Thesis Guideline with MLA style Page 1 of 6

International University Concordia Audentes (IUCA)

The School of Business
Guidelines for Completion of Master's Thesis
These guidelines are intended to be supplementary to the textbook: Gibaldi, Joseph. “MLA Handbook for
Writers of Research Papers.” 4th ed. or 6th ed. New York: The Modern Language Association of America, 1995, 2003.
The references in the guidelines refer to page numbers in Gibaldi.

I. Thesis Outline (General Overview of Necessary content)

A. Title Page
The Master's Thesis should contain a title page which gives: the thesis title (centered across the top of the page);
the student's name (centered in middle of page); centered across the bottom of the page should be, "A thesis submitted
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Master's Degree at International University" (include instructor's
name and month and year of completion).
The student is responsible for giving the Registrar the title of the thesis both in English and an Estonian
translation. The title is limited to 120 characters (including the spaces) in English and 120 characters in Estonian.
B. Thesis Statement
The thesis statement should be a short (one or two sentences) assertion of what is to be proven in the thesis. The
statement should written so that it clearly specifies the problem to be addressed and solved in the thesis paper. The
statement should also allude to how it will be proven.
C. Introduction (Chapter 1)
The introduction should discuss the thesis statement and how it will be proven. The introduction should include
the following:
1. A brief explanation regarding the origin of the present study, i.e., it should offer an explanation as to the
current relevance of the research. It should address the questions: Why is the research important? Why is the subject
of the thesis up to date? How was the subject identified or how did it come about that this became the chosen
subject?
2. A clear specification of the objective of the research. If possible this should be included in the thesis
statement. A cross-reference to chapter 3 should be made explaining the scope of the study: what are the specific
issues to be addressed and which specific issues, which may be related to the research, will not be addressed. A
more detailed description will appear in Chapter 3.
3. A brief explanation of how the research was implemented: what methods of data analysis are used and what
are the data sources. The detailed description appears in chapter 4.
4. A description of the logical sequence or structure of the research indicating how the various chapters
comprise a meaningful whole. It should be clearly specified how the chapters are connected to one another to
elucidate the objective of the research.
D. Review of Literature (Chapter 2) - the student may specify their own title for this chapter
This is a well-documented description and/or evaluation of previous important works in the field chosen.
The literature review should draw on original sources or alternatively prove familiarity with the field via
discussion of standard textbook theory.
E. Behavioral Model (Chapter 3 or more)
This is a detailed presentation and investigation of the topic proposed. This chapter(s) should set forth the
problem to be solved or analyzed.
The chapter(s) should clarify means by which the thesis can be proven (statistical proof highly desirable).
Chapter 3 should develop something new based on what was presented in chapter 2.
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F. Empirical Support for Thesis or Model (Chapter 4)

This chapter should demonstrate an ability to apply techniques learned in Statistics class. The chapter should use
statistical methods - e.g. trend analysis, regression analysis - to facilitate verification of thesis.
Data is to be accumulated, presented and analyzed by the student themselves (no use of other's data
presentations is permitted).
Data should be self-generated and presented utilizing Excel Chart Wizard. Monthly, quarterly or annual data is
preferable in creation of graphics. The chapter should conclude via indicating if data presented supports the thesis
statement.
G. Future Research (Chapter 5)
This chapter should draw implications of current research for future research. In addition, the chapter should
suggest areas of further inquiry.
H. Conclusion (Chapter 6)
I. Works Cited or Bibliography

II. Important Points to be Aware of in the Process of Completing the Thesis

A. Spelling
Prior to writing any draft students are required to study the proper grammatical use of the definite and indefinite
articles in English (eg., when to use, and when not to use the following: a, an, the).
The student must proofread all drafts - be sure to use spell check - prior to submitting them to the instructor.
Never divide words at the end of lines.
B. Foreign words
Non-English quotes must reproduce all accents, etc. as they appear - marks not available on keyboard may be
put in by hand
C. Punctuation (see p. 44-58 of Gibaldi 4th ed.; p. 80-94 of Gibaldi 6th ed.)
To make breaks in sentence continuity use (in order of sharpness of break):
commas
dashes
parenthesis
Dash = double hyphen - without space between words
Dash can also be used as a colon
Parentheses within parentheses: ([ ]) not [()]
Where foreign words (non-English) are used put English translation in quotes
All sentences should end in a period (.) or a question mark (?) (no exclamation points)
D. Italics
Use underlining for italics.
Underline foreign words in an English text (for exceptions see p. 59 of Gibaldi 4th ed.; p. 95 of Gibaldi 6th ed.).
Do not use for emphasis of words.
E. Names of Persons
Use full name as it appears in source and subsequently just use last name. Do not use formal titles (e.g. Prof., Dr.,
Mr., Miss).
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F. Numbers
Never begin a sentence with a number: spell it out.
For large numbers use combination of number and word, e.g. 4,000,000 should be 4 million.
Use American system for numbers and decimal points, e.g. 0.25 not 0,25 or 10,000.00 not 10.000,00.
G. Dates
Be consistent in writing dates. July 7, 1999 - month/day/year. 7 July 1999 - day/month/year. Use one or the other
and stick with it.
H. Titles of Works
Underline titles (exactly as from title page of source) capitalizing first, last and all principal words. Also
underlined: newspapers, TV programs, CD, magazines, film.
Use quotation marks for works within larger works, e.g. articles from magazines, newspapers or journals (also
for chapters from a book).
I. Quotations
Quotations from other sources should be used selectively.
They should only be used in cases where they are particularly relevant.
Where they are used they should be kept brief.
They must exactly reproduce the original source.
Quotations of more than four lines should be indented without using quotation marks.
Use ellipsis points (....) (periods followed by space) when words have been omitted from a quotation.
Comments on quotes appear in parenthesis after quote. e.g. (emphasis added).
Comments inside quotes must appear in brackets.
J. Printing
All typing must be double-spaced.
The right hand side margin should not be justified.
The first word of every paragraph should be indented five spaces.
K. Page Numbering
In the upper right corner of the page the last name of the writer appears along with the page number.
L. Tables
All tables must have a title.
Tables should be placed inside the text as close as possible to where they are discussed (preferably on the same
page).
Never insert a table without referring to it in the text. Below the table the source of the data must appear along
with any necessary notes.
Tables must appear on one page only. Never divide a table between pages. Time-series graphs (Excel charts)
should be labeled as Figures (with an appropriate title). Source for the data in graphs must also appear below the
figure. The raw data for these figures must appear in an Excel spreadsheet compiled in a Data Appendix at the end of
the work.
M. Binding
At the instructor's discretion the student may be told to submit all drafts to a qualified English instructor in order
to correct grammar. Please note that this is to be done prior to the instructor reading the draft.
For Master's Thesis I the preliminary drafts must be stapled and placed in a folder having inside pockets.
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Prior drafts appear in the left pocket and new drafts appear in the right pocket. On the outside of this folder will
appear a label containing: the student's name and Master's Thesis.
The student is responsible for submitting to the International University School of Business, the approved titles
of the thesis in Estonian and English.
There must be an Abstract (one-half to three-quarters of a page) of the thesis, which appears after the title page
and prior to the Table of Contents. The second Abstracts in a language other than English is optional.
The final library copy must be hard bound with the name of the author and the title on the spine. The student must
submit two (2) copies to the primary advisor, and one (1) hardbound library copy to the School of Business.
N. Deadlines
The thesis statement should be finalized (with the cooperation of the primary advisor) in the course of Master's
Thesis I, i.e., prior to the Prospectus presentation.
The title should be finalized by the end of the second week of Master's Thesis II.
The first draft is due by the end of the sixth week of Master's Thesis II.
The final copy is due by the end of the twelfth week of Master's Thesis II.
The thesis defense will take place either during finals week or the first two days of the week subsequent to finals
week.
O. Thesis Defense
The thesis must be defended publicly before a committee consisting of the primary advisor, a second reader
(opponent) chosen by the primary advisor and the Dean of the Business School (chair). The defense is not an
automatic, routine procedure: if the committee does not feel that the student has met the established standards the
student will receive a grade of zero (0) for Master's Thesis.II.
The student will make a twenty-five (25) minute presentation of the thesis. This will be followed by a ten (10)
minute evaluation by the primary advisor and a fifteen minute (15) evaluation by the opponent. Ten (10) minutes will
be provided for public discussion.

III. Documentation
A. MLA Style
All facts, opinions and quotations used from research must be documented according to MLA style. In MLA
style all documentation appears parenthetically at the end of sentences. Documentation must provide the last name of
the author cited and the page number from the source cited (see p. 104 of Gibaldi 4th ed.; p.142 of Gibaldi 6th ed.).
Footnotes are not to be used. Endnotes should be used selectively and should appear at the end of the text on a
separately numbered page prior to the bibliography.
When the author's name already appears in the text where reference is made, only the page number is required in
the parentheses.
B. List of Works Cited
This should include all the works that are cited in the text.
The bibliography appears at the end of the paper with a continuation of text page numbers (the title should be
centered).
The bibliography must be double-spaced throughout indenting five spaces after the first line.
When authors having the same last name are cited in the text, they should be distinguished via use of their first
initial.
When citing different works of the same author a shortened title must be included to allow for differentiation by
the reader (see p. 196 of Gibaldi 4th ed.; p. 153-4 of Gibaldi 6th ed.).
Entries are arranged alphabetically according to the last name of the author.
If the author is unknown arrange alphabetically by title.
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C. Citing Books
In MLA style the entries should include: the author's name; title of book; publication information (see p. 109 of
Gibaldi 4th ed.; p. 147 of Gibaldi 6th ed.).
Author's names appear last name first.
The subtitles of books must be included.
The publication information must include: city of publication; the publisher's name; the year of publication.
Author's having multiple entries will have their name appearing only in the first source cited: the remaining
entries receive three hyphens and a comma (see p. 113 of Gibaldi 4th ed.; p.156 of Gibaldi 6th ed.). The entries should
be listed chronologically.
In the case of multiple authors for the same work, only the first author appears last name first (see p. 114-115 of
Gibaldi 4th ed.; p. 154 of Gibaldi 6th ed.).
When there are three or more authors the abbreviation "et al." may be used.
When corporate authors (e.g., a committee) are cited list them alphabetically by the name of the committee or
organization.
When citing a translated book it should appear listed by the original author's name followed by trans, and the
translator's name.
When citing a government publication, if no author's name is provided use the government agency in lieu of the
author's name. Be sure to underline the title and give the publication information.
The documentation of non-English language books is exactly as above with the inclusion of a translated title
appearing in brackets after the title.
To cite an unpublished thesis put the title in quotation marks and add the descriptive label: Diss. (see p. 137 of Gibaldi
4th ed.; p. 179 of Gibaldi 6th ed.).
D. Citing Articles in Periodicals
These entries have the same three divisions as for books: author's name; "title of article"; publication information
(see p. 138 of Gibaldi 4th ed.; p. 180 of Gibaldi 6th ed.).
Authors appear last name first in alphabetical order (with a comma after the last name and a period after the first
name).
Titles appear in quotation marks with a period before the last quotation mark.
The necessary publication information is: an underlined journal title; the volume number of the journal; the year
of publication in parenthesis followed by a colon; inclusive page numbers.
E. Citing Newspapers
If the city of the newspaper does not appear in the title include it after the title in brackets. When there are
different editions of the newspaper include the edition number.
F. Citing Magazines
Provide author's name, the title in quotations, a complete date followed by a colon and inclusive page numbers.
G. Internet Documentation
Citations from internet sources (web pages) should include the following:
author's name last name first
the title of the work in quotation marks
the date when the article or book was written
the title of the web page from which the selection was taken
the medium (online)
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the internet or web site address

the date when the document was downloaded from the web page

IV. Grading policy at IUCA

Otherwise, the general grading scale applies as follows:
IUCA uses numbers 5 - 0 for evaluating students' academic performance. On this grading scale "5" -"1" are passing
grades and "0" is a failing grade. The grades are given according to the following criteria:
"5" 91 -100% the student has performed outstanding work
"4" 81 - 90% the student has shown very good performance
"3" 71 - 80% the student has performed well, but there are certain insufficiencies regarding the details "2" 61 -
70% the student has shown satisfactory performance, but there are certain insufficiencies regarding some basics and
details "1" 51 - 60% the student has shown weak performance, but has produced a piece of writing of his or her own
which still satisfies the minimum level required for passing "0" 0 - 50% the student has not produced a satisfactory
paper as required for passing
Descriptive papers are not given a positive grade.
All final grades are assigned without pluses or minuses.