The master's thesis and doctoral dissertation (or equivalent) must be based on original and independent research/creative activity conducted by the student, under the guidance of the graduate supervisory committee. The thesis is an introduction to scholarly writing and is intended to create an understanding of theory and methods applicable to one's field. The dissertation should demonstrate the candidate's mastery of research and scholarly methodologies, theory, and tools of the discipline. Both the thesis and dissertation should demonstrate the candidate's ability to address a major intellectual problem and to propose meaningful questions and hypotheses, as well as utilize the methods with which to study the proposed research question(s) and related hypotheses, and draw conclusions.
Graduate Supervisory Committees
Students are guided by faculty mentors who advise them through their degree program. Students should identify their advisors early in their graduate career and look to them for guidance in their graduate work. Once the student has selected a thesis/dissertation committee, the head of the academic unit recommends the supervisory committee to the Graduate College dean who reviews and appoints the Committee. Graduate supervisory committees must consist of a minimum of three individuals, including the chair or co-chairs.
Faculty Emeriti who meet Graduate College criteria may serve as members or co-chairs on graduate supervisory committees. They may serve as chairs with the recommendation of the academic unit and approval of the Graduate College dean on a case by case basis. Qualified individuals outside the university, upon the recommendation of the head of the academic unit and approval of the Graduate College, may serve as members of thesis and dissertation committees. All such requests must be submitted to the Graduate College dean for approval.
See the Master's Degree Requirements and the Doctoral Degree Requirements sections below for the composition of supervisory committees.
Thesis or Dissertation Research Involving Human and Animal Subjects
Theses or dissertations that make use of research involving human or animal subjects must include a statement indicating that the research has been approved by the appropriate university body.
Research involving human subjects conducted under the auspices of Arizona State University is reviewed by the University Human Subjects Institutional Review Board (IRB) in compliance with federal regulations. Documents containing any data collection from human subjects require that applications be submitted to the University Human Subjects IRB for approval before data collection or recruitment of subjects is initiated at researchadmin.asu.edu/compliance/irb.
Research involving the use of animals conducted under the auspices of Arizona State University is reviewed by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) in compliance with federal regulations. Documents containing any data collection from animal research require that applications be submitted to the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee for approval at researchadmin.asu.edu/compliance/iacuc.
It is very important that students check with their thesis/dissertation advisor well in advance of data collection to ensure university regulations are adhered to in the collection of research data.