Dissertation & Thesis Format

The Multi-Monograph thesis/dissertation has at its core a set of monographs (commonly three, but this might range from two to six) each judged by the thesis/dissertation committee to be of a quality and form suitable for publication in the peer reviewed literature of a relevant field. In addition, comprehensive introductory and concluding chapters are required and, when appropriate, supplementary supporting materials are to be presented in appendices. 

The purpose of the introductory chapter is to explain the background or context in which the research is set, and to lay out its significance for the field. This chapter serves as an overview to connect the individual monographs together. It provides an argument justifying the choice of thesis/dissertation topic and would typically include a literature review demonstrating that the research was needed, not yet performed by others, and has a reasonable chance of achieving its stated objectives. 

The monographs, which form the body of the thesis/dissertation, are of “publishable quality” but they are often longer than the currently acceptable length of papers in most journals. This permits the thesis/dissertation to serve its archival value, documenting the detailed research methods and results more fully than journal publication will permit. The level of detail in the monographs will be agreed upon by the candidate and the thesis/dissertation advisor and/or committee. 

The thesis/dissertations concluding chapter provides the opportunity to present the broad conclusions of the body of work because it focuses on implications for the field as a whole, rather than simply on the next steps in the research process. In addition, this chapter presents the necessary opportunity to discuss the interdependence of the individual monographs. 

The following outline presents the format for the multi-monograph thesis/dissertation. The outline illustrates its basic similarity to the traditional format. It differs in only minor ways, chiefly that methods, results, references, etc. may be presented in smaller units relevant to the various aspects of the work, rather than being collected together in single, large chapters. 

Title Page - Required, not numbered 

Copyright Page - Required, not numbered 

Signature Page - Required, not numbered** 

Abstract Title page and Abstract - Required. Begin page numbers, using lower-case Roman numerals, starting with “iv.” (Continue lower-case Roman numeral page numbers until page 1 of your document.) 

Dedication, Acknowledgements - Optional 

Table of Contents - Required 

List of Tables, Figures etc. - If applicable 

Text: 

    Introduction (Overall) (begin Arabic numerals, starting with page 1) 

    Body - Each monograph must contain the following 

    Methodology 

    Results 

    Discussions 

    Conclusions 

    Recommendations 

    Literature Cited 

Conclusion (Overall) 

Appendix 

Biographical Sketch of Author (required) 

**Remember the original signature page should be delivered to the University Registrar. A scanned version is included in your PDF. 

NOTE: Although formats for citations vary from journal to journal, literature cited in each monograph must conform to that of the traditional format. Each reference must include complete authorship, title, journal name, date of publication, volume, and inclusive page numbers. 

In either format, traditional or multi-monograph, the work must be logically connected and integrated into a thesis/dissertation in a coherent manner. Binding reprints or collections of manuscripts together is not acceptable as a thesis/dissertation in either form or concept. The thesis/dissertation must also meet the requirements of the department and the University; these include originality, creativity, and demonstration of mastery of the subject area. When master’s/doctoral research is part of a larger collaborative project, it is crucial that an individual student’s contribution be precisely delineated. Candidates must demonstrate the uniqueness of their contributions and define what part of the larger project represents their own ideas and individual efforts. The candidate should be the sole or first author on the manuscripts included in the thesis/dissertation.