FAQ's
On this page you will find some Frequently Asked Questions related to Dissertation and Thesis Review (DTR) and answers will include references to pertinent sections of the Dissertation & Thesis Manual (DTM). This page is currently under construction and additional content will be added periodically.
- COPYRIGHT
- DEADLINES and Related Questions
- FORMATTING QUESTIONS
- PRE-SUBMITTAL CONSULTATIONS
- SIGNATURE PAGE
- SUBMISSION PROCEDURES
1. Whose name should I put on my copyright page: My name or my professor's name? My professor said to put his/her name because I am using his/her data.
YOUR NAME belongs on the copyright page (in the same form it is on the title and signature page, by the way). The thesis is yours and only yours. The issue of who owns the data, and publication rights to that data, has been addressed on page 2 of the Thesis Committee Form, "Rights to Thesis/Dissertation Data and Publication Authorship" that both you and your thesis chair signed when the Thesis Committee Form was completed.
2. What are the deadlines this semester and can you explain what they are?
See the Deadlines page. It contains detailed explanations of each of the deadlines as well as a calendar of deadlines for this academic year for thesis and SDSU/USD Ed.D students.
3. Do we need to take the without-risk deadline seriously?
YES! Always take the without-risk deadline seriously. If the dissertation & thesis reviewer is able to process theses submitted after that deadline, it should be considered a nice surprise. Never count on graduating if you submit after that deadline. However, because all theses are briefly screened when submitted, theses with no apparent errors (or those with only a few, very minor errors) typically get "reviewed" during the intake screening. A good number of theses formatted by students themselves have theses approved during the intake screening. These students have carefully read the DTM, have used the Thesis Template (and ReadMe file for those using the Word Template), and have used the resources available on this website (see FAQ question #8). Some also have taken the BATS workshops and have taken advantage of the presubmittal consultation offered by the Reviewer early in the semester. Theses formatted by professionals usually have no errors (or very minimal ones) and those theses are reviewed during the intake screening as well. For more information about the criteria applied during the intake screening, read the procedures regarding the Intake Process. Also see FAQ questions #4 & 5.
4. What are my chances for having my thesis reviewed in time to graduate this semester if I submit it after the without-risk deadline?
I won't know that until I see the number of theses that have come in by the end of the deadline day, but I can let you know how it looks at the time you submit your thesis. Depending on what other responsibilities are claiming my time, I may or may not be able to review theses submitted after the deadline. Never count on graduating if you submit after the without-risk deadline. Also read the response to FAQ questions #3 and #5.
5. Do you have any idea how many people will be submitting their theses this semester?
Over the last six years, the number of thesis submittals has been rising. During the 2005-06 year, we received 102 during the summer, 153 in the fall, and 275 in the spring. Following is an example of the cycle within a semester using last spring's numbers. We received a total of 275 theses. Fifty theses were received by the end of the without-risk deadline of April 3rd, 139 filtered in between April 4 - May 12, and, during the last week of the semester (May 15 - 22), 86 theses were submitted. By the graduation deadline, 183 of the spring theses had been reviewed and approved plus 21 fall theses that had rolled over into spring. By the end of the semester, 207 spring theses had been reviewed with 66 rolling over into the summer. Keep in mind there is one person doing this job plus all the related administrative responsibilities (like maintaining and updating this website, e.g.). The best chance you have of graduating if you submit your thesis after the without-risk deadline is to submit a perfectly formatted thesis. Either hire a professional or carefully read and follow the DTM and use one of the thesis templates as well as the other resources provided on this website to get there. (Also see questions #3 & 8.).
Many of the formatting questions students ask have already been addressed on the Top 10 Formatting Problems web page. Print out that page to keep with you as a resource. After discussion of the top 10 problems, there are also answers to the following questions about formatting:
How hard will it be to format my dissertation/thesis?
How much time will the formatting take?
When should I consult with the Dissertation & Thesis Reviewer?This FAQ page is currently under construction. Formatting questions & answers not addressed on the Top 10 Problems page will be added periodically. In the meantime, see FAQ question #8 below.
6. Can I make an appointment with the Dissertation & Thesis Reviewer for a pre-submittal consultation any time during the semester?
NO. Due to time constraints, presubmittal consultations are only scheduled before the without-risk deadline as time allows; during some semesters there may not be time to offer any presubmittal consultations (check the office hours section on my home page for current info). When offered, students will be allowed only one (1) 15-20 minute presubmittal consultation with the Dissertation & Thesis Reviewer. For more information on what to expect from a pre-submittal consultation--and to find out what is expected from you-- see the DTR home page.
7. But what if I have formatting questions?
Students may contact the Dissertation & Thesis Reviewer with specific questions at any time during the semester either by phone (594-4165) or email (thesisreview@mail.sdsu.edu). If the Reviewer feels it is necessary to have you come in to discuss your questions, she will schedule an appointment with you. You can also go to the Top 10 Formatting Problems web page where many often-asked formatting questions are addressed.
8. What if I can't get a pre-submittal consultation? How else can I determine if I am really on the right track as far as formatting is concerned?
There are 3 resources available on the Formatting page that you can use to help you check your formatting. Be aware, however, that these tools should NOT be used in lieu of reading and following the DTM. Also, using the Word or LaTeX template does not guarantee an acceptably formatted thesis if you are not also reading the DTM and the template instructional file in conjunction.
9. Does the signature page need to be on special paper (100% cotton or other acid-free paper)?
NO. The library copy does need to be printed with a laser printer on acid-free paper, but you do not need to produce that copy yourself; you can pay Montezuma Publishing to do that for you (see their Price Sheet). In that case, a scanned and re-printed copy of the signature page will be bound with your manuscript. If you do plan on producing the library copy yourself, then you should prepare the signature page on the same acid-free paper you will be using for the rest of the manuscript so that it matches. In that case, the original signature page will be included in the bound library copy. For more information on the printing requirements, read Sections 6.1 and 6.2 in the DTM.
10. Ink Color: One of my professors signed in blue ink. Will I have to get a new signature page signed?
It depends. Most of the blue inks today copy well because the copiers are better. Check to see if the Thesis Reviewer is available to make a determination. If she is not available and you know that that professor is going out of town and will not be around again until after the current semester is over, print out a new signature page and get it signed again by all committee members in black ink to be safe. At the very minimum, get a signature from the professor who signed in blue ink.
11. If I use the signature page provided in the Thesis Template, everything will be automatically formatted correctly, right?
NO. The page IS set up for you (the hard stuff is done), but you must type in your name and thesis title correctly as well as your faculty member's names and their department names correctly. Also, the order in which the faculty names appear must be correct. The instructions for this are in the DTM.
12. Does the Dissertation & Thesis Reviewer need to be in when I submit my dissertation/thesis? (Do I need to hand it directly to her?)
NO. It is not necessary for the reviewer to be in when you submit your thesis. The most important thing is to submit your manuscript to the Graduate Division (MH-3320) by the posted deadlines. Once you've received the Clearance Sheet from the Graduate Division, you should take your manuscript (in an envelope or box) to the DTR office in ED-102. If the reviewer is not in, leave it at the Graduate Division and she will contact you as soon as she completes the intake screening and logs you in according to the date/time stamp on the Clearance Sheet. For more information, read the entire procedure for submission on the DTR Procedures page. This information is also contained in Section 6.4 in the DTM.
13. I'm not in San Diego; can I mail in my thesis or have someone else deliver it for me?
Yes. Mail your manuscript (Fed-Ex, USPS overnight or registered mail, etc.) to the address shown on the DTR Home Page and include a note with the following information [give this same information to a proxy submitting your manuscript on your behalf]: Your RED ID#, phone number(s) & email address, and the following information regarding the formatting: Did you format it yourself or hire a professional? If the latter, who? If the former, did you use the Thesis Template? If yes, which one--Word or LaTeX? If you are from a department that uses a refereed journal as the departmental style guide, which journal did you use? Include the instructions to authors and a sample article with the manuscript unless both are available online, in which case please include the url.
14. What do I need to take with me when I submit my dissertation/thesis to the Graduate Division?
The DTR Procedures page includes information on the requirements that you must meet before you will be allowed to submit your manuscript as well as what materials you will need to bring with you (this includes information relevant to the SDSU/USD Ed.D. dissertations).. Click on the link titled "Submit the Manuscript for Format Review". The same information is in Section 6.4 of the DTM.
15. What happens after I submit my thesis?
The DTR Procedures page includes information on the Intake & Review Process, normal turn-around time that you can expect, and the thirty-day deadline that goes into effect once the Dissertation & Thesis Reviewer has reviewed your thesis. Click on the link titled " Go Through the Format Review Process". That same information can be found in Section 6.5 of the DTM.
16. When do I take my manuscript to Montezuma Publishing?
Last Revised: 1-5-07Only after the Dissertation & Thesis Reviewer has reviewed and approved your manuscript can you proceed to Montezuma Publishing. For detailed information about this process, the options available, what kinds of special processing needs can be accommodated, and what to expect on the hardcover binding, read Section 6.6 and all its subsections in the DTM.
