IST Honors Thesis Guide

Your thesis project consists of two parts:

1. The project. The project can take various forms, including survey studies, interpretive analyses of multimedia artifacts, statistical analyses of large data sets, design studies, case studies, and more.
2. The thesis document. The thesis document outlines the background, methods, and techniques used in the project, along with details of its completion. It typically starts with an introduction that highlights the research question's importance. The document then reviews relevant work, describes the project and methods, presents the results, and discusses the findings. Some theses also conclude with suggestions for future research.

Your thesis is an independent project, but your work will be guided and approved by a thesis supervisor and an honors adviser in your area of honors. College of IST faculty expect you to take responsibility for managing your thesis project. This includes scheduling regular meetings with your honors adviser and thesis supervisor, following through on plans you discuss with them, setting and meeting your own deadlines, and understanding the SHC requirements for your thesis. While your thesis supervisor and honors adviser are there to guide you and answer questions, the responsibility is yours.

College of IST scholars must meet all SHC honors thesis requirements, including formatting and submission guidelines. Pay attention to three key deadlines:

1. thesis proposal deadline
2. mandatory thesis format review submission deadline
3. final thesis submission deadline

You must also have formal preparation for your thesis, usually through IST 489H. This course, offered each spring, covers all steps of the research process. If you've worked with your thesis supervisor in a research lab, they may provide one-on-one training, but they typically prefer you complete IST 489H. This course also satisfies your ENGL 202 requirement.

The recommended timing for IST 489H is the spring of your junior year, when you should have a general thesis topic. If you plan to study abroad during that time, take IST 489H in your sophomore year. While sophomores may not have a clear thesis topic, the course helps familiarize you with the research process through a trial topic.

A thesis project unfolds in several phases, most of which begin long before you start writing the paper itself. The bulk of the work occurs over the final three to four semesters.

Phase 1: Notice and Explore Topics

Semesters 1-4 (Freshman and Sophomore Year)

Narrow your topic and identify a thesis supervisor. Work closely with your honors adviser to refine your interests and choose a faculty member to supervise your thesis. Once a supervisor is selected, you will further narrow the topic and develop a research question.

Phase 2: Narrow Topic and Identify Thesis Supervisor

Semester 5 (Fall, Junior Year)

The second phase includes narrowing your potential thesis topic and identifying a thesis supervisor. You should communicate frequently with your assigned honors adviser to zero in on a topic based on your interests and choose a faculty member to supervise your thesis. Once a faculty member has agreed to be your supervisor, the two of you will continue to narrow your topic and formulate a research question for your study. Consult the “Beginning your Research Project” section below for suggestions on selecting a thesis topic.

Phase 3: Prepare to Undertake your Study

Semester 6 (Spring, Junior Year) and Summer between Junior/Senior Years

This is a busy planning phase. You'll need to understand the requirements for conducting a study (covered in the IST 498H research methods course), complete any necessary certifications (e.g., IRB approval), formulate your research question, review literature, and design your research project. Work closely with your honors adviser and thesis supervisor to complete the following:

• Take IST 489H (required unless your thesis supervisor provides one-on-one training).
• Continue meeting with your thesis supervisor to refine your research topic, conduct a literature review, and develop a research plan.
• Consult the “Beginning Your Research Project” section and the Libraries research guide for IST students.
• Complete Institutional Review Board (IRB) training if your study involves human participants.
• Explore research grants and scholarships for thesis-related expenses or conferences.
• Choose your honors area for the thesis.
• Select two faculty members to read your thesis.
• Submit your thesis proposal through SHC Student Records by the deadline.
• Organize your readings and notes for the literature review.

Phase 4: Undertake your Study and Write your Thesis Paper

Semesters 7-8 (Fall and Spring, Senior Year)

In this phase, you’ll conduct your study and write your thesis. The methods and structure of your study will depend on your research question. Your thesis supervisor will guide you through the process and help determine the chapters to write:

• Register for three credits of the research project course (494) each semester with your thesis supervisor. Credits are earned for weekly meetings, literature review writing, and data gathering. A maximum of six credits can be earned for the thesis.
• Complete your study by the fall semester or early spring semester.
• Begin writing and assembling your thesis using the SHC Word template in the fall, and finish in the spring.
• Set deadlines to keep your thesis on track:
  • The date your thesis supervisor needs to receive your thesis for faculty review. Provide at least one week for reading and another week for revisions.
  • The date for the mandatory Thesis Format Review.
  • The final thesis submission date (no exceptions).
• Submit your thesis for the mandatory Thesis Format Review through the SHC Student Records System.
• Submit your final thesis through the SHC Student Records System.

Start in your third year to identify a research topic and build a relationship with your thesis adviser. Set aside a few hours each week to explore and deepen your understanding of your chosen topic. Work closely with your thesis supervisor to develop a specific research plan.

Defining a Research Question

To identify your research question, start with your topic of interest. Gather literature from various sources to understand current issues, common insights, and key findings in the field. This foundation will help you formulate a focused research question.

The process of defining a research question is iterative. You may refine your topic as you discover new literature, repeating this process until you narrow down to a specific point of investigation. The literature review bridges your broad topic to a focused research question.

Choosing a Topic

Start by reviewing the list of topics you've collected over the past year or consider areas you have a strong interest in. Select a topic to begin investigating, and read two or three related articles. Follow interesting threads by reviewing cited references. If your interest fades, switch to another topic and restart the process. Once you settle on a promising topic, dive deeper with a literature review.

Starting a Literature Review

Scholarly writing should be formal and unbiased, presenting evidence logically to support your argument.

To begin your literature review, follow these steps:

1. Dedicate regular time each week to review literature on your chosen topic.
2. Use scholarly search engines like Google Scholar, CiteSeerx, and Penn State’s LionSearch to find relevant articles.
3. Utilize available resources to streamline your process.

Start with Bryman & Bell’s online Research Project Guide, particularly sections A.3 (Preliminary Literature Review) and C.5 (Literature, Research Skills, and Key Words). Document key terms and important publications, and consider bibliographies from scholarly papers as another source of ideas. Full-text copies of these papers can often be found using LionSearch.

Use tools like Diigo and Mendeley to organize literature, save links, and manage citations. The Penn State Libraries offer excellent guides for using these tools.

Always credit the sources you use. Discuss the citation style (e.g., APA) with your thesis adviser. Resources like the Purdue OWL and KnightCite provide guidance on citation formats.

Finding Scholarly Articles and Technical Information

• LionSearch - Catalog to find journals, magazines, and books in print and electronically.
• ACM Digital Library - Full text of all publications from the Association of Computing Machinery.
• IEEE Xplore and Compendex / Inspec - Extensive coverage of computer science, information technology, electronics, engineering, and related fields.
• Web of Science - Citation indexing, particularly strong in science and technology.

Finding News and Data

• LexisNexis Academic - Access trade publications and major news sources like the New York Times and Washington Post.
• Statistical Abstract of the United States - Compilation of U.S. census data covering various aspects of American life.
• World Development Indicators - Nearly 800 statistical indicators related to social and economic development.

Other Useful Resources

• The Pew Internet & American Life Project - Reports with demographic data on internet users, technology, and topics like social networking.
• Safari Computer Books Online - Access to current computer manuals from various publishers.
• Interlibrary Loan - Request materials not available at Penn State.
• KnightCite Citation Generator - Web-based tool for generating citations in MLA, APA, and Chicago styles.

How long does it take to complete a thesis?

• It typically takes three semesters from the initial concept (often in the required research methods course, IST 489H) to final submission. The actual study (e.g., collecting data or designing and testing a product) usually occurs in the fall of your senior year, while the analysis and writing of the thesis generally occur in the spring.

How long is a thesis?

• The length of your thesis depends on the research question you’re addressing. Your thesis should establish the importance of your question, explain relevant work in the field, describe your study, present the results, and explain your findings. The length isn't a goal—it should be as long as necessary to fully answer your research question. Once the study is complete, many students find that the writing flows naturally.

Where can I find examples of theses from IST students?

• All available electronic honors theses are cataloged in the Penn State library and can be accessed via the honors library site.

In addition to a research methods course, what would prepare me for undertaking a thesis?

• Working in a faculty member's research lab or collaborating on a research project with faculty is excellent preparation for undertaking a thesis.

What is an “area of honors” and how does it impact my thesis?

• The "area of honors" corresponds to the majors offered at Penn State. You must designate an area of honors when submitting your thesis proposal. This informs the Schreyer Honors College (SHC) which honors advisers are suitable to read and approve your thesis.

Can I choose an “area of honors” outside my major?

• Yes, but you must confirm with the department or college offering the area of honors if they will accept your thesis. Gateway students can only complete their honors thesis within the college that recommended their SHC admission. For more details, refer to the “Proposal, Supervisor, and Area of Honors” section of the SHC Thesis Project Guide.

Can I add a third reader to my thesis?

• Yes, you can add a third reader, although most students do not. If a faculty member who isn't your honors adviser or thesis supervisor contributed significantly, you can include them as a third reader. Contact the Coordinator of Student Records at SHC for assistance.

How do I designate faculty members as a supervisor, honors adviser, or third reader?

• Always ask faculty members before adding their names to any forms. Once confirmed, you can designate them on the appropriate SHC forms. If you need assistance, contact the Coordinator of Student Records at SHC.

When do I have to submit a thesis proposal to SHC?

• The proposal must be submitted by the SHC deadline, which is the end of the semester one year before your intended graduation. See the SHC Important Dates page for specific deadlines.

Whose names do I need to list on my thesis proposal?

• You must list your thesis supervisor and an honors adviser on the thesis proposal form. If your thesis supervisor is also your honors adviser, you can list another eligible faculty member. Refer to the SHC Thesis Project Guide for more details.

Is there funding at Penn State for materials, equipment, conference presentations, data collection in other cities, or staying in State College for the summer?

• Yes, there are funding opportunities for all of these. See the IST Undergraduate Research page and the SHC research funding page for more information.

Where else, outside of Penn State, can I look for funding?

• For external funding opportunities, visit the External Funding section of the SHC research funding page.

Who must sign the thesis?

• Your thesis must be signed by your thesis supervisor and honors adviser. If they are the same person, another eligible faculty member may be selected. For more details, see the SHC Thesis Project Guide.

By when do I need to give the completed thesis to those who will be signing it?

• Typically, you should give your thesis to the faculty who will sign it at least two weeks before the SHC deadline. This allows time for feedback and revisions.

What are the SHC thesis deadlines?

• The completed thesis must be submitted by the SHC deadline for your graduation semester. Specific deadlines for each semester can be found on the SHC Important Dates page.

Where can I find the requirements for formatting and submitting my thesis?

• Refer to the formatting and submission guides on the SHC website for full details.

Where do I actually submit my thesis?

• To submit your thesis, visit the eHT site.

Where can I find tips for choosing a topic, creating a writing schedule, and citing sources?

• The SHC Thesis Project Guide offers helpful tips based on lessons learned from previous thesis projects.

If I want to pursue an Integrated Undergraduate Graduate (IUG) degree, does that change my thesis requirement?

• When pursuing an IUG, you will complete a master’s quality thesis, which will count as your undergraduate honors thesis. If you wish to submit two separate theses, at least one must be master’s quality.

What is the typical schedule for completing a master’s thesis for IUG students?

• The schedule will vary based on the specific research and study requirements. Most IUG students finish their undergraduate and graduate work in five years, often with one additional summer for research. Keep in mind that students need advanced standing and may take summer courses to stay on track.