Dissertation Guidelines
In embarking on the journey of a doctoral dissertation, you are poised to contribute a significant body of knowledge to your field. This guideline provides a roadmap, offering insights into the key components, methodologies, and standards that will shape your rigorous exploration and ultimately culminate in the creation of a valuable and impactful doctoral thesis.
Table of Contents
1. Overview
In embarking on your scholarly journey, we invite you to align your academic pursuits with the timeless wisdom found in the Torah. The pursuit of knowledge is not only a scholarly endeavor but also a spiritual one, as we seek to uncover truths that contribute to the greater good in alignment with our faith.
As it is written in Mishlei 2:6 (NIV), "For Hashem gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and under-standing." This guiding principle underscores the significance of seeking wisdom and understanding in our academic pursuits.
In recognition of the spiritual dimension of academic pursuits, we invite you to include a moment of prayer or reflection in your research process. Seek guidance from above as you navigate the complexities of your chosen field, aligning your efforts with the divine wisdom that permeates our scholarly endeavors.
May your research be a korban, a form of avoda Hashem, and a means of drawing closer to the Creator.
2. Dissertation Title Page
The title page is the first page of your dissertation and provides essential information about your work. It should include the following elements:
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Title of the Dissertation: The full title of your dissertation should be centered at the top of the page. The title should be concise, descriptive, and reflect the content of your research.
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Author’s Name: Your full name should be centered and placed a few lines below the title.
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Institutional Affiliation: The name of Florida Hebrew University should be included below your name.
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Department/Program: Specify the department or program under which you are submitting your dissertation.
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Degree: Mention the degree for which the dissertation is submitted (e.g., Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Arts).
3. Dissertation Submission
3.1. Notification of Readers.
As part of the dissertation process, doctoral candidates are required to formally notify the designated readers of their dissertation. This step ensures that your work is reviewed by a committee of qualified faculty members who will evaluate its scholarly merit.
Selection of Readers
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Advisor Consultation:
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Discuss with your dissertation advisor the selection of potential readers who are experts in your field. The committee should typically include your advisor, faculty members from your department, and, if applicable, external experts.
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Committee Composition:
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The dissertation committee usually consists of at least three readers, including the advisor, who will provide diverse perspectives on your work.
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Formal Notification Process
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Submission of Reader List:
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Submit a list of proposed readers to your department for approval. This list should include the names, titles, and contact information of each proposed reader.
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Official Notification:
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Once approved, formally notify each reader of their selection. This can be done via email or official correspondence, providing them with the title and abstract of your dissertation.
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Due Dates and Guidelines:
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Include in the notification the anticipated timeline for submitting your dissertation draft and any guidelines they should follow for their review.
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Responsibilities of Readers
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Review and Feedback:
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Readers are expected to provide thorough and constructive feedback on your dissertation. Their evaluation should consider the originality, methodological rigor, clarity, and contribution of your research.
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Recommendations for Revision:
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Based on their review, readers may suggest revisions or improvements to enhance the quality of your dissertation.
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Dissertation Defense
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After receiving feedback, incorporate any necessary revisions and prepare for the dissertation defense. This is a formal presentation where you will discuss your research findings and respond to questions from the committee.
Important Considerations
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Timeliness: Ensure that you adhere to all due dates associated with notifying readers and submitting your dissertation. Late submissions may delay your defense and graduation timeline.
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Communication: Maintain open communication with your readers throughout the process to clarify any questions they might have regarding your work.
3.2. Submission Information:
Dissertation Submission Due Dates
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Final Submission Date:
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The final version of your dissertation must be submitted by the specified due date, typically at least four weeks before the end of the semester, in which you intend to graduate.
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Check the academic calendar for specific due dates, as these dates may vary each semester.
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Draft Submission:
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A draft version should be submitted to your committee at least six weeks before the final due date to allow time for review and revisions.
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Submitting Degree Petition and Dissertation
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Degree Petition:
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Complete and submit the degree petition form to the Registrar's Office by the required due date. This form officially notifies the university of your intent to graduate.
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Dissertation Submission:
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Submit your dissertation electronically through the FHU Student Portal.
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Ensure that all formatting and content guidelines outlined in the dissertation manual are followed.
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Additional Documents:
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Include any required supplementary documents, such as approval forms, ethics compliance certifications, or publication agreements.
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Submission Policy
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Format and Style:
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Adhere to the university’s prescribed format and style guidelines for dissertations, including margins, font size, and citation style.
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Revisions and Corrections:
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If revisions are required after the initial submission, address them promptly and resubmit the corrected version by the revised due date provided by your committee or the Graduate School.
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Approval and Confirmation:
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Upon acceptance, obtain confirmation from your advisor and committee members that all required changes have been made.
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The Graduate School will notify you once your dissertation has been officially accepted and processed.
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Non-Compliance:
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Failure to comply with submission guidelines and deadlines may result in delayed graduation or the need to reapply for degree conferral in a subsequent term.
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Ensure that you regularly consult the university’s dissertation guidelines and communicate with your advisor to address any questions regarding submission requirements.
4. Style and Format
Formatting Guidelines:
To ensure proper formatting for your dissertation, follow these guidelines for setting margins and adding section breaks:
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Global Margins Adjustment:
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Navigate to “page setup/page layout” to adjust your document's margins.
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Set the right and bottom margins for the entire document to 1”.
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Set the left margin to 1.25” to accommodate binding requirements.
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Top Margin Requirements for Different Pages:
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Note that specific top margin requirements exist for different pages.
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Setting Individual Page Margins:
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To address specific margin requirements for different pages, incorporate next-page section breaks.
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Access the “page layout” menu, click on “breaks,” and choose “next page” to add section breaks.
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5. Content and Layout
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5.1. Title Page
5.2. Copyright Page
5.3. Committee Page
5.4. Acknowledgements
5.5. Dedication (optional)
5.6 Abstract
5.7. Table of Contents
5.8. List of Tables /Charts
5.9. List of Figures (optional)
5.10. List of Appendices (optional)
5.11. Text:
5.11.1 Text Order and Content
1. Introduction
The introduction sets the stage for the research by introducing the phenomenon or problem and
establishing the significance of the study within the broader field of study.
2. Literature Review:
The literature review involves reviewing existing literature to demonstrate the researcher's knowledge
of theories, methodologies, and key debates. This section helps position the research within the
context of previous scholarship.
3. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework:
This section outlines the theoretical or conceptual foundation that guides the field investigation. It could
include discussions on field theories, frameworks, or methodologies relevant to the research.
4. Research and Design Methodology:
Here, the researcher details the design of the study, specifying how data will be collected and
analyzed. This might involve discussions on experimental design, corpus analysis, fieldwork, or
other research methods.
5. Empirical Chapters/Results:
This section presents the data and analysis, organized around the phenomena, varieties, or research questions.
It showcases the empirical evidence collected and the insights gained from linguistic analysis.
6. Discussion:
The discussion interprets results, relates them to existing theories, and discusses their broader implications.
This section also addresses any limitations and suggests potential directions for future research.
7. Conclusion:
The conclusion summarizes the key findings of the research, emphasizes the contributions made to
the field, and reflects on the overall significance of the study. It also provides a conclusion to the dissertation as
a whole.
5.12. References (required):
This section lists all the sources cited in the dissertation, following the appropriate citation style commonly used
in the research area.
5.13. Appendix/Appendices (optional):
Appendices are included for any supplementary materials such as transcriptions, data sets, or
additional analyses that support or enhance the understanding of the research.
5.14. Original Composition ( for Jewish Music Composition PhD only)
6. Supplementary Material and Publishing
Supplementary Material
Supplementary material refers to additional content that supports your dissertation but is not included in the main body of the text. This material can provide further detail, data, or context and typically includes:
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Appendices: Extra information such as raw data, detailed calculations, questionnaires, or extended literature reviews that support your research but are too lengthy or detailed for the main text.
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Multimedia: Videos, audio recordings, software code, or interactive content relevant to your research.
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Additional Figures and Tables: Extra charts, graphs, or tables that provide further evidence or illustrate points made in the dissertation.
When including supplementary material, ensure it is clearly labeled and referenced within the main text of your dissertation. Follow FHU’s guidelines on formatting and submitting supplementary materials.
Publishing
Publishing your dissertation is an important step to share your research findings with the broader academic community. Consider the following:
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Institutional Repository: Students are required to submit their dissertation to the FHU repository, where it will be accessible to other researchers and the public. This ensures your work contributes to the academic resources available at FHU and beyond.
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Academic Journals: Parts of your dissertation, such as significant findings or comprehensive literature reviews, can be submitted for publication in academic journals. Ensure that your manuscript adheres to the journal’s submission guidelines.
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Conferences: Presenting your research at academic conferences can provide visibility and feedback from peers in your field.
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Books and Monographs: For substantial research projects, consider expanding your dissertation into a book or monograph.
Before publishing, review FHU’s policies on intellectual property and copyright to ensure compliance. Seek advice from your advisor on suitable publishing avenues and strategies to maximize the impact of your work.
7. Torah-Based Halakhic Considerations
In keeping with the Torah's ethical teachings, we hold integrity, honesty, and respect for others as paramount values in the research process. As you embark on your dissertation journey, consider the words of Bamidbar 19:11, "Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another." Uphold these principles, ensuring that your work reflects the highest standards of ethical conduct.
Remember that your research is not merely an academic exercise but an opportunity to embody the ethical teachings of the Torah, contributing to a world guided by righteousness and truth.