how to get undergraduate thesis published

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The Ultimate Guide to Getting Your Thesis Published in a Journal

• 7-minute read
• 25th February 2023

Writing your thesis and getting it published are huge accomplishments. However, publishing your thesis in an academic journal is another journey for scholars. Beyond how much hard work, time, and research you invest, having your findings published in a scholarly journal is vital for your reputation as a scholar and also advances research findings within your field.

This guide will walk you through how to make sure your thesis is ready for publication in a journal. We’ll go over how to prepare for pre-publication, how to submit your research, and what to do after acceptance.

Pre-Publication Preparations

Understanding the publishing process.

Ideally, you have already considered what type of publication outlet you want your thesis research to appear in. If not, it’s best to do this so you can tailor your writing and overall presentation to fit that publication outlet’s expectations. When selecting an outlet for your research, consider the following:

●  How well will my research fit the journal?

●  Are the reputation and quality of this journal high?

●  Who is this journal’s readership/audience?

●  How long does it take the journal to respond to a submission?

●  What’s the journal’s rejection rate?

Once you finish writing, revising, editing, and proofreading your work (which can take months or years), expect the publication process to be an additional three months or so.

Revising Your Thesis

Your thesis will need to be thoroughly revised, reworked, reorganized, and edited before a journal will accept it. Journals have specific requirements for all submissions, so read everything on a journal’s submission requirements page before you submit. Make a checklist of all the requirements to be sure you don’t overlook anything. Failing to meet the submission requirements could result in your paper being rejected.

Areas for Improvement

No doubt, the biggest challenge academics face in this journey is reducing the word count of their thesis to meet journal publication requirements. Remember that the average thesis is between 60,000 and 80,000 words, not including footnotes, appendices, and references. On the other hand, the average academic journal article is 4,000 to 7,000 words. Reducing the number of words this much may seem impossible when you are staring at the year or more of research your thesis required, but remember, many have done this before, and many will do it again. You can do it too. Be patient with the process.

Additional areas of improvement include>

·   having to reorganize your thesis to meet the section requirements of the journal you submit to ( abstract, intro , methods, results, and discussion).

·   Possibly changing your reference system to match the journal requirements or reducing the number of references.

·   Reformatting tables and figures.

·   Going through an extensive editing process to make sure everything is in place and ready.

Identifying Potential Publishers

Many options exist for publishing your academic research in a journal. However, along with the many credible and legitimate publishers available online, just as many predatory publishers are out there looking to take advantage of academics. Be sure to always check unfamiliar publishers’ credentials before commencing the process. If in doubt, ask your mentor or peer whether they think the publisher is legitimate, or you can use Think. Check. Submit .

If you need help identifying which journals your research is best suited to, there are many tools to help. Here’s a short list:

○  Elsevier JournalFinder

○  EndNote Matcher

○  Journal/Author Name Estimator (JANE)

○  Publish & Flourish Open Access

·   The topics the journal publishes and whether your research will be a good fit.

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·   The journal’s audience (whom you want to read your research).

·   The types of articles the journal publishes (e.g., reviews, case studies).

·   Your personal requirements (e.g., whether you’re willing to wait a long time to see your research published).

Submitting Your Thesis

Now that you have thoroughly prepared, it’s time to submit your thesis for publication. This can also be a long process, depending on peer review feedback.

Preparing Your Submission

Many publishers require you to write and submit a cover letter along with your research. The cover letter is your sales pitch to the journal’s editor. In the letter, you should not only introduce your work but also emphasize why it’s new, important, and worth the journal’s time to publish. Be sure to check the journal’s website to see whether submission requires you to include specific information in your cover letter, such as a list of reviewers.

Whenever you submit your thesis for publication in a journal article, it should be in its “final form” – that is, completely ready for publication. Do not submit your thesis if it has not been thoroughly edited, formatted, and proofread. Specifically, check that you’ve met all the journal-specific requirements to avoid rejection.

Navigating the Peer Review Process

Once you submit your thesis to the journal, it will undergo the peer review process. This process may vary among journals, but in general, peer reviews all address the same points. Once submitted, your paper will go through the relevant editors and offices at the journal, then one or more scholars will peer-review it. They will submit their reviews to the journal, which will use the information in its final decision (to accept or reject your submission).

While many academics wait for an acceptance letter that says “no revisions necessary,” this verdict does not appear very often. Instead, the publisher will likely give you a list of necessary revisions based on peer review feedback (these revisions could be major, minor, or a combination of the two). The purpose of the feedback is to verify and strengthen your research. When you respond to the feedback , keep these tips in mind:

●  Always be respectful and polite in your responses, even if you disagree.

●  If you do disagree, be prepared to provide supporting evidence.

●  Respond to all the comments, questions, and feedback in a clear and organized manner.

●  Make sure you have sufficient time to make any changes (e.g., whether you will need to conduct additional experiments).

After Publication

Once the journal accepts your article officially, with no further revisions needed, take a moment to enjoy the fruits of your hard work. After all, having your work appear in a distinguished journal is not an easy feat. Once you’ve finished celebrating, it’s time to promote your work. Here’s how you can do that:

●  Connect with other experts online (like their posts, follow them, and comment on their work).

●  Email your academic mentors.

●  Share your article on social media so others in your field may see your work.

●  Add the article to your LinkedIn publications.

●  Respond to any comments with a “Thank you.”

Getting your thesis research published in a journal is a long process that goes from reworking your thesis to promoting your article online. Be sure you take your time in the pre-publication process so you don’t have to make lots of revisions. You can do this by thoroughly revising, editing, formatting, and proofreading your article.

During this process, make sure you and your co-authors (if any) are going over one another’s work and having outsiders read it to make sure no comma is out of place.

What are the benefits of getting your thesis published?

Having your thesis published builds your reputation as a scholar in your field. It also means you are contributing to the body of work in your field by promoting research and communication with other scholars.

How long does it typically take to get a thesis published?

Once you have finished writing, revising, editing, formatting, and proofreading your thesis – processes that can add up to months or years of work – publication can take around three months. The exact length of time will depend on the journal you submit your work to and the peer review feedback timeline.

How can I ensure the quality of my thesis when attempting to get it published?

If you want to make sure your thesis is of the highest quality, consider having professionals proofread it before submission (some journals even require submissions to be professionally proofread). Proofed has helped thousands of researchers proofread their theses. Check out our free trial today.

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Five great tips to start publishing as an undergraduate

If the PhD and masters’ students are the flesh of any university, undergraduates are its laboring bones and joints. They are what forms the supporting structure of the academia. An average undergrad will go through college with a lots of study pressure, exams, assignments and occasional snippet of research for theses. Occasionally, an ambitious undergrad may be work on a nice piece of project or create one of their own research questions that has great implications. This is a good chance for this student to show the world the fruits of their efforts.

In my bachelors, I had an opportunity to work as a research assistant on multiple projects, two of which, resulted in scientific publications with my name as one of the authors. They were neither prestigious articles nor belonged to a high-impact journal but nevertheless, it was an inspiration for me to continue my journey in the academia. I have written this blog to highlight some aspects of publishing whilst being an undergrad student. So, here goes--

Why publish as a bachelor student?

If you are a bachelor student who wants to pursue a career in academia or in a research rich environment, it is generally a good idea to aim for a publication in the course of your undergraduate education. It won’t guarantee you a good postgrad position or a job in prestigious industry but will definitely give you a taste of what it is like to publish and obviously, an opportunity to showcase your work. But it is not a simple job and hence will require a lot of effort on your part in addition to the burdens that you carry being an undergrad student.

What to publish?

This is an important question. Although, the judgements and reputations of a successful academic career seem far off, a publication will be a permanent addition to your resume. Thus, it is very important to be sure of what stuff you should put out there. Generally, undergrad research is a part of a team project or a subproject of a much larger scheme. If you are sure that the work being done is sufficiently because of your individual contribution , it is a good idea to go ahead. You can be a part of a bigger list of authors in an over-arching paper that contains your work. Very rarely, you might do something that entitles you as a sole contributor of a research piece.

When to publish?

This is another important aspect of your decision. The question of directing your attention to working on a publishable manuscript whilst studying full-time for a graduation can be a difficult one. In my case, I spent a better part of last two years of my bachelors struggling with full time courses along with trying to get drafts of manuscript on the paper at the same time. Remember, your studies have the priority over all else while graduating. When you are sure that you have some ‘publishable’ research material available with complete results, then it is a good idea to look into the option for publishing.

Where to publish?

Most commonly, this is a question that your guide or supervisor will give you the best suggestions about. There are very specific domains outlined by journals that you can publish in. Sometimes, however, it can be a good idea to look for specific places where undergraduate research is highlighted. In such journals or magazines, you are reviewed on undergrad standards and not on those of the broader scientific world. Some details of such research journals can be found here . Sometimes though, it is a good idea to aim for a higher journal depending on quality of your research because, if you have a publication in a prestigious journal, it makes your resume more alluring for future prospects.

How to publish?

This is a question that I saved for the last. Let’s start with ‘what is a publication?’. More often than not, it is a report of research work that was done towards a specific goal. The report or research ‘paper’ generally includes description of the goal and gaps in knowledge (introduction), what was done to fill that gap or achieve that goal (methodology), what was the result (results) and the interpretation of the result in existing knowledge along with its future implications (discussion). This research paper will start out as a manuscript that you write and get reviewed from your supervisor, then it gets reviewed by group of other qualified people (either peers or editors of journal, depending on the nature of journal) and then after making necessary alterations, gets accepted to be published. A publication is complete when you have this manuscript printed in the official volume of the journal in question. It is always a good idea to ‘ target a journal’ while preparing the manuscript.  See the figure below for an example of a peer review flow chart. Source: APEM 

We hope this blog will help you make your first steps into the publishing world. Do you want to read more articles by Pranav Kurkani? See his other blog posts How to become a PhD student and First steps in the PhD program . 

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Publishing: Publishing for Undergraduate Students

Academic publishing.

When you write a term paper or report on a study you devised, you're creating a piece of academic research. You join the conversation of academics through the frame of your work, which is a frame no other researcher can bring to the table. As you know, most undergraduate work is created in answer to a specific course.

Undergraduate work can have a life beyond evaluation, and the effort invested in a project like an undergraduate thesis doesn't need to only serve one institution. Many universities in the U.S. have undergraduate journals that accept submissions on a national scale.

If you're interested in submitting your work to a journal and bringing your research out into the world, check out the links below to see if the journals are right for you! If you need some guidance on how to polish a paper for submission, there are a few tips and tricks below the resource list.

Suggested Undergraduate Journals

Critique: a worldwide student journal of politics A peer-reviewed journal that's published biannually and welcomes year-round submissions. Submission guidelines are given on the site. Manuscripts must not exceed 10,000 words. The material must be related to political science.

YRIS: the Yale Review of International Studies An undergraduate journal with three annual issues; Winter and Spring issues open to undergraduates in the U.S. Submission guidelines are given on the site, along with the upcoming submission deadlines. Manuscripts must not exceed 40 pages. The material must be related to international affairs.

Gettysburg Social Sciences Review An open-access, peer-reviewed journal that's published biannually and welcomes year-round submissions. Authors must make an account to submit their work. Submission guidelines are given on the site. The material must fall under the social sciences umbrella.

World Outlook: the Dartmouth Journal of International Affairs A student-run, peer-reviewed journal that's published biannually and welcomes year-round submissions. Students can submit up to a year after graduating with an undergraduate degree. Submission guidelines are given on the site. Manuscripts must not exceed 25 pages. The material must be related to international affairs.

Hemispheres: the Tufts University Journal of International Affairs The oldest undergraduate journal of its kind. One issue is published each year; submission deadlines are announced on the site alongside submission guidelines. Manuscripts must not exceed 8,000 words. The material must be related to international affairs and each issue has a theme, though broad interpretations of the theme are encouraged.

Tips for Student Writers

Understanding submission guidelines:.

Many journals will have guidelines for submission provided on their website. Following these guidelines will insure that your submission will be reviewed and considered by the editorial team, so it's important to understand what they are asking from the authors they want to work with. Some common guidelines include:

• If your work goes under or over the recommended guidelines, consider revising the piece
• The University of Washington has several on-campus writing centers that you can visit for assistance
• Most social science and political science journals require Chicago, so make sure your citations are in order before submitting
• Some journals have specific themes they explore with each issue
• If your work does not relate to the theme, you may need to find another journal that does not have the same restrictions
• Larger or more well-known journals may limit the number of works you're able to submit per issue period
• If you have a lot of work you'd like to submit, think carefully about how well each piece fits a particular journal
• When submitting to a journal that only allows one or two submissions per issue period, only submit works that are a good fit for the journal

Before you submit, make sure that you double-check all the required guidelines! If you can, ask a friend, a writing tutor, or an academic mentor to review your submission.

How to select a journal:

The journals we recommend all fit certain criteria. Since undergraduate academic publishing is a field focused on scholarly development, you should look at the way a journal works and decide if your work fits into its scope. Some things to pay attention to might be:

• How often a journal is published
• How recently a journal has been published
• The required length of submissions
• Whether or not the journal is peer-reviewed
• Whether or not the journal is  open-access

Avoid journals that require a submission fee or ask you to relinquish your rights to your work. Most appropriate undergraduate journals will not ask for these steps. For further help in evaluating journals, check out this guide  for an in-depth look at journal fit and copyright basics ! 

Political Science and Public Policy Librarian

Credit: this guide was created by Conrad Schaffer Vignati, an MLIS student at the University of Washington.

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• Last Updated: Jul 16, 2023 3:25 PM
• URL: https://guides.lib.uw.edu/research/ug_publishing

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How can I publish an academic article as an undergraduate student?

Choosing where to submit your work as an undergrad.

As a researcher, where you submit will really depend on the details of the submission and where it best fits, as well as where you're likely to be successful at this point in your career. Journals will often consider any original research and will assess it based on the novelty and contribution to the field of research. However, there are a few steps you can take to increase your chances of being successful in getting your work published at this stage.

• Check out our post on Getting Published: Tips for choosing an academic journal for general suggestions about journal publishing, including where to look for possible journals and options for making your work open access.
• Check the journals' rejection rates. Journals with very high rejection rates may be more challenging to publish in as a student, simply because they accept fewer articles.
• Consider whether you can work with a faculty member to co-author the paper that you submit.
• Do some research to find out where other undergraduate students in your department have been successful in getting published.

Journals dedicated to publishing undergraduate research

More information about undergraduate publishing.

Visit the following resources to learn more about Scholarly Publishing, and contact your liaison librarian or [email protected] for additional support.

• Scholarly Publishing and Open Access webpages
• Introduction to Scholarly Publishing at SFU - Canvas Course
• Attend a Research Commons publishing workshop, such as the Publishing Symposium (while the Research Commons workshops are primarily offered to graduate students, undergraduate students interested in publishing are welcome to attend).

*Don't see an SFU student journal in your discipline? Consider starting one! Visit the SFU Library Digital Publishing webpages and contact [email protected] to learn more.

Contact us : For assistance with scholarly publishing, please contact  [email protected] .

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Office of Undergraduate Research

Writing an academic paper as an undergraduate researcher, by ariane garrett, our peer research ambassador.

Publishing papers is the primary way that scientific knowledge is disseminated within the academic community. Therefore an essential part of becoming a successful researcher is learning how to write an academic paper. Throughout your undergraduate research career you may or may not have the opportunity to be published. Regardless, learning how academic papers are written is useful knowledge for anyone interested in pursuing a research career. Whether or not you have the opportunity to be published as an undergrad depends on a variety of factors, including the nature of your project, how often your faculty advisor publishes papers, and your particular role in the research lab. If you haven’t been published as an undergrad, no need to stress. There are many other ways your research can shine on an application.

I was tasked with writing my first paper in the spring of my junior year. As I am the primary person working on my research project, my faculty advisor expected me to write the paper by myself with his help and feedback. At first, this seemed to be a very daunting task. I had never written an entire academic paper by myself before, and I had no idea where to begin. The writing process took much longer than I expected (I didn’t finish until Fall 2019), and the paper I submitted is currently under review. In this blog post, I will share what I learned while writing my first academic paper. As a biomedical engineering major, my experience is a reflection of the norms within the engineering field. However, I hope that some of these tips will prove useful for those in all majors.

Getting Started

I began my first draft of my paper as I had begun many other papers I have written- with an introduction. When I showed my first draft to my PI, he told me that it is actually most common in the engineering field to begin writing an academic paper by constructing the figures. At first, I thought this seemed rather counterintuitive. Shouldn’t the figures be based on the writing, rather than the other way around? There are several reasons why the opposite is actually true. Firstly, the figures are the most eye-catching part of every paper and sometimes the only thing a reader will look at. In addition, many journals have figure limitations so the figures that are chosen must be carefully thought out in order to maximize their effectiveness. Lastly, constructing the figures first establishes a clear outline that you can follow as you write the rest of the paper.

Writing the Paper

Writing the actual paper is a long process that typically involves many revisions. I found it helpful to read papers from the same journal I was submitting to in order to get an idea of typical paper formats in that journal. I would also recommend seeking feedback at several stages of the writing process. Don’t wait until the entire paper is finished before showing it to your PI, instead, ask for feedback after the first draft of each section is finished. As an academic paper can have anywhere from five to hundreds of sources, I would also suggest using a citation manager as you write. This will save you from having to constantly update the sources in the paper as you add and revise.

Submitting the Paper

In my case, my PI submitted the paper and is the primary contact with the journal. However, I was expected to fully format the paper before I gave it to him to submit. If you visit the website of the journal you are submitting to, there will be details on the formatting expectations. Reformatting the entire paper after it has been written can be a lot of work, so it’s helpful to review these before you begin writing. Often, it is expected that you include a letter to the editor requesting for your paper to be considered, which you may or may not have to write depending on your PI.

After Submission

Depending on the journal, it can be up to several months before you hear back about your submission. In my case, I heard back from the reviewers about two months after submission. There were two reviewers for the paper I submitted, though this number will likely vary depending on the journal. The comments that were made were useful and provided good insight into an outsider’s perspective on my research. It is very common for journals to request revision and resubmission, so don’t expect the first paper you submit to be published!

Although writing an academic paper is challenging, I found it to be a very rewarding experience. I now appreciate how much work it takes to write a good paper and I feel like I grew as a scientific writer throughout the process. If you feel that your research deserves to be published, don’t be afraid to reach out to your PI and ask them if they think you could write a paper. Even if it is never published, writing about your research is an excellent way to become a better writer and also understand your own research area more fully.

Ariane is a senior majoring in biomedical engineering and Spanish. Click here to learn more about Ariane.

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How do undergraduates get their research published?

By JACOB TOOK | November 30, 2017

COURTESY OF JACOB TOOK Students from various majors pursue research and try to get published.

Hopkins is considered to be the first research institution in the United States. The University stresses that research projects are accessible to undergraduates; however, many students feel that Hopkins could do more to help them pursue research and, ultimately, get published.

The University was founded in the late 19th century on the principle of integrating education and research, following the centuries-old model of Germany’s Heidelberg University.

Today, about two thirds of undergraduates engage in research, but they often find that publishing their results can be more difficult.

Some undergraduates also identified differences in pursuing and publishing research between humanities and STEM fields. The News-Letter spoke with three humanities and three STEM undergraduates to find out what challenges they face in getting published.

Mike Tritsch, a sophomore in the Near Eastern Studies department, researched bone remains at a slave site in southern Maryland. He said that one of his supervisors helped him get a paper on his research accepted in a peer-reviewed journal because it is typically difficult for undergraduates to get published.

“Most journals are only grad students or PhDs,” he said. “In other fields, you have a lab, and everyone who works on the project gets their name on the publication — archaeology is just one or two authors.”

Senior Hannah Cowley, a cognitive science major, researched how the brain perceives space by working with a young girl who is unable to differentiate between left and right.

She said that it can be difficult for undergraduates to find labs in which they can contribute to the research rather than only engaging with menial tasks.

“It’s easy to get pigeonholed into washing beakers,” she said. “If publication or contributing is your end goal, you have to work on not being complacent, which is hard because of the stress of Hopkins.”

She added that it is difficult for undergraduates to contribute to research projects in the lab because they may lack the necessary expertise.

Caroline Lupetini, a junior in International Studies, completed an independent study researching Russian interference in recent elections in Europe. She said she has not published her paper because it is too long.

Lupetini agreed that it can be difficult to be knowledgeable enough about a project as an undergraduate. She also added that humanities research is generally an independent and individualized effort.    

“My experience was finding a mentor and developing a relationship with the professor, whereas STEM research is more that you are part of a team,” she said. “You have to find your passion project in humanities or social science because no one else is necessarily working on that project.”

She also said that part of the University’s renown as a research institution is due to the work its students publish and said that those in humanities fields should get more recognition.

“If Hopkins wants to increase its prestige, it should focus on getting more humanities [students] published,” she said.

Mechanical engineering senior Sharon Maguire published a “how-to” paper after she designed a way to 3D-print a laryngoscope, a typically expensive piece of surgical equipment, for about $40.

Maguire said that she gets credit for her research and therefore can take fewer classes, which helps her manage her schedule and makes publication more accessible.

“It’s not the norm to have time for [research],” she said. “That’s the great thing about doing research for credit.”

Cowley believes that giving credit for researching is not sufficient and that the University should make sure students receive financial compensation.

“Credits are wonderful, but it doesn’t buy you food,” she said. “It is hard trying to balance research and work and getting money to pay your rent.”

According to Tritsch, it is easier to get credit for research in STEM fields. Taylor Veracka, a senior in Film and Media Studies, published a paper on democracy in Taiwan that she wrote for a class. She agreed that there’s more support for students in STEM to get published because they are expected to do research.

“My friend — she’s worked on research opportunities where she’s worked in the lab and helped write the final report, and has gotten published that way,” Veracka said. “For humanities and social sciences you could do that, but it’s not a track that a lot of people follow.”

She said that she took a class on how to complete research in social sciences and the humanities and would like to see more resources that provide students with that type of information.

“If those kinds of opportunities were offered to encourage students to think they might get published, that would be beneficial,” Veracka said.

Last spring, the Hopkins Office of Undergraduate Research (HOUR) was created in order to make research and publication opportunities more accessible to undergraduates.

HOUR Director Feilim Mac Gabhann, who is a biochemical engineer, said that they want to work with students across departments, not just those in STEM.

“The classic version of research, the cells in a dish, that’s one type of it, but so too is anything that involves discovery and creativity,” he said. “Music composition at Peabody we think of as part of this, original writing we see as part of this.”

Mac Gabhann said that students’ needs vary depending on their fields of study and their personal interests.

“The experience of undergraduates is very variable,” he said. “Some walk in and the first lab they knock on the door of they get a position and have a great experience, and some people find it harder to find a position or to be supported while they are in that position.”

HOUR manager Tracy Smith has had STEM experience, but she also holds a business degree and said she has a more general base rather than a true science background.

Smith said that HOUR hopes to facilitate positive relationships between students and their mentors, which she described as crucial for research.

“If you’re not connecting with a mentor, then you’re not stuck there,” she said. “We have a huge resource of faculty and postdocs and research associates across the University, and if you’re having a bad experience, find one that works.”

Mac Gabhann also said that the relationships students make with their mentors will follow them into their careers.

“Those mentor-mentee relationships last a very long time and they’re very important, so it’s helpful to get them right,” he said. “Not everyone is a perfect match. There are different types of personalities. Certain people work in certain ways.”

Smith said that they work to connect undergraduates with researchers in an effort to set up those relationships. She said that faculty from the medical school have contacted HOUR in search of undergraduates.

“By coming through us, we’re able to target specific departments where they’re going to get a better response rate,” she said. “They’ve been successful in finding undergraduates to work on their projects.”

Vice Dean for Humanities and Social Sciences Betsy Bryan, who has worked with Tritsch on some projects, said that it can be more difficult for undergraduate students to find a mentor to work with.

“What we see much less of, generally in the humanities, is a long line of names that are attributed to an article,” she said. “Most papers in the humanities are single-authored.”

However, Bryan said that there are faculty who are committed to working with undergraduates in the humanities.

“More people are working with undergrads and seeing that their contributions are research worthy,” she said. “In the humanities, I think the whole concept of undergraduate research and publication is changing.”

Students agreed that finding a mentor was helpful to their research and helping them get published.

Maguire said that her professors and advisors were supportive of her project and wanted her to be successful. She said that speaking with professors or advisors can help students get started or get their papers published.

“They remember their first time going into the lab and what it’s like to be clueless,” she said. “Chances are they have been published dozens of times, and they can help you. It’s all about not being afraid to ask for help.”

Veracka said that even though she published her paper after her class ended, she emailed her professor to ask if he thought she should try to publish it. She then continued to correspond with him during the submissions process.

“When I was submitting it, I would keep him updated, and he was like, ‘That’s great, send me a citation,’” she said. “It was just validation that it was a good idea, and that I should get it published.”

Senior neuroscience major Sam Allen is writing a textbook chapter and works closely with his lab’s principal investigator (PI).

“He’s been in this field for so long, he understands more of the complexities behind it, and so he just reviewed it,” Allen said. “You have to give credit to people that did a lot of the preliminary groundbreaking stuff, which a lot of the time you miss because there’s other stuff built on it.”

He said that their project is delayed because he and his PI have sent revisions and suggestions. He also said that managing his time has been challenging.

According to Allen, students should engage in research projects that they’re passionate about, even if they cannot get published.

“A lot of people who want to publish and they can’t — they see it as a failing,” Allen said. “The goal shouldn’t be to go to a professor and say you want to publish something. That shows that you’re looking for the end goal and not the research itself.”

He said that it was important to research something that interests you and added that he wouldn’t have been able to finish his textbook chapter had he not been interested in the subject.

However, Tritsch said that students should try to get published so that they can show that they have experience in the field.

“If you’ve finished your project, you should publish it. If you don’t publish it, why are you even doing it?” he said. “If you’re going on after undergrad, it’s even more important because it helps you getting into grad school.”

Bryan said that undergraduates no longer have to write book-length manuscripts in the humanities. She added that increasingly, more weight is given to undergraduate papers.

“An undergraduate can access deep information in a way that they couldn’t have done years ago,” she said.

Tritsch said that the deadlines that graduate students have in their classes are more flexible than they are for undergraduates.

“It just takes a while and you have to be persistent at it or you just won’t get published,” he said. “It’s harder to find time, even for me. I have trouble finding time to do the research I want to do.”

Cowley agreed that it could be difficult to manage her time as an undergraduate but said that it is important for students to pursue something that they are passionate about.

“If you don’t love it along the way then what’s the point?” she said. “Going in with the mentality that publishing is the end goal is really dangerous because you miss the opportunity to show what you’re passionate about.”

Trisha Parayil contributed reporting.

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Already published?

There are many journals that publish undergraduate research, scholarly, or creative work. The ones listed below are just some suggestions.

Discussions is the peer-reviewed undergraduate research journal of Case Western Reserve University, publishing research papers written by current undergraduate students from accredited colleges and universities around the globe. The research can be on any topic, not limited to science or engineering. A student may submit a paper from a class, as long as his/her work presents a new and innovative idea.  Submission deadlines vary by edition; please refer to website for details.

Journal of Student Research is an electronic, peer-reviewed multidisciplinary journal devoted to the rapid dissemination of current papers in an array of disciplines that are novel, integrative, and accessible to a wide audience.

Journal of Undergraduate Research and Scholarly Excellence is a peer-reviewed journal accepting submission of any subject from any undergraduate institution.

Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research is a peer-reviewed journal accepting empirical research manuscripts from undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty who are members of Psi Chi, the international honor society in psychology.

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Undergraduate Math Journal is devoted entirely to papers written by undergraduates for work completed before graduation. This is a refereed, online journal.

Undergraduate Research Journal for the Human Sciences is an annual online, national, reviewed journal dedicated to the publication a full range of the scholarly efforts of undergraduate students.

The  Undergraduate Research Commons  is a discovery portal showcasing over 700 outstanding undergraduate research publications—and counting. This collection of exemplary undergraduate work includes award-winning capstone projects, faculty-mentored research, and peer-reviewed scholarship from hundreds of undergraduate institutions.

Office of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity

Mailing address, social media.

Thesis Information: Publishing

• Introduction
• Reviewing Literature
• Supervisors
• Māori Postgraduates

Getting Started

Considering publishing papers as you go, as part of your thesis, or after your thesis is completed?

Wanting to publish your thesis now that you've finished?

Publishing is an important part of communicating your research, and vital if you want to continue in academia. Consider:

• talking with your supervisor, they may recommend best approaches and relevant places to start
• considering options for including your own published articles in your thesis, including University guidelines and copyright permissions
• creating a conference poster to share your research findings
• looking for Calls for Papers (CFPs) for relevant conferences and journals to get a sense of in-demand research topics
• reading academic publishing and higher education blogs for publishing tips
• applying for a University of Otago Postgraduate Publishing Bursary (once you have submitted your thesis for examination).
• Research Publishing and Impact This Library guide has strategic tips and links on getting published, setting up your researcher profile and networking, and tracking your impact.
• Guidelines for the Inclusion of Material from a Research Candidate's Publications in their Thesis University of Otago guidelines for PhD and Professional doctorate students, supervisors and other staff about candidates including their own published material in a graduate research thesis.
• Postgraduate Publishing Bursaries University of Otago Publishing Bursaries are available to support postgraduate candidates to complete papers arising from their research, during the examination period.
• The Guardian : How to get published in an academic journal [article] Ten helpful tips from academic journal editors for both writing and submitting your papers for publication - posted January 2015
• The Scholarly Kitchen [blog] A moderated, multi-author blog on scholarly publishing matters, including OA.
• PhD On Track: Share and Publish [online module] An online learning module examining why and where to publish, submitting articles, co-authorship, copyright and Open Access.

Where to Publish?

• Choosing the Right Journal
• Identifying Journals & Measuring their Impact

Think - Check - Submit

Identifying a relevant journal to submit your work can be challenging but will help to get your work accepted, and then read by the right audience. Here are some basic questions to ask yourself when considering a journal:

• Is it peer-reviewed ?
• What is the subject area of the journal?
• Is it aimed at the audience you want to write for?
• Do you read articles from this journal?
• Are the editor and the members of the editorial board respected researchers in your field?
• How does the journal compare to others in its field for quality and impact?
• How long does it take between an article being accepted and it being published?
• Is it Open Access ?
• What are the copyright policies ?
• What are the journal’s ethical profile and aims?
• Does the publisher belong to the Open Access Scholarly Publishers’ Association (OASPA) ?
• Do the publisher belong to the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) or another trade association?

Adapted from : PhD On Track - CC BY-NC-SA

• Journal finding tools From Otago's Research Publishing & Impact guide; includes conference tools

Here are some tools to help you identify journals in your subject area and to get a sense of their impact in comparison to other journals in the field:

• Journal Citation Reports Uses a variety of metrics (e.g. total citations, 2- and 5-year Journal Impact Factor, immediacy, cited half -life, Eigenfactor) to rank journals within a subject category.
• SCImago Journal & Country Rank Find SJR (journal rankings) for a wide number of journals. Citation data sourced from Scopus.
• Publish or Perish Free software that analyses GoogleScholar citation data. May be especially useful to researchers with publications in social science journals. More robust than the MyCitations feature in GoogleScholar.
• Scopus - Compare Journals This tool enables you to compare up to 10 journals for a range of journal metrics based on Scopus data, including SCImago Journal Rank and Source-Normalized Impact per Paper.

Open Access Publishing & OUR Archive

• Australian Open Access Support Group: So you want people to read your thesis? [blogpost] Explores options for communication your thesis findings, including Open Access. Also includes advice about handling rogue publishers like Lambert Academic Press.
• OUR Archive University of Otago's Institutional Research Repository, which includes our e-theses.

Predatory and Deceptive Publishing

Predatory or deceptive publishers seek to take advantage of researchers. Some claim to be Open Access in order to collect payments from prospective authors for journal articles, others may approach you when you submit or deposit your thesis.

Check what you should be aware of with publishing offers .

• Chronicle of Higher Education : Dissertation for sale - A cautionary tale US-based advice about paying close attention to third party publishing options
• Slate : I sold my Undergraduate Thesis to a print content farm [article] Article about rogue publisher, Lambert Academic Publishing (LAP), which offer to 'publish' and sell theses without peer review.
• College & Research Library News : Beyond Beall’s List - Better understanding predatory publishers [article]

Books about getting published

Sharing Your Data

Arguments in favour of data sharing include maximising transparency, enabling scrutiny, increasing the impact of research, and reducing the cost of duplication.

Research funding agencies, academic institutions, and publishers may require researchers to provide access to data for the wider scientific community.

Ways to share research data include:

• Deposit with a discipline-specific or institutional repository
• Formal exchange of data with other researchers (peer-to-peer)
• Submission of data to a journal to accompany a publication
• Thesis Whisperer : Ever thought about publishing your data? [blogpost]
• << Previous: Submitting
• Next: Supervisors >>
• Last Updated: Mar 27, 2024 5:53 PM
• URL: https://otago.libguides.com/thesisinformation

How to write an undergraduate university dissertation

Writing a dissertation is a daunting task, but these tips will help you prepare for all the common challenges students face before deadline day.

Grace McCabe

Writing a dissertation is one of the most challenging aspects of university. However, it is the chance for students to demonstrate what they have learned during their degree and to explore a topic in depth.

In this article, we look at 10 top tips for writing a successful dissertation and break down how to write each section of a dissertation in detail.

10 tips for writing an undergraduate dissertation

1. Select an engaging topic Choose a subject that aligns with your interests and allows you to showcase the skills and knowledge you have acquired through your degree.

2. Research your supervisor Undergraduate students will often be assigned a supervisor based on their research specialisms. Do some research on your supervisor and make sure that they align with your dissertation goals.

3. Understand the dissertation structure Familiarise yourself with the structure (introduction, review of existing research, methodology, findings, results and conclusion). This will vary based on your subject.

4. Write a schedule As soon as you have finalised your topic and looked over the deadline, create a rough plan of how much work you have to do and create mini-deadlines along the way to make sure don’t find yourself having to write your entire dissertation in the final few weeks.

5. Determine requirements Ensure that you know which format your dissertation should be presented in. Check the word count and the referencing style.

6. Organise references from the beginning Maintain an alphabetically arranged reference list or bibliography in the designated style as you do your reading. This will make it a lot easier to finalise your references at the end.

7. Create a detailed plan Once you have done your initial research and have an idea of the shape your dissertation will take, write a detailed essay plan outlining your research questions, SMART objectives and dissertation structure.

8. Keep a dissertation journal Track your progress, record your research and your reading, and document challenges. This will be helpful as you discuss your work with your supervisor and organise your notes.

9. Schedule regular check-ins with your supervisor Make sure you stay in touch with your supervisor throughout the process, scheduling regular meetings and keeping good notes so you can update them on your progress.

10. Employ effective proofreading techniques Ask friends and family to help you proofread your work or use different fonts to help make the text look different. This will help you check for missing sections, grammatical mistakes and typos.

What is a dissertation?

A dissertation is a long piece of academic writing or a research project that you have to write as part of your undergraduate university degree.

It’s usually a long essay in which you explore your chosen topic, present your ideas and show that you understand and can apply what you’ve learned during your studies. Informally, the terms “dissertation” and “thesis” are often used interchangeably.

How do I select a dissertation topic?

First, choose a topic that you find interesting. You will be working on your dissertation for several months, so finding a research topic that you are passionate about and that demonstrates your strength in your subject is best. You want your topic to show all the skills you have developed during your degree. It would be a bonus if you can link your work to your chosen career path, but it’s not necessary.

Second, begin by exploring relevant literature in your field, including academic journals, books and articles. This will help you identify gaps in existing knowledge and areas that may need further exploration. You may not be able to think of a truly original piece of research, but it’s always good to know what has already been written about your chosen topic.

Consider the practical aspects of your chosen topic, ensuring that it is possible within the time frame and available resources. Assess the availability of data, research materials and the overall practicality of conducting the research.

When picking a dissertation topic, you also want to try to choose something that adds new ideas or perspectives to what’s already known in your field. As you narrow your focus, remember that a more targeted approach usually leads to a dissertation that’s easier to manage and has a bigger impact. Be ready to change your plans based on feedback and new information you discover during your research.

How to work with your dissertation supervisor?

Your supervisor is there to provide guidance on your chosen topic, direct your research efforts, and offer assistance and suggestions when you have queries. It’s crucial to establish a comfortable and open line of communication with them throughout the process. Their knowledge can greatly benefit your work. Keep them informed about your progress, seek their advice, and don’t hesitate to ask questions.

1. Keep them updated Regularly tell your supervisor how your work is going and if you’re having any problems. You can do this through emails, meetings or progress reports.

2. Plan meetings Schedule regular meetings with your supervisor. These can be in person or online. These are your time to discuss your progress and ask for help.

3. Share your writing Give your supervisor parts of your writing or an outline. This helps them see what you’re thinking so they can advise you on how to develop it.

5. Ask specific questions When you need help, ask specific questions instead of general ones. This makes it easier for your supervisor to help you.

6. Listen to feedback Be open to what your supervisor says. If they suggest changes, try to make them. It makes your dissertation better and shows you can work together.

7. Talk about problems If something is hard or you’re worried, talk to your supervisor about it. They can give you advice or tell you where to find help.

8. Take charge Be responsible for your work. Let your supervisor know if your plans change, and don’t wait if you need help urgently.

Remember, talking openly with your supervisor helps you both understand each other better, improves your dissertation and ensures that you get the support you need.

How to write a successful research piece at university How to choose a topic for your dissertation Tips for writing a convincing thesis

How do I plan my dissertation?

It’s important to start with a detailed plan that will serve as your road map throughout the entire process of writing your dissertation. As Jumana Labib, a master’s student at the University of Manchester  studying digital media, culture and society, suggests: “Pace yourself – definitely don’t leave the entire thing for the last few days or weeks.”

Decide what your research question or questions will be for your chosen topic.

Break that down into smaller SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) objectives.

Speak to your supervisor about any overlooked areas.

Create a breakdown of chapters using the structure listed below (for example, a methodology chapter).

Define objectives, key points and evidence for each chapter.

Define your research approach (qualitative, quantitative or mixed methods).

Outline your research methods and analysis techniques.

Develop a timeline with regular moments for review and feedback.

Allocate time for revision, editing and breaks.

Consider any ethical considerations related to your research.

Stay organised and add to your references and bibliography throughout the process.

Remain flexible to possible reviews or changes as you go along.

A well thought-out plan not only makes the writing process more manageable but also increases the likelihood of producing a high-quality piece of research.

How to structure a dissertation?

The structure can depend on your field of study, but this is a rough outline for science and social science dissertations:

Introduce your topic.

Complete a source or literature review.

Describe your research methodology (including the methods for gathering and filtering information, analysis techniques, materials, tools or resources used, limitations of your method, and any considerations of reliability).

Summarise your findings.

Discuss the results and what they mean.

Conclude your point and explain how your work contributes to your field.

On the other hand, humanities and arts dissertations often take the form of an extended essay. This involves constructing an argument or exploring a particular theory or analysis through the analysis of primary and secondary sources. Your essay will be structured through chapters arranged around themes or case studies.

All dissertations include a title page, an abstract and a reference list. Some may also need a table of contents at the beginning. Always check with your university department for its dissertation guidelines, and check with your supervisor as you begin to plan your structure to ensure that you have the right layout.

How long is an undergraduate dissertation?

The length of an undergraduate dissertation can vary depending on the specific guidelines provided by your university and your subject department. However, in many cases, undergraduate dissertations are typically about 8,000 to 12,000 words in length.

“Eat away at it; try to write for at least 30 minutes every day, even if it feels relatively unproductive to you in the moment,” Jumana advises.

How do I add references to my dissertation?

References are the section of your dissertation where you acknowledge the sources you have quoted or referred to in your writing. It’s a way of supporting your ideas, evidencing what research you have used and avoiding plagiarism (claiming someone else’s work as your own), and giving credit to the original authors.

Referencing typically includes in-text citations and a reference list or bibliography with full source details. Different referencing styles exist, such as Harvard, APA and MLA, each favoured in specific fields. Your university will tell you the preferred style.

Using tools and guides provided by universities can make the referencing process more manageable, but be sure they are approved by your university before using any.

How do I write a bibliography or list my references for my dissertation?

The requirement of a bibliography depends on the style of referencing you need to use. Styles such as OSCOLA or Chicago may not require a separate bibliography. In these styles, full source information is often incorporated into footnotes throughout the piece, doing away with the need for a separate bibliography section.

Typically, reference lists or bibliographies are organised alphabetically based on the author’s last name. They usually include essential details about each source, providing a quick overview for readers who want more information. Some styles ask that you include references that you didn’t use in your final piece as they were still a part of the overall research.

It is important to maintain this list as soon as you start your research. As you complete your research, you can add more sources to your bibliography to ensure that you have a comprehensive list throughout the dissertation process.

How to proofread an undergraduate dissertation?

Throughout your dissertation writing, attention to detail will be your greatest asset. The best way to avoid making mistakes is to continuously proofread and edit your work.

Proofreading is a great way to catch any missing sections, grammatical errors or typos. There are many tips to help you proofread:

Ask someone to read your piece and highlight any mistakes they find.

Change the font so you notice any mistakes.

Format your piece as you go, headings and sections will make it easier to spot any problems.

Separate editing and proofreading. Editing is your chance to rewrite sections, add more detail or change any points. Proofreading should be where you get into the final touches, really polish what you have and make sure it’s ready to be submitted.

Stick to your citation style and make sure every resource listed in your dissertation is cited in the reference list or bibliography.

How to write a conclusion for my dissertation?

Writing a dissertation conclusion is your chance to leave the reader impressed by your work.

Start by summarising your findings, highlighting your key points and the outcome of your research. Refer back to the original research question or hypotheses to provide context to your conclusion.

You can then delve into whether you achieved the goals you set at the beginning and reflect on whether your research addressed the topic as expected. Make sure you link your findings to existing literature or sources you have included throughout your work and how your own research could contribute to your field.

Be honest about any limitations or issues you faced during your research and consider any questions that went unanswered that you would consider in the future. Make sure that your conclusion is clear and concise, and sum up the overall impact and importance of your work.

Remember, keep the tone confident and authoritative, avoiding the introduction of new information. This should simply be a summary of everything you have already said throughout the dissertation.

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My Experience Writing an Undergraduate Thesis

This year, I’ve been working on a really exciting project… my undergraduate thesis! It's my fourth year of university, and I decided to write an undergraduate thesis in Political Science under the supervision of a professor. This week, I wanted to write about why I decided to take a thesis, how I enrolled, and how it’s been going so far! 

What is an undergraduate thesis?

An undergraduate thesis is usually a 40-60 page paper written under the supervision of a professor, allowing you to explore a topic of your interest in-depth. I primarily decided to write an undergraduate thesis to prepare me for graduate school - it's allowed me to get started on work I might continue in graduate school, hone my research skills, and test out whether academic research is for me.

How do I write an undergraduate thesis?

To write my undergraduate thesis, I had two options (this may vary depending on what department you're in!). First, I could join the Senior Thesis Seminar offered by department. These seminars group students together who are interested in doing a thesis and teach them research skills and background information. Students then simultaneously complete a thesis under the supervision of a professor. Senior Thesis Seminars often require applications to register in, so if you’re interested in this option, make sure you look into this in your third year of study!

Because I already had a close working relationship with a professor, I opted to instead do the second option, an Independent Study. An Independent Study allows you to work one-on-one with a professor and design whatever course you’re interested in. For either option, you’ll need to know what topic you're interested in writing your thesis on and ask a professor to work with you, so make sure you've figured this out. 

How's it going?

So far, I’m about half-way through my thesis and I’m having lots of fun. It’s a great way to get super involved in a topic I care about, and it's preparing me for graduate research much more than any course I’ve taken in my undergraduate degree. I’ve also been enjoying working one-on-one with a professor and learning a lot from them about the field of study I’m interested in, what being an academic researcher is like, and what my position in the field is. 

I will say that an undergraduate thesis is a considerable amount of work! It definitely requires more work than all my other classes, and because I’m working so closely with a professor, there’s no way I can slack on it or procrastinate.

Still, if you’re interested in a topic and want to pursue it after your undergraduate studies, I think writing an undergraduate thesis is an incredible opportunity. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments below!

1 comment on “ My Experience Writing an Undergraduate Thesis ”

Is an undergrad thesis mandatory in order to graduate or to get into a Masters program? Also, I’ve heard most Profs only help those with really high grades for their thesis?

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How to Get Your Thesis Published

Writing a thesis is tough. Current or recent graduate students understand the time and effort required to successfully complete their research program. Indeed, graduate training involves extensive amounts of research that often reflects years of failures and successes. This research often leads to some type of novel insight, which is organized into either a t hesis paper or dissertation.

When writing a dissertation or a thesis , there is much to consider. Both require extensive amounts of work and reflect the years of research conducted by the student. Some universities require that students publish this final research in peer-reviewed journals prior to being considered eligible to graduate. Meanwhile, others do not require the thesis to be officially published. Ultimately, regardless of the graduation requirements, certain career tracks for PhDs or Master’s students require publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Graduate Writing

The type of graduate writing that is required by a student’s university depends upon where the graduate student has studied. In Europe, a doctoral thesis reflects original research, whereas, in the USA, a thesis is often a shorter document associated with a Master’s degree.

Whatever the title, extensive research projects are organized into a final document. Some of these written documents can be formatted into a book. Before publishing, a graduate student should consider several factors prior to publishing. Namely, the student should ask, is my research

• Rigorous: Is it methodical, scholarly work?
• Significant: Why does it matter to your potential audience?
• Original: Is it novel and unique?
• Marketable: Are there potential customers?

When to Publish?

In the past, universities have published theses graduation research summaries in only a hard copy format, such as a bound book. Now, some theses or dissertations are available online, often with a Creative Commons license. This can be a problem due to the requirement by journals that manuscripts contain only unpublished and original data. However, generally, a thesis or dissertation consisting of original, previously unpublished research that has been made available by your home institution does not prevent you from publishing. Rather, journals will consider these theses and dissertations that were published by universities as, understandably, still sufficiently novel data. Furthermore, peer review is an integral component of publication. To pass the muster of peer review, it is important to consider the feedback of dissertation or thesis committee. The critiques of your committee will often mirror the potential concerns of your peer reviewers.

Related: Planning to publish your Ph.D. research in a good journal?  Check these journal selection guidelines now!

Tips and Common Concerns

When going to publish your dissertation, there are generally some common errors made by graduate students.

First, it is generally a good practice to reference or acknowledge the thesis. Since the dissertation may be available publicly, it is important to be transparent about the source of the data.  Similarly, always inform journals that some research contained within a thesis or dissertation was published either in a print-only version or in an online repository.

You can publish your thesis as a monograph or a series of articles. It can depend on the type of thesis.

• Traditional thesis: It is usually in the form of chapters and is an original work written by an individual student.
• Thesis by publication: It consists of papers that have already been published in a journal.

According to COPE guidelines , when thesis contains original unpublished work, it should not be considered as prior publication. Therefore, it is acceptable to be published as a manuscript or a monograph in a journal, even if it is available freely in university repositories and Creative Common license may or may not apply.  However, if the thesis is of the second type, then the papers will be considered as prior publication and are not acceptable as original works for publication. As a research lab hosts student’s work, it is important to first review the policies of your host university. Similarly, since fields transform rapidly, don’t wait too long before publishing. If you do, you run the risk of your literature review or methodology becoming outdated.

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Harvard University Library collects some, but not all, undergraduate theses. All of those that are retained by the library are listed in  HOLLIS .

What undergraduate theses are retained by the library, and where? Are they digitized?  

• The library retains in particular honors undergraduate theses and essays (e.g., Hoopes, Bowdoin Prize winners).
• Most are not digitized, although the Hoopes and Bowdoin from 2020 forward are digitized and available to read in HOLLIS (no download).
• All undergraduates are eligible to submit their theses to   DASH,  so it may be worth searching there.

How can I find print copies from before 2020?

• Copies of the most recent two years of Hoopes Prizewinners are kept near the New Books Shelf in Lamont for your perusal.
• Any undergrad theses or papers held by the library pre-2020 are kept in the Harvard University Archives.

Notes on searching  HOLLIS :

• The paper will come up as part of a collection, like "Hoopes Prize Papers 2011-12"
• If you know the exact title or author of a thesis, use the standard search box.
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May 6, 2015

Warn students about publishing their undergraduate thesis

Posted by Laura Guertin

Warning! Don´t let them publish your thesis for free. Copyright expert warns students against thesis publishing offer http://t.co/QUOYJMuNTr — University Post (@UniversityPost) September 15, 2014

The purpose of this blog post is not to give a thumbs-up or a thumbs-down to having students share their undergraduate research results online – that is between a student and his/her mentor.  But when it comes to copyright issues, ownership of the data to a larger project, etc., we need to have this conversation with our students to discuss “what’s next?”  Students will be approached (some would say “spammed”) by publishing outlets, and students need our help filtering and navigating these uncharted waters.

Even what may seem as a safe/noncontroversial publishing location for a student may become an issue for future publishing opportunities. For example, maybe you have seen The HuffPost College Thesis Project that gives students “a chance to share with a wide audience the fruit of their hard academic work,” a thesis abstract between 800 and 1,000 words.  However, this Inside Higher Ed article details how a student was turned away from publishing in an academic journal because part of his work was already published elsewhere – specifically, on The Thesis Project site.

There are digital libraries that universities have created to archive student theses.  For example, Penn State’s Schreyer Honors College has an Electronic Thesis Library (here are geoscience theses from the archives).  And if requested, the Honors College will restrict access for two years after a thesis is completed for patent or proprietary purposes, but then the thesis is released online to the public once the two-year period is complete.  The theses for non-honors students in the geosciences can be uploaded under a Creative Commons license and accessed in Penn State’s e-repository called ScholarSphere (see geoscience examples ).

I recommend departments and thesis advisers be pro-active in alerting students to these potential email requests for publishing and discussing “ownership” of data and research outcomes.  At a minimum, please encourage students to get in touch with you, even after graduation, when they are contacted by a potential source for presenting and/or publishing.

Additional sources for exploration

Collins, C. (2010, June 7). Lambert Academic Publishing Continues to Spam. Not Really a Mainlander [blog post] ( Post online )

Levy, F., R. Pyles, C. Szarejko, L. Wyatt. (2012). Developing an Electronic Repository for Undergraduate Theses. Honors in Practice – Online Archive. Paper 160. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/nchchip/160

Stromberg, J. (2014, March 23). I Sold My Undergraduate Thesis to a Print Content Farm. Article available at Slate.com ( Article online )

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Get to know Kyrie Zhixuan Zhou, PhD student

PhD student Kyrie Zhixuan Zhou's goal is to make information and communication technology (ICT) and artificial intelligence (AI) experiences more equitable, accessible, beneficial, and ethical for all. In his free time, he is devoted to helping junior researchers, especially those from populations not typically represented in STEM.

Why did you decide to pursue a degree in information sciences?

My bachelor's degree is in computer science, but gradually I realized my real passion is not pursuing state-of-the-art algorithms and computer systems but how they can be leveraged responsibly for human well-being.

When I was growing up, I witnessed how women's rights were overlooked, people with disabilities were invisible, and people in general were being censored and surveilled. These experiences motivated me to understand, design, and govern ICT/AI experience for social good, with a focus on vulnerable populations and from a human-centered perspective. A degree in information sciences allows me to pursue this research in collaboration with colleagues who have a similar passion.

Why did you choose the iSchool at Illinois?

Since I was young, the University of Illinois has been my dream university. Due to its reputation, the iSchool at Illinois was at the top of my list of information sciences when I was applying for graduate school.

Most importantly, I was fascinated by the interdisciplinary and exciting research conducted by iSchool faculty. Professor Stephen Downie's research on music and Assistant Professor Melissa Ocepek's research on food were refreshing to me back then. Now, working with the best advisors one can have in the world—Assistant Professor Madelyn Sanfilippo and Associate Professor Rachel Adler—I am able to explore my research interests to the fullest extent. I think I made the right choice.

What are your research interests?

My interests are broadly in technology accessibility, ethics, and education. I aspire to design, govern, and teach about ICT/AI experience for vulnerable populations. In my research, I leverage qualitative, quantitative, and design methods to gain deeper insights into the interaction between humans and technologies as well as how technologies result in societal impact. I'm also keen on proposing policy recommendations to turn research insights into practice. My ultimate goal is to make the ICT/AI experience more equitable, accessible, beneficial, and ethical for all.

What do you do outside of class?

I have been devoted to helping junior researchers thrive in their research, academic, and career development. Bridging the research divide for STEM students from rural areas, developing countries, and marginalized populations gives me the most satisfaction.

My biggest hobby is basketball. I play basketball, watch basketball games, and play basketball video games. I spend a lot of time with my dog Yinhe ("galaxy" in Chinese) and cat Mei-mei ("little sister" in Chinese).

What career plans or goals do you have?

I can see myself taking two paths. First is academia, as I love research, teaching, and mentoring. Second is industry, as I want to build technologies that really help vulnerable populations. I think some mixture of these two is likely.

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