Honors Theses

 

The research honors thesis represents a scholarly report on the research conducted by an honors student. In cooperation with a faculty mentor, the student will design, research, execute, analyze, critique and report on a project that is relevant to their respective major or research interests. Although research projects may differ substantially across disciplines, they typically involve a literature review, hypothesis development, research, data collection, data analysis, and thesis preparation.

Bench Sciences

Social Sciences

 

The creative honors thesis represents a scholarly report on the inspiration, process, and outcomes of the creative project constructed by the student. A creative thesis should include the design procedures and methodology the student used in carrying out the project. In addition, the student will describe the fabrication or materials used for the project's production. 

The creative honors thesis proposal should include the cover page, headings for the table of contents and abstract, the introduction, literature review, methodology, and references.  The finished honors thesis should include all of the required sections listed below.

Required Components for Creative Honors Theses

Although the specific formatting may be geared toward discipline-specific content, student theses should follow a general formatting pattern that includes the following:

• Cover Page with the student's title, the student's name and university name
• Table of Contents 
• Project Summary, Abstract, or Executive Statement 
• Introduction (Begin page numbers here)
  • Background and Need
  • Problem Statement
  • Purpose Statement
  • Research Objectives and/or Hypotheses
• Literature Review
  • Thematic or chronological organization is encouraged, using subheadings to clearly label various subsections. 
• Development Plan
  • Further subheading organization is encouraged but may differ by project/discipline. Suggested subsections include describing motivations for the project, describing preparation, implementation, or evaluation project phases, and/or describing the necessary materials.
• Design Process and Creative Works
• Discussion (regarding value of the project)
• Conclusions/Implications/Recommendations
• References
• Appendices as needed (Tables, Figures, Charts, Graphs, Sketches)

The experiential honors thesis is a type of undergraduate honors thesis in which students integrate their academic knowledge with a practical experience such as clinical fieldwork, capstone, practicum, internships, study abroad, a community development project or service learning. 

Required Components for Experiential Honors Theses

The experiential honors thesis proposal should follow the expectations of the academic unit. The finished honors thesis must include all the required sections listed below. Although the specific formatting may be geared toward discipline-specific content, student theses should follow a general formatting pattern that includes the following:

• Cover page with the thesis title, the student’s name, and university name
• Table of Contents
• Project Summary, Abstract, or Executive Statement
• Introduction (Begin page numbering here): The introduction should describe the purpose of the experience, the importance of the experience, and how this experience will prepare you for your future profession or graduate/professional school.
• Literature Review: The literature review should include includes a review of the academic and/or technical literature most relevant to your experience.
• Methods and Results: This may be called different things in different units based on type of experience but it essentially includes a description of the procedures, techniques, and/or activities and what was or was not accomplished by the end of the experience.
• Reflection: The reflection should present an analysis of the experience such as: were any of the results of this experience unexpected; what were the challenges; what were the lessons learned, what are the recommendations for those who led the experience and/or for other UA students who might consider a similar experience in the future.
• References 
• Time Log if required by academic unit based upon the type of experience.
• Appendices as needed (Tables, Figures, Charts, Graphs, Sketches)

Best Practices for Experiential Honors Theses

• Obtain Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval if any data collected is related to human subjects for the research objectives and will be reported as part of the final thesis. Follow your Honors Thesis Mentor's guidance to navigate research ethics and compliance.
• Consult the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee for any projects utilizing animals in the research.
• If industry and/or non-profit partners are involved, it is important for the Honors Thesis Mentor and Honors Faculty Representative for the academic unit or program to ensure the written and presented materials have been reviewed and approved by the partners in writing (e-mail acceptable).

For more information departmental procedures, deadlines, and additional expectations, for the experiential honors thesis, please contact your honors departmental representative. 

 

Students may, upon approval by their common mentor, work on a group project subject to the following minimum terms.

• There shall be 2-3 students in a group with justification required for more than 3.
• There shall be multiple project objectives and each student must be responsible for at least one unique objective.
• An expectation agreement prepared by the mentor that clearly outlines the roles and responsibilities of each student for the completion of the overall project must be in place at the beginning of the project.
• Students must meet with the mentor a minimum of 2 times per semester, times and dates to be established by the mentor.
• Each member of the group will complete an individual thesis in accordance with the existing college honors guidelines for research and creative honors theses.
• The group will present their project together at the proposal and final defense with each member responsible for their individual objectives of the project.