Monday 15 July 2013

Dissertation Format
Guide
This guide has been prepared to help graduate students prepare their dissertations
for acceptance by Clark University. The regulations contained within have been updated
and, in some cases, clarified for the benefit of students, faculty advisors, departments, the
Format Advisor and the Graduate School. Any questions about the contents of this guide
should be directed to the Format Advisor, Denise Robertson, Geography Building, Room
210, 793-7676.
The Format Advisor is concerned solely with the format of the manuscripts. It is
the Advisor’s responsibility to make certain that any thesis, dissertation, or research paper
submitted in partial fulfillment of a graduate degree at Clark University conform to the
regulations outlined in this guide. Responsibility for the content of any manuscript
remains with the student and the faculty advisor(s).




Table of Contents
Basic Format Guidelines .......................................................................................................... 1
Working with Long Documents ........................................................................................... 1
Font Size ............................................................................................................................... 1
Margins ............................................................................................................................... 2
Paper ................................................................................................................................... 2
Number of copies ................................................................................................................ 2
Pagination ............................................................................................................................ 2
Spacing ................................................................................................................................ 3
Illustrative Materials: Charts, Maps, Photographs, Tables, Graphs and Drawings ............ 4
Footnotes ............................................................................................................................. 4
Regular Format ................................................................................................................ 5
Scientific Format .............................................................................................................. 5
Permission to Reprint .......................................................................................................... 6
Preliminary documents ............................................................................................................ 6
Intent to Graduate/Graduation Fee Form ........................................................................... 7
Doctoral Dissertation Agreement Form .............................................................................. 7
Survey of Earned Doctorates Forms .................................................................................... 7
Abstract Title Page ............................................................................................................... 7
Title Page ............................................................................................................................. 8
Academic History ................................................................................................................. 8
Copyright Page ..................................................................................................................... 8
Dissertation Committee Sheet ............................................................................................ 8
Dedication and/or Acknowledgements ............................................................................... 8
Table of Contents ................................................................................................................. 8
List of Illustrations or List of Figures .................................................................................... 9
Text ......................................................................................................................................... 9
Reference Material .................................................................................................................. 9

Basic Format Guidelines
Documents submitted to the Graduate School office are organized into three sections:
1. Preliminary documents
2. Text (introductions and chapters)
3. Back matter (notes, bibliography or references, appendices, glossary, etc.)
Consult your committee chair to determine the internal arrangement within the text and
reference sections. You should be guided on matters of style by the chair and members of
your committee. The following sections specify the format that must be followed in
preparing the final copy of your dissertation.
The Graduate School recommends the following books as supplements to the information
provided in these guidelines:
Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers. 7th ed. Chicago: University of
Chicago Press, 2007.
The Chicago Manual of Style. 15th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press,
2003.
Working with Long Documents
It is also recommended that you familiarize yourself with some of the more intensive
features of Microsoft Word. Go to the help menu, and in the contents section look for
“Working with Long Documents” to learn about features that could make the writing of
your dissertation faster and easier. Also, check out the www.microsoft.com for online
instruction.
Font Size
Any legible font, except script, italic, or ornamental fonts, is acceptable for the body of the
text. The chosen font should be used throughout. Standard font size for text is 12 (no font
smaller than 10 will be accepted). Tahoma, Arial, Times New Roman, Helvetica and
Century Gothic are recommended.

Italics may be used for quotations and words in foreign languages. The font used for
appendices, charts, drawings, graphs, and tables may differ from the text. The print should
be letter quality with black characters that are clear and easy to read.
Margins
For microfilming, copying, and binding purposes, margins for every page of the dissertation
must be top and left 1.25” right and bottom 1”.
To insure that margins are correct In Microsoft Word (in Page Setup) use the following
settings to insure that margins are correct:
Top = 1.5” Right = 1.1” Header = 1.3”
Bottom = 1.1” Left = 1.3” Footer = 1.1”
Margins must be left justified only. All manuscript materials must fit within these margin
requirements (including tables, headers and footers, figures, graphs and page numbers).
When full-page prints of photographs are desired, the image area of the print must
conform to the same margins as the text.
Paper
Good quality, white, unlined, non-punched, 8½” x11” paper must be used for the original
copy. Minimum weight is 20 lb., and minimum rag (cotton) content is 25%. This paper is
standard regulation thesis paper and is available at the University Bookstore or through
Alphagraphics in the University Center.
Number of copies
The Graduate School requires ONE copy. This copy becomes part of the University library’s
collection. Departments may require additional copies. Check with the graduate assistant
in your department. Copy service is available through Alphagraphics in the University
Center or Curry Printing Service. Binding services are available through Goddard Library.
Pagination
Each page of the entire manuscript must be numbered, except where stated below. See
margins above. The placement of page numbers must be consistent throughout the
manuscript with no headings to the left or right of the page number. Pages should be
counted or numbered sequentially throughout as follows:

The Abstract is numbered in Arabic numerals (1,2,3). It has separate pagination
from the remainder of the manuscript.
The Title page is counted as page i (assumed, do not print number)
The Academic History page is counted as page ii (assumed do not print number)
The copyright page is not counted or numbered
The remaining preliminary pages are numbered with lower case Roman numerals
(iii, iv, v, etc). After the Title page and Academic History page, begin numbering the
next page (the Dissertation Committee sheet) with iii.
The main body of the text and the reference section are consecutively numbered
with Arabic numerals beginning with Page 1 and continuing throughout, including
text, illustrative materials, bibliography, and appendices.
The method for numbering the pages of the body of the manuscript:
1. Centered Bottom of Page – recently updated - (Recommended)
Place all page numbers in the center at the bottom of the page within the text leaving
at least a 1” margin at the bottom. Please note: Preliminary pages must be numbered
in the bottom center of the page as well using Roman numerals.
2. Top Right-Hand Corner:
Place all page numbers in the upper right-hand corner with the text area, leaving at
least 1¼ inches at the top and one inch at the right. Please note: Preliminary pages
must be numbered in the bottom center of the page using Roman numerals.
See margin settings above. Manuscripts with incorrect page numbering will not be
accepted by the Graduate School.
Spacing
The dissertation, including the abstract, dedication, acknowledgements, and introductions,
may be double-spaced or one and one-half spaced and printed on one side. Footnotes,
bibliographies, long quoted passages, as well as items in lists, tables, and appendices may
be single-spaced if that style is recommended by the committee chair.

Illustrative Materials: Charts, Maps, Photographs, Tables, Graphs and Drawings
Tables, Charts, and Graphs may be presented horizontally or vertically but, in either case,
must fit within the required margins. In addition, the placement of page numbers must be
consistent with the rest of the manuscript. It may be necessary to use a reducing copier in
order to achieve this. Labels or symbols rather than colors should identify lines on a graph
whenever possible. The University does not recommend using color because microfilming
is a black-and-white process, and colors come out as slightly varying shades of gray. Crosshatching
or shading are preferable to colors.
If there are many different types of illustrative materials, label them all as figures and
number them consecutively in Arabic numerals (1,2,3…). Otherwise, they may be
identified and numbered within each category.
Photographs should be black and white--a strong contrast is preferred whenever
possible. Clark University prefers medium-weight (or lighter) photographic paper,
and requires a matte-surface, rather than glossy because of the latter’s tendency to
curl. However, if minute detail must be illustrated, you may use glossy paper.
Footnotes
There are two types of footnotes: “reference” and “content”. Reference footnotes
refer to the source from which the information has been taken; content footnotes
make incidental comments, amplify, or make acknowledgements. You must place
content footnotes at the bottom of the page they refer to, regardless of whether
the regular or scientific format is used. The next section discusses format style.
1. If you use the traditional bottom-of-the-page method, number the content
footnotes consecutively with the reference footnotes.
2. If you use either of the “Notes” page styles, do not include a content
footnote in the numbering of the reference footnotes. Mark it with an
asterisk in the text and on the bottom of the page where it appears. If more
than one content footnote appears on a page, use a sequence of one, two,
and then three asterisks.
3. In the scientific format, content footnotes have their own numbering
systems, starting over with each chapter, or each page. Mark the footnote
with its assigned number in the text and on the bottom of the page where it
appears.

Consult the style manual or guide prepared by an outstanding scholarly association
in your field of study for the correct style in referencing works. These manuals and
guidebooks can be found in libraries or ordered from the publishers. Consult your
department about the correct format to use. If you have any difficulties with
footnotes moving to the next page consult the Microsoft support website at
www.microsoft.com and in the search box type in “footnote moved to next page”.
Microsoft lists several solutions to this problem.
Regular Format
The English, comparative literature, history, management, some of the social
sciences and the graduate COPACE departments generally use this method.
Footnotes are done separately from the bibliography, and both must be included.
There are three acceptable styles:
1. Footnotes appear in the traditional manner at the bottom of the page.
2. Footnotes appear in a list at the end of each chapter (or section) on pages
entitled Notes. (For 1. and 2. in this section, the footnote numbering starts
over with each new chapter.)
3. Footnotes appear at the end of the manuscript on a page entitled “Notes”.
The notes are numbered consecutively from the beginning to the end of the
manuscript. Use this method only for shorter works, since it can be
cumbersome.
Scientific Format
The natural sciences, mathematics, and many of the social sciences such as
education, geography and psychology generally use this method.
Collect references in a list entitled “List of References” or “Literature Cited” at the
end of the manuscript. The list serves the purpose of the footnotes as well as of
the bibliography.
Short references to items in the list appear in parentheses in the text itself. Of the
two commonly used styles, the first is preferred:

1. (author, date of publication, page number if applicable). For example:
(Cohen, 1971, p. 72). If you mention the author in the sentence, the note
would appear as (1971, p.72).
2. Place a number after the author’s name in the text, enclosed in either
parentheses or brackets. For example: Cohen (5) or Cohen [5]. Number the
items in the list at the end of the manuscript by order of their appearance in
the text.
Permission to Reprint
You generally do not need to obtain permission to reprint sections of fewer than
five hundred words or for tables (or other figures) as long as you clearly state your
sources. Place the source for a table or other figure directly beneath it.
You must obtain permission to reprint from the author or publisher if you have
reprinted more than five hundred words from a copyrighted work. Obtain the
permission in writing and keep it for proof. The three acceptable places for
acknowledging permission to reprint are:
On the copyright page
On the first page of the reprinted material
On a special list of acknowledgements (use this method if there is more than
one reprint in excess of five hundred words).
A phrase such as “reprinted by permission of author” should be used (with an asterisk if it
appears in the form of a footnote on the first page of the reprinted material).
Preliminary documents
Application for Degree/Graduation Fee Form (online)
All students (Masters and Ph.D.) are required to pay a Graduation Fee. Ph.D. students pay
$150, which includes the copyright costs regardless of whether the student copyrights
his/her work. The fee is billed (in the semester of anticipated completion) to the students’
account once the Intent to Graduate online form has been completed. Students access the
form through their CUWEB account.

Doctoral Dissertation Agreement Form
UMI Dissertations Publishing will make a master copy of the dissertation. Upon request
from scholars in the field, an electronic or paper copy can be obtained. The publishing
agreement form grants UMI exclusive rights to publish from their master copy. If you
choose to copyright, you retain all other control over your dissertation. UMI will handle
the entire copyrighting procedure for you if you sign the Agreement forms. They must be
submitted with the dissertation. The $65 fee for copyrighting is included as part of the
graduation fee.
If you choose to copyright your dissertation UMI Dissertations Publishing will be sent the
Doctoral Dissertation Agreement Form with your dissertation. A copy of your copy of the
dissertation is kept on file. Researchers can obtain copies of the publication and the
company will issue you a royalty payment of 10% of all sales of your dissertation. Be sure
to include a copyright page (see “templates for dissertations” link at the format guide
website).
Please be sure to sign the top of the Publishing Agreement Form and complete and sign the
additional form, “Authorization to Apply for Registration of My Claim to Copyright”. Submit
both to the Graduate School at the time you submit your dissertation.
Survey of Earned Doctorates Forms
The National Opinion Research Center in Chicago requests that all doctoral candidates
across the country fill out the Survey of Earned Doctorates form. The form is online at the
link http://www.clarku.edu/graduate/current/survey-of-earned-doctorateinformation.
cfm. Once you complete the form the Graduate School Office will receive a
email acknowledging that you have completed the form.
Templates for the pages described below are located in the link which follows this guide on the website.
Abstract Title Page
An abstract of 350 words or less is required. It is to be a succinct description of your work
and should be organized in the following order:
1. Statement of the Problem
2. Procedure and/or methods
3. Results
4. Conclusions

See template for the format of the abstract and Abstract Title Page. The main body of your
abstract should be double-spaced and numbered with Arabic numerals in the upper right
hand corner of the page (top margin 1¼” – right margin 1”). Your chief instructor’s
signature is required.
Title Page
The title page provides a basic introduction to your research. The title for your work
should be a meaningful description of your manuscript and include key words that can be
used by modern retrieval systems. Do not put a number on the title page. Your chief
instructor’s signature is required. See templates. (Please include 2 signed title pages with
your dissertation to the Graduate School office)
Academic History
Type name, place and date of birth, type of Baccalaureate degree (B.A., B.S., etc), source
(institution name), and date of degree (Month and year degree is conferred). “Other
degrees’ should include only those degrees, in addition to the Baccalaureate, which have
already been received (not the one presently being earned). Type and date of degree, as
well as the source, should be included. “Occupation and Academic Connection” should
include the years involved. Any significant occupation or academic connection would be
listed briefly. Include under academic connection the period enrolled as a graduate
student at Clark University, and credential titles such as teaching assistant, fellow, or other
designation.
Copyright Page
If you have decided to copyright your manuscript, the copyright page follows the title page.
The year should be the year that appears on your title page. See templates.
Dissertation Committee sheet
List the members of your committee. This page is page iii of your preliminary pages.
Committee members do not have to sign this form.
Dedication and/or Acknowledgements
These pages are optional. If included, they must be numbered with Roman numerals.
Table of Contents
A table of contents is required and may follow any format acceptable to your advisor and
committee. Be sure to include all main divisions and subdivisions within your text and
double-spaced or one and one-half spaced. These pages are to be numbered with Roman

numerals (bottom, center of page). If Dedication or Acknowledgements are not included,
this will be the first numbered page: iv. Only pages that come after the Table of Contents
are listed. See templates.
List of Illustrations or List of Figures
Follow the format used for your Table of Contents. Use a separate page for each type of
list. Use appropriate Roman numerals. Tables may be either double-spaced or one and
one-half spaced.
Text
It is up to you and your committee to determine the quality and content of your text.
Starting with page 1, the numbering must run consecutively throughout, in Arabic
numerals. If your dissertation contains articles, the dissertation must still be numbered
consecutively.
Text includes the introduction or preface (if any) and the main body of the manuscript (use
of well-defined divisions, such as parts, chapters or sections is recommended).
Reference Material
• The Notes page follows the final chapter (if this format is used)
• Appendixes
• Glossary, or list of abbreviations (if applicable)
• Bibliography (or List of References, if Scientific format is used)
The bibliography, used primarily in the regular format, lists sources used--not
necessarily every one, but those considered relevant. If the bibliography is longer
than two pages, classify it and divide it into sections, according to the type of
sources (books, documents, journals, interviews) or periods of time.
A blank page should be included at the end of the manuscript.

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