishonesty, which encompasses cheating, plagiarism, misuse of academic materials, theft, and deception in assignments, tests, or dissertations, is strictly prohibited by the School of Graduate Studies This institution maintains a zero-tolerance policy for any form of academic misconduct, particularly plagiarism in coursework, research papers, or thesis preparation Graduate students found guilty of such violations will face severe penalties as determined by the School of Graduate Studies.

Plagiarism involves presenting someone else's words, ideas, drawings, or creations as your own, either in written or spoken form, without proper citation This unethical practice is done to gain credit for academic assignments or exercises.

Examples: Examples of plagiarism include, but are not limited to, the following:

Submitting work for evaluation that is not your own, including material created by another student, published authors, or individuals selling academic papers, constitutes academic dishonesty.

 Using a direct quote from another student’s papers or from an author of a publication without including the appropriate citation;

 Paraphrasing or summarizing another’s work without including the appropriate citation; and,

 Using information stored electronically (e.g., submission of papers and or information found on computer disks, the Internet, etc.) without including appropriate citation and/or acknowledging the source

Graduate students at Morgan State University who commit academic dishonesty, such as plagiarism in their written assignments, dissertations, or theses, face severe consequences These can include suspension, expulsion, or revocation of any previously awarded degrees Importantly, these sanctions can be applied regardless of whether the student has faced lesser penalties for past incidents of academic misconduct.

Suspension from the University Suspension can be imposed for a specified period, not to exceed two years

Expulsion from the University Expulsion is a permanent separation from the

Revocation of a degree may occur if significant acts of academic dishonesty undermine a crucial piece of work required for graduation, potentially jeopardizing the degree's validity In such cases, the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies may recommend to the University’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs that appropriate sanctions be imposed.

1 Reject a dissertation, thesis or other work

2 Revoke a certification or not grant a certification

The School of Graduate Studies employs "Urkund" to assess manuscripts for academic integrity and potential plagiarism, while students and advisors can also use "Safe Assign" integrated within the Blackboard Online Course Management System Urkund enhances the review process by comparing submitted documents against the UMI/ProQuest database, offering a more comprehensive analysis than other major services All dissertations and theses undergo scrutiny through Urkund, focusing on inappropriate citations and uncredited quotations However, no software is flawless; results require careful examination, as the system may flag properly cited quotations as matches, necessitating a distinction between correctly and incorrectly attributed works.

Despite the availability of software services like Safe Assign, dangers remain as some individuals attempt to manipulate the system by repeatedly submitting their work until it appears "clean." This dishonest practice undermines academic integrity, as the goal of a dissertation or thesis is to produce original work that reflects the author's own critical analysis Attempting to evade detection through excessive rephrasing does not constitute genuine scholarly research It is important to note that developers of plagiarism detection tools are continually enhancing their algorithms to identify not only copied material but also excessive paraphrasing and scrubbing techniques.

The most serious consequence of paraphrasing is that if an author copies someone else's work and disguises it as their own, they risk being discovered by the original creator, who may seek recourse for the unauthorized use of their ideas This can lead to negative repercussions not only for the individual but also for the institution that overlooks such misconduct, potentially resulting in severe actions like the revocation of degrees To avoid these issues, it is crucial for authors to produce original content from the outset and adhere strictly to the appropriate citation practices relevant to their field of study.

Before Preparing the Manuscript

Prior to writing the dissertation or thesis and enrolling in Dissertation Seminar ( 998) or Thesis Seminar ( 799), and then, continuously in Dissertation Guidance ( 997) or Thesis Guidance ( 797) the candidate must:

 Possess the minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher to be in good academic standing in a degree program,

 Have successfully completed all residency requirements for the doctoral program in which one is enrolled and be officially admitted to candidacy

(Students pursuing Master’s degrees must have successfully completed a majority of their courses and/or credits required in their degree program), and

 Have passed all qualifying examinations including, but not necessarily limited to, comprehensives examinations and language proficiency examinations

Review Past Copies of Dissertations/Theses

To gain a foundational understanding of the organization and structure of dissertations and theses, it is beneficial to review recent successful works by graduates of the program However, be aware that formatting requirements may have evolved, so do not assume that previous formats are suitable for your own project You can access electronic copies of MSU dissertations and theses through the UMI/ProQuest database at http://proquest.umi.com/login If you are on campus, you can log in directly; for off-campus access, please contact the library for the necessary codes and instructions Once in the database, you can find all Morgan State University dissertations by selecting the dissertation database and searching for Morgan State University in the school listings.

Figure 1: UMI Advanced Search Function

Students are also encouraged to review appropriate publications, including textbooks and refereed journals, in which they could consider publishing a chapter or section of their dissertation or thesis

Determine the Validity and Authority of Research Taken from the Internet

To guarantee the reliability of sources, authors should assess the validity and authority of online research before incorporating it into scholarly work The University of Maryland Libraries offers valuable criteria for evaluating sources, which can be found at their website: http://www.lib.umd.edu/UES/evaluate.html.

Choose the Appropriate Style Manual

Each academic discipline adheres to a specific format for scholarly publications, and it's essential to consult your program advisor to identify the preferred style manual Authors utilize these manuals to understand formatting systems, including how to block direct quotations, present data, and cite electronic sources By this stage in your academic journey, familiarity with a professional style manual is expected For any stylistic issues not explicitly covered in this Handbook, refer to the current standard style manual for your discipline However, note that the formatting requirements outlined in this Handbook take precedence over those in style manuals For your convenience, Appendix B: Helpful Bibliographies at the end of this document provides a list of style manuals and guidelines for formatting electronic references.

Secure Written Permission for Use of Copyrighted Material

The Copyright Law of the United States and Related Laws Contained in Tıtle 17 of the

The United States Code outlines the concept of "Fair Use," which pertains to academic and scholarly use of copyrighted materials According to Section 107 of the Copyright Law, while it lacks detailed guidance, it establishes key considerations for fair use To ensure maximum protection, authors should always provide full attribution when utilizing the ideas, words, images, or other works of others If there is any uncertainty regarding usage, it is advisable to seek permission from the copyright holder, typically the author or their publisher.

Fair use of copyrighted works, as outlined in sections 106 and 106A, allows for reproduction and other specified uses for purposes like criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple classroom copies), scholarship, or research without constituting copyright infringement To assess whether a specific use qualifies as fair use, several factors must be taken into account.

1) the purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes;

2) the nature of the copyrighted work;

3) the amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole; and

4) the effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work

The fact that a work is unpublished shall not itself bar a finding of fair use if such finding is made upon consideration of all the above factors 1

Securing permission to reproduce another author's work can be complex, but numerous resources are available to guide you, with the Morgan Library being an excellent starting point due to its knowledgeable librarians It's important to remember that while data itself isn't protected by copyright, the way it's presented can be When using illustrations from published or unpublished works, it's essential to seek permission from the original author, who typically grants limited rights for reproduction.

This dissertation's content is exclusive, and any future publication of the work will necessitate additional permissions Furthermore, using screenshots from the UMI/ProQuest search engine requires prior approval for inclusion in publications such as this Handbook, and permission has already been requested.

Secure Written Permission for use of Human Subjects

Morgan State University is guided by the ethical principles regarding all research involving humans as subjects as set forth in the report of the National

The Belmont Report, established by the Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research, outlines essential ethical principles and guidelines for safeguarding human subjects in research Morgan State University mandates that all research under its assurance complies with the standards set forth in Title 45, Part 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations (45 CFR 46), irrespective of funding sources or the presence of funding.

Sponsored Programs, “Policies and Procedures for Protection of Human Subjects in Research,” p 2)

Students conducting surveys, interviews, or focus groups involving human subjects must obtain written approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at the University For inquiries, students can reach out to Dr Edet E Isuk, the IRB Administrator, via email at edet.isuk@morgan.edu or by phone.

443.885.3447, or at his office: Montebello Complex 302-D

1 Circular 92: Copyright Law of the United States and Related Laws Contained in Tıtle 17 of the United States Code,

Obtain Editorial, Proofreading, or Typing Assistance

When hiring someone to type a dissertation or thesis, students should provide them with this Handbook and discuss any specific disciplinary requirements, including guidelines from the relevant style guide The School of Graduate Studies does not endorse individual or corporate editors for its students.

In today's digital age, there are various effective methods for saving and sharing written work, including platforms like Blackboard, Google Documents, and Drop Box Tools such as Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat allow users to add comments and suggest edits, while traditional paper still serves well for handwritten notes Regardless of the chosen format, it's essential to maintain multiple copies in different locations, such as a home computer, a USB drive, and an email attachment, to ensure the safety and accessibility of important documents.

One common mistake first-time authors make when handling large documents is using an inadequate naming system for tracking multiple versions To avoid confusion, it's essential to establish a robust naming and tracking protocol rather than relying solely on the computer's time and date stamps, which can vary between devices This approach ensures that you can easily identify the most recent document and manage changes effectively.

Preparing the Dissertation or Thesis Draft

Preparing the Dissertation or Thesis Draft

This guide outlines the essential formatting and stylistic requirements for dissertations and theses submitted to the School of Graduate Studies at Morgan It emphasizes the importance of adhering to these guidelines, which include specific requirements and some options, rather than treating them as selective recommendations For assistance with preparing the word processing file and the final PDF for submission, please refer to the provided resources.

UMI/ProQuest’s Preparing Your Manuscript Guide (2009; http://www.proquest.com/ assets/downloads/products/UMI_PreparingYourManuscriptGuide.pdf)

When selecting fonts for academic work, it is essential to adhere to the guidelines set forth by the respective style manual The School of Graduate Studies specifically recommends following the font guidelines of UMI/ProQuest, emphasizing the use of "True-Type Fonts" rather than scalable fonts Recommended font options include those that meet these criteria to ensure consistency and professionalism in scholarly writing.

Consistency in font style is crucial throughout the manuscript, encompassing text, headings, captions, page numbers, and references While maintaining the same font style, a smaller size can be utilized for tables, graphs, and charts, but should not fall below 9 points It is acceptable to increase the font size by two or three points for chapter and section headings Additionally, appropriate symbols should be used as needed.

“Symbol” 12 point or a symbol font that matches the chosen font Most word processing software includes a basic symbol font

All margins in a dissertation or thesis must be at least 1 inch wide, except for the left-hand margin, which should be a minimum of 1.5 inches to accommodate binding It is essential that these margin requirements are adhered to on every page, including the Title Page, Approval Page, illustrations, and appendices.

Please refer to Figure 2: Required Page Layout for Dissertations and Theses in Chapter 5

The text may have full justification or a ragged right margin (“ragged right,” is use in this

For optimal readability, it's essential to consult with your program advisor regarding the discipline's standards Utilizing varied font styles can lead to inconsistent text spacing, making it challenging for readers To find the best formatting option, consider testing several pages in PDF format.

Line spacing in text should be double-spaced, as recommended by the APA, MLA, and Chicago style manuals for references and block quotations However, certain exceptions allow for single spacing, such as long quotations, captions for tables and figures, footnotes, and scholarly references When references are single spaced, it's important to double the space between them on the reference or bibliography page For specific guidelines, always consult the relevant style manual.

Page numbers may be located in one of four locations:

 centered 1 inch from the top of the page; or

 centered 1 inch from the bottom of the page; or

 the top right corner of the page (1 inch from the top edge of the paper and 1 inch from the right edge of the paper); or

 the bottom right corner of the page (1 inch from the bottom edge of the paper and 1 inch from the right edge of the paper)

In the Body section of your dissertation or thesis, it is essential to maintain a single pagination system throughout the document For instance, when you reach Appendix A, do not restart the page numbering at "1"; instead, continue the existing pagination sequence to ensure consistency.

Please refer to Figure 2: Required Page Layout for Dissertations and Theses in Chapter 5

In typography, a "widow" refers to a short line of text that appears at the end of a paragraph and carries over to the next page, while an "orphan" is a line or header that starts a new paragraph at the bottom of a page Both widows and orphans should be avoided to enhance aesthetics and readability To address this issue, word processing software can be configured to automatically prevent their occurrence Additionally, section headings should not be left at the bottom of a page without accompanying text; instead, they should be moved to the top of the following page for better visual flow.

Each chapter should begin on a new page with consecutive numbering Ensure that subheadings and text start two double spaces below the top page number and end at least two double spaces above the bottom page number Chapter headings must be positioned no less than 3 inches from the top of the page While it's not mandatory to lower the heading or increase its font size, any increase in chapter heading font size should not exceed 3 points.

All dissertations and theses must adhere to specific formal elements, including the Abstract, Title Page, Approval Page, and Table of Contents, which must meet exact stipulations While other pages should comply with the outlined "Basic Requirements," they can be customized to suit individual preferences.

The formal elements of the dissertation or thesis must be placed in the following order:

1 Abstract ( required , must be first and is not numbered)

2 Title Page ( required , must follow Abstract, not numbered, but considered page Roman numeral “i.” In other words, do not include a page number on the Title

3 Approval Page ( required , must follow Title Page, paginate as Roman numeral

4 Dedication (if present, paginate with lower-case Roman numerals)

5 Acknowledgments (if present, paginate with lower-case Roman numerals)

6 Table of Contents ( required , paginate with lower-case Roman numerals)

7 List of Tables (paginate with lower-case Roman numerals)

8 List of Figures (paginate with lower-case Roman numerals)

9 List of Illustrations (paginate with lower-case Roman numerals)

10 List of Abbreviations (optional, paginate with lower-case Roman numerals)

11 Body of Text ( required , start pagination at Arabic numeral “1”)

12 References, Works Cited, or Bibliography ( required , paginate with Arabic numerals)

13 Appendices (if present, paginate with Arabic numerals) Some style manuals reverse the order of appendices and references, and one may do so

Organize the dissertation or thesis around the formal elements—further categorized as front matter, body, and end (back) matter

An abstract is a concise summary of a dissertation or thesis, highlighting its central hypothesis, methodology, findings, and conclusions, enabling readers to decide whether to read the full text Traditionally limited to 350 words to accommodate microfilm editors, this restriction is no longer enforced by UMI/ProQuest At Morgan State University, all dissertations and theses are submitted electronically for both national and international distribution Researchers and graduate students often consult Dissertation Abstracts International, an annual collection of abstracts from various universities in the U.S and abroad, making it essential for the abstract to clearly articulate the major findings and methodologies employed.

For explicit formatting and wording requirements, refer to Figure 3: Abstract Template and Figure 4: Model Abstract Page in Chapter 5

Required , must follow Abstract, not numbered, but considered page Roman numeral

A compelling title is crucial for highlighting the unique aspects of your research and differentiating it from other studies, as it attracts readers and aids in indexing Ensure consistency by using the same title across the Abstract, Title Page, Approval Page, and UMI/ProQuest agreement form Additionally, the Title Page should contain specific required information.

 the full title of the dissertation/thesis (just as it appears on the Abstract page),

 Author’s name as it appears in university records,

 a standardized degree statement as given below,

A [Dissertation OR Thesis] Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree [Doctor of Philosophy, etc OR Master of Arts, etc.]

 the month and year of degree conferment underneath “Morgan State

For a detailed look at the placement of elements and wording requirements on the Title Page, refer to Figure 5: Required Title Page Template and Figure 6: Title Page Model in Chapter 5

The Approval Page, which is similar to the Title Page, serves to showcase the full endorsement of the dissertation or thesis by the committee members It is essential that this page includes specific information to validate the work, and it must be paginated using Roman numeral "ii."

 the full title of the dissertation/thesis (just as it appears on the Title Page),

 Author’s name as it appears in university records,

 the month and year when the dissertation/thesis was successfully defended,

In alphabetical order, list each committee member beneath the required signature line, starting with the Chair's name After each member's name, include a comma followed by their highest terminal degree.

The committee chair is identified at the end of the first signature line with the designation “ _, Chair.” If a student has two chairs, they are referred to as “ _, Co-Chair.” Additionally, in instances where there is both a committee chair and a research advisor, both roles should be clearly specified.

“Chair” on the first line

For a detailed look at the placement of elements and wording requirements on the Approval Page, refer to Figure 7: Required Approval Page Template and Figure 8:

Sample Approval Page for Physical Manuscript or Submission for ETD in Chapter 5

Templates and Models of Formal Elements

Templates and Models of Formal Elements

The following figures illustrate the critical first pages of the dissertation or thesis They have been placed here using the automated “table of contents/table of figures” feature

When modifications such as adding pages or reordering figures occur, the table of contents will automatically adjust and repaginate, ensuring that page and figure numbers are current Additionally, any previous references to tables will be cross-referenced and updated as necessary.

The article outlines essential page layouts for dissertations and theses, including a required title page template and a model abstract page It provides an abstract template and a sample approval page for both physical manuscripts and electronic submissions Additionally, the article features a table of contents model and a sample page for Chapter 1, ensuring that all necessary components are covered for proper formatting and presentation of academic work.

Utilizing well-designed templates for writing dissertations or theses can significantly reduce time and effort, preventing the common frustrations associated with improper formatting Many students face anxiety and make additional errors due to last-minute repairs, which can lead to missed deadlines and postponed graduations By adopting structured templates, submitters can streamline their writing process and enhance their chances of timely completion.

Relying too heavily on others' formatting can lead to serious issues, such as incorporating materials from different dissertations or encountering problems like incorrect signature and title pages To avoid these pitfalls, it's essential to establish a template early on and implement a systematic approach for naming and numbering drafts As the submission date approaches, confusion can escalate, increasing the likelihood of errors and anxiety.

The electronic submission process (ETD) has streamlined the requirements for high-quality paper, now only necessitating it for the title and signature pages These signature pages will be included in the final printed and bound copies, with one copy designated for the library Notably, signatures are omitted from the PDF and Microfilm versions produced by UMI/ProQuest For further details on the submission process, please refer to Chapter 6 of this Handbook.

For the printed signature pages:

◄ Left margin at least one and a half (1.5) inches from the left page edge

Right margin should be at least one (1) inch from the right page edge ►

Page numbers can be positioned in various locations, including the top-center, top-right, bottom-center, or bottom-right of the page, as indicated by the # symbol To begin, utilize the header/footer function to adjust the top and side margins for the page numbers Next, configure the top and bottom margins to ensure the first and last lines of text are properly aligned on the page.

▼1 inch from page bottom edge # #

Figure 2: Required Page Layout for Dissertations and Theses

[Begin typing heading (centered all caps) about 2 to 2ẳ inches from top of page]

TITLE OF DISSERTATION (OR THESIS): TYPE YOUR COMPLETE TITLE HERE, ALL CAPS Ensure the title is tabbed two inches from the left margin If the title exceeds one line, continue it under the first word, maintaining double-spacing without returning to the left margin Use a 12-point font size for the title.

[Double Space for name] [Your name as it appears in university records, degree, graduation month and year Use first initial caps, maintain alignment with title.]

Dissertation/Thesis Chair: [Chair’s full name, highest terminal degree]

[Academic department or program of Chair]

Place the body of the abstract here, indenting the first paragraph one half inch and double space the entire abstract Traditionally, the abstract should not exceed 350 words

Do not number this page or any additional abstract pages

▼1 inch from page bottom edge

ABSTRACT Title of Dissertation: TYPE YOUR COMPLETE TITLE HERE, ALL CAPS

Dissertation Chair: [Chair’s full name, highest terminal degree]

[Academic department or program of Chair]

Place the body of the abstract here, indenting the first paragraph one half inch and double space the entire abstract Abstract should not exceed 350 words

Do not number this page or any additional abstract pages

▼1 inch from page bottom edge

[TYPE COMPLETE, CENTERED TITLE HERE IN ALL CAPS IF NECESSARY,

DOUBLE-SPACED DO NOT CREATE LINE BREAKS OR BOLD TEXT]

[Type your full name as it appears in University records, but not all caps]

A [Dissertation OR Thesis] Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree [Doctor of Philosophy, etc OR Master of Arts, etc.]

[Use this standardized language, single spaced]

[Type month (May or December) and year of graduation, not in all caps]

Count, but do not number this page!

▼1 inch from page bottom edge

Figure 5: Required Title Page Template

This space must be equal to the line space below your month and year of graduation see the red line below

This space must be equal to the line space below the standardized language

FACTORS AFFECTING PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF ALCOHOLISM ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES by Jane S Doe

A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree

▼1 inch from page bottom edge

Count and but do not number this page!

▲1 inch below upper edge # ii

[TYPE COMPLETE, CENTERED TITLE HERE IN ALL CAPS IF NECESSARY,

DOUBLE-SPACED DO NOT CREATE LINE BREAKS OR BOLD TEXT]

[Type your full name as it appears in University records, but not all caps]

[four spaces] has been approved

[Type month and year of your oral defense, but not all caps]

DISSERTATION [or THESIS] COMMITTEE APPROVAL:

, Chair [Chair’s name, highest degree] [Line must be at least two inches]

[Member’s name, highest degree] [Lines must be aligned with chair signature line]

▼1 inch from page bottom edge # #

Figure 7: Required Approval Page Template

When creating signature lines, tab over six standard tabs (3 inches)

This space must be equal to the line space below your last committee member’s name

COMPARISONS OF THE NATURE OF PERSONAL BETRAYAL

IN OTHELLO AND HAMLET by John A Doe has been approved March 2017

DISSERTATION [or THESIS] COMMITTEE APPROVAL:

Figure 8: Sample Approval Page for Physical Manuscript or Submission for ETD iv

TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables v List of Figures viii

Sub-Headings 80 Chapter 5: Summary and Conclusions 92 References 100 Appendices 122

Figure 9: Table of Contents Model

This table of contents is generated using the dot-leader tab setting option Alternatively, you can utilize the automated Table of Contents feature by applying the available style headings.

In this introduction, you will begin your dissertation or thesis after reviewing the necessary formatting instructions and style manual While having a well-structured template is beneficial, it's important to anticipate potential issues that may arise By planning from the outset, you can address formatting and style challenges more effectively, rather than trying to retrofit your manuscript at the end.

Writing your dissertation or thesis is not just a significant milestone; it marks the beginning of your journey as a contributor to your field As you embark on this process, remember that you embody the dedication of your mentors, the standards upheld by Morgan, and the mission of your professional affiliation Embrace this responsibility with pride and diligence, as it reflects not only your personal efforts but also the collective values of those who have guided you.

Good luck with this adventure!

Submitting the Dissertation or Thesis to the School of Graduate Studies

Submitting the Dissertation or Thesis to the School of Graduate Studies

When a candidate submits dissertation or thesis to the School of Graduate Studies, the electronic copy should be ready for publication

The School of Graduate Studies has established specific submission dates for dissertations and theses, requiring candidates to submit their work within 72 hours of passing their oral defense and by the deadlines outlined in the university's academic calendar—typically at the end of October for December graduation and the end of March for May graduation If a candidate's defense occurs before the submission period opens, they must request an appointment for the earliest submission slot After the submission deadline, candidates must wait until the next term to submit their work If a defense is passed after the final submission date, students must submit the "Manuscript Approved for Submission to SGS" form to the Dean to avoid registration requirements for the next term, along with a digital copy of the manuscript Failure to submit both items as "received" by the Dean will result in the student needing to register for the next term.

Upon submission, if the dissertation or thesis does not adhere to the established guidelines, the Dean or their representative will notify the candidate and committee chair with a list of required corrections It is essential that these corrections are addressed promptly after receiving the notice of non-conformity All amendments must be satisfactorily completed and approved by the School of Graduate Studies prior to the student's eligibility to participate in graduation ceremonies.

Before Submitting the Dissertation or Thesis

Please pay copyright, publishing, printing, and binding fees in the Office of the Bursar, Montebello Rm 124

When submitting your dissertation or thesis to the School of Graduate Studies, it is essential to keep your receipt as proof of payment for the deposit interview The current fees include a $65 copyright fee and a $45 binding fee, with only one copy being printed and bound by the School Please note that these charges may change due to adjustments by the contracted companies for copyright, microfilm, binding, printing, and shipping services The School requires only one copy of the dissertation or thesis for copyright and publication through Proquest/UMI, which will be placed in the Earl S Richardson Library.

Once writing has begun, the candidate must be continuously enrolled as a graduate student

The candidate must be enrolled as a student of Morgan in order for the School of

To successfully submit your dissertation or thesis, ensure that you are enrolled in the Dissertation/Thesis Guidance or Seminar course concurrently with your submission.

Make sure the signature pages of the dissertation or thesis are printed on 8 ẵ by 11 inch white paper with a minimum of 25% rag content and at least 20-pound weight

The only printed pages required for binding with a dissertation or thesis are the signed signature pages, as illustrated in the Sample Approval Page for Physical Manuscript or Submission for ETD It is recommended to use acid-free cotton paper for its durability, ensuring long-term library use Additionally, printed copies of the title and abstract pages must be submitted, though they are not mandated to be on bond paper.

Make sure the dissertation or thesis is free of errors in spelling, grammar, punctuation, and appearance

Authors are responsible for ensuring all spelling and grammar are correct before submission Illustrations, including photographs and scanned documents, should be accurately positioned within the designated margins It is crucial to avoid reproducing signatures from letters and exhibits submitted, as these will be publicly accessible online, highlighting the increasing importance of identity security.

Upon Submitting the Dissertation or Thesis

As part of the degree completion process, students may need to complete surveys mandated by federal, state, university, or other funding agencies The release of diplomas and the reflection of degree awards on transcripts will be withheld until the necessary publishing arrangements are finalized with the School of Graduate Studies.

The following is the statement from the Catalog describing the electronic submission of dissertations and theses (ETD) Section IV:

IV THESIS AND DISSERTATION REQUIREMENTS

Students can enroll in the thesis or dissertation seminar once they have fulfilled their program's residency requirement, maintained good academic standing, and obtained approval from their department.

Degree candidates must submit their final, approved thesis or dissertation electronically to the School of Graduate Studies as part of their master's or doctoral requirements After successfully defending their work, candidates will receive authorization to submit their manuscript via the ProQuest portal, contingent upon a formal review of the submission checklist This checklist ensures that the thesis or dissertation has been duly signed by Committee members and meets all necessary criteria Additionally, candidates are required to provide an original, signed copy of the signature page during the checklist review, along with completed and signed documents from both the student and advisor.

“Manuscript Approved for Submission to SGS” form

Procedures and regulations governing the formatting, production, and submission are published in the Morgan State University School of Graduate Studies Dissertation and

Thesis Handbook, 2016 (currently available on the School of Graduate Studies Web Site)

The Handbook provides up-to-date requirements and submission procedures for graduate students at Morgan State University, including fees for publishing and copyrighting their theses or dissertations Students are required to pay for one printed and bound copy for the university library, with current tuition and fee information available on the School of Graduate Studies website each Fall and Spring term All fees are subject to change, and candidates must pay the fees in effect at the time of submission, with payments made to the Bursar A receipt from the cashier’s office is necessary for verification during the formal submission process Additional bound copies for personal use or departmental libraries can be obtained through UMI Publishing or the designated binder used by the School of Graduate Studies.

Students are required to be enrolled in Thesis or Dissertation Guidance for the duration of their candidacy, including the summer session if they plan to complete and defend their work during that time It is essential that students are enrolled at the University when their thesis or dissertation is submitted to the School of Graduate Studies Additionally, all corrections identified during the defense must be completed before the thesis or dissertation is submitted.

Students are required to maintain continuous enrollment at the University each semester, excluding summer sessions, once they start working on their theses or dissertations If students do not remain continuously enrolled during their research, preparation, and writing phases, they must pay for any missed semesters before submitting their thesis or dissertation to the School of Graduate Studies.

The “Deposit” and the Steps for Electronic Submission

The steps for depositing a Thesis or Dissertation with the School of Graduate Studies (SGS):

1 Successfully defend your Thesis or Dissertation and complete all corrections

2 Collect completed signature pages and a completed Manuscript Approval Form

3 Complete all the tasks listed under “Complete these items before your Deposit.”

4 Come to the School of Graduate Studies to deposit thesis or dissertation

5 Submit the manuscript into the ProQuest ETD portal following SGS instructions

6 Await notice of clearance, need for follow-up meeting, or review email

Here is a sample of the current Deposit Checklist (2017):

Complete these items before your deposit:

□ Candidate has continuous and current enrollment: Current Course:

□ Candidate pays □ fee ($75.00) and □ filed the application for graduation for:

□ Candidate pays publication fees Current amount required: $110.00

□ Print two copies of title page for database plus one copy of the abstract

□ Chair signs “Manuscript Approved for Submission to SGS” form

□ Committee signs at least two copies of the signature pages (we recommend more)

□ Doctoral candidate completes Survey of Earned Doctorates and prints the SED certificate

At the deposit (the materials will be placed in a file for SGS review and approval):

□ Provide copies of receipts and the required documents listed above

□ Provide two copies of title page for database plus one copy of the abstract

□ Provide two Official signature page with original signatures

Submit an electronic version of your manuscript in Word or RTF format on a USB drive or CD-ROM to the School of Graduate Studies, noting that the drive will not be returned.

□ Present printed certificate of completed Survey of Earned Doctorates (Doctoral Candidate)

□ Receive a completed checklist signed by SGS Staff confirming the completed deposit

□ Review the document following the “common errors” checklist and create a PDF

□ Create an account and submit the PDF to the ProQuest ETD Administration portal

□ Monitor email for follow-up instructions and/or manuscript clearance from the Dean

The current (2016) fees for copyright and binding are as follows:

Master’s Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation

Copyright Fee $65.00 Pricing below includes all fees:

This copy is for the Library

Figure 11: Fees for Copyrighting and Publishing

School of Graduate Studies Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD)

Manuscript Approved for Submission to SGS

The candidate's thesis or dissertation has successfully passed the defense, adhering to the program's guidelines The committee, along with all necessary approvers, has now given their approval for the final manuscript's submission.

To be completed by the candidate:

In addition to the guidelines provided in the Morgan State University School of Graduate Studies

Thesis and Dissertation Handbook, Third Edition, the following style manual was followed in the preparation of this manuscript:

□ Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Sixth Edition (American

□ Gibaldi, Joseph MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing (Third edition, 2008)

□ The Chicago Manual of Style Sixteenth Edition Chicago: The University of Chicago Press,

□ IEEE Editorial Style Manual (published online)

As the individual designated to report this approval, I affirm that the candidate has passed the required defense and the manuscript is fully approved

Graduate Coordinator, Advisor, Committee Chair Date

Common Mistakes in Preparing Dissertations and Theses

Common Mistakes in Preparing Dissertations and Theses

Microsoft Word's default settings can often lead to complications, particularly with automatic outlining and numbering, which may disrupt your intended formatting Once these features are activated, reverting to your original format can be challenging When inserting new pages, it's crucial to use a manuscript template to maintain consistent formatting and avoid invisible sections that can cause shifting margins and floating page numbers If you're working on a thesis or dissertation, consider setting a document template as the default for all your files Additionally, when transferring material from another computer, always copy it into a blank template first to correct any formatting errors before integrating it into your master document Directly pasting improperly formatted content can lead to unforeseen issues, emphasizing the importance of managing default settings in Word.

In your dissertation, structure it into three main sections: an Abstract, front matter, and the body The Abstract should not have a page number, while the front matter should use small Roman numerals for pagination, starting with the title page counted as page “i.” For the body section, implement headers or footers for page numbering instead of using the "place number here" option Ensure each of these sections is clearly labeled.

To create a seamless transition between sections in your document, ensure that each section is marked as "discontinuous" or separated from the previous one To eliminate the page number "i" from the title page, choose the "different first page" option in the header/footer formatting settings Additionally, the first page of the body should be formatted with Arabic numerals.

1 and it must be on the page

When in difficulty, try using the Help function of Word Of course, Google searches and YouTube videos have answers to all these things

APA, MLA, IEEE, Chicago Manual of Style, and other style manuals all recommend an indentation set at one-half inch The default first tab in both Microsoft Word and

In WordPerfect, the default indentation for block quotations is set at one-half inch, which should remain unchanged Additionally, it is important to eliminate the automatic extra line that appears between paragraphs, as this practice is not permitted by any style manuals.

Fonts are characterized by their point size, X ratio, and the presence or absence of serifs Serifs are small decorative elements found in fonts like Times New Roman, while sans serif fonts, such as Arial, lack these features and are easier to read on screens Historically, computer screens had a resolution of 72 dpi, which made it difficult to accurately display serifs, whereas print media typically boasts higher resolutions, around 1270 dpi The advent of Post Script printing revolutionized digital document production, allowing for high-quality print media Portable Document Format (PDF) emerged as a key method for encoding and transferring Post Script documents, enabling publishers to replace traditional printer’s proofs with detailed digital copies As authors publish book chapters and manuscripts, they increasingly rely on PDFs to review their final edited material.

The common formation of “…” as the ellipses is incorrect Ellipses are formed with three spaced periods (as in “ .” rather than “…”) See the Publication Manual (APA,

For guidance on using ellipses in APA style, refer to Sections 6.08 of the APA Publication Manual (2009) A comprehensive discussion is available in the Chicago Manual of Style (Sixteenth Edition, 2010), which outlines three methods for using ellipses in Sections 13.48 to 13.56 It's important to note that the punctuation "…" also has specific meanings in mathematical equations.

There are at least seven general types of dashes and hyphens They all have very specific uses

Shows numerical range, such as 1995–1998 or pages 32–35

Used in creating appositive phrases to set of special text in a sentence

The minus sign in a formula indicating subtraction

The negative sign used to express a negative number It is not the same as the minus sign, but printers rarely distinguish them

The hyphen-like item that separates numbers in a telephone number or a social security number

The dashes used in bibliographies to indicate the repeated name of an author

In Microsoft Word, you can access all special characters and their keyboard shortcuts by navigating to "Insert > Symbol > Special Characters." For proper usage, it's recommended to consult the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, Sixth Edition.

To properly form and distinguish dashes from hyphens, refer to the APA Publication Manual (2009), specifically Sections 4.13 and 4.06 Additionally, for comprehensive guidance on the usage and formation of dashes, consult the Chicago Manual of Style (Sixteenth Edition, 2010), particularly Sections 6.75 to 6.96.

The proper three em-dash is constructed from six hyphens This is the proper Chicago

In MLA style, when submitting an article for publication, six hyphens are sufficient since the publisher will format the piece electronically However, for a dissertation intended for book publication, it is preferable to use a true three em-dash.

Word does not create a three em-dash without some coaxing Here is the method that appears to work:

2 Copy the em-dash so that you have three of them

3 Add a period and several spaces or an “enter” (hard return) after the three em-dashes

4 Highlight just the three dashes (not the following space or period) and Select

"Font" to adjust the “kerning”:

Select the "Character Spacing" tab;

Select "Spacing" "Condensed" by 2pts; (Test the points for the document and font) This last step removes the spaces between the dashes

To maintain proper kerning in your manuscript, ensure to copy this to the three em-dash locations Adding a trailing space can help prevent the kerning from spreading excessively It's advisable to test this method by adding a period followed by two trailing spaces for added assurance.

The correct usage of "et al." varies by citation style: in APA format, it appears as Author et al (2004) or (Author et al., 2004), while MLA and Chicago styles do not include a comma For detailed guidelines, refer to the APA Publication Manual (2009), particularly Sections 4.26, 6.12, 6.16, and 7.02, as well as the Chicago Manual, which covers it in Sections 5.220, 15.24, 15.28, and 14.76 Notably, "et al." is a standard Latin abbreviation and should not be italicized For its application in a serial list, consult Section 14.76.

The serial comma (the comma before the “and” in “x, y, and z”) is required by APA

When writing, it's essential to adhere to major style manuals such as MLA and Chicago, as well as writing guides like Strunk and White Always use the serial comma, which appears before the "and" in lists (e.g., "x, y, and z") This punctuation mark is also referred to as the Harvard comma or the Oxford comma.

Commas and Periods and Quotation Marks

When finalizing your dissertation, it's essential to verify the punctuation placement for references and quotation marks Remember that periods and commas should always be placed inside the quotation marks, except when a reference follows; in that case, the punctuation comes after the closing parenthesis.

In landscaped tables, page numbers should maintain the same position and orientation as those on portrait pages, appearing as if printed in portrait mode Additionally, landscaped pages must be aligned with the top of the table positioned at the left margin of the portrait layout, specifically at 1.5 inches.

Creating landscape pages requires careful consideration, as they present unique challenges Various methods for their construction can be found across the internet, with at least three distinct approaches available to achieve this task effectively.

(From the Federal Register / Vol 65, No 235 / Wednesday, December 6, 2000 / Notices, pages

Federal Policy on Research Misconduct 2

Research misconduct is defined as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results

 Fabrication is making up data or results and recording or reporting them

 Falsification is manipulating research materials, equipment, or processes, or changing or omitting data or results such that the research is not accurately represented in the research record 4

 Plagiarism is the appropriation of another person’s ideas, processes, results, or words without giving appropriate credit

 Research misconduct does not include honest error or differences of opinion

II Findings of Research Misconduct

A finding of research misconduct requires that:

 There be a significant departure from accepted practices of the relevant research community; and

 The misconduct be committed intentionally, or knowingly, or recklessly; and

 The allegation be proven by a preponderance of evidence

III Responsibilities of Federal Agencies and Research Institutions 5