GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING MASTER’S THESES

(HLTH/KINS 5990)

Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies

University of Central Oklahoma

100 North University Drive, #189

Wantland Hall 102

Edmond, Oklahoma 73034

(405) 974-5230

www.ucowellness.com

Created August 2010

Edited August 2013

Edit August 2015

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 1

Table of Contents

Page

Introduction .................................................................................................................. 2

Thesis Committee Selection Process ........................................................................... 3

Thesis Enrollment and Grading ................................................................................... 4

Thesis Proposal and IRB Approval.............................................................................. 5

Final Review of Written Thesis ................................................................................... 6

Final Defense of Thesis ............................................................................................... 7

Final Disposition of the Thesis .................................................................................... 8

Application for Graduation .......................................................................................... 8

Checklist for Students .................................................................................................. 9

General Format of the Thesis ..................................................................................... 10

APPENDICES ........................................................................................................... 11

APPENDIX A: GRADUATE CAPSTONE STUDENT CONTRACT ........ 12

APPENDIX B: SAMPLE THESIS TITLE PAGE ........................................ 14

APPENDIX B: SAMPLE THESIS SIGNATURE PAGE............................. 16

APPENDIX C: SAMPLE THESIS TABLE OF CONTENTS ...................... 18

APPENDIX D: SAMPLE THESIS LIST OF TABLES ................................ 21

APPENDIX E: SAMPLE THESIS LIST OF FIGURES ............................... 23

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 2

Introduction

Congratulations on reaching this point in your graduate program! You are beginning to prepare

your graduate thesis for submission to the Graduate College. This “Guide” is intended to help

you along the journey to completing your thesis. Read it thoroughly and follow the directions

and guidelines laid out in the following pages. In addition to this guide, your thesis chairperson

will be an invaluable source of information.

If you have any questions, please contact your thesis chairperson or the program coordinator for

your program.

Health Studies Exercise Science

Jamie Dunnington Melissa Powers

jdunnington@uco.edu mpowers3@uco.edu

974-5058 974-5309

Notes for Faculty Serving on Thesis Committees:

Faculty should not serve on more than four (4) thesis studies at one time. Faculty should

not chair more than two (2) thesis committees at one time.

Student learning objectives (SLOs) for the Wellness Management Program are assessed

at the completion of all capstone experiences by the supervisor of the experience (ie.

thesis chairperson, graduate project chairperson, or internship supervisor). The capstone

supervisor will receive instructions and paperwork from a program coordinator at the

completion of the capstone experience.

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 3

Thesis Committee Selection Process

Meet with Program Coordinator

o The candidate must meet with the program coordinator to begin the process of thesis

committee selection.

o Student must review the Thesis Guidelines from the Wellness Management program

as well as the Thesis Packet from the Jackson College of Graduate Studies.

Determine the Thesis Chairperson

o The thesis chairperson must be a faculty member in the KHS department who has

graduate faculty status.

o After the initial meeting with the program coordinator, the candidate will be directed

to discuss the proposed thesis with an appropriate faculty member of the Department

of Kinesiology and Health Studies (KHS) and to establish a chairperson for the

master’s thesis committee.

o Students are encouraged to submit a brief written summary of the proposed thesis to

the prospective chairperson.

Committee Selection

o The committee will be composed of a chairperson from the KHS Department and two

additional committee members.

In addition to the chairperson, the committee must include one additional

faculty member within the department.

The candidate must also select a third committee member outside the

department.

An optional fourth member of the committee may be selected based upon

specialized expertise.

o The chairperson will help the candidate choose appropriate committee members.

o Students are encouraged to submit a brief written summary of the proposed thesis to

prospective committee members.

Thesis Paperwork

o Once the committee members have been established, the student must complete the

Thesis Committee Form which is available on the Graduate College website.

The original form should be submitted to the Graduate College. Additional

copies of the form must be submitted to the chairperson and the program

coordinator.

o All students are required to submit the Graduate Capstone Student Contract

(Appendix A) to the chairperson prior to enrolling in any Thesis hours. A copy of the

contract should also be given to the student and the program coordinator.

Note:

No change of committee members including the chairperson will be permitted without

consultation with the program coordinator, the candidate, and the chairperson.

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 4

Thesis Enrollment and Grading

Students must register for thesis hours (KINS/HLTH 5990) using the Irregular Enrollment –

Graduate form available on the Academic Affairs website. Readiness to enroll in thesis hours

should be determined in cooperation with the chairperson and the program coordinator.

Students must complete the required number of credit hours for their respective program

prior to graduation. The program coordinator and chairperson can help you plan accordingly.

Students are required to maintain continuous enrollment in thesis hours for at least one credit

hour each semester until the thesis is completed. This includes the semester in which the

student plans to graduate.

o Summer enrollment is not required unless the student plans to graduate during the

summer term.

If continuous enrollment is not maintained, the student is required to pay enrollment costs for

those semesters between the initial enrollment in thesis hours and the semester of graduation.

Enrolled students receive the “X” grade if the thesis is not completed within the semester of

enrollment. When the thesis is completed satisfactorily, the student receives the “P”

(passing) grade. There are no letter grades for thesis credits.

Any student who has completed all course work must complete his/her thesis within the

following two full academic semesters. Any exception request to extend beyond two years

must be made in writing to the graduate dean.

Background Check Note:

All students enrolled in a College of Education and Professional Studies course that

requires the UCO student to interact directly with minors or vulnerable adults will

complete a background check through Trak-1 before they are placed in their field

experience/practicum/internship setting or before they begin the class assignment that

involves working with minors or vulnerable adults. Background checks are valid for one

academic calendar year. Ms. Emilee Bounds is the CEPS coordinator of background

checks, please contact her at ebounds@uco.edu or 974-5105 if you have questions that

cannot be found on our Frequently Asked Questions Webpage

(http://www.uco.edu/ceps/Trak-1/faq.asp). The cost of the background check is $10.29 to

be paid directly to Trak-1 through a debit or credit card. To access the link to Trak-1 go

to the yellow Quick Links section of the CEPS webpage: http://www.uco.edu/ceps/ In

the Quick Links section you will find a Trak-1 link that will take you to a CEPS

Frequently Asked Questions page about the background checks. On that page, you will

find a direct link to the Trak-1 website.

The chairperson can help you determine if you need to complete a background check

prior to completing your thesis.

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 5

Thesis Proposal and IRB Approval

Written Proposal Format

o The proposal shall consist of five components:

Introduction

Review of the literature

Methodology

References

Appendices: One appendix must be a timeline for completion of the project.

o Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), sixth edition

(2010) format must be used for all components of the thesis proposal.

Students wishing to use an alternative format should request permission from

the chairperson and the program coordinator prior to the thesis proposal

meeting.

o The written proposal must be approved by the chairperson prior to submission to

other thesis committee members.

o A copy of the proposal should be made available to the chairperson. The chairperson

should be allowed a minimum of two weeks to review the written thesis proposal

prior to approval and submission to the entire committee. The chairperson will

indicate whether they require a hard copy or electronic version of the written

proposal.

Proposal Meeting

o After approval by the chairperson, the candidate must set-up a committee meeting

with all committee members present to discuss and approve the thesis topic before the

thesis project can begin.

o A copy of the proposal will be made available to the committee members at least two

weeks prior to the proposal meeting. The committee members will indicate whether

they require a hard copy or electronic version of the written proposal.

o The candidate will make a formal presentation of the proposal at this meeting.

o Following the formal presentation, committee members will ask questions, discuss

alternatives, and approve/disapprove the thesis proposal.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Application

o Upon approval by the thesis committee, the candidate should submit an IRB

application. This application and instructions are available from the Office of

Research Compliance’s website: http://www.uco.edu/academic-affairs/research-

compliance/

o The Protection of Human Research Participants (PHRP) training must be

completed by the candidate and their thesis chairperson prior to submission of the

IRB application. Details regarding PHRP training are available on the Office of

Research Compliance website.

o Candidates should allow at least 4 weeks to obtain IRB approval. If full review is

expected, please consult the deadlines and scheduled meetings on the Office of

Research Compliance website.

o The candidate may have no contact (ie. recruitment or data collection) with human

subjects prior to receiving IRB approval.

o The IRB approval letter must appear in an Appendix of the final written thesis.

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 6

Final Review of Written Thesis

Final Thesis Format

o The final written thesis shall consist of the following components:

Introduction

Review of the literature

Methodology

Results

Discussion

References

Appendices

Questionnaires or instruments, if used

Thesis summary document, required

IRB approval letter (for research involving human subjects)

o Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), sixth edition

(2010) format must be used for all components of the written thesis unless another

format has been approved by the thesis committee chairperson and the program

coordinator.

Review of Thesis by Chairperson

o When the final written thesis is completed, the candidate must submit it to the

chairperson for review. The chairperson will indicate whether they require a hard

copy or electronic version of the final written thesis.

o A minimum of two weeks should be allowed for this review.

o If the chairperson determines that the thesis is not ready for final defense and review

by the full committee, the student will be asked to revise and resubmit the final thesis

to the chairperson, allowing an additional two weeks for review.

o If the chairperson determines that the thesis is ready for final defense, the thesis is

submitted to all committee members and the final defense is scheduled.

Review of Thesis by Committee

o Upon approval from the chairperson, the candidate will submit the final written thesis

to all thesis committee members. The committee members will indicate whether they

require a hard copy or electronic version of the final written thesis.

o A minimum of two weeks should be allowed for this review before the scheduled

final thesis defense.

o If the chairperson of the committee determines that sufficient time has not been

allowed, the final thesis defense may be postponed.

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 7

Final Defense of Thesis

Arranging Site for Final Thesis Defense

o Once the thesis has been approved by the chairperson for final defense, the candidate

is responsible for arranging the time and place for the final defense.

o The candidate must complete and submit the Thesis Defense Scheduling Form,

available on the Graduate College website, to the Graduate College at least 2 weeks

prior to the scheduled thesis defense. The Graduate College will arrange for the

graduate council representative to attend the thesis defense.

o All committee members and one representative from the Graduate Council must be

present at the final defense.

o The candidate shall remind each member of the committee of the time and place of

the final defense.

Thesis Summary Document

o The candidate should submit the Thesis Summary Document to the Graduate College

along with the Thesis Defense Scheduling Form.

o The candidate should also have copies of the thesis summary document available for

faculty and other guests at the final thesis defense.

o Guidelines for creating the Thesis Summary Document are available on the Graduate

College website.

o The Thesis Summary Document should be included as an Appendix of the final

written thesis.

Thesis Final Defense Meeting

o The final defense meeting is a public meeting; flyers should be posted prior to event.

The candidate should notify the program coordinator and KHS department

chairperson of the date and location of the final defense.

o The thesis final defense shall consist of a formal presentation of the research project

by the candidate followed by a question and answer time.

o At the conclusion of the questioning period, the candidate and all guests will be asked

to leave in order for the committee to determine if the candidate has satisfactorily

completed the master’s thesis.

o Satisfactory completion requires the consensus of all committee members.

o If the candidate fails to receive consensus of all committee members for thesis

approval, the chairperson of the committee must facilitate the following:

Immediately notify the candidate of the difficulty or problem areas with the

failure to receive consensus by all members.

Establish a time-line for satisfactory completion of the thesis.

o At the conclusion of a satisfactory final thesis defense, each member of the committee

will sign all copies of the Signature Page (Appendix C) on bond paper.

The student brings sufficient copies of this page to the final defense for

signature (see Final Disposition of the Thesis for details).

o Students failing to complete the thesis (including final defense) by the deadline

posted on the Graduate College website must enroll in at least one additional hour of

thesis credit for the following semester. This will delay graduation by one semester.

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 8

Final Disposition of the Thesis

Graduate College

o One copy of the original title page, signature page (must have original signatures),

and abstract must be on file in the Graduate College in order to graduate. These forms

must be submitted by the deadline posted on the Graduate College website in the

term in which the student plans to graduate.

o Guidelines can be found for submitting to Graduate College at

http://www.uco.edu/graduate/forms/index.asp.

Thesis Submission Requirements

o The student must submit the thesis in both paper and electronic format through

Chambers Library.

o Detailed instructions for the paper and electronic submission of the thesis can be

found on the Chambers Library website at http://library.uco.edu/services/thesis.cfm.

For additional information, call Special Collections at 405.974.2882.

Additional Bounds Copies

o Personal copies of the candidate’s thesis can be bound through the Special

Collections office for an additional cost. Each additional unbound copy must also

have original signatures.

o A bound copy of the thesis should also be given to the thesis committee chairperson.

o It is suggested that a copy (print or electronic) of the thesis be given to each

committee member.

Application for Graduation

The candidate should update the plan of study with the program coordinator at the beginning

of the last semester of your degree program.

The candidate should apply for graduation by the deadline posted on the Graduate College

website for the semester in which the plan to graduate.

Detailed information on the graduation application process is available on the Graduate

College website.

All potential graduates must apply for graduation regardless of your intent to participate in

the commencement ceremony.

Additional information regarding thesis preparation is available on the Graduate College

website.

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 9

Checklist for Students

Meet with program coordinator no later than the second semester in the graduate program.

The topic of the thesis will be discussed and a possible thesis chairperson identified.

Schedule an appointment with the potential thesis chairperson. A thesis committee will be

established.

Complete the Graduate Capstone Student Contract

Return the Thesis Committee Form (with committee members’ signatures) Graduate College

with a copy to the program coordinator.

Enroll in at least one hour credit during semesters when the student is involved in the thesis

process (Irregular Enrollment – Graduate form).

Complete a written thesis proposal.

Complete the thesis proposal meeting. Receive approval of proposed thesis or make

suggested changes and reschedule meeting.

Obtain IRB approval for the research project prior to contact with research subjects.

Complete the thesis research project under the direction of the thesis chairperson.

Submit a final written thesis to the thesis chairperson.

Upon approval from the chairperson, submit the final written thesis to all committee

members. This step must be completed at least two weeks prior to the scheduled final

defense.

Arrange the time and place of the final defense. Submit the Thesis Defense Scheduling Form

and Thesis Summary Document to the Graduate College at least two weeks prior to the

scheduled defense. Notify the program coordinator and KHS department chairperson of

scheduled thesis date.

Successfully defend the completed thesis. Each member of the committee will sign all copies

of the signature page as required by the Graduate College and Chambers Library.

Submit to the Graduate College (by the posted due date): a title page, an original signature

page, and an abstract of the thesis.

Complete final thesis disposition procedures as outlined by Chambers Library.

Apply for graduation by the posted deadline for the semester in which you plan to graduate.

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 10

General Format of the Thesis

Title Page (Use APA format, see Appendix B)

Approval Page (Graduate School Format, see Appendix C)

Acknowledgements (optional)

Dedication (optional)

Table of Contents (see Appendix D)

List of Tables (see Appendix E)

List of Figures (see Appendix F)

Abstract (Use APA format)

Body of Paper (Use APA format)

Chapter One: Introduction

Chapter Two: Literature Review

Chapter Three: Methodology

Chapter Four: Results

Chapter Five: Discussion

References (Use APA format)

Tables (Use APA format)

Figures (Use APA format)

Appendices (Use APA format)

Page Numbering Note: Title page, Approval page, Acknowledgments page, and Dedication page

are not numbered. Page numbering begins with the Table of Contents (page 1) and continues

through the appendices.

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 11

APPENDICES

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 12

APPENDIX A

GRADUATE STUDENT CAPSTONE CONTRACT

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 13

Graduate Capstone Student Contract

Department of Kinesiology and Health Studies

Graduate students in the Wellness Management program complete a Graduate Capstone Experience by enrolling in a Thesis, Graduate

Project, or Internship. This experience demonstrates the application of the knowledge and abilities acquired throughout the graduate

program. Electronic copies of the guidelines for each Capstone Experience can be found at www.ucowellness.com

Please read the following information and sign/initial where indicated.

_____ I have completed 28 hours of graduate coursework on my plan of study.

_____ I have read the Capstone guidelines/manuals and agree to abide by all guidelines and deadlines.

_____ I have met with the faculty advisor to discuss my desire to complete a Graduate Capstone Experience and am requesting

to enroll in: (circle one) Thesis Graduate Project Internship

_____ I understand that all documents associated with the Capstone Experience should be my own work and agree to submit my

work to turnitin.com and make the needed edits before submitting it to the faculty.

_____ I understand and agree that I am expected to proofread and edit my work before submitting it to faculty. I also agree to

use the assistance available to UCO students for improving my writing skills.

Internship

_____ I understand that I am required to complete 100 contact hours per 1 credit hour as outlined on my plan of study.

_____ I understand if I am enrolled in the Internship that I am required to complete all contact hours within one semester.

_____ I understand that if I have not completed all required contact hours, given my final presentation, and submitted my

portfolio by the deadline, I will not pass the Internship.

Graduate Project/Thesis

_____ I agree that my Thesis/Graduate Project needs to be grounded in research as well as contain a significant portion that is

novel or adds to the research or field in some manner.

_____ I understand that if I select the Thesis or Graduate Project, it will take a minimum of two semesters to complete, and maybe

more depending on my study and/or agency with which I am working. I also understand that I am required to maintain

continuous enrollment (1 credit hour per semester) until the thesis or project is completed.

_____ I understand that I must give my Chair and committee members a minimum of 2 weeks to review each draft of the

Thesis/Graduate Project including any required revisions.

_____ I understand that I may not submit a draft of the Thesis/Graduate Project to my committee without approval from my Chair.

_____ I agree to provide all documents to my Chair and committee in the format they request – printed or electronic copies or both.

I acknowledge it is my responsibility to make these copies, make arrangements to deliver them to faculty, and to maintain all

copies that have edits.

_____ I understand that in order to successfully complete my thesis/graduate project, I must meet all the requirements and deadlines

outlines in the guidelines and submit the required completed documents by the deadline established by the Chair and no later

than the last day of class of the semester in order to have my work considered for completion.

_____ I understand that if my work is not submitted by the deadline for the semester, I will receive a grade of an 'X’ and that I will

enroll in additional hours the next semester.

I have read the above contract and have had an opportunity to ask questions. My signature below indicates that I will comply with

these requirements.

Print name Signature Initials Date

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 14

APPENDIX B

SAMPLE THESIS TITLE PAGE

THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA

Edmond, Oklahoma

Jackson College of Graduate Studies

A Comparison of High-Velocity Resistance Training Versus Traditional Slow-Velocity

Resistance Training Among Elder Men

A THESIS

SUBMITTED TO THE GRADUATE FACULTY

in partial fulfillment of the requirements

for the degree of

MASTER OF SCIENCE

by

Jane M. Doe

Edmond, Oklahoma

2013

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 16

APPENDIX C

SAMPLE THESIS SIGNATURE PAGE

A Comparison of High-Velocity Resistance Training Versus Traditional Slow-Velocity

Resistance Training Among Elder Men

A THESIS

APPROVED FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF KINESIOLOGY AND HEALTH STUDIES

By

Type Committee Chairperson’s Name

Type Committee Member’s Name

Type Committee Member’s Name

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 18

APPENDIX D

SAMPLE THESIS TABLE OF CONTENTS

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 19

Table of Contents

Contents Page

List of Tables ............................................................................................................... 3

List of Figures .............................................................................................................. 4

Abstract ........................................................................................................................ 5

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION .......................................................................... 6

Significance of the Study ................................................................................. 6

Statement of the Problem ................................................................................. 7

Hypothesis........................................................................................................ 8

Limitations ....................................................................................................... 8

Delimitations .................................................................................................... 8

Assumptions ..................................................................................................... 9

Definition of Terms.......................................................................................... 9

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF LITERATURE ...................................................... 10

Benefits of Resistance Training ..................................................................... 11

Traditional Slow-Velocity Resistance Training............................................. 18

High-Velocity Resistance Training................................................................ 28

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY .................................................................. 29

Participants ..................................................................................................... 29

Instrumentation .............................................................................................. 31

Procedures ...................................................................................................... 33

Statistical Analysis ......................................................................................... 35

CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS .................................................................................. 37

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 20

Descriptive Data............................................................................................. 37

Results of Hypothesis One ............................................................................. 39

Results of Hypothesis Two ............................................................................ 42

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION .............................................................................. 45

Summary of Findings ..................................................................................... 45

Interpretation of the Results ........................................................................... 47

Relationship of Results to the Literature ....................................................... 49

Applications of the Results ............................................................................ 52

Recommendations for Future Study .............................................................. 53

Conclusions .................................................................................................... 54

REFERENCES .......................................................................................................... 55

TABLES .................................................................................................................... 66

FIGURES ................................................................................................................... 70

APPENDICES ........................................................................................................... 74

Appendix A: Informed Consent Form ........................................................... 74

Appendix B: Institutional Review Board Application ................................... 76

Appendix C: Institutional Review Board Approval Letter ............................ 87

Appendix D: Data Collection Instrument ...................................................... 89

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 21

APPENDIX E

SAMPLE THESIS LIST OF TABLES

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 22

List of Tables

1. Baseline Characteristics of the Study Sample .....................................53

2. Descriptive Statistics for Pre- and Post-Testing ..................................54

3. Correlations Between Functional Fitness, Muscular Strength

and Body Composition ..................................................................55

4. Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance for Functional Fitness .......56

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 23

APPENDIX F

SAMPLE THESIS LIST OF FIGURES

THESIS FORMAT GUIDE 24

List of Figures

1. Change in Muscular Strength From Baseline to Week 12 ...................57

2. Change in Lean Tissue Mass From Baseline to Week 12 ...................58

3. Change in 8-Foot Up-and-Go Performance From Baseline

to Week 12 ......................................................................................59