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You should request instructions regarding your program's form and style from your major adviser. Regardless of the style used, three points must be kept in mind.

1. First, the document should be written to conform to the publication standards of your discipline. These standards should guide your choice of format, style, and writing technique. The overall document should be of publication caliber.
   
2. Second, once a style is adopted, it must be adhered to throughout the document.
   
3. Third, language must be typical of professional writing in your discipline, but the form should allow scholars from related disciplines to understand the material. The same considerations apply to manuscripts that have been or will be submitted for publication (Section 12).

2. Academic Honesty and Originality in Dissertations, Theses, and Papers

The disquisition must respect the intellectual rights of others. Statements (three or more words) taken verbatim from other publications must be appropriately cited as quotations. Ideas, summaries, paraphrased material, and other information taken from the literature must be correctly referenced as required by your discipline.

The disquisition must include components that represent your original contributions. The significance of these contributions to the discipline must be clear to the supervisory committee.

3. Nature of Dissertations, Theses, and Papers

3.1. Dissertation (Doctoral Degree)

A dissertation is a scholarly presentation of original research, including inception, design, conduct, and conclusions. With the advice and consent of your supervisory committee chair and members, you must gather sufficient information, conduct appropriate study, and complete a discussion of the results. The dissertation must meet the scholarship standards of the leading refereed journals in your discipline.

After consulting with your major adviser and selecting a dissertation topic, you will carry out the planning and other preliminary activities in frequent interactions with all the supervisory committee members. Once the overall goals and procedures have been established, you are expected to conduct the research in an independent manner and to keep all members of your supervisory committee informed. Your failure to maintain an appropriate channel of communication can result in the dissertation's rejection shortly before anticipated completion.

The copy of the dissertation submitted to your supervisory committee is considered a draft which is subject to changes the committee requires. Such changes could involve rewriting major sections. The copy of the dissertation that the supervisory committee has approved should be produced in final form, with meticulous attention paid to Graduate School requirements, and submitted to the disquisition editor for approval. Final review and approval decisions rest with the dean of the Graduate School.

3.2. Thesis (Master's Degree)

A thesis is a scholarly presentation of your original research, including inception, design, conduct, and conclusions. Under close supervision and with the consent of your supervisory committee chair and members, you must gather the information, conduct the study, and write the thesis. The thesis must be consistent with the generally accepted standards of scholarly activity in your discipline.

After consulting with your major adviser and selecting a thesis topic, you will carry out planning and other preliminary activities in frequent interactions with all supervisory committee members. Once the overall goals and procedures have been established, you are expected to conduct the research in an expeditious manner and to keep your committee members informed. Your failure to maintain an appropriate channel of communication can result in thesis rejection shortly before anticipated completion.

The copy of the thesis submitted to your supervisory committee is considered a draft which is subject to changes the supervisory committee requires. Such changes could involve rewriting major sections. The copy of the thesis that the supervisory committee has approved should be produced in final form, with meticulous attention paid to Graduate School requirements, and submitted to the disquisition editor for approval. Final review and approval decisions rest with the dean of the Graduate School.

3.3. Paper (Master's Degree)

The paper is a scholarly presentation that represents your own work, written under the close supervision of your supervisory committee chair and members. The paper is part of the comprehensive study option in certain degree programs and is available to students who will benefit from substantial coursework. The paper must be consistent with the generally accepted standards of scholarly inquiry/creative activity in your discipline.

You should ask your program about policies and guidelines relating to papers. Acceptable papers may take on a variety of forms--illustration, example, analogy, comparison/contrast, cause/effect, or review--depending on the topic chosen and methods used in the study. In consultation with your adviser and supervisory committee members, you must take care that the subject is developed adequately. The purpose of the paper should be clear, the development logical and coherent, and the conclusions convincing. The purpose should reflect an analysis that is insightful, enlightening for the reader, relevant, and intellectually stimulating.

After consulting with the major adviser and selecting a paper topic, you will carry out planning and other preliminary activities in frequent interactions with all supervisory committee members. Once the overall goals and procedures have been established, you should complete the paper in as expeditious manner as possible and keep all members of your committee informed. Your failure to maintain appropriate communication can result in the paper's rejection shortly before anticipated completion.

The copy of the paper submitted to your supervisory committee is considered a draft which is subject to changes the supervisory committee requires. Such changes could involve rewriting major sections. The copy of the paper that the supervisory committee has approved should be produced in final form, with meticulous attention paid to Graduate School requirements, and submitted to the disquisition editor for approval. Final review and approval decisions rest with the dean of the Graduate School.

4. IRB/IACUC/IBC Approval

If your research involves human or animal subjects or the use of biohazardous substances (i.e., rDNA, infectious agents, or bodily fluids or tissues), you must obtain approval from the appropriate campus committee--the Institutional Review Board (IRB), the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), or the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC)--BEFORE you begin your research. The timeframe for submitting the appropriate forms to the IRB, IACUC, or IBC for review is just after your supervisory committee has finalized your research design so that you have all of the approvals in place before you begin the research. Your disquisition will not be accepted by the Graduate School if it involves the nonapproved use of human or animal subjects, or biohazardous substances. IRB, IACUC, and IBC approval cannot be obtained retroactively.

5. Arrangement of Dissertations, Theses, and Papers

5.1. Required Title Page

The title page must conform to the appropriate sample form (Appendix A). The month and year indicate the date on which the final oral examination was successfully completed.

5.2. Required Approval of Disquisition Page

All copies of the disquisition must include an Approval of Disquisition Page (Appendix B) that follows the title page. This page must bear the signatures of those members of the supervisory committee who have approved the document and of the program administrator. The original form, available only at the Graduate School, must be submitted before making the final, approved copies.

5.3. Required Abstract

All disquisitions must contain an Abstract (Appendix C) that is inserted following the Approval of Disquisition Page. The introductory paragraph is single spaced and must contain the information specified in Appendix C; the text is double spaced. Abstracts must not exceed two pages. The Abstract appears on page iii of the disquisition.

5.4. Required Table of Contents

All theses, papers, and dissertations must contain a Table of Contents (Appendix D). The Table of Contents follows the Abstract.

5.5. Optional Pages

Some programs require or allow other pages, such as an acknowledgment or dedication page, which follow the abstract. For all optional pages or sections, the main heading must match the style of the Table of Contents heading.

The List of Tables (Appendix E), List of Figures (Appendix F), and List of Symbols/Abbreviations follow the Table of Contents when appropriate. Appendices and an Index may be added, in that order, after the text and Bibliography. When optional pages are included in the disquisition, they must be listed in the Table of Contents.

5.6. Tables/Figures

Tables/figures should be placed within the text after their first mention. Tables/figures should be formatted so that they are clearly distinguishable from the text. You should avoid splitting tables/figures that will fit on one page. If you have tables and/or figures, you will need to include a List of Tables and/or List of Figures after your Table of Contents. Tables/figures which are not pertinent to the text may be placed in an appendix.

6. Typing Dissertations, Theses, and Papers

6.1. Method of Typing

The document must appear professionally typed and printed. (Laser or letter-quality is the acceptable mode.) You may pay another person to type and/or print the disquisition or do the typing and/or printing yourself.

The entire text, including page numbers, must be produced with the same font attributes. The font size should be 12 to 14 points with 10 to 12 characters per inch, and headings should use a font size not greater than twice the size of the text. Different fonts may be used for equations and figures as long as the figure titles are produced with the same font attributes as the text. Tables included in a disquisition should be produced in the same font as the text, although the size of the font may differ to accommodate the inclusion of all data.

No handwritten symbols are allowed in equations, figures, tables, or text. Superscripts or subscripts may be in a smaller font as long as they are readable and, in the case of doctoral dissertations, remain readable after microfilming (which reduces the size by approximately 25%). Draft-mode, dot-matrix printing required for special notations in a discipline must be legible and used minimally.

6.2. Page Makeup

The left-hand margin must be at least 1 3/8 inches. Right-hand, top, and bottom margins must be at least 1 inch (Appendix G). Tables and figures, as well as appendices, included in the disquisition must meet these margin specifications. Bookbinders may trim as much as ¼ inch from the exposed sides of the pages. Use single-sided printing for all pages.

Page numbers must be used in a consistent fashion, follow the font attributes of the disquisition, and be placed uniformly on all pages (i.e., center bottom or upper-right corner). They must be placed so that page trimming does not remove them. Pages, including ones with illustrative material and within appendices, must be numbered consecutively. When a page cannot be numbered (i.e., glossy photo), write the page number in pencil on the back of the page in the upper corner to be bound in the spine. Sheets inserted with special pagination are not allowed; properly numbered facing pages are acceptable (Appendix H). Page numbers are to be entered along with the text; the use of stamping machines is not allowed. Pages in the prefatory section, preceding the main body of the disquisition, must be numbered consecutively in lowercase Roman numerals.

The body of the disquisition must be double spaced; the beginning of paragraphs should be indented. Long quotations, footnotes, and bibliographic citations may be single spaced if your discipline allows it. Continue text (without leaving blank space at the bottom of a page) if a chapter continues.

6.3. Headings

All main chapter headings must be consistent in font and style, centered, and in uppercase; they may be bolded and printed in a slightly larger font (Appendix I). These main chapter headings, appearing at the top of a new page, include the following:

ABSTRACT
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
DEDICATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF FIGURES
CHAPTER TITLES
REFERENCES
APPENDIX

Major subheadings, minor subdivisions, paragraph headings, and subparagraph headings should be consistent in font and style within the chapter and throughout the disquisition (Appendix I). Subheadings should not stand out more than major headings. If headings are numbered, a period should follow the number in the text and in the Table of Contents.

7. Illustrative Material for Dissertations, Theses, and Papers

Maps, pictorial figures, tables, and graphs should be prepared with attention to details generally equivalent to requirements for manuscripts submitted for publication. Lettering sets or other drawing devices may be used for legends and numbers for some figures and graphs; however, legends should be produced in the same font as the text when possible. Titles of tables and figures must be produced with the same font attributes as the text of the dissertation, thesis, or paper (Appendices J and K). Any photo reproduced as a letter-size page must conform to the margin specifications (left-hand margin at least 1 3/8 inches; right-hand, top, and bottom margins at least 1 inch). Photos may be in color.

8. Approval of Dissertations, Theses, and Papers

After your major adviser and the supervisory committee have approved the disquisition, bring one copy to the Graduate School for approval. This copy may be on regular paper. You will be required to pay for the completion package at this time. The copy should be accompanied by the Checklist for Dissertations,Theses, and Papers (Appendix L). You and your adviser will proofread and revise the disquisition following Guidelines for the Preparation of Dissertations, Theses, and Papers and complete the checklist. You, your adviser, and the program administrator will sign the checklist. Documentation indicating that IRB/IBC/IACUC approval was obtained or that it was not needed must accompany the disquisition when it is brought to the Graduate School. If approval was needed, a copy of the letter(s) of approval must be attached to the disquisition. If approval was not needed, a brief note indicating why approval was not necessary must be attached to the document.

The Graduate School will check the dissertation, thesis, or paper for format and overall quality. The Graduate School will check the entire document for format and will perform a sample reading of 5-10% of the disquisition to check for compliance with Guidelines and the checklist. Disquisitions that are determined to be acceptable by the editor and the dean of the Graduate School will be marked as approved, and you will be able to produce the final copies. 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 to the document are necessary because of format issues, the document will be returned to the student. You will then work to correct the problems; the disquisition editor will be available for consultation during the correction process. Once the document is determined to be acceptable, it will be marked as approved, and you will be able to produce the final copies.

Dissertations, theses, and papers with persistent problems in format or writing quality may be returned before a complete review of the document is completed by the Graduate School. The document will be returned to the chair or director of the student's program, and it will be the program administrator's responsibility to return the document to the adviser and student. The persistent problems will be clearly identified, and it will be the responsibility of the student and adviser to make the appropriate changes throughout the entire document. The student will then resubmit the document and reinitiate the review process. This process may be repeated if the appropriate changes have not been made throughout the entire document.

After approval has been received, final copies may be made. Final copies must be delivered to the Graduate School, and all other degree requirements completed, within one year from the date of the final examination; otherwise, the final examination must be retaken. Graduation date is based on when final copies are received by the Graduate School.

9. Reproducing and Processing Final Copies

The approved copy of the disquisition can be photocopied. All copies must be on white, 20-lb. weight, acid-free paper. All copies must have a high-contrast image on white paper.

Five copies must be submitted to the Graduate School. Two copies will be placed in the permanent collection of the university library. One of the library copies must include the "Consent to Photocopy" agreement. This form, requiring the signature of the student, is a declaration to allow or disallow copying and is available at the Graduate School. The remaining three copies are distributed to the student, the student's major program, and the major adviser. (A sixth copy of the dissertation is required of doctoral students for microfilming purposes).

10. Binding Dissertations, Theses, and Papers

The Graduate School and the university library will process the binding of theses, papers, and dissertations. Final copies of the unbound document are submitted to the Graduate School; the Graduate School sends the copies to the university library where the document is cataloged and assigned a call number. The university library is responsible for having the document bound. The Graduate School sends a copy of each dissertation and abstract to Bell & Howell in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for microfilming.

Lettering will appear on the spine of each bound volume. Beginning at the top of the spine, the order is as follows:

1. Type of degree (i.e., M.A., M.S., or Ph.D.).
2. Date (year only; the year corresponds with the semester when the final oral examination was successfully completed).
3. Spine title (if student requests; this title may not be longer than 50 characters and spaces).
4. Author's name (as it appears on the Title Page and Abstract).
5. University library call number (imprinted by the library).
6. The university mark (NDSU).

11. Microfilming Dissertations, Theses, and Papers

11.1. Doctoral Dissertation

For the microfilmed copy of the dissertation, you will prepare an abstract not to exceed 350 words (Appendix C.3). If the original abstract is 350 words or fewer, you may use it for microfilming. All words, except the ones in the title and the single-spaced introductory paragraph, are counted. Footnotes, if any, are included within the 350-word limit. The number of hyphens determines the word count. (i.e., A single-hyphenated word is counted as one word; a word containing two hyphens is counted as two words.) A letter followed by a period ("L.") is counted as one word, as is any single numeral (100 = 1 word). Pages must be numbered, and the student's name must appear in the upper right-hand corner of each page. The exact number of words in the abstract must be indicated in the upper right-hand corner of the first page. The text will be double-spaced. Your major adviser must approve and sign the abstract which will accompany the copy of the dissertation that is sent for microfilming. The quality of printing in the abstract must be identical to the dissertation text.

Bell & Howell in Ann Arbor, Michigan, will print the abstract in Dissertation Abstracts, which indicates the availability of the dissertation for microfilm and Xerox reproduction and distribution. You should check and sign the Memorandum of Agreement with Bell & Howell regarding the provision for microfilming the dissertation.

You are expected to ensure that the abstract, dissertation, and Memorandum of Agreement are consistent in the name of the author, title of dissertation, and date of degree. All pages must be numbered and in the proper order. Care must be taken to ensure that copyrighted materials are not used without permission. In all cases, printing and illustrative material must be clearly legible.

11.2. Master's Thesis or Paper

All programs have the option of requiring master's papers and theses to be microfilmed. If your program requires microfilming, you will prepare an additional abstract not to exceed 150 words (Appendix C.3). All words, except the ones in the title and the single-spaced introductory paragraph, are counted. Footnotes, if any, are included within the 150-word limit. The number of hyphens determines the word count. (i.e., A single-hyphenated word is counted as one word; a word containing two hyphens is counted as two words.) A letter followed by a period ("L.") is counted as one word, as is any single numeral (100 = 1 word). Your name must appear in the upper right-hand corner; the exact number of words in the abstract must be indicated in the upper right-hand corner of the first page. The text will be double spaced. Your major adviser must approve and sign the abstract which will accompany the copy of the disquisition when it is sent for microfilming. The quality of printing in the abstract must be identical to the disquisition.

Bell & Howell in Ann Arbor, Michigan, will print the abstract in Master's Abstracts International, which indicates the availability of the thesis or paper for microfilm and Xerox reproduction and distribution. You should check and sign the Memorandum of Agreement with Bell & Howell regarding the provision for microfilming the disquisition.

You are expected to ensure that the abstract, disquisition, and Memorandum of Agreement are consistent in the name of the author, title of disquisition, and date of degree. All pages must be numbered and in the proper order. Care must be taken to ensure that copyrighted materials are not used without permission. In all cases, printing and illustrative materials must be clearly legible.

11.3. Items to Note in Preparing for Microfilming

Keep the following items in mind during preparation:

1. The Graduate School's acceptance of the disquisition constitutes approval for microfilming.
2. Pen-and-ink corrections are not acceptable.
3. The text and the symbols used in illustrations must be black for successful microfilming, which is a black-and-white photographic process; colors will show up as shades of gray. You should use black-and-white patterns for maps and graphs. Black-and-white photographs will reproduce satisfactorily.
4. Illustrations, tables, and graphs can be designed or reduced to meet the margin requirements.

12. Guidelines for Including Scholarly Journal Manuscripts as a Component of Disquisitions

All programs have the option of allowing students to use one or more related manuscripts submitted for publication (or already published) as an integral component of the disquisition. For this option, the student is required to submit a document in a format that is consistent with Graduate School guidelines.

Many journals require economy of presentation that is inconsistent with disquisition practice, which encourages an extensive literature review and extended discussion of experimental findings, sometimes to include speculation and logical future research. If journal manuscripts make up one or more chapters of the disquisition, additional chapters must be included to provide a more extensive literature review and a discussion that unifies the disquisition.

When journal manuscripts are included as part of the disquisition, the student must have had primary responsibility for assembling and interpreting the information and for writing the disquisition. Moreover, a component required in this modified format is the clarification of contributions made in any multi-authored manuscript. Since all disquisitions require some originality, the description of the student's contribution must be clear and complete. No manuscripts can be included in the disquisition if the student's contribution is modest, even though the student may have been included as a co-author.

During the final examination, the examination committee must be able to question the student about the components of the disquisition and the multi-authored papers. Any editorial action on or review of these journal manuscripts must be made available to the examination committee.

13. Completion Package

A completion package fee of $200 is charged to all master's students who are completing a thesis or paper. The fee covers the costs for

1. Consultation services with the editor.
2. Completing the format and quality check of the document.
3. Binding 5 copies of the thesis or paper.
4. Title inscription on the spine of the bound thesis or paper (if possible).
5. Shipping up to 2 bound copies of the thesis or paper.
6. Processing of graduation and commencement information.
7. Workshops and consultation services for writing the thesis or paper.

A completion package fee of $250 is charged to all doctoral students who are completing a dissertation. The fee covers the costs for

1. Consultation services with the editor.
2. Completing the format and quality check of the dissertation.
3. Binding 5 copies of the dissertation.
4. Title inscription on the spine of the bound dissertation (if possible).
5. Shipping up to 2 bound copies of the dissertation.
6. Microfilming the dissertation.
7. Processing of graduation and commencement information.
8. Workshops and consultation services for writing the dissertation.

Additional bound copies are available at a cost of $20 per copy.

Students who are not required to complete a thesis, paper, or dissertation will be assessed a $25 graduation processing fee.