General Statement for All Papers and Projects

While the student's department and advisory committee have the responsibility for determining the manual or style to be followed in writing a research paper, thesis, creative project, or dissertation, such matters as spacing, professional typing standards, etc., must be in accordance with this document. 

All papers and projects must be submitted by the deadline date established for each semester. For the exact date, see the Graduate School website at   http://www.bsu.edu/gradschool/graduation/).

Graduate School Requirements for All Papers and Projects

1. Paper – White cotton 100% bond, 20 or 24 pound weight, 8 ½" by 11" to be used for all hard copy submissions to the Graduate School including duplicate copies
2. Margins – (required throughout the text)

a.  Top– 1 inch, 2 inches on first page of each chapter.  Three blank lines should be left between a chapter title and written material following.

b.  Left-Hand – 1½ inches

c.  Right-Hand – 1 inch

d.  Bottom – 1¼  inches

3. Page Numbering – The placing of the page numbers is determined by the manual of style selected by the student, but the page number is to be omitted on the first page of each chapter
4. Spacing – The main body should be double-spaced. Footnotes and endnotes are to be single-spaced. Items in the Bibliography and Tables should conform to the manual of style selected by the student's department.
5. Pages – Only one side of the page is to be used.
6. Adhesives (if needed) – Plastic glue (liquid casein) or dry-mounting tissue.  Do not use rubber cement or scotch tape.

Specific Requirements for Research Paper (RES 697 – 3 semester hours). 

1. The research paper is an original study of non-thesis proportions to show that students have the ability to identify a genuine educational problem and to draw valid and significant conclusions from the data. It will be on a subject directly related to his/her area of concentration.
2. The topic must be approved by the advisor and the department chairperson as well as the dean of the Graduate School before students will be permitted to register for RES 697. The Topic Approval Form for the research paper is available in PDF format or may be obtained in the Graduate School office.
3. Students who write a research paper must enroll for three credit hours in RES 697. The research paper cannot be used to meet the requirements for any course except RES 697.
4. The Title Page includes the following:  title of paper, name, degree, requirements being fulfilled, full name of institution, advisor, and month and date of the submission of the paper. Use only capital letters (see sample Title Page).
5. Submission to the Graduate School – The entire research paper in its final approved form must be submitted to the Graduate School as follows:

a.  Two copies, bound in the black, hardback, hole-punch type covers (available in the University bookstore), along with

b.  The Final Approval Form with all appropriate signatures. The Final Approval form for the research paper is available in PDF format or may be obtained in the Graduate School office; and

c.  The "I" Removal Form for RES 697, if applicable (the department will send this form to the Graduate School; the student is not responsible for it).

Specific Requirements for Creative Project (THES 698 – 6 semester hours or RES 697 – 3 semester hours)

1. The creative project must show evidence of superior craftsmanship and creative scholarship. This option is restricted to students who, on the recommendation of the department chairperson, are capable of exhibiting these traits.
2. The topic must be approved by the advisor and the department chairperson as well as the dean of the Graduate School before students will be permitted to register for either THES 698 or RES 697. The Topic Approval form (6-hour, 3-hour) for the creative project is available in PDF format or may be obtained in the Graduate School office.
3. Students who elect to do a creative project must enroll for either six hours of credit in THES 698 or three credit hours in RES 697. The creative project cannot be used to meet the requirements for any course except THES 698 or RES 697. Students who enroll in THES 698 for six hours of credit must also meet the requirements as specified for writing a thesis (see below).
4. The creative project will be in the student's concentration area. Examples of creative research projects include a musical arrangement, composition, or recital; a painting(s), sculpture(s), or craft project; a literary composition; or instructional units in the student's major field. The creative project must be supported by a written report, which includes background research and other significant information and data basic to the project, as well as a thorough description of the project itself.
5. The Title Page includes the following:  title of project, number of credit hours, name, degree, requirements being fulfilled, full name of institution, advisor, and month and date of the submission of the paper. Use only capital letters (see sample Title Page).
6. Submission to the Graduate School – The entire creative project in its final approved form must be submitted to the Graduate School as follows:

For three hours of credit (RES 697)

a.  Two copies, bound in the black, hardback, hold-punch type covers (available in the University bookstore), along with

b.  The Final Approval Form with all appropriate signatures. The Final Approval form for the research paper is available in PDF format or may be obtained in the Graduate School office, and

c.  The "I" Removal Form for RES 697, if applicable (the department will send this form to the Graduate School; the student is not responsible for it).

For six hours of credit (THES 698)

a.  Two copies, unbound and placed in a box, along with

b.  Two copies of the Final Approval Form with all appropriate signatures. The Final Approval form for the creative project is available in PDF format  or may be obtained in the Graduate School office; and

c.  Two copies of a one-page (100-150 words) Abstract (see sample Abstract); and

d.  The "I" Removal Form for THES 698, if applicable (the department will send this form to the Graduate School; the student is not responsible for it).

Specific Requirements for Thesis (THES 698 – 6 semester hours)

1. The thesis will embody the results of a study of some subject directly related to the student's area of specialization. The thesis must show that the candidate possesses the abilities to pursue a research problem successfully and to draw valid and significant conclusions from the data. The student must have a committee of three faculty members selected in consultation with the department chairperson and approved by the dean of the Graduate School.
2. The topic must be approved by the advisor and the department chairperson as well as the dean of the Graduate School before students will be permitted to register for THES 698. The Topic Approval form for the thesis is available in PDF format or may be obtained in the Graduate School office.
3. Students who write a thesis must enroll for six credit hours in THES 698. The thesis cannot be used to meet the requirements for any course except THES 698.
4. Students must include a one-page (100-150 words) Abstract of the thesis briefly describing the nature of the study and its findings (see sample Abstract).
5. The Title Page includes the following:  title of paper, name, degree, requirements being fulfilled, full name of institution, advisor, and month and date of the submission of the paper. Use only capital letters (see sample Title Page).
6. The Acknowledgement Page is a statement of indebtedness to other persons for assistance.  
7. Submission to the Graduate School – The entire thesis in its final approved form must be submitted to the Graduate School as follows:

a.  Two copies, unbound and placed in a box, along with

b.  Two copies of the Final Approval Form with all appropriate signatures. The Final Approval form for the thesis is available in PDF format or may be obtained in the Graduate School office; and

c.  Two copies of a one-page (100-150 words) Abstract (see sample Abstract); and

d.  The "I" Removal Form for THES 698, if applicable (the department will send this form to the Graduate School; the student is not responsible for it).

Specific Instructions for Dissertation (DISS 799 – 10 semester hours)

1. See "Doctoral Degree Checklist" for these instructions or pick up a copy in the Graduate School.
2. Submission to the Graduate School – The entire dissertation in its final approved form must be submitted to the Graduate School as follows:

a.  Two copies, unbound and placed in a box, along with

b.  Three copies of the acceptance page  signed by all committee members; and 

c.  Three copies of the Abstract, not more than 350 words; and

d.  One Final Approval Form  signed by all committee members; and

e.  The "I" Removal Form for DISS 799, if applicable (the department will send this form to the Graduate School; the student is not responsible for it).

Students' Responsibilities

1. Application for Graduation 

a.  All students must file an application for graduation to receive their diplomas. Students may apply on-line at http://www.bsu.edu/gradschool/graduation/ or come to the Graduate School for an application. In general, applications for graduation are due by the end of the fourth week of fall and spring semesters or the end of the second week in a summer semester. For the exact date see the above website. 

b.  The University Bookstore must receive the student's cap and gown measurement form promptly. Payment is due at the time the cap and gown is ordered.

c.  Prior to the completion of course requirements, those students who have received a National Defense or Direct Student Loan, or a Nursing Student Loan from Ball State University must make an appointment for an "Exit Interview" in the Student Aid Finance Office (AD 201).

1. Submission of Papers

a.  Ordinarily papers are due four weeks before the close of fall and spring semesters and two weeks before the close of summer semester. For the exact date, see the Graduate School website at http://www.bsu.edu/gradschool/graduation/.

Plagiarism

Students are encouraged to click on the link below and read the article on plagiarism. It gives helpful hints on how to avoid and prevent academic theft.

Preventing Plagiarism (http://www.psychologicalscience.org/teaching/tips/tips_0403.html)

Graduate School
Revised 3/5/2007