Traditional vs. Journal Style Thesis Templates
Which thesis template style should I use?
All URS theses must adhere to formatting guidelines outlined in the Thesis Formatting Guide. All URS theses must have a minimum of 5,500 words of paragraph/body text. This minimum word count includes body text in the Introduction through Conclusion sections, as well as body text in the Creative Artifact section (if using the Creative Works template). The minimum word count does not include text in the preliminary pages, references section, captions, figures, tables, or equations. Many Undergraduate Research Scholars write more than the minimum 5,500 word count. Keep this minimum word count in mind when planning out your thesis.
The 7 available thesis templates fall under one of two thesis styles: Traditional Style Thesis or Journal Style Thesis.
There are 5 Traditional Stylethesis templates to choose from:
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) – Microsoft Word
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) – LaTeX/Overleaf.com
- Liberal Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences – Microsoft Word
- Creative Works – Microsoft Word
- Dental Hygiene* – Microsoft Word
There are 2 Journal Style thesis templates to choose from:
- IMRAD Subheadings – Microsoft Word
- Custom Subheadings – Microsoft Word
What are the main differences between the Traditional and Journal Styles Theses?
The main difference is how you organize your written content. Traditional Style Theses are organized by chapters or sections. Journal Style Theses are organized by manuscripts tied into an overarching Introduction and Conclusion. Reference the tables below for an in-depth description of the differences between the two Thesis Template Styles.Main Differences Between Traditional Style and Journal Style Theses at a Glance
| Traditional Style Thesis | Journal Style Thesis |
|---|
| Organization Scheme | Chapters or Sections | Overarching Introduction + Manuscript(s) + Overarching Conclusion |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction | One overarching Introduction Chapter/Section | One overarching Introduction Section + Individual Introduction Subheading per Manuscript* |
| Body | Chapters/Sections need the support of the rest of your thesis for understandability (like a chapter of a book) | Manuscript(s) should be able to stand on their own without the support of the rest of your thesis for understandability (like a journal article) |
| Conclusion | One overarching Conclusion Chapter/Section | One overarching Conclusion Section + Individual Conclusion Subheading per Manuscript* |
| References List | One overarching References Chapter/Section | Individual References Subheading per Section/Manuscript |
| Plan to Include Published Content in your Thesis?** | Content from Article(s) you have published in a professional journal can be included with appropriate copyright permissions, but the content is split into the Chapters/Sections organization of the thesis | Article(s) you have published in a professional journal can be included with appropriate copyright permissions as Manuscript(s) in your thesis |
| Interested in Publishing in a Professional Journal? | May or may not be seeking publication in a professional journal(s) Do not need to have a specific professional journal(s) in mind before writing Thesis content can be reformatted into Journal Article(s) for later publication | Should be seeking publication in a specific professional journal(s) Do need a specific professional journal(s) in mind before writing Prepared Journal Article(s)/Manuscript(s) are combined into a thesis |
*NOTE: If you are using the Journal Style Custom Subheadings template, subheading usage is optional. However, regardless of inclusion of subheadings, you will still need to discuss introductory materials and your research conclusions in each manuscript. Manuscripts should be able to stand on their own without the support of the rest of your thesis.
**NOTE: If you plan to include published content in your thesis you will need to adhere to copyright laws and gain all needed copyright permissions. All included content included in your thesis must adhere to formatting guidelines outlined in the Thesis Formatting Guide.
URS Thesis Styles at a Glance: Required and Optional Pages in Traditional Style and Journal Style Thesis Templates
| ✓= required page ▢ = optional page | Traditional Style Thesis | Journal Style Thesis |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Pages (must be in the order seen below) | ||
| Title Page | ✓ | ✓ |
| Research Compliance Certification | ✓ | ✓ |
| Table of Contents | ✓ | ✓ |
| Abstract | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dedication | ▢ | ▢ |
| Acknowledgements | ✓ | ✓ |
| Nomenclature | ▢ | ▢ |
| Thesis Body Content (must be in the order seen below)* | ||
| Introduction (all-inclusive) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Body Structure (varies by template) | Multiple Body Chapters or Sections Required | Minimum 1 Medium-length Manuscript Required** OR Multiple Short-length Manuscripts Required** |
| Conclusion (all-inclusive) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Supplemental Content (must be in the order seen below) | ||
| References | All-inclusive References Section Required | Individual References Subheading per Manuscript Required |
| Appendix(ces) (all-inclusive) | ▢+ +Creative Artifact Section Required for Creative Works Template Users | ▢ |
**NOTE: In the Journal Style Thesis Templates, 1 medium-length manuscript is typical for arts/humanities and social sciences projects.
In the Journal Style Thesis Templates, multiple short-length manuscripts are typical for STEM and social sciences projects. If you are planning on writing just 1 manuscript, a Traditional Style: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Thesis Template may be more appropriate for your thesis.
Still unsure about which Thesis Style to choose—Traditional or Journal?
Consult with your faculty advisor to determine if the Traditional Style Thesis or Journal Style Thesis is best for you. The Traditional Style Thesis includes 5 templates; the Journal Style Thesis includes 2 templates. Consult ugr@tamu.edu if you need further clarification.See examples of thesis templates on the URS Resources page.