Thesis and Writing Resources

• Overview of academic and professional research
• Applied development of research questions

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• In-depth exploration of the elements of the literature review/resource investigation as related to the research problem/question.
• Introduction to the exploratory phase of the literature review.
• Introduction to the various types of broad and focused literature reviews.
• Overview of the chain of information resources and accessing the resources.
• Overview of the types and role of various information sources.

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• In-depth exploration of citation styles used within the disciplines
• Application of APA citation style and others to source content

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• Overview of qualitative, quantitative and mixed method research approaches.
• Introduces students to the correlation between the research question/problem
  statement and the applicable research approaches.

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Part 2 - Research Ethics and Data Integrity

• Overview of the role of research ethics and common pitfalls.
• Introduction to IRB, IACUC, and data integrity including the application process.
• Practical experience cleaning a dataset.
• Introduction and intermediate topics related to plagiarism based upon discipline.

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Librarians are available for consultation in finding and retrieving literature.  Contact Janette Klein at jklein@ucmo.edu for more information and to set up an appointment.  

The Writing Center offers writing instruction for all graduate students at all stages of the writing process.  This is a free service available to all UCM students via walk-ins, appointment, or online.  A specific graduate writing tutor is available to answer questions, perfect citations, provide a fresh perspective, and explore the conventions of academic writing at the graduate-level.  

Location: JCKL 1250, inside the Learning Commons. 

The pursuit of a graduate degree infers a high degree of initiative on the part of the graduate student. Graduate students assume responsibility for engaging in intellectual activities at the graduate level, as well as responsibility for complying with all policies and procedures as set forth in the Graduate Catalog, in the Thesis Manual, and in college and school regulations.

A successful thesis experience requires communication, collaboration, and support from multiple people. While a thesis is an individual research project, it is guided by the expertise of faculty who have knowledge of the discipline, theory, and methodology. Students should reach out to additional individuals as necessary depending upon the specifics of their project. The roles below are identified at UCM.

Thesis Chair - The chair of the thesis committee is a faculty member with full graduate faculty status and is the primary mentor throughout the thesis process from beginning to end. They guide the student through each step and are there to answer questions, provide feedback, and point them towards other people and information as needed. They ensure regular communication between all and that feedback is being provided to the student. They review the final thesis copy and submit their approval to Graduate Studies via the Thesis Transmittal Form. They also submit the final letter grade for the thesis course. It is expected that the thesis chair will be accessible, responsive, and provide quick turnaround with feedback so as not to delay student progress.

Thesis Committee - Thesis committee members (typically two) are faculty with either full or associate graduate faculty status (or external to UCM as noted below) and provide additional content and/or methodological expertise to support and supplement the thesis chair and the student. They provide feedback on every draft that they receive, participate in the thesis defense, and ensure the final thesis is of high quality. It is expected that thesis committee members will be accessible, responsive, and provide quick turnaround with feedback so as not to delay student progress. They submit their approval to the thesis chair.

Upon request, one of the committee members may be from outside the University, such as a retired faculty member, a faculty member from another university, or a professional from the appropriate field. Appointment of an external committee member is subject to approval by the thesis chair and the Assistant Vice Provost for Graduate Studies. A completed application for an external thesis committee member must be completed before the research is begun in order to have an external member on the thesis committee.

Department/School Chair - The department/school chair reviews the defense thesis and provides a quality check to ensure that the research project meets university expectations. It is expected that the department/school chair will be accessible, responsive, and provide quick turnaround with feedback so as not to delay student progress. They may submit their approval to the thesis chair or via the Thesis Transmittal Form.

Graduate Studies - The Graduate Studies office provides oversight of the entire thesis process from beginning to end and ensures quality and university wide consistency. They provide the structure and the guidance to all involved and are ultimately responsible for all thesis requirements being met. Graduate Studies reviews the prospectus, the defense thesis, the final thesis, and then authorizes approval of the final thesis on the degree audit (simply as completed or not completed).  Graduate Studies is available to answer questions, offers support as needed, and provides timely and immediate feedback.

Thesis workshops are open to all students and faculty in order to learn about the process from start to finish. This includes a review of steps in completing a thesis, formatting guidelines, review of the thesis manual, writing resources, research funding, and time for Q&A. These presentations are scheduled at least twice every semester. While students and faculty are welcome to attend at any stage in their program, we encourage earlier rather than later. You are also welcome to attend multiple times for a refresher.

Graduate Studies will also accommodate students and faculty that would like to schedule individual, small group, or class presentations around your schedules upon request.

The Thesis Manual provides the instructions and the precise formatting requirements for all theses. Please be sure to follow the manual as you prepare your submission.

Thesis Manual

A properly formatted Microsoft Word template is provided below for faculty and students to utilize.

UCM Thesis Template 

Students not as familiar with Microsoft Word may have questions about certain features in order to meet the formatting requirements. Below are instructions for some of the most frequently asked questions.

Page Numbers: Section breaks

Table of Contents: Tab stops, leader dots, and alignment

As a matter of best practice and in order to set the groundwork for a successful thesis, all students begin with the development of a prospectus or a similar type of document as identified by the program. Following acceptance by the thesis chair the student must submit the finished prospectus to Graduate Studies via the Thesis Transmittal Form. The precise timeline for the completion of the prospectus is determined by the thesis chair and the program. However, at the latest this needs to be completed prior to conducting research.

The thesis prospectus is a plan on what the student wishes to research before conducting the research. It typically includes a draft abstract, overview, start of a literature review, and brief methods section. While a template is provided on the Graduate Studies website, thesis chairs may modify prospectus requirements to fit program needs. The student should follow the guidelines as set forth by their thesis chair. The prospectus serves as the official agreement between the student and the thesis committee and although changes may take place throughout the research process, it does reflect a well thought out plan.

Most programs use the prospectus as a prerequisite for enrollment in the thesis course. Students in programs that have a different process should work with their thesis chair for enrollment assistance.

UCM Thesis Prospectus Template

Be sure you are logged in to your UCM student Google account:

• Determination of Research and other IRB, and IACUC forms and materials from the Office of Sponsored Programs & Research Integrity
• External Thesis Committee Member
• Library Electronic Thesis / Research Paper (ETRP) Release Form (pdf / docx) - Publication agreement for inclusion of the thesis in the library digital repository.
• Transmittal Form - Used by students to submit materials throughout the process: prospectus, defense thesis, final thesis, as well as accompanying documents. Thesis chairs also complete this form to provide their approval. The form requires that you are logged in to your active UCM Google account.

UCM no longer prints, binds, nor stores physical copies of final theses. However, students who wish to do so for their own use, for family, or to gift to faculty, may contact any of the companies below:

• Acme Binding
• Book1One
• Houchen Bindery
• Thesis on Demand

As a matter of best practice and in order to set the groundwork for a successful thesis, all students begin with the development of a prospectus or a similar type of document as identified by the program. Following acceptance by the thesis chair the student must submit the finished prospectus to Graduate Studies via the Thesis Transmittal Form. The precise timeline for the completion of the prospectus is determined by the thesis chair and the program. However, at the latest this needs to be completed prior to conducting research.

The thesis prospectus is a plan on what the student wishes to research before conducting the research. It typically includes a draft abstract, overview, start of a literature review, and brief methods section. While a template is provided on the Graduate Studies website, thesis chairs may modify prospectus requirements to fit program needs. The student should follow the guidelines as set forth by their thesis chair. The prospectus serves as the official agreement between the student and the thesis committee and although changes may take place throughout the research process, it does reflect a well thought out plan.

Most programs use the prospectus as a prerequisite for enrollment in the thesis course. Students in programs that have a different process should work with their thesis chair for enrollment assistance.

All students must work with the Office of Sponsored Programs and Research Integrity (OSPRI) and then submit the appropriate approval letter to Graduate Studies via the Thesis Transmittal Form. This letter must be sent to Graduate Studies as soon as it is received by the student and before conducting research.

If the thesis involves human subjects or animals the student must submit the proper forms for the human subjects review process or to the institutional animal care and use committee. OSPRI review and official approval must be obtained before conducting research.

If the thesis does not involve human subjects or animals the student must submit the Determination of Research (DOR) form. OSPRI review and official approval must be obtained before conducting research. Students may not self-determine.

The prospectus and the appropriate OSPRI response letter should be submitted from your student UCM Google account to Graduate Studies via the Transmittal Form. 

Due prior to conducting research

In order to ensure the successful completion of a thesis, all students must submit the defense thesis to Graduate Studies via the Thesis Transmittal Form.

A defense is scheduled when the thesis chair believes the thesis is done and it is time for the student to present their findings. The defense thesis is the near final paper that is 99% complete and only requires minor edits. It is the version that is provided to the thesis committee members and the department/school chair before the defense. To ensure a complete approach to thesis review, quality assurance, and proper formatting, Graduate Studies will provide feedback on this paper. For easier editing it is preferred that this be submitted in Microsoft Word format.

After Graduate Studies reviews the thesis, a copy with suggested corrections will be sent back to the student and thesis chair for final editing.

The defense thesis should be submitted from your student Google account to Graduate Studies via the Transmittal Form. 

Recommended due date: 5 p.m. on the Monday before finals week.
Thesis chairs may set a different due date.

The thesis defense is a two-part process involving a public defense and a committee examination. The public defense is typically a one-hour presentation that is advertised and open to the public that includes a questions and answer component. The committee examination is typically an oral examination centered around your thesis topic and is always conducted by your approved thesis committee. Your thesis chair will work with you and let you know when you are ready to defend.

A thesis defense must be scheduled with your committee and completed before your degree will be conferred. The thesis committee then votes on whether or not to accept the thesis.

Graduate Studies is not involved in the defense though we are notified by the faculty when it is completed.

Recommended due date: 5 p.m. on the Friday before finals week.
Thesis chairs may set a different due date.

In order to finalize the successful completion of a thesis, Graduate Studies is the last step and requires all students submit two items via the Thesis Transmittal Form: submission of the final copy of the thesis, and the library publication agreement.

Following the defense, a final copy (in pdf format) approved by your thesis chair and incorporating all revisions, corrections, and feedback from the thesis committee and department/school chair must be submitted to Graduate Studies for university review, approval, and degree clearance. This final version must be clear of errors and strictly follow the thesis manual formatting guidelines.

Along with the thesis is the library publication agreement for inclusion in the library digital repository. The sharing and dissemination of findings is an important part of the research process.

The corrected final thesis, with accompanying library publication agreement, should be submitted to Graduate Studies via the Transmittal Form. Graduate Studies will notify the student, thesis committee chair, department/school, and registrar of final approval.

If Graduate Studies finds that additional corrections are needed it will be sent back to the student as many times as necessary. Please be aware that if multiple revisions and resubmissions are required to correct mistakes this may draw out the process and possibly degree completion. Students have up to 7 days after the end of the semester in order to submit corrections. If the thesis is not completed and approved by that point, Graduate Studies will continue to work with the student on revisions and graduation may be moved to the next semester.

The corrected final thesis, with accompanying library publication agreement release form, should be submitted from your student Google account to Graduate Studies via the Transmittal Form. Graduate Studies will notify the student, thesis committee chair, department/school chair, and registrar of final approval.

Recommended due date: 12 noon on the last day of finals week.
Thesis chairs may set a different due date.