A-manual-for-writers-of-research-papers-theses-and-dissertations

copy and handing it in to your instructor. You may instead be asked to submit it electronically(see A.3.3), or to submit multiple copies to multiple individuals (your classmates, or otherfaculty members). Follow instructions exactly, and always keep both a hard copy and theelectronic file for your records. All copies should exactly match the original.Although producing your paper double-sided may save paper and is now technologicallysimple, most instructors find it easier to read and comment on papers printed on only one sideof a page. Unless instructed otherwise, submit your paper single-sided.The requirements for theses and dissertations are more stringent because such papers willmost likely be preserved in bound or electronic form by the university and possibly by anexternal dissertation repository. Well in advance of the submission deadline, review thespecific guidelines of your department or university regarding such matters as the medium ofsubmission (hard copy, electronic, or both), the number of copies required, and anypaperwork or procedures that must be completed before you can submit the paper. If possible,have an official review the paper for proper format before you produce the final copies.Nearly all departments and universities require you to submit one or more hard copies ofyour thesis or dissertation on a specific paper stock. Such paper should be 8½ × 11 inches (inAmerican universities) and must be suitable for long-term preservation of the work, whichmeans it should be acid free. If the guidelines do not specify the paper stock, follow theAmerican Library Association's recommendation for twenty-pound weight, neutral-pH paperthat is labeled either “buffered” or as having a minimum 2 percent alkaline reserve. Some butnot all stock referred to as “dissertation bond” meets these requirements, so be sure toexamine the paper specifications before making the copies.Most universities are served by one or more copy centers, either on or near campus, that arefamiliar with the requirements for copies of theses and dissertations. Although using theirservices may be more expensive than producing the copies on your own, it reduces the riskthat your paper will be rejected for incorrect paper stock or copy quality problems. Copycenter workers generally do not check for errors in format, such as incorrect margins, so besure your paper reflects all the necessary guidelines before you have it copied. Inspect thecopies carefully before you leave the copy center, and notify a worker if you see any problemswith them.A.3.3 Submitting Electronic FilesMany departments and universities now require electronic submission of a thesis ordissertation in addition to or instead of hard copy. Instructors may also request electroniccopies of class papers.Consult your local guidelines for technical specifications, and seek assistance well inadvance of the submission deadline if you need it. If required to submit a paper as a PDF file,be sure to embed the fonts to preserve the paper's appearance and format. Test all hyperlinksfor accuracy. If the paper contains illustrations, set the resolution and other characteristics ofthe images depending on how the file will be used (preserved archivally, printed, postedonline, and so forth). Check with the office of theses and dissertations or your instructor forhandling of material that cannot be put into a single-file format, such as large data sets or