Writing Master’s and Doctoral Theses at King Saud UniversityA Master’s or Doctoral thesis represents the final stage in a student’s academic journey and serves as a culmination of their scholarly effort and research contribution in their academic field. Since this thesis is considered an official document evaluated by academic committees and preserved in the university library, its preparation must strictly adhere to methodological standards and approved formal criteria.

At King Saud University, the Deanship of Graduate Studies has established a detailed guide that helps students prepare their academic theses within a methodological and organized framework, aligned with best academic practices. This guide includes clear instructions on thesis content, presentation style, and technical formatting, ensuring the submission of a complete research work both scientifically and in terms of production.

In this article, we review together the general frameworkfor writing university thesesadopted at King Saud University, based on the university’s official guide, with a detailed explanation of the essential components, formatting standards, and practical tips to avoid common errors.

What Is the General Framework for Writing University Theses at King Saud University?

The general framework for writing university theses is a regulatory system established by the Deanship of Graduate Studies at King Saud University to standardize the preparation of Master’s and Doctoral theses among students across various colleges and specializations. This framework aims to:

1. Organize thesis components according to a logical order and approved academic standards.

2. Ensure consistency among student theses in form and content.

3. Facilitate the review and evaluation process by academic committees.

4. Enhance opportunities for publishing research theses in peer-reviewed journals in the future.

The general framework includes fixed elements that every scientific thesis must contain, such as: title page, abstract, main chapters, appendices, and reference list. It also specifies approved formatting standards such as font type, margins, numbering, and source citation.

Adherence to this framework is mandatory for all graduate students and is considered one of the main conditions for thesis acceptance and approval by the deanship for discussion. Therefore, carefully reviewing the framework and adhering to its details from the initial stages of thesis preparation helps avoid comments or delays later on.

King Saud University Guide for Writing Scientific Theses

King Saud University, represented by the Deanship of Graduate Studies, has developed a detailed guide for Master’s and Doctoral students, known as: King Saud UniversityGuide for Writing Scientific Theseswhich is a comprehensive reference that outlines the steps for preparing research theses in terms of scientific, technical, and organizational aspects.

The Guide Focuses on Several Key Aspects:

• The general structure of thesis content from the title page to the reference list.

• Formal standards related to fonts, margins, numbering, and paragraph formatting.

• Guidelines on academic citation according to the approved style (usually APA or departmental system).

• Requirements for submitting the thesis electronically and in paper form, and approved submission forms.

• Instructions for checking quotation similarity and academic originality statements.

The King Saud University guide for writing scientific theses is periodically updated and considers the differences between disciplines in terms of content nature and methodology, while maintaining a unified structure that everyone adheres to to ensure academic quality and institutional consistency.

Components of the Scientific Thesis at King Saud University

The general framework for writing university theses indicates that each master’s or doctoral thesis must consist of clear, interconnected main sections arranged in a specific, approved sequence. Below are the key essential components that the student must include:

1. Cover Page

• It includes the university logo, college and department names, student and supervisor information, a statement indicating the purpose of the thesis (such as: ‘Thesis submitted to obtain the degree of Master of…’), along with the submission date.

2. Preliminary Pages

• Dedication (optional)

• Acknowledgments

• Abstract in Arabic

• Abstract in English

• General Table of Contents

• List of Tables

• List of Figures

3. Main Thesis Chapters
   Chapter One: Introduction and Research Problem

• General overview of the topic, importance of the study, research problem, objectives, questions/hypotheses, and limitations of the study and its terminology.

Chapter Two: Previous Studies and Theoretical Framework

• Review of relevant literature and theoretical concepts, and systematic analysis of related studies.

Chapter Three: Methodology

• Detailed description of research tools, study population, sample, data collection methods, and statistical analysis method used.

Chapter Four: Presentation and Analysis of Results

• Presentation and analysis of research results according to the approved research tools, using tables and illustrations.

Chapter Five: Discussion and Recommendations

• Interpretation of results and linking them to previous literature, drawing practical recommendations and suggestions for future research.

4. List of References

• Formatted according to the style specified in the college or department guide, and must be arranged and uniformly formatted.

5. Appendices (if Any)

• Includes questionnaires, consent letters, supplementary tables, or any other supporting documents.

Formatting Standards Specified in the University Guide

The King Saud University guide for writing scientific theses emphasizes the importance of adhering to the precise technical formatting of the thesis, as the appearance reflects the student’s professionalism and academic seriousness. The formatting standards include the following:

1. Font Type and Size

• Arabic: Use Traditional Arabic or Simplified Arabic font with size 16 for headings and 14 for text.

• English: It is recommended to use Times New Roman font with size 12.

• Only black font is used, and other colors are not allowed within the text.

2. Margins and Line Spacing

• Margins:
  • Right side of the page (or left side in case of double-sided printing): 4 cm
  • Other sides (top, bottom, left): 2.5 cm

• Line spacing: 1.5 between lines in the main text, and 1.0 in tables and long quotations.

3. Page Numbering

• Preliminary pages (such as dedication, acknowledgments, abstract, index) are numbered with small Roman numerals (i, ii, iii…).

• Numbering begins with Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3…) from the first page of Chapter 1, and continues until the end of the thesis.

4. Heading Formatting

• Main headings: Written in bold and underlined.

• Subheadings: Bold only.

• Secondary headings: Normal font size, without underlining or emphasis.

5. Formatting Tables and Figures

• The title of the table or figure is written above the element, with the sequential number indicated.

• The source of the table or figure is indicated at the bottom, if not prepared by the student.

• Tables and graphics must be clear and embedded within the text at their appropriate position.

6. Setting up Indexes

• Indexes must be created using Word’s automatic tools (Table of Contents).

• This includes a table of contents, table of figures, and table of illustrations if they exist.

Approved Documentation Styles at King Saud University

King Saud University relies on internationally recognized academic documentation systems and recommends following a unified style for each thesis according to the academic specialization. Below are the main approved documentation styles:

1. APA (american Psychological Association) Style

• Most common in educational, psychological, and social sciences.

• Documentation within the text is done by author’s name and year of publication like: (Al-Sabee’i, 2021).

• In the references list:
  Al-Sabee’i, Khaled. (2021). Concepts of Scientific Research. Riyadh: University Publishing House.

2. MLA or Chicago Style

• Used in some literary, historical, and linguistic disciplines.

• It is necessary to review the guide for each college to determine the appropriate model.

3. Numerical Documentation System or Footnotes

• Common in Islamic studies, with references mentioned in page footnotes using sequential numbers.

4. Documentation of Electronic Sources

• When using sources from the internet, the website name, material title, publication date (if available), and full access date must be mentioned.

• Example: Ministry of Education. (2022). Study Abroad Guide. Accessed on 5/20/2024 fromhttps://www.moe.gov.sa

5. Formatting the References List

• References are written on a separate page after the last chapter.

• They are arranged alphabetically by the first author’s name.

• The formatting must be uniform in terms of font size, spacing, and dots separating information.

Thesis Submission Requirements and Technical Review

After completing the master’s or doctoral thesis according to the general framework approved at King Saud University, the student is required to comply with a number of technical and procedural requirements before formally submitting the thesis. This includes the following:

1. Full Compliance With the Approved Format

• It must be ensured that all elements of the thesis, from the cover page to the reference list, match the university guide in terms of font, margins, spacing, and documentation.

2. Preparing the Cover Page and Official Forms

• The official approved thesis cover page form must be used.

• The thesis must be accompanied by several forms such as:
  • Declaration of original work
  • Supervisor approval
  • Plagiarism check form
  • Thesis readiness form for defense

3. Checking the Plagiarism Ratio Using Turnitin

• The university requires obtaining a report on the authenticity of scientific content (plagiarism).

• The maximum acceptable ratio varies by specialization, but generally should not exceed 20% excluding references and tables.

4. Number of Required Copies

• Submit a specified number of printed copies (usually 3-5) according to department or college instructions.

• Upload an electronic copy in unprotected PDF format using a special link on the university platform.

5. Supervisor Approval on the Final Content

• The thesis will not be accepted unless the academic supervisor signs the final approval form, which confirms the thesis is ready for defense.

6. Coordination With the Department and College for the Defense

• After completing all procedures, coordinate with the academic department to set the defense date and form the examination committee.

Support and Services Provided by the Graduate Studies Deanship

To facilitate the experience of preparing scientific theses, the Graduate Studies Deanship at King Saud University offers a comprehensive package of services and guidance programs that help students prepare their theses according to the required academic standards. Among the most prominent of these services are:

1. The electronic guide and ready-made forms

• The Deanship provides through its website an updated version of King Saud University’s guide for writing scientific theses, in addition to the official forms required in the submission process.

2. Workshops and guidance meetings

• Training workshops are held periodically on skills in scientific research writing, documentation, thesis formatting, and plagiarism checking.

3. Language support and scientific editing

• Some faculties, in cooperation with the Deanship of Graduate Studies, provide linguistic proofreading and initial internal review services for theses.

4. Inquiry response services

• Students can contact the coordinators of Graduate Studies in the college to get guidance regarding thesis preparation, submission procedures, or understanding the guidelines.

5. Electronic support through university portals

• Through the ‘Graduate Thesis System’ portal, students can upload their files, track the status of their request, and download approved templates.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between a master’s thesis and a doctoral thesis in terms of structure and content?
   The difference lies in the depth of treatment and research scope. A doctoral thesis requires a more original and extensive scientific contribution than a master’s thesis, although the general structure and components of the thesis are usually similar, with differences in the amount of work and number of references.

2. Is there an official approved template for formatting the thesis?
   Yes, the Deanship of Graduate Studies provides a unified electronic template in Microsoft Word format, which is recommended for use to avoid formatting errors and ensure compliance with the general framework for writing university theses.

3. What is the ideal number of pages for a master’s thesis and a doctoral thesis?
   A master’s thesis usually ranges from 100 to 200 pages, while a doctoral thesis extends to approximately 200-350 pages, and the number varies depending on the nature of the specialization and the research methodology used.

4. What is the allowed percentage of quotation?
   It generally does not exceed 20%, and all quotations must be properly documented. This is verified by checking the quotation using the Turnitin system.

5. Can thesis formatting assistance software be used?
   Yes, the use of software such as Microsoft Word or LaTeX is allowed, provided full compliance with font formatting, margins, and pages according to the approved guide.

Conclusion

Writing a meticulous scientific thesis goes beyond just narrating information; it is a systematic research work that expresses the student’s scientific commitment and academic skills. At King Saud University, adherence to the general framework for writing university theses, as outlined in King Saud University’s Guide to Scientific Theses, is an essential step toward presenting academic work worthy of both the student and the university.

Therefore, every graduate student in master’s or doctoral programs is advised to read this guide carefully and refer to it at every stage of thesis preparation, from planning chapters to final formatting and official submission.

To download the King Saud University Guide to Scientific Theses
You can visit the website of ‘Ideas Study for Research and Development’, which provides specialized academic services for graduate students, including providing official approved guideline documents from Saudi universities, such as King Saud University’s Guide to Scientific Theses.

🔗King Saud University Guide to Scientific Theses pdf