honors thesis guide csu

The Honors College Thesis Library

The Honors College Academic Plan culminates in the thesis, a required advanced research or creative project completed either in the student's undergraduate degree program or in the Honors College. Students undertake the Honors Thesis during their undergraduate senior year, with preparation work starting at the beginning of their junior year. Students present their work in the HNRS 4970 course through an oral defense and at the Cal State LA Honors Symposium at the end of the academic year, as well as generate a written thesis.

Below are the abstracts for thesis projects produced by each graduating class.

On the table of contents, Click on the Honors College Student's Name to be taken to that student's abstract page:

2013-2014 Thesis Abstracts  (PDF)

2014-2015 Thesis Abstracts  (PDF)

2015-2016 Thesis Abstracts  (PDF)

2016-2017 Thesis Abstracts  (PDF)

2017-2018 Thesis Abstracts (Pending)

2018-2019 Thesis Abstracts (Pending)

2019-2020 Thesis Abstracts  (PDF)

2020-2021 Thesis Abstracts  (PDF)

2021-2022 Thesis Abstracts  (PDF)

• Academic Calendar
• Accessibility
• Commencement
• Office of the President
• Student Parent Resources
• Admissions & Aid
• Student Success
• Campus Life
• Public Good
• MyCalStateLA
• Quick Links
• Faculty & Staff

University Honors Program

University Honors is an academic program for high-achieving undergraduate students. University Honors students work one-on-one with a faculty advisor in their academic discipline to develop and execute a culminating research project in their field of study. Service learning, study abroad, an internship, an artistic performance or installation, a laboratory research project, an investigative essay into a social issue, or a humanities-based inquiry – any of these experiences can serve as the basis for an outstanding Honors Thesis.

Collection Details

Works (788).

• « Previous
• Next »

Honors Program: Home

• UHP 496:Literature Review and Reference Management
• UHP498: Advanced Research/Thesis Formatting

Find Articles

• Databases by topic

Additional Resources

• APA Style Guide (Purdue University)
• MLA Style Guide (Purdue University)
• Creative Commons Licensing

Office Hours

In Person Office Hours are updated weekly. All In Person Office Hours are on the first floor of the library. NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY. 

IN PERSON  and CHAT Thursday March 21,  4-7pm Monday, March 25, 2-4pm Friday, Apr 5, 12-3pm Sunday April 14, 2-5pm Tuesday, April 30, 4-7pm

ZOOM DROP-IN WORKSHOPS Send me an email to get the zoom link

Your librarian

• Next: UHP 496:Literature Review and Reference Management >>
• Last Updated: Mar 28, 2024 2:30 PM
• URL: https://csulb.libguides.com/honors

• Skip to Content
• Catalog Home

• Catalog Contents
• Programs A-Z
• Courses A-Z

Print Options

• General Catalog - Home >
• Courses A-Z >

Honors Program-HONR (HONR)

• Academic Calendar
• University Mission, Values, and Guiding Principles
• University Welcome Center
• Campus Safety and The Clery Act
• Consensual Relationships
• FERPA (Student Privacy)
• Freedom of Expression and Inquiry
• Free Speech and Right to Peaceful Assembly
• Discrimination and Harassment
• Title IX Sexual Harassment
• Alcohol and Sexual Assault Education
• Public Health Emergency Notification
• Release of Official Transcripts and Diplomas
• Students' Rights
• Students' Responsibilities
• State Authorization Compliance
• Catalog Updates
• General Policies for Undergraduate Admissions
• Undergraduate Applicant Definitions
• Undergraduate Profiles and Decision Factors
• How to Apply
• International Undergraduate Admissions
• Enrollment Deposit
• Transfer and Test Credit
• Tuition and Fees
• Tuition and Fee Adjustments
• Additional Expenses
• Enrollment Status
• Residency for Tuition Classification
• Paying Your Bill
• Financial Assistance
• Academic Advising
• Scholastic Standards
• Academic Policies
• Academic Credit
• Registration
• Degree Requirements
• Graduation Procedures and Information
• Student Leadership
• Research and Creative Opportunities
• Fraternity and Sorority Life
• Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement (SLiCE)
• Student Clubs and Organizations
• Student Media
• Diversity Resources for Students
• Student Resources and Campus Life
• Academic Services and Programs
• Administrative Resources
• All-​University Core Curriculum (AUCC)
• Early Completion of QuantitativeReasoning/​Composition Requirement
• English Composition Requirement
• Quantitative Reasoning Requirement
• Health Professions
• Education First (EF)
• Semester at Sea
• Todos Santos
• Teacher Licensure/​Education
• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Graduate Degree Program in Ecology
• Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies Program
• Public Health
• School of Materials Science and Engineering
• School of Global Environmental Sustainability
• Associate of General Studies
• Minor in Aerospace Studies
• Department of Military Science
• Environmental Studies
• Mentored Research and Artistry Program
• University Honors Program
• Agricultural and Resource Economics
• Agricultural Biology
• Animal Sciences
• Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
• Soil and Crop Sciences
• Business Administration
• Computer Information Systems
• Finance and Real Estate
• Atmospheric Science
• Chemical and Biological Engineering
• Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering
• School of Biomedical Engineering
• Systems Engineering
• Construction Management
• Design and Merchandising
• Food Science and Human Nutrition
• Health and Exercise Science
• Human Development and Family Studies
• Occupational Therapy
• School of Education
• Social Work
• Anthropology and Geography
• Art and Art History
• Communication Studies
• Journalism and Media Communication
• Languages, Literatures and Cultures
• Political Science
• Race, Gender, and Ethnic Studies
• School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
• Ecosystem Science and Sustainability
• Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology
• Forest and Rangeland Stewardship
• Geosciences
• Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Computer Science
• Mathematics
• Biomedical Sciences
• Clinical Sciences
• Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences
• Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology
• Admissions Requirements and Procedures
• Requirements for All Graduate Degrees
• Evaluation of Graduate Students and Graduate School Appeals Procedure
• Master's Degrees
• Dual and Joint Master's Degrees
• Doctoral Degree
• Graduate Certificates
• Graduate Specializations
• Graduate Thesis and Dissertation
• Graduation Procedures
• Inter-​University Graduate Programs
• Graduate Assistantships
• Financial Support
• Tuition, Fees, and Expenses
• Enrollment and Academic Records
• Amendments to the Bulletin
• CSU Extended Campus/​CSU Online
• Land Grant Tradition
• Outreach, Research and Extension
• Accreditation
• University Leadership
• Fort Collins Community
• Key to Courses
• Honors Program-​HONR (HONR)
• Previous Catalogs

HONR 110  Why Honors--Designing Your Honors Experience  Credit: 1 (0-0-1)

Course Description: Creates a foundation of what an honors experience at CSU should be and can be. Activities include building community, building leadership skills, and integrating honors within academic programs. Students establish goals for their honors experience at CSU through informed, national honors best practices. Prerequisite: HONR 192 , may be taken concurrently. Restriction: Must be a: Undergraduate. Registration Information: Participation in the Honors Program required. Term Offered: Fall. Grade Mode: S/U Sat/Unsat Only. Special Course Fee: No.

HONR 192  Honors First Year Seminar  Credits: 3 (3-0-0)

Course Description: An interdisciplinary approach to select topics which are explored in small, discussion-based seminars. Emphasis on communication strategies. Prerequisite: None. Registration Information: Must have concurrent registration in HONR 110 . Participation in the Honors Program required. Terms Offered: Fall, Spring. Grade Mode: Traditional. Special Course Fee: No.

HONR 193  Honors Seminar  Credits: 3 (0-0-3)

Course Description: Humanistic and scientific studies with emphasis on rigorous literate activities, especially written communication. Prerequisite: HONR 192 . Registration Information: Participation in University Honors Program. Terms Offered: Fall, Spring. Grade Mode: Traditional. Special Course Fee: No. Additional Information: Intermediate Writing 1A.

HONR 195  Honors Independent Study  Credits: Var[1-3] (0-0-0)

Course Description: Prerequisite: None. Registration Information: Participation in University Honors Program. Terms Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer. Grade Mode: Traditional. Special Course Fee: No.

HONR 197  General Honors Colloquium  Credits: Var[1-4] (0-0-0)

Course Description: Students from all major fields meet in small groups to focus on a problem of concern to all. Prerequisite: None. Registration Information: Freshmen and sophomore standing only. Participation in University Honors Program. Terms Offered: Fall, Spring. Grade Mode: Instructor Option. Special Course Fee: No.

HONR 292A  Honors Seminar: Knowing in the Sciences  Credits: 3 (0-0-3)

Course Description: Exploration of science as a way of knowing. What counts as scientific knowledge; methods employed to gain or affirm scientific knowledge; values attributed to scientific knowledge; and ethical and aesthetic implications of what one gains and does with the acquisition of knowledge. Integrates history and philosophy of science with content of, and approaches used, in a scientific discipline in discussions. Prerequisite: HONR 192 and HONR 193 . Restriction: Must be a: Undergraduate. Registration Information: Participation in the Honors Program required. If Track 1, HONR 192 ; HONR 193 . If Track 2, then successful completion of a minimum of 30 hours of coursework is required. Credit allowed for only one of the following: HONR 280A1, HONR 292, HONR 292A , HONR 292B , HONR 292C , or HONR 293. Terms Offered: Fall, Spring. Grade Mode: Traditional. Special Course Fee: No. Additional Information: Biological & Physical Sciences 3A.

HONR 292B  Honors Seminar: Knowing in Arts and Humanities (GT-AH2)  Credits: 3 (0-0-3)

Course Description: Knowledge systems and the human experience. Ways of knowing in the arts and humanities. Prerequisite: HONR 192 and HONR 193 . Registration Information: Participation in University Honors Program. If Track 1, HONR 192 ; HONR 193 . If Track 2, 30 or more college credits after graduation from high school. Credit allowed for only one of the following: HONR 280A1, HONR 292, HONR 292A , HONR 292B , HONR 292C , or HONR 293. Terms Offered: Fall, Spring. Grade Mode: Traditional. Special Course Fee: No. Additional Information: Arts & Humanities 3B, Literature & Humanities (GT-AH2).

HONR 292C  Honors Seminar: Knowing Across Cultures (GT-SS3)  Credits: 3 (0-0-3)

Course Description: Identities, social contexts, global relations, and knowledge systems. Ways of knowing across cultures. Prerequisite: HONR 192 and HONR 193 . Registration Information: Participation in University Honors Program. If Track 1, HONR 192 ; HONR 193 . If Track 2, 30 or more college credits after graduation from high school. Credit allowed for only one of the following: HONR 280A1, HONR 292, HONR 292A , HONR 292B , HONR 292C , or HONR 293. Terms Offered: Fall, Spring. Grade Mode: Traditional. Special Course Fee: No. Additional Information: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion 1C, Human Behavior, Culture, or Social Frameworks (GT-SS3).

HONR 384  Supervised College Teaching  Credits: Var[1-18] (0-0-0)

Course Description: Prerequisite: None. Registration Information: Participation in University Honors Program. A maximum of 10 combined credits for all 384 and 484 courses are counted towards graduation requirements. Terms Offered: Fall, Spring. Grade Mode: Instructor Option. Special Course Fee: No.

HONR 392  Honors Seminar  Credits: 3 (0-0-3)

Course Description: Various topics in humanistic and scientific studies. Prerequisite: HONR 193 . Registration Information: Participation in University Honors Program. Terms Offered: Fall, Spring. Grade Mode: Traditional. Special Course Fee: No. Additional Information: Arts & Humanities 3B.

HONR 397  General Honors Colloquium  Credits: Var[1-4] (0-0-0)

Course Description: Students from all major fields meet in small groups to focus on a problem of concern to all. Prerequisite: None. Registration Information: Qualified junior and senior standing only. Participation in University Honors Program. Terms Offered: Fall, Spring. Grade Mode: Instructor Option. Special Course Fee: No.

HONR 399  Pre-thesis  Credit: 1 (0-0-1)

Course Description: Preparation for Honors senior thesis. Prerequisite: None. Registration Information: Participation in University Honors Program. Terms Offered: Fall, Spring. Grade Mode: S/U Sat/Unsat Only. Special Course Fee: No.

HONR 492  Honors Senior Seminar  Credits: 3 (0-0-3)

Course Description: Variable topics on humanistic and scientific studies. Prerequisite: HONR 392 . Registration Information: Participation in University Honors Program. Terms Offered: Fall, Spring. Grade Mode: Traditional. Special Course Fee: No. Additional Information: Social & Behavioral Sciences 3C.

HONR 495  Independent Study  Credits: Var[1-5] (0-0-0)

Course Description: Individual projects developed by the student and the major adviser at the upper-division level but which transcends basic course content. Prerequisite: None. Registration Information: Participation in University Honors Program. Terms Offered: Fall, Spring. Grade Mode: Instructor Option. Special Course Fee: No.

HONR 498  Honors Undergraduate Research  Credits: Var[1-4] (0-0-0)

Course Description: Prerequisite: None. Restriction: Must be a: Junior. Registration Information: Junior standing. Participation in University Honors Program. Term Offered: Fall. Grade Mode: Traditional. Special Course Fee: No.

HONR 499  Senior Honors Thesis  Credits: 3 (0-0-3)

Course Description: Prerequisite: HONR 399 . Registration Information: Participation in University Honors Program. Terms Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer. Grade Mode: Traditional. Special Course Fee: No.

• Apply to CSU
• Contact CSU
• Equal Opportunity
• Privacy Statement

© Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 USA

Print this page.

The PDF will include all information unique to this page.

• Colorado State University Libraries
• Research Guides
• Theses/dissertations
• Google Scholar
• Software for citing: EndNote
• Tests & Measures
• Data archives
• Library Accounts This link opens in a new window
• Interlibrary Loan This link opens in a new window
• Reserve Group Study Room This link opens in a new window
• Off-Campus Access
• Course Reserves (Shelf Reserve & E-Reserve) This link opens in a new window
• Data Management This link opens in a new window
• Open Access This link opens in a new window

Dissertations and Theses

Dissertations and Theses Global   Multi-databases search of all ProQuest Dissertations and Theses (1637-present) and including select CSU Theses & Dissertations with CSU theses ( 2010-present ) and CSU dissertations (1950-present).  To search for only CSU-produced theses/dissertations  click here ; or, for all which are held by CSU Libraries, click here . For a guide to submitting your dissertation or thesis to ProQuest, click here .

• Recommended: restrict keyword searches to the field Anywhere except full text 

A sample of current CSU-only results with the following Code Classifications: 

• Adult Education
• Community College Education
• Curriculum Development
• Early Childhood Education
• Education History
• Education Policy
• Educational Evaluation
• Educational Leadership
• Education Philosophy
• Educational Psychology
• Educational Sociology
• Educational Technology
• Educational Tests & Measurements
• Elementary Education
• Gifted Education
• Health Education
• Higher Education Administration
• Higher Education
• Instructional Design
• Mathematics Education
• Middle School Education
• Multicultural Education
• Physical Education
• Religious Education
• School Administration
• School Counseling
• Science Education
• Secondary Education
• Social Studies Education
• Special Education
• Teacher Education

​ WorldCat  Dissertations and theses from CSU and other universities are in WorldCat, as are books and more. WorldCat includes SOME dissertations and MANY theses which are not in the Digital Dissertations Database. Search BOTH Digital Dissertations AND WorldCat for the best coverage.

Resources for completing your graduate dissertation or theses

Thesis and dissertation electronic submission Guidance, resources, and workshop training schedule from CSU's Graduate School.

Electronic thesis and dissertation (ETD) formatting tips . Guides and online video tutorials from CSU's Computer Applications Training.

For additional ETD formatting help, please email  [email protected]

• << Previous: Articles
• Next: Google Scholar >>

Ask a Librarian

Ask Us About:

• Finding articles, books, & more
• Using library resources
• Citing your sources

24/7 Library Help

Connect with library staff via chat, email, phone or text.

Office of Undergraduate Education

University Honors Program

• Honors Requirements
• Major and Thesis Requirements
• Courses & Experiences
• Nova Series
• Honors Courses
• Honors Experiences
• NEXUS Experiences
• Faculty-Directed Research and Creative Projects
• Community Engagement and Volunteering
• Internships
• Learning Abroad

Honors Thesis Guide

• Important Dates and Deadlines
• Honors Advising
• Honors Reporting Center
• Get Involved
• University Honors Student Association
• UHSA Executive Board
• Honors Multicultural Network
• Honors Mentor Program
• Honors Community & Housing
• Freshman Invitation
• Post-Freshman Admission
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Faculty Fellows
• Faculty Resources
• Honors Faculty Representatives
• Internal Honors Scholarships
• Office for National and International Scholarships
• Letters of Recommendation
• Personal Statements
• Scholarship Information
• Honors Lecture Series
• Honors Recognition Ceremony
• Make a Donation
• UHP Land Acknowledgment
• UHP Policies

An honors thesis is required of all students graduating with any level of Latin honors. It is an excellent opportunity for undergraduates to define and investigate a topic in depth, and to complete an extended written reflection of their results & understanding. The work leading to the thesis is excellent preparation for graduate & professional school or the workplace.

Thesis Database

The thesis database is a searchable collection of over 6,000 theses, with direct access to more than 4,000 full-text theses in PDF format. The database—fully searchable by discipline, keyword, level of Latin Honors, and more—is available for student use in the UHP Office, 8am–4:30pm, Monday–Friday.

Thesis Forms & Documents

• Thesis Title Page template
• Thesis work is reported using the "Thesis Proposal" and "Thesis Completion"  found in the Honors Reporting Center.

+ Sample Timeline

Plan ahead! Developing a project, completing research or creative work, and writing your thesis will be a year-long effort at a minimum. Consult with your honors advisor and honors faculty representative to determine a timeline that is appropriate for you.

Freshman & Sophomore Years

• Explore major options; meet with faculty teaching your courses
• Ask faculty and advisors about research opportunities in your department
• Get involved in research to develop topics of interest

Junior Year

• Discuss thesis options with appropriate faculty
• Select a faculty supervisor and additional readers (if required)
• Review current literature
• Define your thesis topic
• Begin (or continue) thesis research

Senior Year, fall 

• Submit your Thesis Proposal form  by the established deadline  using the  Honors Reporting Center.
• Finish thesis research
• Establish a comprehensive outline to inform your preliminary draft
• Submit a preliminary draft to your faculty supervisor

Senior Year, spring

• Please consult your faculty supervisor for discipline-specific guidelines
• Submit final draft to supervisor and readers  by the established deadline.
• Submit revised draft to committee and arrange public presentation (if presentation is required by your department)  by the established deadline.
• Submit your Thesis Completion  by the established deadline  using the  Honors Reporting Center.
• Submit PDF copy of thesis according to  submission guidelines .

+ Requirements and Evaluation Criteria

Whatever form it takes, the purposes of the Honors Thesis are many—all of which develop skills that will serve our students well after graduation. The Honors Thesis must go above and beyond any project done for a course other than thesis or directed-studies/independent-studies courses. It may expand upon a term paper written for a course, but may not simply be a repurposed project completed for another course or requirement. The Honors Thesis must demonstrate that the student:

• Has developed excellent writing skills;
• Understands the project's relevance to the field of study and/or to society;
• Is able to apply theories and methods of research, analysis, or interpretation, or artistic techniques as appropriate to the field;
• Has cited appropriate sources;
• Is able to critically examine the work of other scholars or artists and relate that work to the thesis;
• Has contributed original research, ideas, knowledge, interpretations, or creative expression at a level appropriate for undergraduate study, such that the thesis goes beyond describing existing work;
• Has the ability to digest pre-existing work, present and summarize it succinctly, and, hence, articulate the context in which the student’s new work is situated;
• Has the ability to propose an idea in brief (i.e., the thesis proposal), and then bring that idea to fruition within a given timeline;
• Has the ability to present writing or recordings whose quality and polish are at a publishable or public-presentation level (even if the data, research, or ideas are still at a preliminary level);
• Has the ability to present ideas clearly and compellingly to an audience of non-specialists;
• Has the ability to go beyond programmatic or major capstone requirements for non-UHP students.

Moreover, a summa cum laude Honors Thesis must also demonstrate:

• The ability to do original (i.e., not an extended literature review or synopsis of previous work), highest-quality work;
• The ability to meet department- or program-specific stipulations for summa-level thesis work, as defined on our Major and Thesis Requirements page.

Supervision and Approval

All Honors Theses require approval by a committee of three members—the main thesis advisor and two other readers. One of the three members (not necessarily the main thesis advisor) must be a tenured or tenure-track faculty member in the student's home department. Other members may be tenured, tenure-track, contract, affiliate, adjunct, emeritus, and/or P&A faculty members at the University of Minnesota. Faculty members from other institutions, graduate students, and community members with expertise relevant to the student's topic may serve on the committee if approved by the departmental  Honors Faculty Representative (listed by major) and by UHP. The process for approval is for the Honors Faculty Representative to email UHP's director to explain in a couple of sentences the potential committee member's qualifications, and to then receive approval from the director.

+ Supervision and Approval

All Honors Theses require approval by a committee of three members—the main thesis advisor and two other readers. One of the three members (not necessarily the main thesis advisor) must be a tenured or tenure-track faculty member in the student's home department. Other members may be tenured, tenure-track, contract, affiliate, adjunct, emeritus, and/or P&A faculty members at the University of Minnesota. Faculty members from other institutions, graduate students, and community members with expertise relevant to the student's topic may serve on the committee if approved by the departmental  Honors Faculty Representative  and by UHP. The process for approval is for the Honors Faculty Representative to email UHP's director to explain in a couple of sentences the potential committee member's qualifications, and to then receive approval from the director.

Summa cum laude  theses require students to go above and beyond the requirements for cum laude and magna cum laude theses. The specifics for the students major may be found on our  Major and Thesis Requirements page.

+ Credit and Honors Experience

All students are required to take a classroom-based, Honors Thesis support course of at least one credit, one semester. Many majors and colleges provide such courses. UHP also provides HCol 3101H every spring and HCol 3102H every fall. You can find the required thesis coursework for your major on our  Major and Thesis Requirements page . If the student's major or college offers an Honors Thesis course, taking a different course in lieu of this one requires approval of the Honors Faculty Representative. Completing the approved course with a passing grade fulfills the Honors Thesis course requirement. Additional thesis courses marked with an H or V may count as Honors courses if they comprise 2 or more credits. Additional research activity, whether recognized with credit or not,  may count as a non-course experience.

+ Style and Formatting

Style guides.

When preparing your honors thesis and citing sources, follow the style guide that is most appropriate to your field of study. For example:

• Modern Language Association (MLA) style - common in the humanities
• American Psychological Association (APA) style - common in the social sciences
• Chicago style - common in history

Check with your faculty supervisor before choosing a style. Style and citation resources are available from  the University Libraries .

The following formatting parameters should be strictly followed in most cases. However, certain types of theses, such as collections of poetry, may vary from these guidelines if necessary to the integrity of the work, with the faculty supervisor's assent.

• Margins:  at least 1" on all sides
• Type size:  no smaller than 11 point; 12 point preferred; a smaller font may be used for footnotes or end notes
• Font:  use a standard, easily-readable font, such as Times New Roman
• Spacing:  double space all main text

Sections of the thesis include (and should be sequenced as follows):

• Title Page:  Prepared according to the  thesis title page template
• Acknowledgements  (optional)
• Abstract or Summary:  No more than one double-spaced page. For thesis projects in the creative and performing arts, the summary must provide specifics about the exhibition or performance that the written thesis complements.
• Non-technical Summary:  (optional) recommended in cases where the abstract and thesis are too highly technical to be easily understood by non-specialists
• Table of Contents  (optional)
• Body of the Thesis
• Appendices  (optional)
• Bibliography or List of Works Cited

+ Thesis Submission

By the last day of final examinations in the semester in which you are graduating, you must:

• Submit your final thesis in  PDF format  via the "Thesis Completion" WorkflowGen process in the  Honors Reporting Center

How to Create a PDF Document

• On a Mac:  From the print dialog, select the PDF option from the lower left-hand corner. Or, from Microsoft Word, select "Save As" and change the format to PDF.
• On a Windows PC:  From Microsoft Word, select "Save As" and change the file type to PDF.

Combine Multiple PDFs

Your thesis should be submitted as one singular file. Multiple PDF documents can be combined using Adobe Acrobat Pro (available in most campus computer labs). You can also use a free online tool such as  SmallPDF.

Please note: the thesis completion form should not be included in this file.

Non-Electronic Documents

Non-electronic portions of your thesis should be scanned and included as part of your PDF. Scanners are available at the University computer labs in Coffman Memorial Union, Humphrey Center, McNeal Hall, and Walter Library.

+ Publication

The  University Digital Conservancy  provides permanent online access to academic works produced at the University. Benefits of placing your thesis in the conservancy include:

• Free, public accessibility
• Long-term storage and preservation
• Improved rankings in search engine results
• A direct, public URL for reference in resumes, applications, CVs, etc.

Submission Process

To have your honors thesis placed in the Digital Conservancy, you must submit the following forms to the honors office:

• a signed copy of the  Digital Conservancy Deposit Agreement
• a  Digital Conservancy Agreement Addendum  signed by your faculty thesis advisor. At the discretion of your thesis advisor, signatures of additional readers or research contributors may be required.

After receiving these forms, the honors program will submit your thesis to the Digital Conservancy within a few months. Upon submission, you will receive instructions on how to access the digital copy of your thesis.

Further Submission Considerations

You may not want to submit your honors thesis to the conservancy if it:

• Contains sensitive data or information about potentially patentable inventions
• Is something you may want to commercially publish
• Involved other authors, collaborators, or advisors who have not granted their permission for you to submit.

View the  Digital Conservancy Policies and Guidelines  for more information.

+ What if I choose not to submit my thesis in the Digital Conservancy?

The University Honors Program will keep an electronic copy of your thesis in our internal thesis database. It will not be available publicly or on the Internet.

+ Will choosing not to submit affect the approval and/or grade of my thesis?

No. Submitting your thesis to the conservancy is completely optional and has no bearing on grades, the acceptance of your thesis, or your graduation.

+ Will submitting my thesis affect my ability to publish it elsewhere?

It might. Some academic journals have policies against publishing previously printed or archived work. Consult your thesis advisor or the honors office if you have questions about this.

+ Who holds the copyright to my thesis?

Your work will be protected by U.S. copyright law to the same extent it would be if it were on a shelf in the library or University archives. The deposit agreement gives University Libraries rights to store, preserve, and make your work available to the public, but you still hold the rights to publish and distribute it as you see fit.

+ What if my thesis includes images, videos, or other non-PDF materials?

Materials in formats other than PDF may be submitted to the Digital Conservancy; however, the level of preservation support provided for such works varies. To learn more,  view the conservancy’s preservation policy .

+ Can my thesis be removed from the Digital Conservancy if I change my mind later?

No. If you are in doubt, you may want to consider not submitting your thesis to the conservancy.

• Summer Research Opportunities
• Global Seminars and LAC Seminars

Division of Academic Affairs

Honors College

• A-Z Directory
• Virtual Tour
• EAB Navigate
• Parent Portal
• Reset Password
• Student Email

Honors Thesis

• Tarleton's Home >
• Academic Affairs >
• Honors College >
• Honors Thesis >

Introduction to the Honors Thesis

This Honors Thesis Handbook was developed to encourage students to write an Honors thesis that extends students’ work in a specific research project or creative endeavor. This handbook is designed to provide you with helpful information and pointers that will simplify – and de-mystify – the process of writing an Honors thesis.

You should read this information carefully before you begin the process of developing an idea for your Honors thesis. Keep it handy between now and your thesis completion. If you have a question about the Honors thesis – what the deadlines are, what the thesis should look like, what you can do if something goes wrong – look back through the Handbook. Chances are the answer to all your questions are in here. However, if you have a question that is not answered in this Handbook, please contact the Honors College .

The Thesis Handbook should also be helpful to your thesis committee, as the Handbook contains information about the expectations not only for students, but also for thesis committee members. We encourage you to share the handbook with them.

Why write an Honors Thesis?

For students who are intent on making the most of their Honors education, the Honors thesis serves as an academic capstone experience. Students on the Presidential Honors or Distinguished Honors track are required to complete a thesis. An Honors thesis offers the following benefits:

• An opportunity to work one-on-one with a faculty mentor in your major on a project that will enhance your research, creativity, and writing skills.
• Integration of knowledge in a project of your own choice.
• Self-awareness, as you engage in an independent project that can help clarify your academic interests and career goals.
• The reward of rising to a unique, intellectual challenge.
• Recognition on your official transcript and diploma and at the Honors Commencement Ceremony.
• Enhancement of graduate school and employment opportunities.

Who writes an Honors Thesis?

Students on the Presidential Honors or Distinguished Honors tracks are required to complete a thesis. In addition, students who wish to get the most out of their education or who wish to personalize a component of their education will opt to write an Honors thesis. It is strongly recommended that students who are interested in attending graduate school to earn a Ph.D. write an Honors thesis.

General Guidelines

Students and their committee should remember that the Honors thesis is the product of meaningful research and advanced investigation/creation over multiple semesters. The thesis manuscript is the culmination of a student’s course of study and should be a document of pride for the student, the committee, and the academic program. The Honors thesis should be substantial in scope and result in original findings, new creative work, or a new understanding of a problem or issue. Projects that resemble term papers, literature reviews without significant analysis and synthesis, or single-semester capstone projects will not satisfy Honors expectations. Students should approach the development and execution of the thesis with utmost care and should be prepared for multiple rounds of revisions before submitting the manuscript to the Honors College, to ensure that the final product meets the expectations of the chair, and the Honors College. While the thesis chair will serve as the student’s primary guide through the research and writing process, the Honors College has certain requirements with regard to responsible conduct of research, scope of project, and manuscript formatting.

If you would like to complete an Honors Thesis you must first submit the Thesis Declaration form found on the Honors College website under “Forms and Documents” to notify the Honors College of this intention

Basic Requirements for the Honors Thesis

Listed below you will find the essential elements involved in writing an Honors thesis. Each of the essential elements listed here is described in greater detail later in this handbook.

• You must have a thesis committee chair. This should be someone with a terminal degree in their field (usually a Ph.D., although possibly an M.D., J.D., or M.F.A.).
• You must have two additional thesis committee members. One of these will be appointed by the Dean of the Honors College to serve as an external member of the committee.
• Like thesis chairs, thesis members should have a terminal degree in their field. Your members should be familiar with the Honors Thesis process and agree to the timeline. It is your responsibility to provide them with the handbook/link and to discuss requirements and timelines with them. Exceptions to this requirement will be made on a case-by-case basis with demonstrated need and the approval.
• Complete the Proposal Defense Form found on the Honors College website under “Forms and Documents”.
• You must have your thesis proposal approved by your three-member Thesis Committee prior to beginning data collection. This will occur during the Proposal Defense.
• Students must submit their completed thesis according to the deadlines in order for the thesis to count toward Honors graduation requirements.
• Re-write the thesis until your chair and two members agree it is of Honors quality.
• Submit the Thesis Defense Request Form
• Publicly defend your completed thesis
• Complete the signature page with your committee
• Email the complete, approved, thesis with signature page to the Honors College ( [email protected] ) by the last day of finals

Traditional Research Thesis

Creative research thesis, applied research/design thesis, when should i start my thesis, finding a thesis topic and a thesis chair, what if the person who knows most about my topic does not have a terminal degree, how do i approach a potential thesis chair, do i have to do the thesis in my major, is it okay to re-work an old paper or project, how do i find my thesis committee members, how do i approach potential thesis members.

• Thesis Chair Expectations
• Student Expectations
• Thesis Member Expectations

What happens if I can’t do everything I planned in my proposal?

What happens if i don’t finish on time, how long should my thesis be, research and note-taking, writing the first draft, revising your thesis, what if i want to change chairs, what happens if i do not have “good” results, final words of wisdom, what is an honors thesis.

The Honors thesis is a respected hallmark of an Honors degree. The thesis project provides the opportunity for a student – in close consultation with an expert member of the faculty – to define and carry through a line of research or a creative enterprise appropriate to the conclusion of a serious and substantial undergraduate program of study. There are three forms of the Honors Thesis, and students may choose from the thesis type that best fits their scholarly and professional goals. These forms are: Traditional Research Thesis, Creative Research Thesis, and Applied Research/Design Thesis.

The Honors thesis is a large research (or creative) project that can be pursued successfully in two to three semesters as part of a normal undergraduate course load. We expect that the Honors thesis will exemplify the standard in its ideas, methodology, accuracy, clarity, reasoning, and presentation.

In a traditional thesis, students conduct discipline-specific research and write an honors thesis. The traditional research thesis is popular for students applying to professional or graduate schools and students entering professions in which research and written communication skills are prioritized. The length and scope of the thesis varies by discipline, but the final project will exceed the length of a paper written for a specific course and will reflect a sustained, year-long research project. The thesis may build on previous research completed for a class, but it must do so in significant and substantial ways under the direction of the thesis chair.

The thesis represents ORIGINAL work. A research thesis tackles a problem or part of a problem that others have not yet addressed adequately or completely or it approaches the problem in a new way. Library research into what others have done is an essential first step, but a research-based Honors thesis goes beyond this to include your own insights, ideas, and/or collection of data. What distinguishes an Honors thesis from a research paper that might be written for a regular, upper-division, 3-credit course is the necessity for you to go beyond what others have written and to think critically about the topic at hand, to bring your own ideas to bear on the topic, and/or to collect and report on new information that expands knowledge in your academic discipline. An Honors thesis is not, however, a Master’s thesis or a Ph.D. dissertation and should be, correspondingly, smaller in scope. An Honors thesis is a substantial piece of work, both in terms of effort and length. Writing the thesis involves a cycle of writing, receiving feedback, and rewriting, etc. Students who write an Honors thesis never turn in a single draft and have it approved by all their committee members. Instead, they work as apprentices through the process of writing scholarly work and write multiple drafts. The ultimate goal is to do excellent work and write an excellent (and original) paper.

A creative research thesis involves research and a creative project, usually in the fine or media arts. Examples include choreographing a dance, preparing a character performance, creating a documentary, composing a musical performance, or writing a collection of short stories. The thesis manuscript includes the final product or a link to the final product, as well as a research-informed explanation of the product and a reflection of the process that situates the project within current scholarship. The length and scope will vary by discipline, but the thesis will represent thorough research that highlights the artist’s choices and informs the viewer’s understanding of the creative product in significant ways.

Although a creative project can form the basis of a thesis, it is not the complete thesis! To be accepted as an Honors thesis, a creative work must be accompanied by a written analysis. This written analysis should include: (1) an introduction in which the student explains what they chose to do and what their personal and academic goals were in attempting the project; (2) the creative work itself or a brief written description of the creative piece (if it is not in text form); and (3) a reflective evaluative section in which the student evaluates the results of the project. The introduction should address questions such as why the student chose the particular approach used, why the student selected the particular work or works to be performed or created, and what the student hoped to gain or learn in doing the project. The evaluative discussion should address how the student met or failed to meet the original goals of the project and what the student would do differently (or the same) if they were to attempt the project again.

An applied research/design thesis allows students to research and design a product or process of practical use within their discipline. Applied research/design is popular for students in team-based fields such as engineering, marketing, and health-related disciplines. The thesis includes the project information, as well as a research-informed explanation of process and product design and application that situates the project within current scholarship. The length and scope will vary by discipline, but the final project will represent thorough research and a thoughtful product that significantly exceeds work typically completed for an individual class. Students who are part of a research team must also write about their individual role in creating the product.

Students employ an approach to the Honors thesis that is appropriate to their particular field of study. For example, a student in the sciences most often does a project that involves laboratory research; a student in the humanities most often does library research, combined with critical analysis; a student in the social sciences might conduct survey research, a laboratory study, a case study, or content analysis; a student in the fine and performing arts typically produces a creative work. No particular approach is required. You and your committee determine the methods and approach to the project. It is difficult to anticipate all the variations of projects that may be undertaken to qualify as an Honors thesis. If you and your chair are unsure whether your project is acceptable, you or they should contact the Honors College.

Whatever type of thesis you choose to do, it is essential that you select a topic that truly interests you. A topic that does not engage you will quickly become boring and onerous, a task unpleasant to both you and your chair — becomes a task soon avoided, and unlikely to be completed.

Getting Started

The sooner you start, the better off you will be. In most cases, however, students are not ready to start their Honors thesis until they have completed at least 60 hours. Students in highly technical fields may need additional coursework before they have enough background to do a thesis in their field.

Students should begin planning for the thesis no later than the beginning of their junior year (four semesters before graduation) and should ideally begin their thesis by the middle of their junior year (with three semesters left before graduation). Students in the sciences and social sciences typically need to start earlier than students in the arts, business, education, and humanities, as they often have to master experimental techniques before they can begin their own project. One problem with waiting to begin in the senior year is that you run the risk of delaying your graduation if problems arise with the completion of your thesis.

The biggest fear most students have when they consider doing a thesis is that they will be unable to find a topic. While finding a topic can be difficult, the more research you do and the more you talk to others, the more likely you are to find a topic that suits you. Keep in mind that you do not have to develop the topic all on your own! Doing a thesis is similar to finding a position as an apprentice. Your thesis chair has a great deal more experience in developing new research ideas than you do. Make sure to use your thesis chair and other faculty members as a resource.

Selecting a topic and selecting a thesis chair are inextricably linked. Some students identify a topic first and then use that to help guide them to a chair. Others identify a chair first – a faculty member with whom they have a good relationship – and then use that relationship to guide them to a topic.

Ideally, your topic will be something that interests you already – perhaps something you have learned about in a course, something you have read, or even a hobby. When you have an idea for a project that interests you, then you should find a chair with interest and expertise in that area. If you are not familiar with the specialties of faculty in your discipline, you can contact the Honors College and request assistance in how to identify a faculty member whose interests match or overlap with yours. While identifying a topic on your own is wonderful, you should be prepared for faculty members to tell you that your understanding of the field is naïve or that your topic is too broad or unmanageable. You should also be prepared for some faculty members to tell you that, while your idea is very interesting, they cannot serve as your chair because your project is not closely related to their research specialty. When you develop a topic completely on your own, you may have difficulty finding a chair who is willing to work with you.

Not having a topic in mind does not mean that you cannot do a thesis. Students who do not have a topic in mind have one advantage: they will not have their ideas rejected – although they may be more likely to end up with a project that is not as interesting to them. If you do not have a topic in mind, it can be useful to find a chair first. You can approach a faculty member whose course interested you and ask him or her for assistance in developing a topic. Often, that faculty member will help you develop a project that fits with his or her line of research. If you have a general subject area in mind (e.g., social psychology, physiology, modern literature, business ethics), you can ask the Honors College to help you identify faculty members who have interests in those areas. You can then approach those faculty members to ask for assistance in developing a topic.

It is often easier to choose a chair than it is to choose a topic. You should choose your chair by taking into consideration both the faculty member’s expertise in an area that interests you and the potential for you to develop a close working relationship with that faculty member. One of the most rewarding aspects of completing the thesis is developing a personal and intellectual relationship with your thesis chair. Think about a professor whose classes you have particularly enjoyed or a professor you have gotten to know during office hours or in other contexts outside the classroom. Even if that professor turns out not to be the right chair because his or her research area does not match your interests, they can often help direct you to an appropriate chair. In addition, the original faculty member will be someone whom you want to consider asking to serve as a member on your thesis.

A thesis topic should be neither too broad nor too narrow. It will probably take time for you to cut the problem down to feasible proportions. Keep in mind that this project will not be the last word on your topic. Either you or others will follow up on the ideas you address in your thesis. Most original thesis topics need to be scaled down before they become manageable and you can make adjustments at any point in the process. It is up to you and your thesis committee to set the boundaries for your project. You and your committee will need to agree on everything from the number of books you will read, the number of participants or observations, the expected length of the finished work, etc. You may change your mind on these points as the project progresses, but it is helpful to begin by defining these items in advance.

As you explore options for thesis topics, keep in mind that the most important factor in completing an Honors thesis is your interest. You need to enjoy what you propose to study. You need to take ownership of the project. Nothing will hinder your progress more than working on a thesis that does not interest you. How do students get into that situation? Often by having a professor persuade them to do something that does not really interest them. Thus, we strongly advise you to pick a topic that interests you.

In some very rare instances, students have received approval to work with a thesis chair (or member) who does not have a terminal degree (e.g., a PhD, JD. or MD). If you believe that there is an ideal thesis chair (or member) for you but that individual does not hold a terminal degree, you can request permission to work with that individual from the Honors College. You must be able to demonstrate that this individual has special expertise that others at Tarleton do not have.

Approach potential thesis chairs with as much confidence as you can muster and as much information as you can gather. How you approach a potential thesis chair may depend on how certain you are that the professor in question is the right chair for you. If you are certain you want that individual for a chair and know what topic you want to pursue, you can go in, introduce yourself as a member of the Honors College, explain that you want to complete an Honors thesis, and explain what topic or topics interest you. If you think you might want that professor for an chair but are not certain what topic you wish to pursue, you can introduce yourself as a member of the Honors College, explain that you wish to complete an Honors thesis, indicate that you would be interested in working with him or her, and ask the professor if they has a project that you might be able to work on. Flattery can be useful (e.g., “I decided to approach you because I really enjoyed your Physiology class and I felt that I would be interested in research in physiology and would enjoy and benefit from the opportunity to work with you.”). If you do not have a personal acquaintance with the potential thesis chair, you may also ask the Honors College to assist you with contacting the faculty member.

When you approach a potential thesis chair, be as prepared and informed as possible, both about the thesis experience and your potential chair. If your potential chair has no experience mentoring an Honors student, be prepared to refer him/her to this Handbook. You want to appear organized, responsible, and thoughtful. You should always do as much research as possible on a potential thesis chair’s line of research! Go to the library or look on the internet and read several of the potential chair’s most recent papers. Not only will you look more intelligent and more professional if you have read several of your potential chair’s papers, but reading the papers is a good way for you to find out if you find the work interesting. Keep in mind that finding a thesis chair may take time. You may need to approach many different individuals to discuss their work before you find both a topic and a chair that feel right to you.

You do not have to complete the thesis in your major or with a faculty member from your academic discipline. Honors students sometimes complete their thesis in the field of their minor. Working across disciplinary lines is a great way to contribute to and generate new scholarly conversations in a variety of fields. Keep in mind, however, that faculty are more likely to agree to work with a student who is majoring in their own academic discipline. Typically, you need to “speak” the language of the discipline to do work in that discipline. Examples of this from other universities include:

• an accounting major who wrote a novella that focused on a businessman’s ethical challengers;
• an English major who wrote a plan for an after-school program for at-risk youth in a small town;
• a communication major who developed a proposal for preventing HIV/AIDS among inner-city, homosexual males;
• an economics major who wrote about the myth of the hero’s journey, as depicted in comic books; or
• a chemistry major who wrote a paper in which he analyzed the scientific claims of Holocaust deniers.

A thesis that builds on and further develops work you have already done can be a fine piece of work. Many students have developed thesis topics out of papers they completed for Honors Contracts or for upper-division courses. What is not legitimate is simply to recycle, with minor additions or changes, a paper or papers already completed and submitted for a grade. A student who proposes to add a different introduction or a longer conclusion or more examples or illustrations to an already existing paper is certainly not proposing anything that can be considered the capstone of an Honors education.

Once you and your thesis chair settle on a topic, you will need to select an additional member for your thesis committee – with your chair’s help. The two members should be individuals who can help you in the completion of your project. It is best to choose members whose expertise adds to the knowledge that your thesis chair provides. You can also choose someone whom you know will nurture you and help you deal with the stress involved in doing a complex project. While it is okay for you to suggest your own members (e.g., a faculty member with whom you have a good relationship), you should always ask your thesis chair how they feel about specific members – and monitor your thesis chair’s response closely. You do not want to choose a member who does not get along with your thesis chair! In addition, the Dean of the Honors College will appoint a member of the Honors Advisory Council to serve as the third member of your committee. This member will typically be someone outside of the field who can bring a different perspective to the project.

Like the thesis chair, members should hold a terminal degree (Ph.D., M.D., J.D., M.F.A.) in their field of expertise – unless they have unusual expertise in a field. If you or your chair feels someone without a terminal degree is an ideal candidate for your thesis committee, you may contact the Honors College to argue your case.

Although your thesis chair should help you identify your additional committee member, it is your responsibility to ask the member if they are willing to serve on your thesis committee. Unless your thesis chair offers to do so on your behalf, you will be expected to approach your potential member to ask them to serve on your committee. Once again, you should be prepared before you approach your potential members. It is a good idea to write up a one- page description of your topic and approach.

You can then email this description to your potential member or drop it off to them along with a request to serve as a member on your thesis committee and a time-line that specifies when you plan to complete the written portions of your thesis. Explain to the potential member that you value their input and assistance.

Responsibilities Involved in the Thesis Chair/Student Relationship

Your thesis chair should be willing to meet with you on a regular basis. As soon as your thesis chair has agreed to work with you, these meetings should begin and should continue at weekly intervals until the thesis is complete. The purpose of these meetings is for you to ask questions and seek advice and for the chair to give advice, direction, and encouragement. One of the major mistakes students make is not meeting often enough with their thesis chair. Let the regularly scheduled meetings help you meet your deadlines.

Your chair should help you refine and focus your interests into a manageable project and should help you develop a strategy and a timetable for the work’s successful completion. Your chair will read several drafts of your thesis proposal and thesis, and will provide you with detailed feedback on the drafts (as well as on other activities you engage in as part of your research). An Honors thesis should always go through multiple revisions. You are expected to give your chair ample time to read/view and comment on each version/revision. You are also responsible for making the appointments with your chair and making sure to show up for each of those appointments. Keep in mind that you will want to ask your thesis chair to write letters of recommendation or serve as a reference for you in the future. The responsibility and dedication you demonstrate in working on your thesis will be important factors in your chair’s willingness to recommend you.

In summary, your thesis chair should be willing to:

• meet with you on a regular and frequent basis (ideally at least once per week)
• help you define an appropriate scope for the project
• set forth clear expectations for the length of your thesis
• read your work in a timely fashion
• help you identify an additional committee member
• help you identify the resources necessary to complete the project
• communicate with your members to ensure common understanding of project length, criteria for assessment, and other conditions and assumptions involving the project.

In response, you must be willing to:

• meet with your thesis chair on a regular and frequent basis (and not chronically cancel, arrive late, or miss appointments)
• take responsibility for arranging meeting dates
• meet all deadlines that you and your thesis chair set together and notify your thesis chair if you are having problems that interfere with your ability to meet deadlines or attend appointments
• work in the lab when you have committed to do so

Lab research (especially in the sciences) often requires that you become a dedicated member of a research TEAM, which means that you may sometimes be expected to help your lab mates with their research and, in turn, may receive their help on your project.

Responsibilities Involved in the Member/Student Relationship

While you will work most closely with your thesis chair, you are also expected to work closely with your committee members as you develop your ideas, plan your method of doing the project, and write the thesis. You should anticipate that your members will have their own suggestions that they will want you to act on and changes and revisions that they will want you to make. You need to address these suggestions and revisions.

Members do not have to accept (and sign) the thesis until they are satisfied that the work is of Honors quality. Creating a thesis is not an assignment that you simply hand in at the end of the semester and receive a grade for it. It is an ongoing collaborative process among you, your chair, and your members.

If your thesis project involves data collection (as most work in the sciences and social sciences does), you MUST make sure your members approve of your methods before you begin collecting data. It is neither appropriate nor wise to find your thesis members after you have already begun (or finished) collecting your data.

Your members should be willing to meet with you on a regular basis from the time you begin your thesis until you complete it. Those regular meetings should take place no less often than once a month and, ideally, every two to three weeks. It is your responsibility to keep your members apprised of your progress. A major mistake students make is not giving their chairs and, especially, members, enough time to read and comment on their drafts and request revisions. You will not be able to turn your thesis in to the Honors College when you expect to unless you have given your thesis chair and members ample time to require revisions. You always need to ask your chair and members how much time they need to read and respond to drafts of your work and when they expect to see a first draft of various sections of the thesis proposal and thesis.

In summary, your thesis members should be willing to:

• meet with you on a regular (no less than once per month)
• read you work in a timely fashion
• help you identify the necessary resources to complete the project
• keep in touch with your members on a regular basis (and not cancel or miss appointments or arrive late)
• involve your members in all decisions relating to the content of your thesis
• inform your members of the deadlines that you and your thesis chair have set together and meet those deadlines
• notify your members if you are having problems that interfere with your ability to meet deadlines or attend appointments

Keep in mind that your thesis is not complete until it is approved by your full thesis committee – your thesis chair and your two members. Members of your thesis committee signal their approval of your thesis work by signing the Thesis Proposal Approval Form or the signature page for your completed thesis. Members of your thesis committee should not sign the Thesis Proposal Approval Form or signature page unless and until they believe the work is of the quality expected of an Honors student.

Content of the Honors Thesis Proposal

Writing the thesis proposal.

Your thesis proposal serves several purposes. Writing the proposal helps you organize your thoughts and determine exactly what you want to accomplish. While you are working on your project, your proposal will serve as a road map that will help keep you focused on your goals. Your proposal serves as a contract between you and your thesis committee. That is, it specifies what you need to do to complete the Honors thesis and earn the distinction of graduating with Distinguished or Presidential Honors through the Honors College. Having all parties agree in advance on the nature of your project minimizes the chance of later misunderstandings.

Your proposal must explain why your project is worthwhile. How will it add to the body of knowledge that already exists in your field of study? You should outline not only the specific questions you hope to answer, but also the larger questions that your project addresses. If you are doing a creative, you should explain how and why the endeavor will be worthwhile for you to complete. The thesis proposal should present your case for your ideas.

In the sciences and natural, social, and behavioral sciences the thesis proposal typically contains the Introduction, Background, and Methods sections of the thesis itself. As a result, a proposal in these fields is usually fairly lengthy – perhaps 15 to 20 pages long. Essentially, your proposal should answer the following questions:

If you complete a good and detailed proposal for a project in the sciences and social sciences, the actual writing of your thesis will probably only entail adding two more sections – the Results and Discussions sections.

Proposals in the humanities and fine arts and proposals for creative are typically not as long as they are in the sciences and social sciences because more of the work is done after the proposal stage. Because of this, however, students working on creative projects or projects in the Humanities should plan to complete their thesis proposal well before the middle of the first semester in which they enroll in an Honors thesis course. The proposal for a project in the Humanities should still contain Introduction and Methods sections. Your Introduction should state your thesis. It should also explain how your perspective, viewpoint, or argument differs from other researchers’ analysis of the same material. Your Methods section should explain what primary and secondary sources you will examine and what you will be looking for as you examine these materials and argue your case.

If you are planning a creative project, your thesis proposal should define what the project will consist of. It should explain the value of the product that you will produce and situate it within the literature and works already present. If your product will be a work of creative writing or some other artistic product, your proposal will also need to describe previous similar work you have produced or training you have in the area and explain how the proposed thesis project will extend that work along new lines. You will need to describe the themes you plan to address in this new work and how they connect to the themes addressed in your earlier work or other issues of concern for you. The thesis proposal should also place your proposed creative work in a larger context that is defined by the creative works of other individuals in your field. That is, how will your work relate to the works of other artists, authors, poets, musicians, etc.? You will also need to explain the medium or genre in which you plan to work and the artistic statement you expect to make with your work.

Finally, you will want to explain what you personally hope to learn or gain from doing this project. The thesis proposal for a creative or problem-solving project that does not involve written work should also detail how you will document the product – i.e., through film, photographs, slides, etc.

Your thesis chair and your members should help you define the appropriate structure, content, and length for your thesis proposal. Since the thesis proposal is supposed to be written at a point when you have not yet done the research, you should be writing in the future tense – e.g., “I will…” or “The participants in the study will….”

As you work on your project, you may find that you will not be able to do exactly what you said you would do in your thesis proposal. This is a common occurrence and should not be a cause of major concern. Typically, the student and their thesis committee agree that the proposed project was too large or too broad, and the student and committee members come to an agreement on ways to narrow the focus of the project. Sometimes the student and their chair discover that necessary materials or equipment are unavailable. They then consult with the other committee members and agree on ways to modify the project in light of that new information. It is also okay to change the focus of the project as long as the full thesis committee agrees to changes in the focus.

If you and your committee members cannot come to an agreement on how the project can be modified, you or your chair may need to consult with the Honors College to find a solution. In addition, if you plan to make major changes from what you proposed, your thesis chair should contact the Honors College to explain the circumstances and the changes.

If you do not file your completed thesis with the Honors College by the last day of finals week in the semester in which you intend to graduate, you will not be able to graduate with Honors in that semester. You will need to contact the Honors College to discuss your options. One option is to delay your graduation until the next semester – which will give you time to complete and file the thesis.

While this is the most frequent question that students ask, there is no easy answer to this question. There is no set minimum or maximum length for an Honors thesis. The correct answer is, “However long it takes to cover your topic adequately.” Your thesis chair and members should help you determine how many pages it will take to do that and should give you some guidelines concerning the length of thesis they expect to see. Keep in mind, though, that an Honors thesis is a major undertaking, so it is reasonable to expect the work to be longer than a paper for an individual class, although, in the sciences and social sciences, much of the time involved in writing a thesis goes into data collection, rather than writing.

Whatever the nature of the research you are conducting, you will be taking a lot of notes, so you should reflect on how you plan to do that. Too many students assume that the research phase of a project involves very little writing. Sitting down with your research materials and exploring them for basic facts and useful quotations is important, but you also need to engage in a more thoughtful type of writing and analytic thinking. Here are some general guidelines for note-taking:

• Develop a research system. There are lots of ways to take and organize your notes. You can use note cards, computer databased, notebooks, etc.
• Make careful distinctions between direct quotations and paraphrasing! It is critical to mark direct quotations so that you can avoid accidentally plagiarizing someone’s work.
• Record full citations for each source. Don’t get lazy. It is far more difficult to find the proper citations later than to write it down now. Microsoft Word References is an easy and efficient way to embed your citations.

However you decide to make and store your notes, your notes should include the following information for each of your sources:

• An abbreviated subject heading – two or three words to remind you what this source is about.
• The complete bibliographic citation
• Basic notes – facts, quotations, and arguments
• Your interpretation of the source: This is the most important part of note-taking. Don’t just record facts. Take a stab at interpreting those facts. Ask yourself about the context of the source: Who wrote or created it? When and under what circumstances was it written or created? Why was it written or created and what was the agenda behind the source? How does it speak to other scholarship in the field? Ask yourself questions about the significance of the source: How does this source address (or complicate) my research questions? Does it pose new questions for my project and, if so, what are they? Does it challenge my fundamental argument and, if so, how? How reliable is the source?

You do not need to answer all of these questions for each source, but you should engage in at least one or two sentences of thoughtful, interpretative writing for each source. Doing so will make it easier to begin writing your first draft.

If you have been taking thoughtful notes during the research phase of your project, then beginning to draft the actual paper should be less painful. Here are some tips on how to get started:

• If you have been putting subject headings on your nots as you go along, you will have generated a number of important analytical categories. Now you need to refine those categories and sort your evidence.
• You can file note cards into categories, use a computer database program that has built-in sorting mechanisms, cut and paste evidence on the computer, or stack notes or articles into topically arranged piled. The important thing is to find a system that works for you. Formulate working arguments for your entire thesis and individual chapters or sub-sections.
• Keep in mind that arguments may change after you start writing. But an Honors thesis is big and can become unwieldy. If you do not carefully sort out your arguments, you may end up with a tangled mess of ideas.
• The surest road to frustration is becoming obsessed with the big picture. While you do need to focus on the big picture to gain a conceptual handle on your project, you also need to break your project down into manageable chunks of writing. Make an outline of your sections and then write one small section. Those small bits of writing will add up quickly.
• Sometimes the introduction is the toughest place to start. If you are having trouble working out the argument for your introductions, begin with your methods section – or just the participants sub-section of your methods section. Sometimes it can be easier to start writing in the middle of a main chapter. Grab hold where your evidence is strongest and your ideas are clearest.
• Since you can be sure your first draft will not be your final draft, get your thoughts on paper without spending too much time fussing over minor stylistic details. On the drafting page, the important thing is to get your ideas on paper. Once the task is done, you can turn your attention to revising.

Revising is the ongoing process of rethinking the paper – reconsidering your arguments, reviewing your evidence, refining your purpose, reorganizing your presentation, and reviving stale prose. Revision is different from proofreading, which involves fixing punctuation, grammar, and spelling. Proofreading is an important step, too, but if your argument is weak or your organization is a mess, then proofreading is like putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound.

Revision is also different from editing, which involved looking for better words, avoiding repetition, eliminating passive voice, and make sentences clearer and more direct. Editing is another important final step, but again, if you have not completely thought through your ideas and your argument, then rephrasing them will not make a difference.

Revision is an opportunity for you to look critically at what you have written to see: (1) if it is really worth saying; (2) if you said what you meant to say; and (3) if a member will understand what you mean to say. You will probably want to wait a while – a few hours or a day or two – before you begin revising so that you really do have fresh eyes. You also have to be honest with yourself and you cannot be lazy. Ask yourself what you really think about the paper. At all times, you need to keep your member in mind. It is helpful to ask yourself the following questions:

• Will someone who knows less about the topic than you do clearly understand what you are saying?
• Are your aims clear to a reader?
• Does your paper follow a pattern that makes sense?
• Do the transitions between paragraphs and sections help move the reader smoothly from one point to the next?
• Does each paragraph begin with a topic sentence that appropriately introduces what the paragraph is about?
• Would your paper work better if you move sections around?

Keep in mind that revising takes time. Revising does not mean rewriting the whole paper, but it does sometimes mean coming up with stronger arguments or more evidence or vivid examples to support your point. Sometimes it means shifting the order of the paper to help your readers follow the argument or to change your emphasis. Sometimes it means adding or deleting information. And sometimes, sadly, revising does mean throwing out a first draft and starting from scratch.

Keep in mind as well that your committee is supposed to help you with revision. You will be submitting your thesis to your committee for their feedback and should expect and be prepared for them to provide you with detailed critiques. If a thesis committee is doing its job, the critique is likely to be unlike any feedback you have ever received in a class. One major reason that students often do not become better writers in college is that professors rarely take the time to provide students with detailed and specific feedback. Do not become discouraged if your thesis comes back to you full of red marks and comments (in Track Changes and Comments functions in Word or on the hard copy). The purpose of the feedback is not to discount your efforts or abilities. If you look closely, you will see that the feedback is designed to help you figure out what you need to change and how you can change it.

Revising an Honors thesis does, however, add another level of difficulty: You do not just have to please one faculty member (your thesis chair); you have to please three of them. Incorporating all the advice may feel overwhelming. Keep in mind that some advice is better than others. You will probably want to take your thesis chair’s advice most seriously because they carry the most weight in giving your project the stamp of approval. Sometimes, though, your thesis chair may give you more advice that you can digest. If so, approach him/her and ask for help in prioritizing that advice.

Miscellaneous Concerns

If you find you cannot work with your thesis chair in a satisfactory fashion or if you change the focus of your topic and realize that another professor would be a more appropriate chair for your new topic, you do have the option of changing your chair. If you wish to change chairs, you must submit a request for a change in chairs the Honors College in a formal email to the Honors College. Include your rationale and indication that you have met with all parties involved (current/potential chairs/members) to discuss the changes. In general, however, it is not a good idea to change chairs.

Students who write research-based theses often worry that their thesis projects will not work out. That is, they are concerned that the data they collect will be unable to support their hypotheses or meet their objectives, so that they will essentially have “no” results. You should not be overly concerned with this issue. Failure to support hypotheses is a common result of research in the natural, social, and behavioral sciences.

While graduate students typically cannot submit a thesis that yields no significant results to earn a Ph.D. or Master’s degree, being unable to support your hypotheses is not a problem in an undergraduate Honors thesis. The goal of conducting a research-based thesis is for you to learn about the process of conceptualizing a study and collecting and analyzing the data. As long as you followed the procedures laid out in your thesis proposal, the actual results of that process are unimportant. Instead of having to redo the study or give up on your thesis, your job in the Discussion or Conclusion section of your paper will be to explain what you think went wrong. Was something wrong with your methods that may have kept you from supporting your hypotheses? Do you think your theory and, hence, your hypotheses were wrong?

• Get an early start in identifying a topic . If you are beginning your last year at Tarleton when you read this handbook, you are at a disadvantage already. You will be most successful in completing your thesis on time if you have already identified a topic and a thesis chair well before your final year of college begins. If you plan to work on your thesis in consecutive fall and spring terms, your should have a topic and chair identified by the end of the spring semester before you begin. If you plan to work on (and register for) your thesis in consecutive spring and fall terms, you should identify your thesis chair and topic by the previous November. If you are in natural, social, and behavioral sciences, you will probably need THREE terms to complete the project.
• Begin writing early in the process . As soon as you complete your preliminary research, start writing. Write even if what you write seems flimsy and superficial. The biggest mistake you can make is to keep putting off the writing. The longer you wait to start the writing, the bigger and bigger the task will seem.
• Avoid thinking of your thesis as a monumental significance in the grand scheme of things . This project is not your life’s work. It will certainly not be the definitive statement on the topic, either. The more you inflate the importance of the work, the more you will be intimidated and overwhelmed by the prospect of researching and writing a thesis. Remember to narrow down your topic sufficiently. Many thesis students try to accomplish too much. It is better for your thesis to be narrow and deep, rather than very broad and very superficial.
• Decide at the start of your project how many hours per week you will work on the project and STICK TO THAT COMMITMENT . Working at a steady pace will produce much better results than trying to do the whole project in two weeks. For many students, working on the thesis is the first occasion where they need to set their own deadlines. Because there are a few externally established deadlines, students are often tempted to do other things first (e.g., their work for other courses).
• Set small, easily realizable weekly goals. Your grand aim is the production of an acceptable thesis, but if you set your eye only on that goal, you will find it difficult to reach. Writing your thesis is best accomplished by taking a series of small steps. Block out time on your calendar for reading, library research, time in the lab, writing, and editing.
• Schedule frequent (preferably weekly) meetings with your thesis chair to discuss your progress and then ATTEND THEM. If you see your chair once a week, you will feel pressed to accomplish something each week. Remember also that your chair has the primary responsibility for approving your project. He or she may decide not to approve your project if you have not had regular contact. Once you miss one meeting, it becomes easier to miss a second. And then a third.
• Do not expect your thesis chair to come looking for you. It is your responsibility to set up appointments and to find what you need to do to accomplish your goals. If you send on email and get no response, send another. If you still get no response, go to you thesis chair’s office. If your thesis chair says, “I’ll send you some things to read” or “I’ll let you know when the materials are in,” and then you don’t hear from him or her for several days, FOLLOW UP.
• When you are setting up a timetable for your project, remember that it often takes longer than expected to complete a task . A good rule of thumb is to estimate the maximum amount of time you believe it will take to complete a task in the worst possible case – then double your estimate.
• Share on Instagram
• Share on LinkedIn
• Share on Facebook

Honors College

• A Message from the Dean
• Giving to the Honors College
• Honors Link Magazine
• Mission & Values
• Operations and Services
• Strategic Plan 2020-2025
• Student Learning Centers
• Volunteer Leadership Groups
• Applying to the Honors College
• Honors College Brochure
• OSU-Cascades
• Meet HC Student Ambassadors
• Progress Requirements
• Curriculum Requirements
• Graduation Central
• Student Involvement
• Internship & Career Connections
• Withdrawing from the Honors College
• Schedule of Classes
• Spotlight on Courses
• Non-HC Students Can Take Honors Courses
• HC Course Evaluations
• Suggest a Course
• Faculty Resources
• Stage One - Plan
• Stage Two - Explore & Build
• Stage Three - Commit
• Stage Four - Compose & Complete
• Mentor Guidelines & Resources
• Thesis Archive
• HC Faculty Research Showcases
• HC Research Opportunities
• Incoming Students
• Current Students
• HC Differential Tuition and Emergency Grants
• Honors College Differential Tuition Scholarship
• Honors Experiential Award Application
• News and Stories
• Contact and Visit Information
• Send us an email
• HC Student Directory
• Alumni and Friends
• Faculty and Staff
• Meet HC Pre-Vet Scholars
• Meet HC Pre-Pharmacy Scholars

You are here

Thesis success in stages (thesis) guide, great minds think a lot..

As an Honors College student seeking an honors degree, your thesis is the chance for you to showcase your intellectual and creative talents. In many ways, your thesis will represent the culmination of your undergraduate experience at Oregon State University, drawing on all of the skills, knowledge, and insights you’ve acquired. Choose your own subject and think critically about social, creative, and scientific issues. Honors thesis topics range from scientific research to artistic creations to service projects, so there's room for you to explore the subject that excites you the most, even if it isn't in your major.

If all this sounds a bit overwhelming, don't worry. The HC provides you with a useful road map to guide you through each stage as you complete your thesis. Using Thesis Success in Stages (TheSIS) as your guide, you'll break the process down into smaller pieces with clear benchmarks to make your thesis journey much more manageable. These stages are called Stage 1: Plan , Stage 2: Explore & Build , Stage 3: Commit , and Stage 4: Compose & Complete .

Take comfort in knowing that you don't have to go it alone. It's OK to ask for help. In fact, we encourage it. Courses are available to help you at every stage of the process, and you'll be guided by a faculty team that's pulling for your success.

Stage 1: Plan

To be completed within the first three terms of joining the HC

Stage 1: Plan , the first stage, involves learning about the thesis requirement and mapping out personalized goals. This stage offers a framework for thinking about the thesis and possible paths to completion. Complete Stage 1 during your first year in the HC. If you are transferring into the HC, you should complete Stage 1 during your first term or as soon as possible.

Stage 2: Explore & Build

To be completed as indicated on your Thesis plan on file in the HC

The second stage, Explore & Build, requires you to explore your thesis interests and begin your engagement with faculty, with the goal of finding a mentor or making significant strides toward finding your mentor.

Stage 3: Commit

In the third stage , you will choose a mentor and work with that mentor to select a topic, develop a research plan, and complete a formal thesis proposal.

Stage 4: Compose & Complete

The final stage supports you in the process of actually writing the thesis, including drafting and revising chapters, presenting your thesis research to an audience of non-experts, planning the thesis defense and submitting your approved thesis.

• Submit or Update Your Thesis Plan
• Formatting Your HC Thesis

Contact Info

Honors College Learning Innovation Center 450

Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331 541-737-6400

Contact us with your comments, questions, and feedback

• All HC Scholarships

Through interdisciplinary and collaborative innovation, we are driving the future of the Information Age.

• At a Glance
• Visitor Information

Administrative Offices

• Emergency Information

Dean's Message

• Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan

Dean's Advisory Board

History of the College

Meet Our People

Distinguished Lecture Series

• McMurtry Excellence Award

Faculty and Staff Awards

• Inclusion and Diversity
• Inclusion and Diversity Action Council
• Be You in Tech

Experiential Programs

Diversity Resolution

• IST Identity Talks
• Inclusion and Diversity News

Prospective Students

Explore our interdisciplinary programs that prepare versatile leaders for the global economy.

• Undergraduate

Request Information

Visits and Appointments

Academic Programs

Integrated Undergraduate/ Graduate Degrees

• Cost and Aid
• Laptop Requirement

Student News

• Parents and Families
• Teachers and Counselors
• Frequently Asked Questions

M.S., Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations

M.S., Informatics

Ph.D., Informatics

M.S. Student FAQs

Ph.D. Student FAQs

• Degree Programs

Current Students

Access the resources and services you need to succeed in and out of the classroom.

Academic Services Appointments

Academic Advising

Major Requirements

Student Engagement

• Learning Resources
• Graduating Students

Student Appointments

• Roadmaps and Degree Audits

Master's Culminating Experience

• Ph.D. Exam Scheduling
• Course and Thesis Scheduling
• Forms and Resources
• Independent Study

Career Solutions

Career Development Resources

Required Internship Program

• Nittany Lion Careers
• Career Fairs
• Career Events
• Career Snapshot
• Career Video Library
• Career News

Learn how we are advancing discovery at the intersection of information, technology, and society.

IST Research Talks

• Research News
• Centers and Labs

Current Projects

• Selected Publications

Research Partnerships

Research Administration

Research Areas

Data Sciences & Artificial Intelligence

• Human-Computer Interaction
• Privacy and Security

Social & Organizational Informatics

Student Research

• Undergraduate Research

Graduate Research

Alumni & Donors

Discover how you can connect and engage with our community to drive the college forward.

Update Your Information

• Get Involved

Alumni-Student Mentoring

iConnect Magazine

• Alumni Awards
• Alumni Career Resources
• Alumni Events
• Alumni News

Make a Gift

• Annual Giving
• Planned Giving

IST Alumni Society

• Alumni Society Board
• IST Honors Thesis Guide

This guide is for students completing a Schreyer Honors College (SHC) thesis in the College of Information Sciences and Technology. Additional requirements and information can be found in the SHC Honors Thesis Overview .

If you have questions, ask your honors adviser or your thesis supervisor. If they do not have the answer, feel free to contact one of the following people:

• Carleen Maitland, Ph.D. – Professor of Information Sciences and Technology
• Zaryab Iqbal, Ph.D. –  Associate Dean, Schreyer Honors College

Additional Resources 

• SHC Honors Thesis Overview
• SHC Honors Requirements and Deadlines
• Past SHC theses
• Libraries Research Guide for IST Students
• Libraries Citation and Writing Guides

Completing an undergraduate honors thesis is a culminating academic experience for Schreyer Honors College scholars. The  SHC Thesis Project Guide  states:

• [T]he purpose of the thesis experience is to develop your intellectual and professional identity in the field and to help you think about your future. Once complete, the purpose of the thesis is to advance knowledge, understanding, or creative value in its field.

As such, the thesis experience is designed to pique your intellectual curiosity, develop research skills, contribute to advancing knowledge, provide an opportunity to work closely with a faculty member, and help you explore the possibility of a graduate degree or other research-focused work.

There are two parts to a thesis project: the first is the project itself, and the second is the written document that describes the project.

The thesis project can take many forms, from laboratory experiments to artistic creations. The thesis document captures the relevant background, methods, and techniques, as well as describing the details of the completion of the individual project.

IST students have completed survey studies, interpretive analyses of multimedia artifacts, statistical analyses of large data sets, design studies, case studies, and more. You can view examples of theses on the Penn State Libraries website.

The thesis document is a written description of the entire thesis project. It typically begins with an introductory section that establishes the importance of the project’s research question. Most thesis papers then present a review of relevant work related to the project, a description of the project and the methods used, a presentation of the results, and a discussion of the findings. Some thesis papers also include a final conclusion section that may outline suggestions for future research. In addition to these main chapters, all theses include title page, signatory page, abstract, table of contents, list of figures, acknowledgements, bibliography, appendix items, and the Scholar’s academic vita.

Although the thesis is an independent project, your work will be guided and approved by two faculty members:

• a thesis supervisor
• an honors adviser in your area of honors

Learn more about identifying these individuals in the “Proposal, Supervisor & Area of Honors” section of the  SHC Thesis Project Guide .

College of IST faculty members expect SHC students to take responsibility for managing their thesis projects. You are in charge of requesting regular meetings with your honors adviser and your thesis supervisor, carrying out the plans that you and your thesis supervisor discuss, setting and meeting deadlines for yourself, and knowing the SHC requirements for your thesis. Thesis supervisors and honors advisers are committed to guiding your work and will do their best to answer your questions.

SHC Thesis Requirements

College of IST scholars must fulfill all  SHC honors thesis requirements , including the formatting and submission requirements. In addition, take special note of  three deadlines related to thesis completion : the thesis proposal deadline, the mandatory thesis format review submission deadline, and the final thesis submission deadline.

College of IST Thesis Requirement: IST 489H

All College of IST scholars must have formal preparation for doing a thesis. Most often, students fulfill this requirement by taking  IST 489H . This course is offered each spring and is intended to introduce students to all the steps of the research process. If a student has worked with the thesis supervisor in a research lab setting, the thesis supervisor may elect to provide one-on-one training for carrying out a study. However, thesis supervisor will often prefer that the student complete the 489H course. IST 489H can also be used to satisfy your ENGL 202 requirement.

The recommended timing for the research methods course is spring of the student’s junior year. Students typically have an idea of their general thesis topic by this time, and this is the last opportunity to provide training before they undertake a study the following year. If you planned to study abroad in spring of the junior year, you should take IST 489H in spring of the sophomore year. Although sophomores may not have a good sense of their thesis topic, they still benefit from walking through the course with a trial topic to learn the research process.

A thesis project unfolds in several phases, most of which begin long before you ever begin writing the thesis paper itself. The bulk of the work takes place over the final three or four semesters.

Phase 1: Notice and Explore Topics

Semesters 1 - 4 (Freshman and Sophomore Year)

The first phase entails noticing and exploring topics of interest. This occurs by paying attention to ideas presented in class, student listserv messages, research articles on the IST and Penn State websites, and announcements about visiting researcher seminars. In many cases, the instructor of a course, a researcher who gives a thought-provoking seminar, or an honors adviser can help direct you to resources on topics of interest.

Phase 2: Narrow Topic and Identify Thesis Supervisor

Semester 5 (Fall, Junior Year)

The second phase includes narrowing your potential thesis topic and identifying a thesis supervisor. You should communicate frequently with your assigned honors adviser to zero in on a topic based on your interests and choose a faculty member to supervise your thesis. Once a faculty member has agreed to be your supervisor, the two of you will continue to narrow your topic and formulate a research question for your study. Consult the “Beginning your Research Project” section below for suggestions on selecting a thesis topic.

Phase 3: Prepare to Undertake your Study

Semester 6 (Spring, Junior Year) & Summer between Junior/Senior Years

The third phase is a busy planning phase. You need to learn about what is required to carry out a study (this will be covered in the IST 498H research methods course), complete any required certifications for working with human participants, formulate your exact research question, read and review scientific literature to show that you have a good understanding of your topic, and design your research project. This is a semester to work closely with your honors adviser and/or thesis supervisor to complete the following: 

• Take IST 489H, which is required for all College of IST honors students unless your thesis supervisor suggests doing one-on-one training with him or her.
• Continue to meet with your thesis supervisor. Focus on determining a research topic area, beginning a literature review, identifying a specific research question, and a developing a rough research plan. This can occur while taking IST 489H.
• Consult the “Beginning your Research Project” section below for a step-by-step guide to prepare you for conducting a literature review.
• Consult the  Libraries research guide for IST students  for resources to conduct your research.
• Complete Institutional Review Board (IRB) training and certification  if your proposed study requires IRB approval.
• Investigate research grants and scholarships  to support thesis expenses or conference presentations.
• Choose the area of honors  in which you will do your thesis.
• Determine the two faculty members who will read your thesis.
• Submit your thesis proposal through the  SHC Student Records Systems  by the  appropriate deadline .
• Prepare readings and organize notes for your literature review.

Phase 4: Undertake your Study and Write your Thesis Paper

Semesters 7-8 (Fall and Spring, Senior Year)

The fourth phase includes carrying out your study and writing your thesis paper. Studies take a variety of forms, which will largely be determined by your exact research question and the methods you choose to complete your study. Your thesis supervisor will be your primary guide as you conduct your research and determine the different chapters to be written:

• For each of the fall and spring semesters, register for three credits of the research project course (CYBER/DS/HCDD/IST/SRA 494) with your thesis supervisor. Credits are earned for weekly meetings with your thesis supervisor, writing the literature review, and gathering data. A maximum of six credits are allowed for the thesis.
• Complete your study in the fall semester—or by early spring semester at the latest.
• Begin writing and assembling chapters of your thesis using the  SHC Word template  in the fall and finish writing it in the spring.
• Schedule three due dates to keep your thesis on track:
• The date by which your thesis supervisor wants to receive your thesis so it can be read and reviewed by the two faculty members approving your thesis. This should be in advance of the SHC deadline. You are expected to provide at least one week for faculty to read your thesis, and to provide an additional week for you to make corrections.
• The date for mandatory  Thesis Format Review .
• The date for  final thesis submission . There are no exceptions to this date!
• Submit your thesis for mandatory Thesis Format Review through  SHC Student Records System .
• Submit your thesis through the  SHC Student Records System .

Begin early in the third year to identify a research topic and develop a relationship with your thesis adviser. Set aside a few hours each week to develop an awareness and understanding for your topic of interest. Work with your thesis supervisor to develop a plan specific to your research.

Defining a Research Question

The process of identifying a research question begins by identifying your topic of interest.  Next, you should gather literature from a variety of sources to identify current problems, common understandings in the field, and findings related to that topic. This information forms the foundation for you to further contribute to the topic in the form of a specific research question.

The process of articulating the research question is iterative and recursive, which means that at any point you may refine your research topic based on new literature findings and begin the process again. The process is repeated until a research question is identified representing a very narrow point of investigation within the much broader area of the research topic. The literature review becomes the critical bridge between your research topic and question.

Choosing a Topic

Begin by looking at whatever lists of topics you have kept in the previous year or by thinking about areas of study in which you have a strong and sustained interest. Choose one of the topics as a starting place for investigation. Take time to read two or three articles about this topic. Follow particular strands of interest by reading articles referenced in the two or three articles. If you find that your interest wanes, move to another topic on your list and restart the process. Once you land on something that seems viable, undertake a literature review to dig deeper.

Starting a Literature Review

To start a literature review, complete the following steps:

• Designate regular time each week to review the literature related to a research topic of interest.
• Determine the best sources from which to retrieve articles. It is important to use more scholarly search engines like  Google Scholar ,  CiteSeerx , and  Penn State’s LionSearch .
• Investigate resources to make the job easier.

To get started, review  Bryman & Bell’s online Research Project Guide , particularly sections A.3 Preliminary Literature Review and C.5 Literature, Research Skills, and Key Words. When conducting the review of the literature, document key words and publications that provide useful and consistent results.  Consider the bibliography in scholarly papers to be another source of ideas, and remember that full, online text copies of these publications can often be found using  LionSearch .

Use technology like  Diigo  and  Mendeley  to help keep track of literature, save interesting links for later review, and manage citations and bibliography information. The Penn State Libraries provide excellent  guides for using these citation managers .

It is important to give credit to the sources you use in the research paper. Discuss the citation style you will be using, such as APA, with your thesis adviser. The  Purdue OWL  and  KnightCite  offer guidance on working with these styles.

Scholarly writing is a unique style of writing that is both formal and without bias. Evidence is logically presented to convince the reader to agree with the presented argument. Review  this writing guide example  for tips on how to caption and cross-reference figures, as well as common pitfalls to avoid.

The electronic databases below are available through  Penn State Libraries  and can be very helpful in your thesis project.

Finding Scholarly Articles and Technical Information

• LionSearch  - Online catalog to find specific journals, magazines, and books in print and electronically.
• ACM Digital Library  – Full text of every publication of the Association of Computing Machinery.
• IEEE Xplore and Compendex / Inspec  - Comprehensive technical and scholarly coverage of topics in computer science, information technology, electronics, engineering, and related fields.
• Web of Science  – Citation indexing with particular strength in science and technology.

Finding News and Data

• LexisNexis Academic - Source for locating trade publications and news, including major publications like the  New York Times  and  Washington Post .
• Statistical Abstract of the United States  - Compilation of census data related to most aspects of American life.
• World Development Indicators  - Nearly 800 statistical indicators related to social and economic development.

Other Useful Resources

• The Pew Internet & American Life Project  - Reports that include demographic data about users of the internet, technology, and special topics such as social networking websites.
• Safari Computer Books Online - Electronic access to current computer manuals from a variety of publishers.
• Interlibrary Loan  - If Penn State doesn’t have the research material you need, request it using this service.
• KnightCite citation generator  - Web-based citation generating tool that includes the three main citation styles: MLA, APA, and Chicago.

Time Commitment

How long does it take to complete a thesis?

• From first conception (often in the required research methods course, IST 489H) to final submission, most students take 3 semesters to complete a thesis. Typically, the actual study (collecting survey data, or designing a product and testing it, etc.) occurs in the fall of senior year. Typically, the analysis of the study and the writing of the thesis paper occur in the spring of senior year.

Scope of the Thesis

How long is a thesis?

• A thesis is as long as it needs to be to answer the research question that the student seeks to answer. Your thesis needs to establish the importance of your question, explain relevant work that has been done related to your question, describe the study that you designed, present the results, and explain your findings. In general, 20 pages would not be enough room to accomplish all of this. Is 40 pages enough? Do you need 100 pages? You cannot answer that question until you have defined your question and planned your study (and, in some cases, looked at your results). The length should not be a goal; nor should it be a deterrent. Seniors who have completed a thesis will tell you that once you’ve completed the study, the thesis writes itself.

Where can I find examples of theses from IST students?

• All available SHC electronic honors theses are catalogued in the Penn State library and can be accessed at the  honors library site .

Thesis Preparation

In addition to a research methods course, what would prepare me for undertaking a thesis?

• Working in a faculty member’s research lab with other undergraduate and graduate students or working individually on a faculty member’s research project are excellent preparatory experiences for undertaking an honors thesis.

Area of Honors

What is an “area of honors” and how does it impact my thesis?

• Areas of honors correspond to the majors offered to undergraduate students at Penn State. Students must designate an area of honors when they submit their thesis proposal. This signals to Schreyer Honors College which honors advisers are appropriate representatives of a disciplinary area to read and approve the thesis as an appropriate study for the area of honors that is designated.

May I choose an “area of honors” outside my major?

• In principle, students who begin in SHC as incoming freshman at Penn State may choose an area of honors outside the major. However, even if you were admitted to SHC as an incoming freshman student, you must check with the Department or College offering the area of honors to be sure that they will allow you to complete your thesis in their area—and, if so, whether there are additional requirements that you need to complete. Gateway students are approved for an honors thesis only within the College that recommended they be admitted to SHC. For a more detailed response, including different scenarios, see the “ Proposal, Supervisor and Area of Honors ” section of the SHC Thesis Project Guide

Thesis Readers

Can I add a third reader to my thesis?

• Yes, you can add a third person to read your thesis. (Most students do not add a third person.) In cases where a student works in a research lab with a faculty member who is not an honors adviser and who is not the thesis supervisor, but who has helped as much as the thesis supervisor and the student wants to recognize the contributions of the additional faculty member, it is possible for the student to list a third person on the thesis signature page. Note that if a third person signs on the signature page, that person’s name must also be included on the title page. If you are considering this option, contact the Coordinator of Student Records at SHC (Ms. Debra Rodgers,  [email protected] ) for directions.

How do I go about designating faculty members to be a supervisor, an honors adviser, or a third reader on my thesis?

• As is the case any time that you want to use someone’s name to assist you (with letters of references, character reviews, independent studies, etc.), always ask faculty members before using their names—and wait for their response before adding their names to any forms. You cannot assume that a faculty member will have time to supervise your thesis, so never add a faculty member’s name to a thesis proposal or other thesis-related form without asking the faculty member, first, whether she or he would be willing to serve in the capacity that you desire. Once you have confirmation that the faculty member agrees to work with you, you may add the person’s name on appropriate online forms—typically by choosing a name from a dropdown menu. If you find that the people you wish to designate do not appear on SHC forms, contact the Coordinator of Student Records at SHC (Ms. Debra Rodgers,  [email protected] ) for assistance.

Thesis Proposal

When do I have to submit a thesis proposal to SHC?

• A proposal must be submitted by the SHC deadline at the end of the semester that occurs one year prior to intended graduation (e.g., spring semester of the junior year, if the student is planning on graduating in spring of the senior year). See  SHC Important Dates page  for specific dates.

Whose names do I need to list on my thesis proposal?

• Two faculty members must be listed on the online thesis proposal form: a thesis supervisor and an honors adviser. In cases where the thesis supervisor is the student’s honors adviser, another eligible faculty member from the chosen area of honors may be chosen. See the  SHC Thesis Project Guide  for more details.

Is there funding at Penn State for any of the following: materials and equipment, presenting my thesis at a professional conference, collecting data in other cities or countries, remaining in State College for a summer to work on my thesis?

• Yes, yes, yes, and yes. For funding opportunities through the College of IST or through the Penn State Office of Undergraduate Education, see the  IST Undergraduate Research page . For funding opportunities through SHC, see their  research funding page .

Where else, outside of Penn State, might I look for funding?

• For funding opportunities outside Penn State, see the  External Funding section  of the SHC research funding page.

Submitting a Thesis

Who must sign the thesis?

• Two faculty members must sign the thesis: a thesis supervisor and an honors adviser. In cases where the thesis supervisor is the student’s honors adviser, another eligible faculty member from the chosen area of honors may be chosen. See the  SHC Thesis Project Guide  for more details.

By when do I need to give the completed thesis to those who will be signing it?

• You need to determine a date with your thesis supervisor. Typically this will be 2 weeks prior to the SHC deadlines, so that a) the faculty who will be reading your thesis will have a week to comment and b) you will have a week to implement their requested changes.

What are the SHC thesis deadlines?

• You need to submit a completed thesis by the SHC deadline that is set for the semester in which you intend to graduate. Note that there are actually several deadlines, which are listed by semester at  SHC>Current Students>Important Dates .

Where do I find the requirements for formatting and submitting my thesis?

• For information on formatting and submitting a thesis, see formatting and submission guides on the  SHC website .

Where do I actually submit my thesis?

• To submit the thesis, visit the eHT ( electronic Honors Thesis ) site.

Guidelines for Topic Choice, Writing Schedule, Citing and Referencing

Where can I find tips and lessons learned for things like choosing a topic, creating a schedule for writing, and citing appropriately?

• SHC offers a  Thesis Project Guide  that is full of reminders and tips that come from lessons learned from many thesis projects.

Combining an Undergraduate Thesis and a Graduate Thesis (for IUG)

If I want to pursue an Integrated Undergraduate Graduate (IUG) degree, does that change my thesis requirement?

• When pursuing an IUG, a student is required to produce a master’s quality thesis. The master’s thesis will also count as the undergraduate honors thesis. For those students who would like to complete two studies, they may submit two separate theses but at least one must be master’s quality.

What is a common schedule for completing a master’s level thesis for students pursuing an Integrated Undergraduate Graduate (IUG) degree?

• There is no common schedule, because each master’s thesis project will differ in its requirements, depending on the research question and the actual study that is designed. Many master’s thesis projects require students to spend a summer doing research—often in State College or wherever data is collected. The timeline for completing a master’s thesis is generally longer than that required for an undergraduate honors thesis. Still, most IUG students finish their undergraduate and graduate work in 5 years or 5 years plus one additional summer. (Note: In order to keep within a 5-year time frame, students should have advanced standing from multiple AP or other credits, such that they would otherwise be able to graduate a semester or more early; they should expect to take summer courses; and they should expect to spend at least a summer doing research.)
• Faculty and Staff Resolution
• Undergraduate Student News
• Graduate Student News
• IST Associate Dean Jeff Bardzell Named Dean of UNC iSchool
• Administrative Guidelines and Policies
• Promotion and Tenure
• Non-Tenure Line Faculty Promotion
• Sabbatical Leave
• Inclusion and Diversity Engagement
• Undergraduate Studies
• Academic Services
• Information Technology
• Marketing and Communications
• Development and Alumni Relations
• College Events
• Finance and Business Services
• Human Resources
• Career Solutions and Corporate Engagement
• Graduate Programs
• Undergraduate Academic Advising
• Undergraduate Recruiting
• Learning Design
• Academic Services Operations
• Office of Enrollment, Engagement, and Belonging
• Office of Student Engagement
• Dean's Message
• Cassie Rosas-Carson
• Jane Schneider
• Jocelyn Bennett Garraway
• Mike Weyandt
• Mizzah Tocmo
• Nasim Motalebi
• Sam Whittle
• Younes Karimi
• Zigmund Bernard
• IST Distinguished Lecture Series
• IST Honor Code
• IST Leadership
• Dean's Advisory Board
• Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations
• Data Sciences
• Enterprise Technology Integration
• Human-Centered Design and Development
• Information Sciences and Technology
• Security and Risk Analysis
• M.S. in Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations
• M.S. in Informatics
• Ph.D. in Informatics
• M.S. Frequently Asked Questions
• Ph.D. Frequently Asked Questions
• Appointments
• Academic Warning
• Change of Major
• Concurrent Majors
• Entrance to Major Exception
• Expectations
• Academic Integrity
• Change of Campus Process
• NSO Resources
• Start a Student Org
• Student Organization Funding
• Dubrovnik, Croatia
• Seoul, South Korea
• Living Learning Community
• IST Diplomats
• Student Enrichment Funding
• IUG Degrees
• Joint Minors
• National Security Agency
• IST Scholarships
• Rusenko Scholarships
• Exam Scheduling
• Master's Culminating Experience
• Online Graduate Student Resources
• Timeline for Career Success
• Discovering Your Path
• Researching Companies
• Connecting with Employers
• Standing Out from the Crowd
• Career Exploration
• GPA Calculator
• Cover Letters
• Online and Social Profiles
• ePortfolios
• Professional References
• Internship Program
• Past Student Internships
• Online Job Listings
• Micro-Internships and Early Career Exploration
• Resources for International Students
• Preparing for Interviews
• Dressing for Success
• Post-Graduation Plans
• Approval and Registration
• Associate Degree Information
• Enrollment Verification
• Internship Grading
• Funding and Housing Resources
• Agreements - Affiliation and Nondisclosure (NDA)
• World Campus Students
• Credit by Portfolio
• Internship FAQs
• Tips for Career Fair Success
• Coal Miners to Grid Operators
• Data Sciences and Artificial Intelligence
• Social and Organizational Informatics
• AI-Engine for Optimizing Integrated Service in Mixed Fleet Transit Operations
• Middleware for Interactive XAI with Tree-based AI Performance Evaluation
• Towards Robust, Explainable and Fair Machine Learning Models with Causal Learning
• Award Closeout
• Award Management
• Find Funding
• Proposal Process
• Partnerships and Collaborations
• Update Your Infomation
• Mentoring Program
• Career Fairs - Employer Information
• Major Spotlight Event Series
• Recruiting Partners
• Sponsorship Opportunities

HISTORY 495S/496S: Honors Thesis Seminar 2024/25

• Thesis Writers & Duke Libraries

Get Special Borrowing Privileges at Duke

Additional perks, request books and articles from other libraries, rubenstein: david m. rubenstein rare book & manuscript library, deposit your thesis at duke libraries.

• Organize and Cite Your Sources
• Archival Materials and Primary Sources
• The "Finding Aid"
• Searching Across Finding Aid Portals
• Topics: US and Europe Resources
• Topic: French & Francophone Resources
• Topic: German Jewish Resources

• Get access to Bostock 312, a quiet study room available only to students writing senior theses (ask for the code at the Perkins Service Desk)
• Have books delivered to the library of your choice; the Bishop's House is the library location on East Campus while Lilly is being renovated
• Get access to study carrels for 4-hour blocks; check out a key at the Perkins Library Service Desk
• Get access to  yearlong assigned lockers  (limited availability on a first-requested, first-accommodated basis). 

If you come across an interesting article or book, and the article or book are not held at Duke, you can enter an Interlibrary Loan request for the material with your Interlibrary Loan Account . 

Rubenstein Library holds Duke's Special Collections and Archives. Create a  Special Collections Account to request materials for use in the reading room. Once set up, the account allows you to use collections in the reading room at Rubenstein and at the Wilson Special Collections library at UNC. 

Honors Theses

The Duke University Archives accepts departmentally-approved honors papers (also called senior honors theses) for permanent storage and makes these honors papers available to scholars throughout the world. The University Archives also collects those graduate theses produced by students of the University's professional schools. Finally, the University Archives collects those theses and dissertations submitted to the Graduate School and published via ProQuest/UMI. These papers, theses, and dissertations are preserved in the  DukeSpace  repository.

The following information refers to undergraduate honors theses.

Finding undergraduate honors theses

Before transitioning to electronic theses, the University Archives catalogued print honors papers (also called senior honors theses) by academic discipline. The links below will show catalog records for honors papers from several disciplines.

• Cultural Anthropology
• Political Science
• Public Policy
• Women's Studies

Please note that you may view honors papers in the  Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library's Reading Room , but you may not borrow them. 

Since 2007, honors theses are submitted electronically and are not collected in print. Electronic honors theses can be accessed via the DukeSpace repository's  Undergraduate Honors Theses  collection.

Submissions

Detailed instructions about submitting your honors thesis to Duke University Libraries can be found on Duke University Libraries'  Digital Repositories help documentation webpage .

Contact information

With any questions or problems submitting your thesis to DukeSpace, contact  Digital Collections and Curation Services .

For Departments

When you have identified students who meet the criteria to submit their thesis to DukeSpace, please  fill out this brief form . If you have any questions, please contact  Digital Collections and Curation Services . 

• Next: Organize and Cite Your Sources >>
• Last Updated: Aug 5, 2024 3:45 PM
• URL: https://guides.library.duke.edu/history_honors_thesis

Services for...

• Faculty & Instructors
• Graduate Students
• Undergraduate Students
• International Students
• Patrons with Disabilities

• Harmful Language Statement
• Re-use & Attribution / Privacy
• Support the Libraries

College of Business

Your Honors advising team is ready to meet with you about your Honors journey! Honors students receive major academic advising through their major advisors, and also receive additional support through their Honors advisors. Students can meet with their assigned Honors advisor for assistance in completing Honors graduation requirements, integrating Honors requirements into their degree plans, tracking their progress through the program, connecting with research and engagement opportunities, exploring diverse academic interests, and preparing for life beyond CSU. The Honors advising team cannot advise you on academic coursework requirements for your degree program.

Honors Advising Services

Current Honors Students

Schedule a meeting with your Honors advisor by clicking on their calendar link below or through your Navigate Support Network . To maintain flexibility for our students, you will have the option to choose an in-person or virtual meeting.

Prospective Students

If you are a prospective first-year student interested in learning more about the Honors program, you can:  

Incoming Transfer Students and Current CSU Students

If you are an incoming transfer student or current CSU student interested in joining the Honors program, you will be joining through our Track 2 program. Please review the Track 2 curriculum requirements . For further information or to get access to the online application, please email [email protected] .

Honors Advisors

Rachel Tate

Honors Academic Coordinator.

All advising inquiries for incoming first-year students, current honors students (Track 1 and Track 2), and transfer students.

Curricular Pathways

Departmental honors courses, honors contract courses, honors thesis.

Honors advisors can only give overrides for courses with an HONR prefix, even if they are Honors sections of departmental classes. Overrides into Honors courses are only given in specific circumstances. Contact your Honors advisor to discuss your situation. Please waitlist a course if it is full and you are interested in taking it before reaching out for an override.

No, students typically only take one seminar per year in their sophomore, junior, and senior years if they are in Track 1. Please see the Honors curriculum requirements .

You will need to maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA after each academic year (assessed after Spring semester grades). There is an appeals process if your GPA is below this requirement. Please reach out to your Honors advisor for more information. All students who successfully complete the program with a 3.0 GPA are considered as Honors graduates.  Those with a 3.5 cumulative GPA earn a Honors designation on their diploma and official transcript. 

Honors advisors cannot give out advising codes, it must come from your major advisor. Please make an appointment with your major advisor well in advance of your priority registration date if you need an advising code.

If you have general questions about thesis or scheduling, please contact your Honors advisor. If you have more in-depth questions, please refer to our thesis page , or email the official thesis contact at [email protected] .