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GUIDEBOOK
For Preparation and Submission
of an Electronic Thesis
Office of Graduate Studies
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
1100 Seaton Hall
Lincoln, NE 68588-0619
(402)472-2875
http://www.unl.edu/gradstudies
Last updated November 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Statement of Purpose ................................................................................ 1
Academic Integrity ................................................................................... 1
Style Manuals ........................................................................................... 2
Format ....................................................................................................... 3
Approval Prior to the Oral Examination ................................................... 6
Procedures After the Oral Examination .................................................... 7
Masters Program Names and Terminology .............................................. 8
Masters Degrees ................................................................................. 8
Masters Majors ................................................................................... 8
Dual Degrees ...................................................................................... 9
For Further Assistance .............................................................................. 9
Samples ................................................................................................... 10
Sample A – Thesis Title Page .......................................................... 10
Sample B – Thesis Abstract ............................................................. 11
Sample Page Format ......................................................................... 12
Sample Page for a Landscape-Oriented Table ................................. 13
UNL Printing Services Binding Procedures ........................................... 14
Dr. Laurie Bellows
Assistant Dean of Graduate Studies
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
This Guidebook summarizes the procedures that are followed by the Office of Graduate Studies in assisting masters
students in preparing their theses for final approval. It is important that the student be familiar with the information
presented in this Guidebook and observe all the regulations and procedures governing the preparation and submission of
the abstract and thesis.
For specific deadline dates, refer to http://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/current/degrees/masters.shtml.
INTRODUCTION
An electronic thesis is a document that is expressed in a form simultaneously suitable for machine archives and worldwide
retrieval. Preparation of these documents may be done using nearly any word processor or document preparation system,
incorporating relevant multimedia objects, without the requirement to submit multiple copies on paper.
In many ways the submission of an electronic thesis is the same as submission of a “hard copy” thesis. It is important that
the Masters Programs Specialist review the document prior to submission as it must be in appropriate form for Digital
Commons.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Plagiarism is defined as presenting the work of another as one's own (i.e., without proper acknowledgment of the source)
and submitting examinations, theses, reports, speeches, drawings, laboratory notes or other academic work in whole or in
part as one's own when such work has been prepared by another person or copied from another person.
Each student is responsible for adhering to the highest standards of academic integrity. In support of that expectation, the
Office of Graduate Studies encourages any student with concerns or questions to discuss them with our Masters
Specialist, a faculty advisor, or other qualified faculty or staff. For more information, go to
http://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/current/plagiarism.shtml.
1
STYLE
STYLE MANUALS
Theses should conform to one of the following style manuals:
American Mathematical Society. A Manual for Authors of Mathematical Papers. Providence, RI: Author.
American Political Science Association Committee on Publications. Style Manual for Political Science. Washington, DC:
Author.
American Psychological Association. Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (revised). Washington,
DC: Author.
Campbell, William Giles. Form and Style in Thesis Writing. Boston: Houghton-Mifflin Company.
Modern Language Association. MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers. New York: Author.
Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. Chicago: University Press.
Please keep in mind that some style manuals have as their purpose the preparation of manuscripts for publication, not the
preparation of theses. Therefore, some theses features (i.e., title page, abstract format, table of contents, absence of
running heads) will be different than those suggested for manuscript preparation. If you have any questions concerning
style, please contact the masters program specialist at 402-472-2875. Also, some departments have designated a specific
style manual for their theses. These are listed below.
DEPARTMENTAL STYLE MANUALS
The following major departments have designated a specific style manual for their theses and dissertations.
Always check with your advisor or department chair to determine which style/format is preferred.
Actuarial Science Geosciences Physics and Astronomy
A Manual for Authors of Mathematical Geowriting or Suggestions to Authors, American Institute of Physics Style
Papers U.S. Geological Survey or Suggestions to Manual
Authors, Canadian Geological Survey,
Anthropology Political Science
supplemented by A Manual for Writers of
American Anthropologist Style Manual for Political Science,
Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations.
American Political Science Association
A paper may be prepared in format
Business College, Accountancy
Committee on Publications
required by a specific journal if the paper
A Manual for Writers of Term Papers,
is to be submitted as is for publication.
Sociology
Theses, and Dissertations or Form and
Style in Thesis Writing Current style sheet of the American
Journalism
Sociological Review or American Journal
Publication Manual of the American
Business College, Marketing
of Sociology, supplemented by A Manual
Psychological Association
Current style sheet of The Journal of
for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and
MLA Handbook for Writers of
Marketing Research or The Journal of
Dissertations
Research Papers, Theses, and
Consumer Research
Dissertations
Theatre Arts
Communication Studies
Harvard Law School Blue Book
MLA Handbook for Writers of
Publication Manual of the American
Research Papers, Theses, and
Mathematics and Statistics
Psychological Association or MLA
Dissertations
How to write mathematics (Steenrod,
Handbook for Writers of Research
Halmos, Schiffer and Dieudonne’), for
Papers, Theses, and Dissertations
style.
Community and Regional Planning
AMS Author Handbook for general
A Manual for Writers of Term Papers,
advice on TeX.
Theses, and Dissertations
English
MLA Handbook for Writers of
Research Papers, Theses, and
Dissertations
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FORMAT
The thesis and abstract must be typed. Acceptable type includes a dark print from a letter-quality laser or inkjet printer.
Font size should be no less than 10 point. Theses in PDF format are submitted to Digital Commons once approved as
final by the advisor and approval of the format by the Masters Program Specialist. This is done prior to beginning the
depositing process in the Graduate Studies office.
FORMAT: GLOBAL PAGE SETTINGS
After you have written your thesis, you must prepare the electronic version for submission. Overall, it is important to
submit a thesis that has a consistent appearance throughout. All the pages in your thesis should follow a general format
regarding page numbering, margins, and line spacing.
PAGE NUMBERING
Except for the title page and abstract, number all pages in your thesis. Page numbers appear in page headers. Consult
the help files for your software on how to set up "Page Headers."
Number the pages in the front matter with small roman numerals (i, ii, iii, iv, etc.), placed at the upper right of the
page. However, the page number for the Title Page (i) and the pages of the Abstract (ii...) should not appear on the
page(s).
Number all pages through the body and back matter with arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.). You should number
these pages at the upper right.
The page number should be one (1) inch down from the top of the page and one (1) inch from the right side (see page
12). Running heads should not be used. For landscape-oriented tables, the bottom of the table should be on the
outside (right) edge of the page. The page number must still be in the upper right corner of the page (See Sample on
page 13.)
MARGINS
All margins, with the exception of the left margin which should be 1.5”, should be no less than 1 inch. (See Sample A
on page 12.) This applies to all material including the abstract, headers, footnotes/endnotes and images. If plates or
tables are included, they must have the same margins as the text.
SPACING
Your thesis line spacing should be double-spaced. Single space footnotes/endnotes, bibliographic entries, lists in
appendices.
FONTS
For best readability, normal body text should be 12 point and in the Times-Roman fonts. Font size should be no less
than 10 point. Embedded fonts are required. No italics, script, or ornamental fonts. Italics may be used for non-
English words and quotations.
DOCUMENT DIVISIONS
The thesis is divided into front matter, body matter, and back matter. Read further for specific instructions.
3
FORMAT: FRONT MATTER
Other Front Matter
Title Page
These items are listed in the order they would come after
the title page.
TITLE PAGE FORMAT
The format should be prepared according to Sample
ABSTRACT
A on page 10. See also the listing of graduate majors
Each thesis must be accompanied by an abstract that
on page 8.
has been approved by the student's advisor. Abstracts
will be part of the bibliographic record in the library's
TITLE
online catalog. Abstracts must be limited to 350
This is the full title of your thesis.
words in its entirety including the title, author,
advisor, etc. It should be double-spaced and
AUTHOR
formatted according to Sample B on page 11. Do not
You alone are the author of your thesis.
number the pages of the abstract. The abstract should
be placed immediately after the title page of the
SCHOOL
thesis.
The official name of your University is "University
of Nebraska". You should not add “–Lincoln” after
COPYRIGHT PAGE
it.
In any work, copyright implicitly devolves to the
author of that work. One may make this statement of
DEGREE
ownership explicit, however, by including a
Please refer to the list of degrees on page 8.
copyright notice, such as "Copyright 1998, John J.
Smith."
MAJOR
Put the official name for your major. Please refer to
DEDICATION (OPTIONAL)
the list on page 8.
You may provide a dedication.
ADVISOR/CHAIR NAME(S)
AUTHOR'S ACKNOWLEDGMENTS (OPTIONAL)
This is the faculty member(s) who supervised your
Here you may acknowledge those that assisted you in
thesis. Their title(s) for this page is Professor. No
your work.
“Dr.” please. No rank should be listed (i.e.,
Associate, Assistant, etc.).
GRANT INFORMATION (OPTIONAL)
You may acknowledge any granting institution here.
CITY, STATE
This should always read "Lincoln, Nebraska". Do
TABLE OF CONTENTS
not abbreviate Nebraska.
Include the chapter and section numbers and title
along with the page on which each chapter or section
DATE OF DEFENSE OR GRADUATION DATE
begins.
Put the date you defended or the date of your
graduation (e.g., "October, 1996.") Please make sure
LISTS OF MULTIMEDIA OBJECTS
you have the comma between the month and the date.
For each multimedia type (table, graph, diagram,
No specific day is required.
equation, etc.) list the number and title of the object
and the page on which it occurs.
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FORMAT: BODY MATTER
CHAPTER
At the beginning of each chapter, place the word "Chapter," the chapter number, and the chapter title in large type.
PARAGRAPHS
Use the usual paragraph formatting. Indent block quotes on the left and right.
FOOTNOTES
You may use footnotes and/or end notes. Lengthy footnotes are probably better formatted as end notes.
Footnotes in main body text should be numbered consecutively in Arabic numerals, starting with 1.
Footnotes should be single-spaced and placed at the bottom of the page to which they pertain unless special
instructions are given by the department concerned.
MULTIMEDIA OBJECTS
Multimedia object types include tables, complex equations, graphs, diagrams, digital pictures, digital video, digital
audio, virtual reality, and even computer software that you have developed.
Simple Objects: Most simple objects like tables, graphs, and diagrams can be embedded in your thesis using your
word processor.
Put the object at the point of reference or "float" it to the top or bottom of the page or to the top of the next page.
Center the object between the left and right margins of the page.
Directly below the object for figures and above for tables, center the type and number according to its position
in the chapter (e.g., in Chapter 5 we may have Table 5.1, Table 5.2, and Figures 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3).
Give the object a concise, descriptive title.
Complex Objects: More complex multimedia objects require special treatment. They either do not fit naturally on a
page or the file size is too large to fit reasonably within a document. For complex objects you must place the type and
number of the object along with its concise, descriptive title, centered on a line by itself. In parentheses, include the
media encoding (e.g., JPEG) and file size (e.g., 1.5 megabytes). Then you must connect each object title to a separate
file containing the object. Many complex multimedia object types have a simple object version (often called
"thumbnail") that is a reduction of the picture or one frame of video. If possible, we recommend that you include this
reduction in the main document along with a PDF link to the complex object. Be sure that you submit the object file(s)
along with your thesis.
FORMAT: BACK MATTER
The back matter contains the references (bibliography) and appendices.
REFERENCES
Consult your departmental guidelines for the standard forms for citation.
APPENDICES
The student may include the source code or output of computer programs as an enumerated appendix. Place figure
references with PDF links to multimedia objects here also.
Exactly as you treated each chapter, place the word "Appendix," the appendix letter or letters, and the appendix title in
large type at the beginning of each appendix.
Appendices are enumerated alphabetically from A to Z, then AA, AB, and so on to ZZ, then AAA, AAB, etc.
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APPROVAL PRIOR TO THE ORAL EXAMINATION
For specific deadline dates, refer to http://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/current/degrees/masters.shtml.
PREPARATION
ADVISER APPROVAL
The master's thesis in its preliminary form must be approved by the adviser prior to applying for the final oral examination
or waiver. The adviser indicates approval of the preliminary thesis and planned examination procedure by signing the
Final Examination Report form.
Download, print, and complete the Final Examination Report Form from the Graduate Studies website:
http://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/current/degrees/Masters-FinalExam.pdf.
SUBMISSION
GRADUATE STUDIES APPROVAL
At least four weeks (three weeks in summer) prior to the date of the oral examination, the Final Examination Report form
must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies.
Electronically submit the thesis, including title page and abstract, to Terri Eastin, master's specialist, at teastin1unl.edu
for preliminary review and approval at least two weeks (one week in summer) prior to the oral defense or by the posted
deadline. If the oral examination is waived, the deadline for this check is two weeks prior to the last published date for
holding oral examinations.
The Masters Programs Specialist prefers to receive the preliminary copy of the thesis electronically, as an email
attachment rather than on paper. The thesis and abstract will be reviewed for format requirements, type of print, etc. The
thesis does not have to be in final form for this check.
CHANGES
The Adviser has the right to recommend changes in the abstract and the thesis at the time of the final oral examination.
Such changes, should they be requested, normally are made by the student in consultation with the Adviser and are
incorporated in the final versions of the abstract and adviser that will be uploaded to Digital Commons in Love Library.
6
PROCEDURES AFTER THE ORAL EXAMINATION
Beginning January 2010, master’s students who’ve completed a thesis will be able to submit their theses electronically
through Digital Commons. After May 7, 2010, electronic submission of theses will be required for all thesis-option
master’s students.
PREPARATION
1. Once you have passed your final oral defense, make any changes to your written thesis as required by your
adviser or committee. Obtain the appropriate signatures of all committee members on your Final Examination
Report Form.
2. Convert the final thesis to a PDF file and submit it to Terri Eastin for final review as an email attachment.
3. Once you receive email notification that your format has been reviewed and approved, upload the file to the
Digital Commons at http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/gsdissinfo/. Use these two links on that page:
Where to deposit your master’s thesis in the UNL Digital Commons: Click it, then click Download. In
that document, find your degree-granting program and click its link. This takes you to the page for your
program's series.
Step-by-step Guide to Uploading Your Master’s Thesis in UNL Digital Commons: Instructions for
uploading your thesis.
Embargoes: If you think you might need to place a restriction on your thesis for patent or security reasons,
consult your adviser. Master's theses can be embargoed from public access with the approval of the Office of
Graduate Studies. Theses may be embargoed to allow the authors to file patent applications, establish definitive
zoological nomenclature, protect proprietary research results, or publish creative works commercially. Prior
approval must be obtained from the author's academic department and the Office of Graduate Studies before
submission. A thesis will not be viewable or accessible during its embargoed period. After the restriction expires,
your thesis will be publicly available through UNL’s Digital Commons.
4. When you have successfully uploaded your thesis file to Digital Commons, you’ll receive email confirmation.
Print the email confirmation.
DEPOSITING THE THESIS
This process must begin in the Office of Graduate Studies before 4:00 PM.
1. OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES, 1100 SEATON HALL
Bring these items to Terri Eastin: the printed email confirming upload to Digital Commons, your Final
Examination Report Form, two paper copies of your abstract, and one copy of your title page.
2. OFFICE OF THE DEAN OF LIBRARIES, 318 LOVE LIBRARY
Present the upload confirmation and one copy of your title page and abstract, then have your Final Examination
Report Form signed.
3. CASHIER, 121 CANFIELD ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
Pay the 25 digital archiving fee at the cashier's window and have your Final Examination Report Form signed.
One copy of the cashier’s receipt should be attached to the Final Examination Report form; the other copy is for
your records.
4. OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES, 1100 SEATON HALL
Bring the completed, signed Final Examination Report Form to Terri Eastin at 1100 Seaton Hall.
And you’re done. Now celebrate
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MASTERS PROGRAM NAMES AND TERMINOLOGY
MASTERS DEGREES GRANTED AT UNL
Master of Agriculture (M.Ag.) Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)
Master of Architectural Engineering (M.A.E.) Master of Legal Studies (M.L.S.)
Master of Arts (M.A.) Master of Music (M.M.)
Master of Arts for Teachers (M.A.T.) Master of Professional Accountancy (M.P.A.)
Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) Master of Science (M.S.)
Master of Community and Regional Planning (M.C.R.P.) Master of Science for Teachers (M.Sc.T.)
Master of Education (M.Ed.) Master of Secondary Teaching (M.S.T.)
Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)
MASTERS MAJORS
A major in Graduate Studies is the area of academic or professional concentration approved by the Board of Regents in
which the student chooses to qualify for the award of a graduate degree.
At the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the following majors lead to the masters degrees indicated:
Accountancy - M.P.A. Geography - M.A. Education
Actuarial Science - M.S. Geosciences - M.S. Educational Administration - M.A., M.Ed.
Agricultural Economics - M.S. History - M.A. Educational Psychology - M.A.
Agriculture - M.Ag. Horticulture - M.S. Special Education - M.A., M.Ed.
Agronomy - M.S. Journalism and Mass Communications - M.A. Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology -
M.S.
Animal Science - M.S. Leadership Education - M.S.
Teaching, Learning & Teacher Education -
Anthropology - M.A. Legal Studies - M.L.S.
M.A., M.Ed.
Architecture - M.S. Mathematics - M.A., M.S., M.A.T., M.Sc.T.
Art - M.F.A. Mechanized Systems Management - M.S.
Engineering
Art History – M.A. Modern Languages & Literatures - M.A.
Engineering - M.Eng.
Biochemistry - M.S. Music - M.M.
Agricultural and Biological Systems
Biological Sciences - M.S. Natural Resource Sciences - M.S.
Engineering - M.S.
Biometry - M.S. Nutrition - M.S.
Architectural Engineering - M.A.E., M.S.
Business - M.A., M.B.A. Nutrition & Health Sciences - M.S.
Chemical Engineering - M.S.
Chemistry - M.S. Philosophy - M.A.
Civil Engineering - M.S.
Child, Youth & Family Studies - M.S. Physics & Astronomy - M.S.
Construction – M.S.
Communication Studies - M.A. Political Science - M.A.
Electrical Engineering - M.S.
Community & Regional Planning - M.C.R.P. Psychology - M.A.
Engineering Mechanics - M.S.
Computer Science - M.S. Sociology - M.A.
Environmental Engineering - M.S.
Economics - M.A. Statistics - M.S.
Industrial & Management Systems
English - M.A. Survey Research and Methodology - M.S.
Engineering - M.S.
Entomology - M.S. Textiles, Clothing & Design - M.A., M.S.
Manufacturing Systems Engineering - M.S.
Environmental Health, Occupational Health Theatre Arts - M.F.A.
Mechanical Engineering - M.S.
& Toxicology - M.S. (joint program with
Veterinary Science - M.S.
Telecommunications Engineering - M.S.
UNMC)
Food Science & Technology - M.S.
Interdepartmental Area
8
DUAL DEGREE PROGRAMS
The professional program leading to the juris doctor degree is provided through the University of Nebraska College of
Law. A number of dual degree programs are offered in cooperation with the College of Law and the Office of Graduate
Studies. Presently, joint law/graduate degree programs exist with the departmental areas of accountancy; business
administration; community and regional planning; economics; educational studies; political science; and psychology.
In addition, a dual-degree program is offered by the departments of architecture (MArch) and community and regional
planning (MCRP); architecture (MArch) and business (MBA); MArch/MEng with construction emphasis; and civil
engineering (MS) and community and regional planning (MCRP). For more information, refer to the dual program
descriptions in the Graduate Bulletin at http://bulletin.unl.edu/ under the appropriate departmental entry.
FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE
If you have questions regarding your graduate program or the preparation of your thesis, please contact the Masters
Programs Specialist in the Office of Graduate Studies at 472-8665.
SAMPLES
The following sample pages illustrate various aspects of layout and formatting of title, abstract, and body pages.
9
SAMPLE A: THESIS TITLE PAGE
SELF-REFERENCE AND ENCODING SPECIFICITY
EFFECTS ON THE RECALL OF EXPOSITORY TEXT
by
Gail M. Sikking
A THESIS
Presented to the Faculty of
The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska
In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements
For the Degree of Master of Arts
(or appropriate degree)
Major: Educational Psychology or
Major: Interdepartmental Area of _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _
(see attached listing of Graduate Majors)
Under the Supervision of Professor Ann Calkins Brown
Lincoln, Nebraska
May, 2010
(Date should be either month and year of oral
examination or month and year of graduation)
10
SAMPLE B: THESIS ABSTRACT
SECULAR AGNOSTICISM: THE EVOLUTION OF PUBLIC OPINION
TOWARD THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, 1910 - 1980
Kathryn Marie Smith, M.A. (or appropriate current degree sought)
University of Nebraska, 2010 (Year of Graduation)
Adviser: Rodger S. Edmunds
(The abstract for the thesis or thesis MUST NOT CONTAIN MORE THAN 350 WORDS in its
entirety, including the number of words for title, author, etc. It should be formatted as indicated
here, with line spacing double for theses and 1.5 for thesiss.)
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
11
Place page number one inch (1") from the top. 1
SAMPLE PAGE FORMAT
All text and diagrams must be printed within these margins.
(1.5") (1")
(1")
12
SAMPLE LAYOUT FOR LANDSCAPE-ORIENTED TABLE
13
TITLE of TABLE
Contents of Table THESIS BINDING PROCEDURES
For Personal or Departmental Copies
WHAT TO DO
Bring your dissertation to UNL Printing Services, 1700 Y Street, 472-2146.
Please bring your file
- in PDF format to insure the formatting (preferred) OR
- hard copy to be scanned
Get a binding order form from the front desk and fill it out.
Printing Services requests that all copies ready for binding be delivered to them by 5:00 PM on Thursday.
Copies can still be brought to Printing Services on Fridays with the hope that the Bindery has not picked up the orders. If
the Bindery has already picked up the orders, your order will be sent out the following Friday. Binding orders will be
returned on Friday, one week after being sent out.
Copies
If copies need to be made:
Regular Bond .05 per sheet
25% Cotton Bond .10 per sheet
Color Copies .035 per sheet
You will be called after the copies are made so that you can proof those copies. All copies need to be proofed and signed
off on before getting sent to the Bindery. This can be done either by you or by another person of your choosing.
Binding Prices
Hard Bound 22.50 ea + tax
Over 2" 25.50 ea + tax
Soft Bound 13.60 ea + tax
Mailing Costs
On Campus Free
Off Campus 7.50 per book
February 2010
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