Guidelines
Formatting
Candidates should consult with their committee to determine the particular style manual/format acceptable in their school/college for the body of the thesis/dissertation (abstract through appendices).
These are the basic formatting recommendations for publishing works in the CommonKnowledge repository:
- Document is in PDF format
- Page size is standard US letter (8.5″ x 11″)
- Signed signature page is NOT included in main file
- Font for the body of the paper is 10, 11, or 12 points in size.
- Superscripts and subscripts (e.g., formulas, or footnote or endnote numbers) should be no more than 2 points smaller than the font size used for the body of the text.
- Font is a TrueType font; sans serif fonts are recommended to improve readability online.
- Recommended fonts include: Arial 10pt (sans serif); Calibri 11 pt (sans serif); Verdana 10pt (sans serif); Garamond 12pt (serif); Georgia 11pt (serif); Times New Roman 12pt (serif). If applicable, mathematic/scientific notation fonts should be embedded in the PDF file.
- Line spacing of text is 1.5 or 2
- Document contains no multimedia or large images embedded into the PDF file (Note: this refers only to photographic/visual images with large file sizes and embedded video or audio files; this does not refer to charts or tables).
- PDF file size does not exceed 100 MB
- PDF file has no encryption or other security measures applied
- PDF file name follows this convention:
lastnamefirstinitial_degree_school_year.pdf (e.g. smithj_msvs_opt_2013.pdf)
Front matter
While the body of the thesis/dissertation may be governed by the style manual required by their school or college, candidates must prepare the front matter (title page, copyright page, signature page) following standard formatting used across the university. This ensures a level of professional consistency across programs and ensures efficient processing of deposits. Download the standard front matter template as a Microsoft Word document.
Signature Page
A document containing the signatures of a student’s advisors/committee members must be submitted alongside all theses, dissertations, capstones, and other culminating works. This document is used to verify final program approval of the deposited electronic file. Upon submission, the file will be set to a visibility of Private in order to preserve the academic record while protecting the privacy of of signees. Specific details around completing the form are outlined below.
Undergrad and Graduate Students
If the submitted thesis/capstone PDF includes a signature page, that page should be unsigned. Candidates should separately submit one signed copy of their signature page.
Candidates must obtain all signatures and submit the completed signature page to the University Libraries before they can proceed with the electronic deposit process. In some programs, advisors will provide the completed signature page to the student.
Signature pages may be submitted via the following methods/formats:
- Digital signatures: Pages should be signed digitally using BoxSign or DocuSign. The final signed page and front matter may be uploaded as a PDF to CommonKnowledge along with the main file for the work, or sent to commonknowledge@pacificu.edu with the email subject heading: ETD Signature Page Submission.
- Hard-copy pages with ink signatures: High-quality, acid-free (neutral pH) paper should be used for these documents. Print the signature page and title page using a laser printer (not ink-jet). Signature and title page may be submitted at the front desk of either the Tran Library or Hillsboro Campus Library or sent via intercampus mail to the attention of the Dean of Libraries.
PhD Candidates
Because doctoral programs have a separate process for dissertation defense, the signature page requirement is different for these students. PhD candidates are required to go through one or more rounds of defending their work, and each round is documented. For this reason, PhD candidates need only to send the signed Final Dissertation Defense Form when submitting their work to CommonKnowledge.
Supplemental Materials
In addition to the thesis/dissertation PDF file, candidates may submit relevant supplemental materials as part of their deposit. These may include files that will be made publicly available with the thesis/dissertation file or administrative documents that will not be made publicly available. Supplemental materials submitted for public access may include:
- Data files (data files should adhere to any relevant privacy regulations, including HIPAA and FERPA, as well as to any restrictions from an IRB or other regulatory body).
- Instruments or other documents not included in appendices of the thesis/dissertation file.
- Image or media files.
Supplemental materials submitted for administrative use only may include:
- Any required copyright permissions from publishers or authors for third-party copyrighted material in the thesis/dissertation
- Copyrighted assessment instruments or measures should not be included in the primary thesis/dissertation files or as supplemental files.
Supplemental files must not exceed 100 MB in file size per file; larger files may be submitted with permission of the University Libraries.