Revise and Edit a Research Paper Only FOR GradesMastero

14 Jun Revise and Edit a Research Paper Only FOR GradesMastero

(APA 6th Edition Formatting and Style Guide)

Office of Graduate Studies

Alcorn State University

Engaging Possibilities, Pursuing Excellence

REVISED May 23, 2018

THESIS MANUAL

Graduates

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COPYRIGHT PRIVILEGES

BELONG TO

OFFICE OF GRADUATE STUDIES

ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY, LORMAN, MS

Reproduction for distribution of this THESIS MANUAL requires the written permission of the

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs or Graduate Studies Administrator.

FOREWORD

Alcorn State University Office of Graduate Studies requires that all students comply with the

specifications given in this document in the publication of a thesis or non-thesis research project.

Graduate students, under faculty guidance, are expected to produce scholarly work either in the

form of a thesis or a scholarly research project.

The thesis (master or specialist) should document the student’s research study and maintain a degree of intensity.

The purpose of this manual is to assist the graduate student and the graduate thesis advisory

committee in each department with the instructions contained herein. This is the official

approved manual by the Graduate Division.

Formatting questions not addressed in these guidelines should be directed to the Graduate School

staff in the Walter Washington Administration Building, Suite 519 or by phone at

601.877.6122 or via email: graduatestudies@alcorn.edu or in person.

The Graduate Studies Thesis Advisory Committee

(Revised Spring 2018)

mailto:graduatestudies@alcorn.edu
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

INTRODUCTION ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 3

SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF THESIS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ……………………. 4

1. Early Topic Selection …………………………………………………………………………………………… 4

2. Selection of Thesis Chair …………………………………………………………………………………………… 4 3. Selection of Thesis Committee Members ……………………………………………………………….. 4

4. Appointment of Thesis Advisory Committee Form …………………………………………………. 4

5. Invitation to Prospective Committee Members ……………………………………………………….. 5

6. TAC Committee Selection ……………………………………………………………………………………. 5

CHOICE OF SUBJECT …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 5

PROPOSAL DEFENSE AND SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL TO IRB ………………………………. 5

PARTS OF THE MANUSCRIPT: PRELIMINARY PAGES …………………………………………….. 8

1. Title Page ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 8

2. Approval Page (Signature Page) ……………………………………………………………………………. 8 3. Copyright Page Information ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 8 4. Dedication Page …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8

5. Acknowledgements ……………………………………………………………………………………………… 9

6. Abstract ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 9

7. Table of Contents ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. 10

8. List of Tables …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 10

9. List of Figures ……………………………………………………………………………………………………. 11

PARTS OF THE MANUSCRIPT: TEXT …………………………………………………………………………. 11

1. Chapter I: Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………………….. 12

2. Chapter II: Review of Literature …………………………………………………………………………….. 12 3. Chapter III: Methodology ……………………………………………………………………………………. 12

4. Chapter IV: Results and Discussion ……………………………………………………………………… 13

5. Chapter V: Conclusions, Implications and Recommendations ………………………………… 13

NON-THESIS/RESEARCH PROJECT ……………………………………………………………………………. 15

PARTS OF THE MANUSCRIPT: SUPPLEMENTARY PAGES …………………………………….. 14

1. References, Bibliography, or Literature Cited ……………………………………………………….. 14

2. Appendix or Appendices ………………………………………………………………………………………… 14

FORMAT AND STYLE STANDARDS …………………………………………………………………………… 14

FINAL DISPOSITION OF THESIS ………………………………………………………………………………… 19

HUMAN SUBJECTS IN RESEARCH …………………………………………………………………………….. 19

ANIMAL SUBJECTS IN RESEARCH ……………………………………………………………………………. 19

CONCLUSION …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 19

APPENDICES ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 21

1. Appendix A: Sample Cover Page for Bound Thesis …………………………………………. 21

2. Appendix B: Sample Title Page …………………………………………………………………….. 24

3. Appendix C: Sample Approval Page ……………………………………………………………… 25

4. Appendix D: Sample Dedication Page …………………………………………………………… 26

5. Appendix E: Sample Acknowledgements Page ……………………………………………….. 27

6. Appendix F: Sample Abstract Page ……………………………………………………………….. 28

7. Appendix G: Sample Table of Contents …………………………………………………………. 30

8. Appendix H: Sample List of Tables Page ………………………………………………………… 31

9. Appendix I: Sample List of Figures Page ………………………………………………………. 33

10. Appendix J: Sample Chapter I Introduction ……………………………………………………. 34

11. Appendix K: Sample Chapter II Review of Literature……………………………………… 36

12. Appendix L: Sample Chapter III Methodology ………………………………………………. 38

13. Appendix M: Sample Chapter IV Data Analysis …………………………………………….. 43

14. Appendix N: Sample Chapter V Conclusions, Implications, Recommendations …. 44

15. Appendix O: Sample References ………………………………………………………………….. 45

16. Appendix P: Appointment of Thesis Advisory Committee ……………………………… 47

17. Appendix Q: Sample Institutional Board Application ……………………………………… 48

18. Appendix R: Thesis Formatting Checklist ……………………………………………………… 59

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INTRODUCTION

This manual has been prepared by the Office of Graduate Studies Advisory Committee at Alcorn

State University to provide uniform standards and guidance to students in the preparation and

formatting of the thesis or non-thesis research project to complete requirements for graduation.

Graduate students, under faculty guidance, are expected to produce scholarly work either in

the form of a thesis or a scholarly project. This expectation is achieved through the enrollment

in six (6) credit hours in Thesis or Scholarly Project. Thesis requirements will be addressed

in this document which have been prepared to help graduate students prepare their research thesis

for acceptance by Alcorn State University. The guidelines contained within have been updated

and, in some cases, clarified for the benefit of students, faculty advisors, departments, and the

Graduate School. Appendices have been expanded to give students models to guide the

production of their finished product for review. Any questions about the contents of this guide

should be directed to the Graduate Studies staff. It is the Advisor’s responsibility to make certain

that any thesis or research project submitted in partial fulfillment of a graduate degree at Alcorn

State University conforms to the regulations outlined in this guide. Responsibility for the content

of any manuscript remains with the student and the faculty advisor(s).

A thesis advisory committee (TAC) is selected prior to commencing any thesis work by the

student. (See Section B)

Advisory Committee (TAC) and Process

• Select thesis topic and chair. • A timeline should be developed with the guidance of the committee chair. • Select committee members. • Develop draft of Thesis Proposal (first three chapters). • Finalize thesis proposal. • Present proposal defense to TAC and receive approval to continue. • Obtain Alcorn State University (ASU) Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and external

institution approval if needed.

• Attach copy of the IRB approval letter as an Appendix in the final copy of the thesis. • Implement study, collect data. • Analyze data. • Develop final two chapters. • Submit thesis only after the final approval has been sanctioned by the thesis (non-thesis)

advisory committee. Only the committee chair can submit the manuscript to Graduate

Studies for review.

The Graduate School recommends the following book as a supplement to the information

provided in this manual. A copy is kept in Graduate Studies for reference purposes.

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association. 6th ed. American Psychological

Association: Washington, DC, 2010.

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The approved copy that has been reviewed by the TAC is the final copy that the committee chair should submit to the Graduate Office electronically in pdf format. Consequently, the original signature pages (4) must be submitted to the Graduate Office. Only after all corrections have been made to the thesis will approval be given by signing the signature pages. After the document is reviewed and approved, only then can the student proceed to prepare the requested number of copies.

SELECTION AND APPOINTMENT OF THESIS ADVISOR COMMITTEE (TAC)

A thesis advisory committee (TAC) is selected prior to commencing any research by the student.

Development of the thesis or non-thesis effort should proceed in an orderly fashion. The student

who anticipates graduating in a timely manner needs to adhere to the following schedule of

activities:

Early topic selection

Selection of Committee Chair

The committee chair must be a member of the graduate faculty in your discipline. A time line

should be developed with the guidance of the committee chair.

The thesis/non-thesis committee members should be selected under the guidance of the committee

chair (a minimum of two members in addition to the chair).

Selection of Thesis and Non-Thesis Committee Members

Thesis and non-thesis members should hold a minimum of a master’s degree. Two of the three

TAC members should be in your discipline, including the chair.

A third member may be chosen from any qualified Alcorn State University faculty, or a qualified

community member holding a master’s degree or higher* If a student selects a member outside of

the university, a letter of explanation regarding why a thesis member outside of the university was

chosen needs to be sent to the Dean of Graduate Studies, along with the proposed member’s

curriculum vita. A letter of approval for the proposed committee member should be obtained from

the Dean of Graduate Studies.

The student must be enrolled in thesis or an independent course in order to hold conferences with

the TAC.

Appointment of Thesis Advisory Committee Form

An “Appointment of Thesis Advisory Committee” form with committee member signatures should

be completed and turned in to your committee chair. (See Appendix P)

Invitation to prospective committee members should be issued in writing by the student.

The TAC committee selection will be submitted to the Department Chair of the student’s discipline

which will then be forwarded to Graduate Studies.

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The TAC chairperson is responsible for student guidance regarding scheduling of activities for

thesis and non-thesis development. Although the student is ultimately responsible for his or her

own work, all TAC members are accountable for the quality of the thesis or non-thesis.

CHOICE OF SUBJECT

Students have the autonomy to self-select a topic of interest that will be best suited for a research

study. This topic should be discussed with your committee chair to ensure a comprehensive

approach is possible in the investigation. The length of the manuscript depends on the magnitude

of the investigation and the time given to thoughtfully and thoroughly discuss the topic under

study. In this guide, the page requirement for a thesis is 40-80 pages in content. References and

Preliminary pages are not counted in this page requirement. All work of the student should be

under the supervision and advisement of the thesis chair and thesis committee.

PROPOSAL DEFENSE AND SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL TO ASU INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD (IRB)

Proposal Defense:

The student is responsible for coordinating with the TAC chair and members regarding scheduling

of the proposal defense, scheduling the room, and obtaining needed equipment for the

presentation. The student will provide all committee members a copy of the proposal one week

in advance of the meeting. It is recommended that the proposal defense be scheduled during the

first 2 or 3 hours enrollment in Thesis.

The proposal defense may be either a poster presentation, a visual presentation using electronic

formats such as PowerPoint, or a working meeting with the TAC committee as determined by the

TAC Chair in consultation with the student.

During the formal proposal meeting, the TAC will approve the thesis proposal (chapters 1-3) as

acceptable for thesis research. Changes to be made will be specified during the proposal meeting.

Once the research proposal is approved, the student and committee are committed to that thesis

proposal as it is written, except for extraordinary circumstances, after acceptance, no substantive

changes will be made to the proposal, only minor editorial changes should be made.

Once the research proposal has been accepted. The “Thesis Proposal Approval Form” (Signature

Page) is to be signed by all TAC members and given to the Chair of their discipline (Appendix

C).

A copy of the TAC approved thesis proposal is forwarded the Dean of Graduate Studies, along

with a copy of the Thesis Proposal Approval Form, by the Chair of the specific Discipline.

Institutional Review Board Application:

Every thesis must have clearance from ASU Institutional Review Board prior to implementation.

This requirement also applies to studies using survey instruments (See Appendix P).

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The Informed Consent form must be submitted with the IRB Application. This form is to include

a description of the study procedures; purpose; risk/benefits; time required of participants;

assurance of confidentiality; withdrawal allowed at any time; and a signature space for the

participant.

In some situations, the study must also have IRB approval within the institution where the study

is conducted. The student needs to allow sufficient time for IRB approvals that may take up to

four weeks.

After approval of the thesis proposal, the TAC chair will direct the student through the

procedures for IRB approval of the research plan. The student is to complete the IRB

Application and return the form to the TAC chair (See Appendix P).

If you place the form in your computer for completion, put the questions in bold and clearly set

the answers apart from the questions.

• Do not bind the application; • Include a title page in the proposal.

The TAC chair provides the following to the chair of their discipline (or discipline secretary), *to

be forwarded to the Institutional Review Board Chair.

• One copy of the proposal. • The appropriately completed IRB application. • A cover letter from the TAC chair to the IRB chair requesting the proposal be reviewed

by the IRB.

The TAC chair will notify the student when the IRB approval is received. A copy of the IRB

decision form, with signatures, is given to the discipline chair (or secretary) to place in the

student’s file. The original is given to the student for inclusion in the final copies of the thesis.

Following IRB approval, data collection can begin. The student is to communicate any problems

in this phase of the research study to the TAC chair. A full TAC meeting may be called if

necessary.

Upon completion of data collection, the student will write the finding and discussion sections of

the thesis. The student will then prepare for thesis defense. A student must be submitted to

candidacy and must obtain approval of the entire TAC committee prior to scheduling the thesis

defense. The defense is to take place no sooner than the final semester of course work. Students

should check with their thesis advisor regarding deadlines for Scheduling the Oral Defense.

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PARTS OF THE MANUSCRIPT – PRELIMINARY PAGES

A thesis ordinarily has three main parts: preliminary pages, the text, and supplementary material.

The information included in this section lists the order of the content and gives guidance as to the

style and formatting of each section.