Library Catalogs
Research Help
Library Services
About the Library
UWest Thesis/Dissertation Format Guidelines
| Sequence | Pagination |
|---|---|
| Title Page | Count / Do Not Display |
| Signature Page | Do not count / Do Not Display |
| Copyright Page (optional) | Do not count / Do Not Display |
| Preliminary Pages | Lower Case Roman Numerals |
| Acknowledgements (optional) | Count / Display |
| Abstract | Count / Display |
| Preface (optional) | Count / Display |
| Table of Contents | Count / Display |
| List of Tables (if 5 or more) | Count / Display |
| List of Figures (if 5 or more) | Count / Display |
| List of Symbols and/or Abbreviations | Count / Display |
| Text | Arabic Numbers |
| Body of Dissertation | Count / Display |
| Separation Sheet | Count / Display |
| Bibliography | Count / Display |
| Separation Sheet (if an appendix follows) | Count / Display |
| Appendix (optional) | Count / Display |
| Index (optional) | Count / Display |
III. Contents
- Committee Certification of Approved Page
- Committee members' original signatures are required on the Committee Certification of Approved Version (the signature page), regardless of whether the members attend the final defense or not.
- All committee members must sign in black or blue ink, and the supervisor must sign on the top line.
- Committee members' names must be typed under the signature lines.
- Educational or professional titles (Ph.D. or Dr.) are not included on the signature lines for committee members, but the titles of the committee supervisory status ("Supervisor" or "Co-supervisor") should follow names of committee members.
- The Committee Certification page with the original committee signatures must be submitted to individual departments.
- Dissertation Abstract
- The abstract is a concise statement of the content of the dissertation, indicating its research significance. It should not exceed 350 words.
- Table of Contents
- The Table of Contents is placed in the dissertation immediately before any pretext lists of tables, figures, illustrations, etc.
- The Table of Contents must include the major sections headings and their page numbers.
- All chapter titles and subheadings listed in the Table of Contents must exactly match the headings as presented in the text. For example, a chapter labeled "Chapter 3" in the Table of Contents should not appear as "Chapter III" within the text.
- Major sections and chapters within the dissertation should be displayed as left-justified headings with no indents.
- Subheadings must be indented under the appropriate major section heading.
- The page numbers should be right-justified and proceeded by a dot leader.
- Table of Contents items are double-spaced. However, when chapter titles and subheadings are more than one line long, they should be indented at the second line and single-spaced.
- Footnotes, Citations, References, and Bibliography
- Each manuscript must include a reference or bibliography section, even when chapter end notes or references have been used.
- This section may be called "Bibliography," "References," or "Works (or Sources) Cited."
- The bibliography must indicate materials actually used, including the edition number (when later than the first edition) so that the accuracy of citations may be verified.
- Any standardized form for footnotes and bibliography is acceptable if it is used consistently and has been approved by the dissertation advisor.
- The title of the reference section should be formatted like a chapter title.
- Items listed in the references section should be single-spaced, but should allow for a line space between each item.
- In some scientific disciplines, the references may be placed at the end of the chapter instead of at the end of the manuscript. In this case, the heading "List of References" or "Literature Cited" is appropriate, but it should not begin on a new page because it is considered a subsection of that chapter.
- Appendix (Optional) The appendix is a section that is placed toward the end of the thesis and may contain materials such as tables, figures, maps, raw data, computer programs, musical examples, interviews, questionnaires, CDs, and other types of materials.
- Headings within the appendix should be formatted in a manner consistent with headings found in the main text.
- If there is more than one appendix, they should be labeled as A, B, C, D, and so on. Each appendix should be treated as a chapter equivalent and should start on a new page.
- Images and figures should be reduced in size to allow for a heading that is formatted in the same way as headings of the same level elsewhere in the thesis.
- Index (Optional) The index is a section that is placed toward the end of the thesis after the appendix (if any).
- The title of the index should be formatted like a chapter title.
- If there are multiple indices, each index should be treated as a chapter equivalent and should start on a new page.
- Items listed in the index may be single-paced.
- Index entries and their corresponding page numbers should be in alphanumeric order.
IV. Printing Considerations
- Paper The two required copies of the thesis/dissertation must be on white, 8 1/2 inch, acid-free, 20-24 lb., 25% cotton paper.
- Print Quality Thesis/dissertation copies submitted for deposit should be printed with high quality ink. Laser printers are preferable. Color copies are acceptable and for deposit.
- CD-ROMs and Other Non-Print Media CD-ROMs and other non-print media containing additional material may be attached with the thesis/dissertation. However, it is recommended that the thesis/dissertation be understandable without the CD materials. Such material should be considered as a separate appendix.
- CD-ROMs must be clearly marked with your name, degree, thesis title, department, university, and appendix title.
Example:
Shih Fang Chen, Ph.D.
A Study of the Benefits of Practicing Mindfulness of the Buddha in Chinese Buddhist Canon
Ph.D. Dissertation, Department of Religious Studies,
University of the West, 2008
Appendix A: Interview Transcriptions
- If a CD is included, an appendix page must be included and numbered accordingly. This page needs to include information about the contents of the CD, such as "Appendix A: Interview Questions" and a brief description.
- A Manuscript Exceeding 500 Pages or 2.5 Inches in Thickness Manuscript over 2.5 inches thick (more than approximately 500 pages) must be separated into two volumes of approximately equal size.
- The division of a manuscript into separate volumes should occur at the end of a chapter.
- Pagination of the second volume should continue from the first (i.e., do not begin at page 1 in the second volume).
- Each volume must be submitted with two title pages indicating the appropriate volume number (use Arabic numerals, i.e. Volume 1 or Volume 2). The volume should appear two spaces above the heading "DISSERTATION" or "THESIS" on the title page.
Each volume should be submitted in a separate bundle. The first volume should have all the required front matter pages. The second volume will have only a copy of the title page added at the beginning.
Appendix: Sample Documents
Appendix A - Sample - Approval Page for Graduate Thesis or ProjectAppendix B - Sample - Copyright Page
Appendix C - Sample - Title Pages
Appendix D - Sample - Acknowledgments Page
Appendix E - Sample - Abstract
Appendix F - Sample - Table of Contents
Appendix G - Sample - First Page of a Chapter
Appendix H - Sample - Appendix A