iowa state university dissertation format

• Graduate Studies
• Graduate Program of Study Manual (January 2024)
• 4.1 About the Doctoral Programs
• 4.7 Guidelines for the Dissertation (PhD)
• 1.1 Graduate Program Resources
• 1.2 Academic Information
• 1.3 Program Advisors, Major Professors, & POS Committees
• 1.4 Degree Progress, Planning, and Time Limits
• 1.5 Minors and Co-majors
• 1.6 Course Policies
• 1.7 Registration
• 1.8 Graduate Assistantships
• 1.9 Graduate Student Travel and Support
• 1.10 Graduation
• 1.11 Graduate Faculty Members
• 2.1 About the MA programs
• 2.2 MA in English Degree Requirements
• 2.3 MA in Rhetoric, Composition, & Professional Communication Degree Requirements
• 2.4 MA in TESL/Applied Linguistics Degree Requirements
• 2.5 Minoring and Co-majoring in the MA Programs
• 2.6 The Program of Study Committee and the POSC Form (MA)
• 2.7 Guidelines for Thesis and Creative Component (MA)
• 3.1 About the MFA program
• 3.2 MFA in Creative Writing & Environment Degree Requirements
• 3.3 The Program of Study Committee and the POSC Form (MFA)
• 3.4 Minoring and Co-majoring in the MFA Program
• 3.5 Guidelines for Thesis (MFA)
• 4.1 About the Doctoral programs
• 4.2 PhD in Applied Linguistics and Technology (ALT)
• 4.3 PhD in Rhetoric and Professional Communication (RPC)
• 4.4 Minoring and Co-majoring in the PhD Programs
• 4.5 The Program of Study Committee and the POSC Form (PhD)
• 4.6 Preliminary examination requirements and ABD Status
• 5.1 About the Concurrent Bachelor's and Master's Degree Programs
• 5.2 Concurrent BA in Linguistics/MA in TESL/Applied Linguistics Degree Requirements and Curriculum Plans
• 5.3 Concurrent BS in Technical Communication/MA in Rhetoric, Composition, and Professional Communication Degree Requirements and Curriculum Plans
• 5.4 The Program of Study Committee and the POSC Form (Concurrent MA)
• 5.5 Guidelines for Thesis and Creative Component (Concurrent MA)
• 6.1 About the Certificate Programs
• 6.2 Certificate in TESL/TEFL Program Requirements

4.7.1 General Dissertation Guidelines

Detailed university requirements for the PhD dissertation appear in several online university documents:

• Graduate College Handbook, Ch. 7, “Finishing Up”
• Electronic Theses/Dissertations (ETDs) at ISU
• Thesis Checklist

University expectations

According to the Graduate College, a doctoral dissertation must

• follow all requirements detailed in the Thesis Checklist
• “demonstrate conclusively” your ability to conceive, design, conduct, and interpret independent and original research
• demonstrate your ability to analyze, interpret, and organize data
• be written independently ( e.g. , no co-authorship or joint writing)
• make a significant contribution to the field
• be worthy of publication in professional journals of quality or in book form

As the Graduate College Handbook points out, you (rather than the major professor or the Graduate College) are responsible for writing and editing the dissertation, as well as for completing any necessary paperwork.

Department expectations

In addition to general university expectations, there are a number of departmental expectations for students enrolled in the English Department doctoral programs. These expectations involve the POS procedures, the structure and emphasis of the dissertation itself, and the oral defense of the dissertation.

POS procedures

You are responsible for reaching an understanding with POS committee members concerning their respective roles. In discussing member roles, you will find it useful to review such issues as

• whether or not each committee member wants to see every draft
• what your research and writing schedule will be
• how drafts will be submitted ( e.g ., whether or not the POS chair should see each draft before it’s circulated)

4.7.2 Dissertation options

When selecting an option for the dissertation, you and the POS Committee will need to reach a consensus regarding both the dissertation’s emphasis and structure.

4.7.2a ALT Dissertation options

Although dissertations are quite varied, many ALT dissertations fall into one of the following two categories: quantitative or qualitative.

Structural options

Given the expectations of the Graduate College, there are two typical arrangement options for structuring a dissertation: specified chapter option or articles within a framework. In working with your POS committee, you may develop variations on these options or discover additional options for structuring your work.

Whatever the dissertation structure, you will be asked to prepare an abstract of the dissertation. Abstracts of doctoral dissertations nationwide are available in the library. Actual dissertations may be available through interlibrary loan, depending on the policies of the lender. Even when a particular dissertation can be obtained, you may need to wait two to three weeks for delivery.

4.7.2b RPC Dissertation options

Although dissertations in the humanities are quite varied, many RPC dissertations fall into one of the following four categories: historical, theoretical, empirical (experimental or descriptive), and hybrid. A dissertation dealing with a problem in pedagogy, for example, might be either historical, theoretical, empirical, or some combination of the three in its emphasis.

Specified chapter option

Dissertations as described in Graduate College materials commonly have five chapters; however, the number of chapters in the dissertation can vary depending on the topic and nature of research. The chapter option might feature the traditional dissertation or a monograph. Monographs usually assume outside audiences.

For example, one version of a traditional dissertation is often organized this way:

• Chapter One contains a contextualized statement of purpose or a problem statement, definitions/explanations of terms or concepts, articulation of critical issues, and the research question(s) that will be explored in the dissertation.
• Chapter Two is a review of pertinent literature.
• Chapter Three. Dissertations that include an empirical study might contain a presentation of and rationale for the methodology.
• Chapter Four. If the dissertation includes an empirical study, this chapter might present the results and an interpretation of those results.
• Chapter Five. If the dissertation includes an empirical study, this chapter might discuss the implications and applications of the results.

Another example of a specified chapter dissertation would be a monograph. It might have the following organization:

• Chapter One might identify a problem or a series of related issues.
• Chapter Two might provide a historical context for the problem or issues.
• Chapters Three, Four, and Five might be organized topically and include a review of relevant literature as well as theoretical arguments.

Karen Burke LeFevre’s Invention as a Social Act is an example of a dissertation in monograph form. Her work, which explores a concept theoretically, is organized this way:

• Introduction: introduces the concept and problematizes it; offers definitions and names theoretical approaches.
• Chapter One: establishes the scope and provides overview of the study.
• Chapter Two: develops the problem and demonstrates the inadequacy of the currently dominant theoretical approach to the problem (the Platonic view).
• Chapter Three: demonstrates how another approach (the social perspective) might better address the problem.
• Chapter Four: proposes that the framework offered in Chapter Three (the social perspective) supplant the currently dominant approach (the Platonic view) in our understanding of the concept; dramatizes the new perspective in action.
• Chapter Five: discusses the argument (the problem and the proposal) in a broader theoretical context (the role of language); engages in theory-building.
• Chapter Six: addresses implications.

There are also other alternatives available within the chapter option. For example, dissertations can include an extended narrative that incorporates all of the conventional components of other kinds of dissertations; that is, they include a statement of purpose, a review of pertinent literature, a presentation of methodology and results, a critical interpretation of findings, and a statement of significance(s). The narrative, whether embedded within the conventional dissertation components or acting as a frame for these components, must represent situations and ideas that would lose their essential character and meaning if presented outside a story framework.

It is difficult to argue that a narrative should govern a dissertation’s structure. Whereas narratives can readily be used as examples, writers have a more challenging task if they want to use narrative to shape their arguments. Nevertheless, the extended narrative option provides you with an opportunity for employing this strategy where appropriate.

Articles within a framework option

University regulations allow you, in agreement with your POS committee, to include in the dissertation individual papers submitted or to be submitted to scholarly, refereed journals.

It is very important that you discuss this option with your POS committee before planning to pursue it. Some committees, for example, might stipulate that only articles actually accepted in refereed journals will be acceptable, while other committees might disallow this option altogether.

Dissertation manuscripts that follow this option must adhere to structural and documentation standards outlined in the Thesis Checklist under “ Journal Paper Format .” This option must include

•  a rationale for the inclusion of the papers
• a statement about the organization of the dissertation
• a literature review
• a cover page for each journal article that includes the article’s title and information regarding the journal to which it has been (or will be) submitted
• content of articles should be identical to that submitted to journals)
• if the articles have already been published, written permission extending reproduction and distribution rights to University Microfilms International must be submitted at the time of final deposit
• a general summary discussing results as they apply to the larger problem detailed in the introduction
• works cited for references not included in articles

• Current Students
• Graduate Guidelines and Procedures

Thesis and Dissertation Quality

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECpE) maintains strict standards regarding thesis quality. The Director of Graduate Education in consultation with the Graduate Committee has the right to reject theses that do not meet these standards. As stated in the ISU Graduate College Handbook :

A master’s thesis is a scholarly composition that demonstrates the ability of the author to do independent and creative work. It explores in some depth a problem or issue related to the major field of study. Although considerable variations in format and style are acceptable, precise expression, logical construction, and meticulous attention to detail are essential.

A doctoral dissertation must demonstrate conclusively the ability of the author to conceive, design, conduct, and interpret independent, original, and creative research. It must attempt to describe significant original contributions to the advancement of knowledge and must demonstrate the ability to organize, analyze, and interpret data.

Revised March 2011

How to Conduct a Literature Review: A Guide for Graduate Students

• Let's Get Started!
• Traditional or Narrative Reviews
• Systematic Reviews
• Typology of Reviews
• Literature Review Resources
• Developing a Search Strategy
• What Literature to Search
• Where to Search: Indexes and Databases
• Finding articles: Libkey Nomad
• Finding Dissertations and Theses
• Extending Your Searching with Citation Chains
• Forward Citation Chains - Cited Reference Searching
• Keeping up with the Literature
• Managing Your References
• Need More Information?

Theses and Dissertations

Dissertations and theses can be an important part of your thesis research. They may contain information that cannot be found elsewhere to see what other current research is being done in your area. Theses from your institution can give you an idea idea about for the format and structure for your thesis.

Iowa State Theses and Dissertations

• Dissertations & Theses @ Iowa State University This link opens in a new window This is a subset of the full Dissertation & Theses database. It contains information on all ISU PhD dissertations and Masters' theses. Dissertations are all full-text and masters' theses have full-text for those published from Fall 2006 to the present.

International Theses and Dissertations

• Dissertations & Theses Global This link opens in a new window Doctoral and Masters theses abstracts from US, European, British, and Irish graduate schools and universities, plus many available in full-text
• EThOS : Electronic Theses Online Service Theses and dissertations produced by UK Higher Education Institutes
• Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations Provides links to theses databases sorted by country
• Theological Research Exchange Network Theses and dissertations from more than 130 institutions. TREN includes conference papers from several academic societies.
• Theses Canada Theses and dissertations from Canadian higher education institutions
• DART - Europe E-theses Portal Searchable database of research theses held in European repositories with links to at least one electronic copy of every thesis it lists.
• The HKU Scholars Hub Online union collection of Hong Kong and Macau postgraduate students' doctoral and master dissertations and theses
• << Previous: Finding articles: Libkey Nomad
• Next: Extending Your Searching with Citation Chains >>

The library's collections and services are available to all ISU students, faculty, and staff and Parks Library is open to the public .

• Last Updated: Mar 14, 2024 12:15 PM
• URL: https://instr.iastate.libguides.com/gradlitrev

Overview of Changes

Starting Spring 2024, the Graduate College will release a new set of Thesis/Dissertation templates and requirement checklists. The requirements have been carefully reviewed and discussed with interdisciplinary consultants to optimize Iowa State University theses and dissertations for  accessibility, usability, readability,  and  consistency. Definitions of these priorities are provided in the glossary, below. The updated requirements also take into account basic academic norms and variation across disciplines. This page lays out the requirements that will be put into place. 

One aim of releasing these format requirement updates at this time is to ensure that the Graduate College is in compliance with  Iowa State University's Digital Accessibility policy , which will go into full effect in July 2026.

Protocols for Requirements and Recommendations

Requirements.

Iowa State University thesis/dissertation reviewers will check all theses and dissertations submitted to ProQuest after the student passes their Final Oral Exam. Where the submitted mansucript fails to meet one or more requirements, the reviewer will issue a request for revisions. Students must implement these revisions and resubmit their manuscript within one week of the submission deadline for that semester. If the requirements still are not met, the reviewer will issue another request for revisions. The thesis/dissertation  will not be accepted until all requirements are met , even if this results in a delay to the student's graduation.

Recommendations

Students are strongly encouraged to implement these recommendations, which enhance usability, readability, and consistency in theses/dissertations. Iowa State University thesis/dissertation reviewers will check all theses and dissertations submitted to ProQuest after the student passes their Final Oral Exam. Where the submitted mansucript fails to meet one or more recommendations, the reviewer will issue a single request for students to revise.  If the thesis/dissertation is resubmitted without the recommendations implemented, it will be acceptable.  It is important to note that theses and dissertations cannot be revised after they are accepted. Students who resubmit theses and dissertations that do not follow the recommendations will not have another chance to improve the appearance of their manuscript. 

Grace Period (Gradual Implementation)

To accommodate students who are currently close to completing their thesis/dissertation, and who started their writing process with the old templates, there will be a  12-month grace period from January 2024-December 2024 . During this grace period:

• The New Format Requirements and the Discontinued Format Requirements will be treated as  recommendations .
• Only the Continuing Format Requirements will be treated as  requirements .
• Starting in January 2025,  the New Format Requirements will be treated as  requirements .

The following section delineates the differences between  recommendations  and  requirements .

New Format Requirements for 2024

Prior to January 2024, these requirements have not been listed in the checklist or enforced by Iowa State University thesis/dissertation reviewers. Graduate students and faculty are advised to carefully review the new requirements. Tutorials and support will be available to students to ensure they have the skills to incorporate these requirements into their thesis/dissertation manuscripts. 

Continuing Format Requirements

These requirements have been listed in the checklist and enforced by Iowa State University thesis/dissertation reviewers since the last template update. Tutorials and support will continue to be available to students to ensure they have the skills to incorporate these requirements into their thesis/dissertation manuscripts.

Discontinued Format Requirements (No Longer Required After November 30, 2023)

Some requirements listed in the checklist prior to January 2024 will now be designated as recommendations.

Definitions of major priorities for updated thesis/dissertation format requirements

CCE Resources Database

The CCE would like to recognize the Graduate and Professional Student Senate at Iowa State for generously contributing to our collection of on-site resources.

Most Downloaded Theses & Dissertations

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How do I find theses and dissertations?

Find iowa state theses and dissertations.

The full-text of most Iowa State University dissertations (1910-present) are freely available online through Digital Repository @ ISU . Dissertations prior to 2006 may also be available in print and can be located in Quick Search with an author and/or title search. The full-text of Masters theses from 2006 to the present are available through Proquest’s Dissertations & Theses @ Iowa State University . Off-campus users will need to login to access this resource.

Find Theses and Dissertations from other schools

• Includes: Dissertations and theses from around the world; 1743-present (majority 1997-present).
• Access: Requires current ISU affiliation (library login).
• Best for: finding dissertations and theses from American universities.
• Note: Includes participating American universities; growing number of international dissertations and theses; not all full-text .
• Includes: 4.4 million dissertations from around the world.
• Access: Open access, no login required.
• Best for: searching the largest number of dissertations and theses.
• Note : Not all dissertations and theses are available full-text.
• Includes: Covers 1100 institutions, over 3.2 million theses and dissertations.
• Best for: locating full-text, open access theses and dissertations.
• Note: Includes American universities not participating in ProQuest.

Links & Files

• Digital Repository @ ISU: Graduate Theses and Dissertations
• ProQuest Dissertations & Theses Global
• Electronic Theses/Dissertations (ETDs) at ISU
• Last Updated Jul 26, 2021
• Answered By Rano Marupova

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New schedule for provost finalists' campus visits

By Megan Landolt, office of the president April 04, 2024

Editor's note: This story was updated on April 5.

The schedule for campus visits has been revised for the four finalists for Iowa State's senior vice president and provost post. No candidates will visit campus the week of April 8.

The first three finalists are scheduled to visit campus on these dates:

• Candidate 1, April 15-16
• Candidate 2, April 17-18
• Candidate 3, April 22-23

Dates for the fourth candidate's visit are being finalized.

The name and curriculum vitae for each finalist will be shared on the administrative searches website the day preceding their visit.

Campus forums

Each candidate will meet with members of the university community during their two-day visit and participate in a campus forum at 3 p.m. on the first day. The forum schedule is:

• Candidate 1, April 15, Alliant Energy-Lee Liu Auditorium, Howe Hall
• Candidate 2, April 17, Sun Room, Memorial Union
• Candidate 3, April 22, Sun Room, Memorial Union
• Candidate 4, Date and location to be determined

For those who cannot attend in person, the forums will be recorded and made available on the search page after all the finalist visits are completed.

Everyone participating in a campus forum is encouraged to complete an online candidate feedback form for that candidate.

Vice president for economic development and industry relations and dean of the Ivy College of Business David Spalding is leading the 18-member search committee, assisted by Parker Executive Search firm. Senior vice president and provost Jonathan Wickert announced in January plans to return to the faculty this summer in the department of mechanical engineering.

Related stories:

• Search begins for next senior vice president and provost , Jan. 25, 2024
• Wickert announces move to faculty this summer , Jan. 18, 2024

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