Page 68 - DISSERTATION AND THESIS HANDBOOK 2017 -2020

29-POINT CHECKLIST FOR COMPLETING THE THESIS

These steps will generally be completed in the order listed. However, there may be some
individual variations among faculty/departments. Student candidates should check with
their advisors as they go through this process to make sure the order is correct, and to
determine if there are other steps that may be specific to the faculty member/department
that should be added to their list. Use your planner or your phone to help you keep track
of the process effectively.

A. Thesis Proposal
ACTIVITY: Date Accomplished

(1) Select Thesis Advisory Committee Chair ____________________

(2) Hold original meeting with Chair ____________________
to discuss dissertation topic

(3) Discuss with proposed members of the ____________________
Thesis Advisory committee about possibility
of serving on the committee.

(4) Submit first draft of proposal to ____________________
Thesis Chair

(5) Consult with Thesis Chair ____________________
regarding revisions to proposal

(6) Submit revised proposal to other members ____________________
of the Thesis Advisory Committee

(7) Meet with the Thesis Advisory ____________________
Committee to discuss the proposal

(8) Additional revisions (as necessary) based on ____________________
discussions with Thesis Advisory Committee

(9) Proposal Defense Form signed by all members of the ____________________
Thesis Advisory Committee

Candidates will note Section B below which addresses “Obtaining Approval from the
University‘s Institutional Review Board (IRB).” Remember that if candidates conduct any
pilot studies as part of their proposal development, these pilot studies must be approved
by the University IRB prior to collecting any pilot data. Although University IRB approval is
required after a proposal has been approved/signed by the Thesis Advisory Committee
and such IRB approval must be received before the thesis research can begin); approval for
pilot studies must also be obtained before these pilot studies can be conducted. This
provides a safeguard for all concerned.

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