1.0 Typescript Thesis

The thesis for both a Master of Philosophy degree and a Doctoral degree shall be a typescript paper document. A thesis shall not be submitted in an electronic format. However, an electronic copy of the final typescript thesis shall be submitted with the final paper document.

1.1 A Non-written Component of a Thesis

In the case of a student’s submitting a thesis which incorporates creative non-written work, a typescript exegesis must accompany the visual work. The accompanying typed exegesis is required to be a minimum of 3,000 words.

2.0 Non-print Materials

Where the thesis is primarily in visual form, non-print material shall be reproduced in a format suitable for storage and retrieval and must be appropriately packaged. Photographic representation, photo reduction, microforms etc. should be used. The candidate should seek the advice of his/her Principal Supervisor in such a case.

3.0 Unbound Copies

3.1 Examination Copies of the Thesis

For examination purposes three (for Masters programmes) or four (for Doctoral programmes) unbound copies of the thesis, secured within hard covers and accompanied by a completed Thesis Lodgement Form shall be deposited with the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.

The duplicate copies of the original are to be produced, using a method which gives a clear and permanent copy (dry photocopy or laser copy). The use of spirit duplication, wet photocopy, thermal copy or carbon copy is not acceptable.

4.0 Bound Copies of the Approved Thesis for Master of Philosophy or Doctoral Degrees

When the Postgraduate Committee has accepted the examiners’ reports and recommended that the degree be awarded, the candidate shall lodge three corrected bound copies of the thesis with the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.

4.1 Copies of Non-Print Materials Which Form a Part of the Thesis Documentation

Where the thesis is primarily in visual form, the student shall present the work as an exhibition and lodge three copies of permanent documentary evidence of the thesis and three copies of a supporting written exegesis with the Office of Graduate Studies and Research.

Documentary evidence may be formatted as a video (VHS or SVHS), a slide portfolio, a CD-ROM or a comprehensive printed catalogue.

4.1.1 Distribution of Bound Copies

The permanent bound copies of the thesis or, in the case of a visual thesis, the permanent visual documentary evidence and the typescript exegesis must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Studies and Research before the student is allowed to graduate.

One copy will be lodged in the Library

One copy will be presented to the relevant Faculty

One copy will be presented to the Principal Supervisor

4.1.1.1 Library Copy

Prior to a copy of a thesis being lodged in the library, the candidate should complete the requisite forms indicating the level of consultation and/or photocopying of the thesis that is to be permitted.

5.0 Format

5.1 Thesis Length

The following is a guide, and candidates should consult their Principal Supervisor to establish the appropriate length of presentation for their thesis topic and the research undertaken.

A Master’s thesis which is wholly in written form is normally a minimum of 20,000 words and a maximum of 60,000 words (excluding bibliographies), depending on the topic and the research.

A Doctoral thesis which is wholly in written form is normally a minimum of 60,000 words and a maximum of 100,000 words (excluding bibliographies), depending on the topic and the research.

5.2 Paper Size

Theses are to be typed on white letter-size paper (8 ½ inches x11 inches). If diagrams, maps, tables and similar presentations do not fit on this sheet size, another size may be used. These pages are to be bound on the left-hand margin so that they open at the top and the right and so that they fit the size of the document.

5.3 Typing

Typing is to be on one side of each sheet only.

5.4 Pagination

Pages are to be numbered consecutively throughout the thesis.

5.5 Margins

The following minimal margins are to be observed:

left – 4 cm

top and bottom – 2 cm

right – 2 cm

5.6 Typeface and Font Size

Typeface is to be Times New Roman and font size 12.

5.7 Spacing of Typescript

Typing of the thesis text is to either double-spaced or space-and-a-half. Quotations, footnotes and bibliographies which are to be single-spaced.

5.8 Content and Style

5.8.1 Title Page

The first page of the thesis is to identify it as a thesis submitted to the University of Technology, Jamaica for the degree of

Doctor of ------------------or Master of ----------------

The candidate’s name, qualifications held, the full title of the thesis, and the month and year of submission are to be recorded on the title page.

5.8.2 Table of Contents

The thesis is to include a Table of Contents after the title page.

5.8.3 Certificate of Authorship

On the first page after the table of contents the following certificate signed by the candidate certifying the original authorship of the thesis is to appear:

“I hereby declare that this submission is my own work and that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, it contains no material previously published or written by another person nor material which to a substantial extent has been accepted for the award of any other degree or diploma of a university or other institution of higher learning, except where due acknowledgement is made in the acknowledgements.”

5.8.4 Acknowledgements

Where appropriate, a brief acknowledgement of any substantial assistance received shall be included on a separate page inserted in sequence. The acknowledgement should list the names of all those persons who have provided substantial assistance with the research and the nature of that assistance which may relate, for example to the:

- sponsorship of the research;

- collection of data;

- processing of the data including the selection and use of particular statistical techniques;

- interpretation of the results of the statistical analysis;

- editing of the thesis;

- use of graphics in the thesis;

- word processing of the thesis.

If any of the assistance was provided for a fee, this fact should also be recorded.

5.8.5 Abstract

Next in sequence, there is to be an abstract of the thesis not exceeding 500 words in length.

5.8.6 Text

The body of the thesis should follow with appropriate chapter headings.

5.8.7 References

The thesis is to include a list of references that shall list alphabetically the sources acknowledged in the body of the thesis.

Advice regarding bibliographic standards, including the appropriate standards for acknowledging web references, is to be obtained from the Principal Supervisor responsible for the research programme. Bibliographic standards are to follow Faculty guidelines.

5.8.8 Footnotes

Advice regarding footnote standards and placement is to be obtained from the Principal Supervisor responsible for the research programme. Both footnote standards and their placement are to follow Faculty guidelines.

5.8.9 Editing

A high standard of editing of the work submitted for examination is expected.

5.8.10 Binding

5.8.10.1 Cost of Binding

The candidate is responsible for the cost of binding.

5.8.10.2 Binding Specifications

Following successful examination, theses are full bound in cloth or buckram.

Lettering is in gold block letters. Where items other than a volume are submitted, these should be contained in a uniform cloth or buckram box, which is labeled in conformity with the height and lettering of the printed volume. Small items (e.g. a computer disk) should be housed in a matching cloth or buckram pocket, attached to the back inside cover board of the main work.

Advice on presentation of other items can be provided by the Principal Supervisor.

6.0 Declaration of Suitability for Examination

The Principal Supervisor and Faculty Dean are required to declare that the thesis or portfolio is in a suitable form for examination. Suitability of the thesis or portfolio refers to the presentation of the thesis, including legibility, accuracy, clarity of expression and general freedom from typographical and grammatical errors, but is not an indication of the quality of the work. The University will not proceed with the examination of a thesis not considered to be in a suitable form for examination.

It is important to note that a candidate has the right to request that the thesis be examined, even though the Supervisor(s) may not believe it to be of a suitable standard. Such instances must be clearly identified on the Thesis Lodgement Form, which must have attached to it statements from the Supervisor(s) and the candidate outlining the circumstances. These documents will be referred to the Postgraduate Committee for determination of the appropriate action to be taken.

The thesis or portfolio for examination must be accompanied by a completed Thesis Lodgement Form.
 

Postgraduate Committee
March 21, 2001