THESES

A GUIDE TO THE PREPARATION AND PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH THESES

February 2012

INTRODUCTION This guide to the preparation and presentation of theses for MA/MSc/LLM (by Research), MPhil, PhD and MD (Research) qualifications has been compiled by the University of Central Lancashire Library and Learning Resources Unit and the Graduate Research Office. It is based on regulations as outlined in the University Research Regulations (September 2011) and British Standard BS 4821 (1990). Acknowledgement and thanks are extended to the British Standards Institution. Original Compilers: Aidan Turner-Bishop, Ian Levitt & Bob Brown 1985, revised 1990 & 1995 Revisions: Aidan Turner-Bishop, Phil Pacey, Fiona Mair, Carol Mills 2007 revised 2008 Carol Mills February 2012

Contents 1. Paper Quality and Typographical Detail 1.1 Methods of production 1.2 Paper 1.3 Layout Pagination 2.1 Page numbering 2.2 Position of page numbers 2.3 Multi-volume theses Preliminaries 3.1 Published Material 3.2 Permission to copy Preparation of Text 4.1 Title page 4.2 Title 4.3 Student Declaration 4.4 Abstract 4.5 Table of contents 4.6 Lists of tables and illustrative material 4.7 Acknowledgements 4.8 Abbreviations Text 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 Page 5 5 5

2.

5 5 5

3.

5 6

4.

6 6 6 7 7 7 7 7

5.

Introduction Chapters and sections Headings Section numbering Note numbering

7 7 8 8 8

6.

Diagrams, Maps, Illustrations, Computer Printouts, Published Papers, Table 6.1 Binding 6.2 Photographic prints 6.3 Other illustrative material 6.4 Packaging of unbound material 6.5 Marking unbound material 6.6 Guards 6.7 Numbers and captions 6.8 Tables 6.9 Critical editions End Matter 7.1 Appendices 7.2 List of references 7.3 Bibliography 7.4 Index Cover and Binding 8.1 Binding 8.2 Final Hardbinding 8.3 Cover and Spine titles

8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9

7.

9 9 9 9

8.

10 10 10

9. 10.

Length of Thesis Deposit of Theses in University of Central Lancashire Library and with Collaborating Establishments Bibliographical Lists of Theses British Standards Publications Theses Production Further Reading 15.1 Dissertations and theses 15.2 Indexing 15.3 Picture research 15.4 Punctuation 15.5 Style and usage

11

11/12 12 12 13

11. 12. 13. 14.

13 13 14 14/15 15

1.
1.1

Paper quality and typographical detail

Methods of production

Theses shall be presented in a permanent and legible form in typescript or print. Characters shall be not less than 8 pt (2.75 mm). Script should be of even quality, with clear black characters. Where copies are produced by any photocopying processes, these must be of a permanent nature. (University Research Regulation Appendix M4). 1.2 Paper

Theses are to be in A4 format and presented in English. The thesis should normally be printed on one side of the paper. (Regulation M10.1 and Appendix M4 of the University Research Regulations). However, for final hardbinding the thesis may be printed doublesided 1.3 Layout

Margins at the binding edge (left) shall be 40 mm and other margins 20 mm. Double or one-and-a-half spacing shall be used in typescript except for indented quotations or footnotes where single spacing may be used. (Appendix M4 of the University Research Regulations).

2.
2.1

Pagination
Page numbering

Pages shall be numbered consecutively through the main text including photographs and/or diagrams which are included as whole pages. Such photographs and/or diagrams shall be firmly fixed in place and, where appropriate, indexed separately by reference to the facing page. Refer to former BS 4821 for detailed issues relating to numbering, indented quotations, footnotes and figurer captions. (Appendix M4 of the University Research Regulations). 2.2 Position of page numbers

Page numbers shall be located centrally at the bottom of the page and no more 20 mm above the edge of the page. The pagination of appendices shall be continuous within each appendix, but distinct from the main text. 2.3 Multi-volume theses

If there is more than one volume, each volume shall carry its own pagination.

3.
3.1

Preliminaries
Published material

The candidate is free to publish material in advance of the thesis but reference must be made to any such work in the thesis. Copies of published material may be either bound in with the thesis or placed in an adequately secured pocket at the end of the thesis. It is recommended that a list of such material be appended to the thesis. (Appendix M4 of the University Research Regulations).

3.2

Permission to copy

A declaration giving permission for reproduction may be made to grant powers of discretion to the depository library to allow the thesis to be copied in whole or in part without further reference to the author. This permission covers only single copies made for study purposes subject to normal conditions of acknowledgement.

4.
4.1

Preparation of Text
Title Page

The title page of every volume shall give the following information in the order listed: (i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) the full title of the thesis and sub-title if any: the total number of volumes if more than one and the number of the particular volume; the full name of the author, followed, if desired, by any qualifications and distinctions; the award for which the thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment of; that the degree is awarded by the University of Central Lancashire; the collaborating establishment, if any; the month and year of the viva. (In the case of a resubmission it would be the month and year of resubmission).

A sample of a title page is available from the Graduate Research School Office or can be found on web page in the document library under T for Thesis title page: http://www.uclan.ac.uk/research/graduate_research_school/research_document_library. php 4.2 Title

The title of the thesis is set when examination arrangements are applied for and approved by the appropriate Research Degrees sub-committee (RDSC). The title should describe the content of the thesis accurately and concisely. (It should be noted, however, that once examination arrangements have been approved by the RDSC, any changes to the title must be approved by the Head of Graduate Research School.) 4.3 Student Declaration

A student declaration should be included in the thesis stating if any of the material has been submitted for another award or if the candidate has had concurrent registration for two or more academic awards. The declaration should precede the abstract. (University Research Regulations M10.1) A sample of the declaration is available from the Graduate Research School Office and can be found on the web in the document library under D for Declaration (student) http://www.uclan.ac.uk/research/graduate_research_school/research_document_library. php#

4.4

Abstract

The abstract (of approximately 300 words) shall immediately follow the declaration page and should provide a synopsis of the thesis stating the nature and scope of the work undertaken and, for MPhil, MD (Res) and PhD candidates in particular, state the contribution made to the knowledge of the subject treated.

4.5

Table of contents

The table of contents shall immediately follow the abstract. It shall list in sequence, with page numbers, all relevant subdivisions of the thesis including the title of chapter, sections and subsections, as appropriate; the list of references; the bibliography (if any); the list of abbreviations and other functional parts of the whole thesis; any appendices; the index (if provided). If a thesis comprises more than one volume, the contents of the whole thesis shall be shown in the first volume and the contents of the subsequent volumes in a separate contents lists in the appropriate volume. 4.6 List of tables and illustrative material

The lists of tables and illustrations shall follow the table of contents and shall list all tables, photographs, diagrams, etc, in the order in which they occur in the text. 4.7 Acknowledgements

Any acknowledgements shall be on the page following the table of contents. 4.8 Abbreviations

Any abbreviations should be those in normal use; where necessary a key to the abbreviations should be provided. For an abbreviation not in common use, the term shall be given in full in the first instance followed by the abbreviation in brackets.

5.
5.1

Text
Introduction

The first chapter of the thesis shall be preceded by an introduction, so headed, defining the relation of the thesis to other work in the same field and referring appropriately to any findings, propositions, or new discoveries contained in the thesis and to any important points about sources or treatment. 5.2 Chapters and sections

These shall be divided as appropriate into chapters, sections and sub-sections. The system of headings shall be consistent and should provide a clear indication of change in content, emphasis, and other features which occur at each stage of the work.

5.3

Headings

The headings recommended are: i) ii) Main headings, which should be used for chapters or sections and should be in full capitals. Subsidiary headings, which should be used for sub-sections consisting of associated paragraphs, should be above the line of the text and should use initial capitals. Section numbering

5.4

If section numbering is used it should not go beyond sub-sections. The alphabet or arabic numerals may be used for lists. The system of notation of appendices shall be consistent with but independent of that used for chapters and sections of the main text. 5.5 Note numbering

References cited in the text should be identified by numbers, typed as superscripts or, if on line, in round brackets, immediately following the relevant work or phrase in the text. Different sequences shall be used for numbering end notes and references e.g. letter for the former and numbers for the latter. Footnotes, if used, should use other symbols.

6.
6.1

Diagrams, maps, illustrations, published papers, tables

Binding

computer

printouts,

Whenever practicable diagrams, maps, illustrations, published papers and tables shall have a binding margin of at least 40 mm and should, if possible, be bound in the thesis near the appropriate text. 6.2 Photographic prints

Separate photographic prints shall be on single weight paper or permanently mounted on cartridge paper for binding and shall be securely fixed in the thesis. 6.3 Other illustrative material

Other material which cannot conveniently be bound in the text, such as maps, slides, sound or video tape, or computer media, shall be packaged in such a way that it can be bound with the thesis. If the amount of such material is substantial it should be gathered into a supplementary volume and packaged in a rigid container similar in format to the bound thesis. 6.4 Packaging of unbound material

If material which cannot conveniently be submitted in bound form constitutes the whole of a thesis it shall be packaged, labelled and titled as required.

6.5

Marking unbound material

Unbound material and its packaging shall both be marked with the authors name, initials and qualification for which the work is submitted in such a way that it can readily be linked with the thesis; it shall contain appropriate instructions for use. Reference to any unbound material shall be made in the thesis, with appropriate instructions for use. 6.6 Guards

Guards for plates, diagrams and other inserted material shall be provided where necessary. 6.7 Numbers and captions

The numbers and captions shall be at the bottom of the illustrations. The top of an illustration which is bound sideways should be to the left of the page. 6.8 Tables

Tables shall be numbered consecutively throughout the thesis. The method of numbering shall be distinct from that used for other material. 6.9 Critical editions

Candidates who undertake a programme of research of which the principal focus is the preparation of a scholarly edition of a text or texts, musical or choreographic work of other original artefacts must include a copy of the edited text(s) or collection of artefact(s), appropriate textual and explanatory annotations and a substantial introduction and critical commentary which sets the text in the relevant historical, theoretical or critical context.

7.
7.1

End Matter
Appendices

Appendices shall follow the main text and precede the index (if provided). Appendices may consist of supporting material of considerable length or of lists, documents, commentaries, tables or other evidence which, if included in the main text, would interrupt its flow. The style of appendices shall be consistent with the style of the main text. Long appendices may be divided into chapters, which shall be entered in the table of contents under the main heading of the appendix. 7.2 List of references

Every reference in the list should enable the reader to identify the work cited and to locate the specific passage referred to. There are different ways of listing references in a bibliography but the Golden Rule is to be consistent once you have decided on your method. Each School will have adopted their own particular referencing system. How to list your references is available via Library online: http://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/wiser/files/UCLAN-LIS-references08.pdf

Wiser also supply a number of helpful guides and resources online: http://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/wiser/referencing_guides.php. There are also a number of books on referencing in the library. 7.3 Bibliography

If a bibliography is supplied it should be arranged in a logical order, for example alphabetically by authors, in broad subject classes. Wiser also have useful resources for bibliographies online. 7.4 Index

An index should not be required provided the table of contents is detailed. If there is an index it shall comply with the recommendations in BS IS0999:1996.

8.
8.1

Cover and binding

Preparation of Thesis for Submission For submission to examiners the thesis can be presented in a temporary bound form sufficiently secure to ensure that papers cannot be added or removed preferably either by tape or velo binding (see below). A thesis submitted in this way must be in its final form in all respects save the binding. The student is liable for payment of copying for essential volumes of the thesis. It is recommended that the thesis is submitted for examination is soft bound either tape or velo. University Printing Service Uclan Print The University printing service offers a range of services to students including binding of theses. The service is located in the Library on the ground floor. If you have any queries please contact the service Tel 01772 894347 or email printing services: [email protected]. Leaflets on the service are also available in the Graduate Research School and the Services Desk in the Library. Charges for binding start from 1.50p per book and covers from 50p per book.

8.2

Final Hard Binding (Permanent)

The thesis must be presented in a permanent binding of the approved type before the degree can be awarded. The binding shall be of a fixed type so that leaves cannot be removed or replaced. The front and rear boards shall have sufficient rigidity to support the weight of the work when standing upright. University of Central Lancashire research degrees requires red covers (Appendix M4 of the University Research Regulations). Final hard-binding of the thesis is paid for by the University of Central Lancashire. See section 10 in relation to providing the University with copies of your thesis and depositing with the University Library. 8.3 Cover and spine titles

The outside front board shall bear the title of the work in at least 24 pt (8 mm) type. The name and the initials of the candidate, the qualification and the year of submission shall also be shown on the front board.

10

The same information (excluding the title of the work) shall be shown on the spine of the work. (Appendix M4 of the University Research Regulations). If the work consists of more than one volume the spine shall also bear the number of each volume.

9.

Length of thesis

The text of the thesis should not normally exceed the following length (excluding ancillary data) (see University Research Regulation M10.1): in Medicine, Science and Engineering and Art and Design for PhD 40,000 words MPhil 20,000 words MA\MSc (by Research) 15,000 words in Humanities, Health, Social Sciences and Education for PhD MPhil MA\MSc (by Research) MD (Res) and MCh (Res) LLM (by Research) MPhil (by Published Work) PhD (by Published Work) MD (by Published Work)

80,000 words 40,000 words 25,000 words 30,000 words 25,000 words 5,000 words 10,000 words 5,000 words

Where the thesis is accompanied by material in other than written form or the research involves creative writing or the preparation of a scholarly edition, it is recommended that the written thesis should be within the range: for PhD for MD (Res) for MPhil for MA\MSc\LLM (by Research) 30,000 - 40,000 words 20,000 - 30,000 words 15,000 - 20,000 words 10,000 - 15,000 words

10.

Deposition of theses in the University of Central Lancashire Library and with Collaborating Establishments

Following notification of recommendation for the degree, candidates are required to supply two loose copies of their thesis for final hardbinding; a third volume will be required where there is a collaborating institution for the project. These copies are to be bound in red buckram and are provided for the student and their Director of Studies. Students are also required to deposit an electronic copy of their thesis with the UCLAN Research Repository CLOK. This should be submitted in the first instance to the Graduate Research School with a Thesis submission form. Details of submitting electronic theses and binding arrangements are available from the Senior Research Administrator (Examinations), Graduate Research School Office, Ext 4285 or by emailing [email protected].

11

For information about the Research Repository - CLoK see http://clok.uclan.ac.uk/ The page includes information about the repository policies, Copyright and Open Access Archiving and information about the Deposit process including a Frequently Asked Questions Section.

11.

Bibliographical lists of theses

The principal lists of theses and dissertations are: Index to Theses is available online via Library Online/e-resources/databases. Dissertation Abstracts International (DAI) is the large - mainly USA - database of dissertations. UClan does not subscribe to DAI but you can search ProQuest Dissertations and Theses (PQDT) for current two years at wwwlib.umi.com/dissertations. 12. British

Standards

British Standards are available online via Library Online/e-resources/databases. Definitive guidance on certain editing problems may be found in these British Standards: BS1629 BS 2979 BS IS0 999:1996 BS4148 BS4280 BS4812 BS5605 Recommendation for references to published materials Transliteration of Cyrillic and Greek characters Information and documentation. Guidelines for the content, organisation and presentation of indexes. Specification for abbreviation of title words and titles of publications Transliteration of Arabic characters Specification for the romanization of Japanese Recommendations for citing and referencing published material

British Standards can be searched at BS Online using your UClan Athens username and password.

12

13.

Thesis Production

The University does not provide a word-processing service for students. Commercial typists can be contacted through Yellow pages under Secretarial Services or at www.yell.com. Charges will be quoted by the individual typist who, in assessing them, will take into account the complexity of the material to be typed and the quality of paper used. It is usual for the typist to provide the paper.

14.
14.1

Further Reading
Dissertations and theses

Graves, Norman & Varma, Ved, eds. Working for a doctorate: a guide for humanities and social sciences (Routledge, 1997) 378.155 WOR Phillips, Estelle M. & Pugh, D.S. How to get a PhD (Open University Press, 2000 )3rd ed. 378.24 PHI Rugg, Gordon & Petre, Marian The unwritten rules of PhD research (Oxford University Press, 2004) 378.24 RUG Turabian, Kate L. & Spink, J.E. A manual for writers of research papers, theses and dissertations (Chicago University Press, 1996) 6th ed. 808.042 TUR 15.2 Indexing

Former BS4821 states that an index should not be required provided the table of contents is detailed. If there is an index it shall comply with BS ISO999: 1996. Reference Manager and End Note software are available on the UCLan IT network. Indexing software such as MACREX (www.macrex.com) and CINDEX (http://indexres.com/home.php ) may be useful. Guides to indexing include: Booth, Pat Indexing, the manual of good practice (K.G.Saur, 2001) 029.48 BOO Knight, G. Norman Indexing, the art of (Allen & Unwin, 1980) 029.5 KNI Mulvany, Nancy C Indexing books (Chicago University Press, 1993) 029.5 MUL

13

Wellisch, Hans H Indexing from A to Z (H.W.Wilson, 1991) 029.5 WEL The ISO Standard for indexing is BS ISO 999: 1996 Information and documentation. Guidelines for the content, organization and presentation of indexes. To contact professional indexers check: The Society of Indexers: the British and Irish professional body for indexing www.indexers.org.uk This site has a list of Indexers available. The American Society of Indexers http://www.asindexing.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3267 The ASI lists indexing software such as MACREX and CINDEX. 15.3 Picture research

There are guides, with web links, to image databases and other sources of images on the internet and in the UCLan Library online: http://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/library/e_images.php http://www.uclan.ac.uk/students/library/art_museum_image.php

Photographic Libraries www.photographiclibraries.com has a useful search tool. Useful guides to picture research include: Evans, Hilary & Evans, Rose The picture researchers handbook. (Pira International, 2001) 7th ed. RC 026.00025 EVA Evans, Hilary Practical picture research. 2nd ed. (Blueprint, 1992) 026.7 EVA Wall, John Directory of British photographic collections (Heinemann, 1977) RC 770.740941 WAL The internet is a good source of images, especially Google Image. However, web images are usually copyright and care should be taken not to use them without permission. 15.4 Punctuation

Carey, Gordon V. Mind the stop; a brief guide to punctuation with a note on proof-correction. (Penguin, 1976) 421.9 CAR Oxford English: a guide to the language, compiled by I.C. B. Dear (Oxford U.P., 1986) RC 428 OXF

14

Truss, Lynne Eats, shoots and leaves: the zero tolerance approach to punctuation (Profile, 2003) 421.1 TRU 15.5 Style and usage

Amis, Kingsley The Kings English: a guide to modern usage (Harper Collins, 1997) 428 AMI Bryson, Bill Troublesome words (Viking, 2001) RC 428 BRY The Chicago manual of style. 15th ed. (Chicago U.P., 2003) RC 808.02 CHI Gowers, Sir Ernest The complete plain words 3rd. ed. (Penguin, 1987) RC 428 GOW Marsh, David & Marshall, Nikki The Guardian stylebook (Guardian Books, 2004) 808.042 MAR MHRA style guide: a handbook for authors, editors and writers of theses. (Modern Humanities Research Association, 2002) 808.042 MHR Orwell, George Politics and the English language (1946) in: Collected essays (Secker & Warburg, 1961), pp. 353-367 082 ORW This article was originally published in Horizon, April, 1946. Partridge, Eric Usage and abusage. Rev. ed. (Penguin, 1973) RC 428.003 PAR

Roget, P & Kirkpatrick, B Rogets thesaurus. New ed. (Penguin, 1998) 423 ROG Rogets Thesaurus and other reference books may be found at www.bartleby.com The Library subscribes to the online edition of the Oxford English Dictionary at www.oed.com The Plain English Campaigns website is thought-provoking and instructive: see www.plainenglish.co.uk .

15