dissertations and project reports

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Theses, Dissertations, and Project Reports (TDP): Home

• Research Protocols
• Format & Content
• Funding Opportunities
• Other Things You Should Know

Purpose of This Guide

The objective of this guide is to support UPRM graduate students as they prepare their theses, dissertations, and project reports (TDPs). We look to clarify different details of the process and address frequent questions. The guide goes into general format and structure aspects of TDPs which are common to diverse disciplines. It also provides links to resources that can be very helpful in the various stages of developing your TDP, such as the planning phase, writing, and presenting the finished work.

It must be stressed that each TDP will be unique. The elements that distinguish one TDP from the next will be related to discipline-specific characteristics as well as the very particular circumstances of each individual study. Therefore, when in doubt, always make sure to consult your advisor and your graduate committee.

We wish you the absolute best in your work!

Helpful Books

A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations: Chicago Style for Students and Researchers

LB2369 .T8 2013

Proposals That Work: A Guide for Planning Dissertations and Grant Proposals (5th ed.)

Q180.55 .P7 L63 2007

Writing the Winning Thesis or Dissertation: A Step-by-Step Guide

LB2369 .G56 2005

Guía para la preparación de propuestas, tesis e informes de proyecto en el Recinto Universitario de Mayagüez

LB2369 .G85 2000

Writing Your Dissertation in Fifteen Minutes a Day: A Guide to Starting, Revising, and Finishing your Doctoral Thesis

LB2369 .B57 1998

How to Write a Successful Science Thesis: The Concise Guide for Students

LB2369 .R86 2006

Theses and Dissertations: A Guide to Planning, Research, and Writing

LB2369 .T458 2008

Guía práctica para la redacción de propuestas y documentos de tesis: Maestría y doctorado

LB2369 .V55 1993 C.1

UPRM TDPs in Your Field

If you are starting on your TDP, it can be helpful to look at recent TDPs submitted by UPRM students from your same field of study. This will help you become familiar with the content and format requirements of your discipline. Scholar@UPRM , our campus's institutional repository, is fantastic for this. To learn how to search for TDPs from your department or program in Scholar@UPRM, click on the image below.

What are the objectives of a thesis, dissertation, or project report?

Your TDP is an opportunity to make a unique and original contribution to your field of study. Through your work, you show your ability to conduct an independent investigation and communicate results effectively.

Your TDP also represents a tremendous opportunity for you on a personal level, given that it will help you immensely in terms of your development as a researcher in your discipline. In the process of developing your TDP, you will learn about diverse perspectives and trends in your field, and you will familiarize yourself with common methods and practices. Additionally, you will enhance your abilities to locate and analyze information critically and manage a project from beginning to end.

Clínicas de los GWFs

The Graduate Writing Facilitators (GWFs) foster development of academic communication skills in English, both in writing and orally. Their services are directed to the graduate student community at UPRM.

Below, you will find links to clinics provided by the GWFs which will be extremely useful as you prepare your TPD.

To see more educational material produced by the GWFs, click here .

• Mapping Your Thesis: From Research Idea to Manageable Thesis Project
• Literature Review Clinic
• The Writing Process for STEM Graduate Students

Databases That Include Theses and Dissertations

Database Alerts

How to create database alerts.

Database alerts are extremely helpful for long-term research projects like TDPs, being that they keep you informed about the latest publications in your field. This brief video explains how you can create an alert that is specifically tailored to your needs.

Versión en español - Guía TDPs

Pulsa la imagen incluida arriba para acceder a la versión en español de esta guía.

Research Librarian

• ~[123]~: Apr 16, 2024 1:30 PM
• ~[124]~: https://libguides.uprm.edu/Theses-Dissertations-ProjectReports

Biblioteca General © 2024 - Universidad de Puerto Rico. Todos los derechos reservados.

Project Report Writing and Presentations

• First Online: 20 September 2022

Cite this chapter

• Habeeb Adewale Ajimotokan 2  

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology ((BRIEFSAPPLSCIENCES))

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The objectives of this chapter are to

Specify and discuss the basic chapter titles and sub-titles in a research project report;

Prepare a research project report based on the basic format;

Specify and explain the basic methods of writing bibliography, citing and listing references;

Discuss research presentations;

Describe plagiarism and citation; and

Discuss citation and its management.

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Thiel, D. V. (2014). Research methods for engineers . Cambridge University Press.

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Booth, W. C., Colomb, G. C., & Williams, J. M. (2008). The craft of research . University of Chicago Press.

Snieder, R., & Lamer, K. (2009). The art of being a scientist: A guide for graduate students and their mentors . University Printing House, University of Cambridge.

Alley, M. (2003). The craft of scientific presentations: Critical steps to succeed and critical errors to avoid . Springer-Verlag.

Hofmann, A. H. (2009). Scientific writing and communications: Papers, proposals and presentations . Oxford University Press.

University of Oxford. (2019). Plagiarism. Retrieved from https://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/guidance/skills/plagiarism?wssl=1

Neville, C. (2007). The complete guide to referencing and avoiding plagiarism . Open University Press.

Walliman, N. (2011). Research methods: The basics . Routledge—Taylor and Francis Group.

Woods, G. (2002). Research papers for dummies . Hungry Minds.

Bell, J. (2010). Doing your research project: A guide for first-time researchers in education and social science (5th ed.). Open University Press.

Mendeley. (2018). Mendeley. Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia . Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mendeley

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Habeeb Adewale Ajimotokan

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Ajimotokan, H.A. (2023). Project Report Writing and Presentations. In: Research Techniques. SpringerBriefs in Applied Sciences and Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-13109-7_5

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Master Thesis/Project Report Format

Guidelines for preparation of master thesis/project report, overview of the steps.

• Select master project/thesis advisor.
• Select a project topic.
• Select a committee.
• Obtain approvals for committee, advisor.
• Register for the master project/thesis course with thesis advisor. (A section number will be provided to you by your project/thesis advisor.)
• Start Research on your master project.
• (Optional)  Present a thesis proposal to the committee during mid-way of the thesis.
• Write project report/thesis.
• Present your master project and/or defend thesis.
• Submit your master project report, or publish thesis.

Project/Thesis Option

Discuss with your master project advisor at the beginning to decide whether your master project will be more suited for the project or thesis option.

Questions to ask when evaluating your master project topic:

• Is there current interest in this topic in the field?
• Is there is a gap in knowledge that work on this topic could help to fill?
• Is it possible to focus on a manageable segment of this topic?
• Identify a preliminary method of data collection that is acceptable to your advisor.
• Is there a body of literature is available that is relevant to your topic?
• Do you need financial assistance to carry out your research?
• Is the data necessary to complete your work is easily accessible?
• Define the project purpose, scope, objectives, and procedures.
• What are the potential limitations of the study?
• Are there any skills called on by the study that you have yet to acquire?

Master level project involves:

• Analyzing the problem or topic.
• Conducting extensive research.
• Summarizing findings from the research investigation.
• Recommending additional research on the topic.
• Drawing conclusions and making recommendations.
• Documenting the results of the research.
• Defending conclusions and recommendations.

Pre-Thesis Planning

When you’re contemplating a thesis topic, you should discuss your interests with as many people as possible to gain a broad perspective. You will find your faculty advisor knowledgeable and willing to offer excellent suggestions and advice regarding an appropriate thesis topic.

Give considerable thought to the identification and planning of a thesis topic. Review literature related to your interests; read a variety of research papers, abstracts, and proposals for content, methods and structure. Looking at completed master’s theses will be a useful activity toward expanding inquiry skills and thought processes.

After the thesis advisor is selected, you may register on-line for a thesis section. You will need to see your thesis instructor to obtain the thesis section number.

Suggested Master Project/Thesis Completion Timeline

Below please find a suggested timeline. Individual timelines may vary from one student to another.

Required Deadlines

• The approval page with all signatures must be submitted to the graduate advisor prior to the last day of the semester.
• The thesis must be submitted electronically prior to the last day of classes. The last day of class can be identified in the on-line Academic calendar.

Scholarship Possibilities

Funding is usually available to students with expertise to the specific area. You will want to research scholarship options during the pre-project planning as many scholarship applications are due months before the award is granted.

• Research assistantship with a faculty advisor related to the topic of research
• Teaching assistantship to teach an undergraduate laboratory
• Check with  Career Center  for on-campus positions
• Attend all career fairs that would be of interest to consider summer internships
• SPIE (The International Society for Optics and Photonics)
• ISA (International Society of Automation)

More opportunities exist; you will need to search for scholarships based on your topic of research.

Citing Sources

The Technology Division at the Cullen College of Engineering* does not mandate citation styles, but you must cite your sources and cite them consistently. Here are some helpful links to assist you with citation:

• Landmark's Son of a Citation Machine
• Wikipedia Citation Templates

*The   Human Development Consumer Science department   prefers you to use the APA style. Please consult with your thesis advisor when choosing a citation style .

Thesis Quality

The Technology Division at the Cullen College of Engineering has significant expectations with regard to thesis quality. Poor or average level theses will not receive college approvals. It is the joint responsibility of the student and the committee to ensure that the thesis is of acceptable quality. Ultimately, the task is one borne by the student as the thesis is a reflection of the quality of their work. The thesis committee can direct the student to seek assistance if quality issues are noticed as the chapters are developed. The student should take quality feedback seriously and not wait until the end to attempt to fix this type of problem as it can result in significant delays and postponement of graduation. When you write and defend your thesis, keep the following guidelines in mind:

• Shows a cursory examination of the topic.
• Makes little use of existing data sources.
• Fails to examine primary sources.
• Shows little comprehension of crucial texts or research in the subject matter.
• Lacks adequate organization.
• Treats the topic in a competent, straightforward way.
• Shows a good grasp of the material.
• Makes use of existing data sources in a competent fashion or shows a good acquaintance with primary sources and current research.
• Shows a solid comprehension of research in the subject matter
• Sustains a line of argumentation throughout the thesis
• Shows all of the above qualities of a quality thesis as well as some measure of originality in research. Originality is defined as developing new data; treating existing data in an original or particularly compelling way; developing new or particularly compelling theoretical arguments; interpreting existing research in an original or particularly compelling way; or bringing primary or secondary materials and research together to sustain a new, comprehensive or compelling interpretation. In general, a thigh quality thesis either shows some measure of originality in its argument or empirical base; or is in some other way striking or new.

Organization of Thesis

The original and copies of the thesis MUST include the following items  IN THE ORDER LISTED :

• Blank sheet of bond paper at the beginning of each copy submitted.
• Copyright page (optional).
• Title Page (must show month and year of graduation - see example).
• Signature page (see example). All three required copies must have ORIGINAL SIGNATURES of the committee and the student. Signatures must be in black ink. This page should be omitted from the electronic thesis.
• Acknowledgment (optional).
• Abstract Title Page (optional - must show month and year of graduation - see example).
• Abstract (optional - University Microfilms, Inc. requires abstracts be no longer than 150 words.).
• Table of Contents.
• References.

Style Requirements

Although there is no prescribed style for the completed thesis, there are several style manuals available which may prove helpful. The student should contact the thesis advisor to discuss the style manual to be used.  Above all, it is important to be consistent throughout the entire thesis.  Decide how you wish to structure your manuscript and be consistent throughout it.

Steps in the Submission of Electronic Dissertation/Thesis

• Write your thesis per Technology Division at the Cullen College of Engineering thesis guidelines.
• Successfully defend your thesis. Make corrections per the thesis committee.
• Committee signs the approval page.
• Submit a copy of the final thesis version to the Associate Dean for Research for Graduate Studies or your graduate advisor for formatting review a minimum of two weeks prior to the end of the semester.
• Wait for formatting approval before beginning electronic submission process.

Electronic Submission

• Create a single pdf file of the thesis. The signature page is NOT included in the online submission.
• Submit the signed approval page to your graduate advisor. Approval page is stored in the student’s file. ET students must also submit rubric sheets, one for each committee member.
• Please note you will be asked if you would like to embargo your work, request a journal hold or a patent hold. Be sure to check with your committee chair about these features and whether your committee chair will approve them.
• Uploading the thesis requires an active Cougarnet account and log in. If you have not used your Cougarnet account in more than 90 days, please contact the ETD administrator for assistance.
• You will receive an e-mail confirming your upload to TDL. Please forward this email to your graduate advisor.
• Wait for confirmation from your faculty chair and graduate advisor that your document has been accepted.
• Email your committee chair requesting approval of your submission. Also request approval of the embargo, if applicable.

Specifications

The font should be Times New Roman, 12 pt. font

The margins should be one inch (1") each

Electronic Copy Submission

All CCE Technology Division theses submitted in an electronic format may be hosted on the College webpage. You must submit an electronic copy of the thesis in pdf format that accurately represents the printed version of the final document.

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How to Write Dissertations & Project Reports (Smarter Study Skills) 2nd Edition

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Dissertations And Project Reports A Step By Step Guide

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