Formatting FAQ
Q: What does "ETD" mean?
A: It's a general abbreviation for "electronic theses and dissertations." Put most simply, an ETD is a digital version of a master's thesis or doctoral dissertation that is submitted and archived electronically.
Q: Who made all these thesis/dissertation formatting rules?
A: Formatting rules and guidelines are formally established by the KU Office of Graduate Studies. Their official guidelines can be accessed by visiting https://graduate.ku.edu/formatting. While KU Libraries offers ETD support for students, any questions about formatting policy should be directed to Graduate Studies.
Q: What citation style (e.g. MLA, APA, Chicago) do I need to use?
A: This is a decision that you are allowed to make, keeping in mind what style is common in your field, and what style your chair/committee thinks is most appropriate. The important thing is that you use your chosen style consistently.
Q: Which sections do I need to include in my thesis/dissertation?
A: See the section at the bottom of this page.
Q: What should my margins be?
A: Margins should generally be one inch on all sides. Margins can be wider, but they cannot be smaller. If you are unsure if you need standard or wider margins, consult with your chair/committee.
Q: What font/font size should I use?
A: The Office of Graduate Studies recommends a 11- or 12-point common system font like Times New Roman, Arial, Helvetica, Calibri, Aptos, etc. If you are unsure as to what font you should use, or if you think you might need to use a non-standard font for a specific purpose, consult with your chair and/or your committee. Note: If you do end up using a non-standard font, make sure you embed it before submitting.
Q: How should my lines be spaced?
A: Double-spacing is preferred, although single-spacing in the table of contents, footnotes, endnotes, charts, graphs, tables, block quotations, captions, glossary, appendices, and bibliography is acceptable. If you need to use single-spacing throughout your thesis/dissertation, you must secure prior written approval from your dissertation committee and your graduate division.
Q: Do chapter numbers and titles need to be on different lines?
A: This depends on the style you're using. APA protocol, for instance, requires that the chapter title follows the chapter number on the following line. Word, however, likes to dedicate just one full line to a style and will list page numbers twice in the table of contents if you use the “Enter” key to apply a style across two lines. To bypass this, instead hold down the Shift button while pressing Enter where you want to break the lines.
Q: How should my headers be formatted? Footers?
A: Your dissertation—even if it is formatted according to APA rules—should not have any headers. The only thing that should appear in the header or footer area is a page number.
Q: Do I include faculty signatures when I upload my PDF to ProQuest?
A: To decrease the risk of identity theft, do not include signatures on the PDF that you submit to ProQuest. Instead, committee members' signatures should be included on the copy of your thesis or dissertation (be it physical or digital) that is turned in to your department upon completion.
Q: Should I include spaces in my filename?
A: Do not include spaces in your filename. Underscoring is allowed.
Q: How do I submit my ETD to ProQuest?
A: To submit your ETD, please click on the following link and follow the instructions on the page: https://graduate.ku.edu/submitting
Thesis and Dissertation Content Order
Your thesis/dissertation should include the following sections in the following order:
