Bowling Green State University master's theses and doctoral dissertations are directly available through the world wide web via OhioLINK. In addition, dissertations are available for purchase by scholars worldwide from ProQuest Information and Learning (PQIL). Theses and dissertations reflect on their authors, on the faculty who oversee the work, and on BGSU's programs of study. It is imperative, therefore, for both the scholarship that goes into your thesis or dissertation and its final presentation to be of the highest quality.

The Thesis and Dissertation Handbook is designed to be used in conjunction with a style manual selected with your advisor's approval, in accordance with your department/program's guidelines. It provides information on Graduate College regulations and requirements pertaining to committee formation, topic approval, manuscript format, and related matters. (Because these requirements—and style manuals—change over time, you should not use earlier theses or dissertations as guides to style and format.) It is your responsibility, and that of your committee, to ensure that the manuscript submitted electronically to the Graduate College is well-written, conforms to the requirements of this Handbook and your style manual, and is free from spelling, grammatical, and typographical errors.

If you have any questions about citing your work, please visit the Bowling Green State University Libraries, A-Z web site Index.  Read carefully the section regarding plagiarism.  Plagiarism is not only considered dishonest and a violation of the student code, but it may be possible that criminal charges can be brought against the student.   The student code can be found in the Student Handbook.  Please pay special attention to the part about academic honesty. 

“Academic honesty is essential to the academy.  Honest pursuit of academic challenges and higher learning are the essence of the university experience.  Respect for one another is fostered when our academic environment is free from cheating, lying and stealing not only of property, but ideas as well.  Individual and personal quests for knowledge will expand and challenge students’ creativity and intellects.  Academic dishonesty is contrary to intellectual growth and pride in a job well done.  Bowling Green State University graduates have met the challenges of achieving scholarly excellence and higher learning.  Compromising academic honesty negatively impacts the foundation of our academy. “

                Bowling Green State University Academic Honesty Policy – 2009 Student Handbook.