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Guidelines for the Preparation of Dissertations, Theses, and Papers (Updated September 2008)

Checklist for Dissertations,Theses, and Papers     (Pdf format)

Disquisition Completion Package

Reference/Citation Workshop Handout

APA Workshop Handout

1. Read Guidelines for the Preparation of Dissertations, Theses, and Papers. This booklet may be downloaded from The Graduate School's webpage: http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/gradschool/dissertation/index.shtml.
   
   
2. If your research project involves human or animal subjects or biohazardous substances (i.e., rDNA, infectious agents, or bodily fluids and tissues), you must obtain approval from the appropriate campus committee--the Institutional Review Board (IRB), Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), or the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)-BEFORE you begin the research. The timeframe for submitting the appropriate forms to the IRB, IBC, or IACUC for review is just after your thesis committee has finalized your research design so that you have all approvals in place before you begin the research. IRB, IBC, and IACUC approval cannot be obtained retroactively (after the research has been conducted). A copy of the letter(s) sent to you by IRB /IACUC /IBC when your research project was approved must be submitted to The Graduate School. The editor will not review your disquisition until it is confirmed that your project was approved by IRB/IACUC/IBC.
   
   
3. Write your disquisition.
   
   
4. Submit the "Request to Schedule Final Examination" form to The Graduate School at least 2 weeks before you defend your disquisition.
   
   
5. Submit the disquisition to your committee members at least 7 days before your defense.
   
   
6. Submit the "Report of Final Examination" to The Graduate School immediately after the defense.
   
   
7. Make the corrections that your adviser and committee members requested for your disquisition. Each student and adviser will proofread and revise the disquisition following Guidelines for the Preparation of Dissertations, Theses, and Papers (www.ndsu.edu/gradschool/publications/dis.pdf ) and complete the Checklist for Dissertations, Theses, and Papers. The student, his/her adviser, and the department/program chair/head will all sign the checklist.
   
   
8. Submit your dissertation, thesis, or paper to The Graduate School for review along with a) the Checklist for Dissertations, Theses, and Papers; b) the letter indicating approval by the IRB/IACUC/IBC and/or the note indicating that approval was not necessary as appropriate [i.e., My research did not involve humans, animals, or biohzards.]; and c) a receipt from the Business Office showing that you have paid for the Completion Package ($200 for master's students and $250 for doctoral students). Place the copy of your IRB/IACUC/IBC approval letter (if applicable) from Sponsored Programs Administration on top of the copy you submit to the Graduate School Editor in order to expedite the process. If this approval is required, The Graduate School will verify that it was obtained before the disquisition is read. The Graduate Dean will also review the disquisition.
   
   
9. Dissertations, theses, and papers are read in the order that they are received. We attempt to review and return copies to our students as quickly as possible, but the turnaround time for each submission of your document to The Graduate School may take as long as 2 weeks. The turnaround time is typically longest as the end of a semester approaches and more students are submitting disquisitions for editing. Plan accordingly and be sure that The Graduate School has your current contact information. The Graduate School Editor will check the entire document for format and will perform a sample reading of 10-15% of the document to check for compliance with Guidelines and the editorial checklist. Dissertations, theses, and papers may be found unacceptable for two broad reasons: format issues or extensive mistakes in spelling, grammar, and/or punctuation.
   
   
   • If any revisions of the document are necessary because of format and/or minor grammatical issues, the document will be returned to the student for revision. If you wish to have the reviewed disquisition mailed to you, include a self-addressed, postage-paid envelope (with first-class stamps). The Graduate School Editor will be available for consultation during the revision process. Once the dissertation, thesis, or paper is deemed acceptable by the editor and Graduate Dean, it will move on to the next step.
     
     
   • If the document is determined to be unacceptable by the editor and Graduate Dean because of extensive problems with spelling, grammar, and/or punctuation, the document will be returned to the department head, and the student will be informed. The student must then obtain the services of an outside editor approved by The Graduate School. The Graduate School will provide a list of approved editors. The student must provide written proof of the retention of the services of the outside editor. There is an appeal process in place if the student and/or adviser feel The Graduate School's decision not to accept a dissertation, thesis, or paper is unwarranted.
     
     
10. When you get the edited copy back from the Graduate School Editor, make the indicated changes. (If you choose not to make some changes, please include a note explaining why (on the edited copy or in a separate letter) so that The Graduate School knows that you did not forget to change something.)
    
    
11. Return the edited copy and the corrected copy to the Graduate School Editor.
    
    
12. If there are format issues that still need to be addressed, you may be asked to make those changes and resubmit copies for a format recheck.
    
    
13. Once the disquisition is approved, you will be contacted by The Graduate School to make final copies. At this time, The Graduate School must have your signed approval page (the white approval page sent when you scheduled your final examination; see Appendix B of Guidelines). You will be given a checklist with instructions for making your final copies. All dissertations must be microfilmed.
    
    
14. Submit final copies. (These copies must be received by The Graduate School within one year of your defense date. Otherwise, the final examination must be retaken.)
    
    
15. Your graduation date is based on the date that you submit the final copies to The Graduate School. Degrees post in May, August, and December.