Degree Application Guide for the English
Program(Doctoral Program)for AY 2024

Graduate School of Library, Information and Media Studies

University of Tsukuba
April 2024

Completion Schedule of Doctoral Program
Shortest schedule( degree conferment in
September)

Mid April
2024/4/26
2024/4/30

Dateadvance noticerequired

List 1

Subject

Deliberationcommittee

Review
committee（Academic advisor）
Submission of the Preliminary Review
Committee member list

Submissions

Copies①The Preliminary Review Committee member list
②History and performance of the guest committee member①Preliminary review application（Student）
Submission of preliminary review application

2024/5/1①：1②Doctoral dissertation for preliminary review②：5③Abstract of doctoral dissertation for Preliminary Review（Japanese or English）③：1

Preliminary Review④Author bibliography④：1⑤Offprints or copies of core papers and its PDF file⑤：each 5⑥Curriculum vitae⑥：1⑦Letter of consent⑦：each 1⑧Theisis fairness report⑧：1⑨Ethics review report⑨：1

Other reference materials (if any)
2024/5/8

2nd Wednesday

Mid May 2024～
Late June 2024

2024/7/3

2024/7/3

Steering
Deliberation of setting the Preliminary Review
Committee
Committee
The Preliminary
ReviewCommittee

Preliminary review

1st Wednesday①Preliminary review report（Academic advisor）
Submission of the preliminary review report
and the list of the Doctoral Dissertation
Review Committee members②List of the Doctoral Dissertation Review Committee members③History and performance of the guest committee member（Unnecessary for the same one with preliminary review)

within 3 months after （Student）
the date of approval of Submission deadline of doctoral dissertation
the preliminary review review application(by the Steering
Committee)

Doctoral Dissertation Review

Early July 2024

2 weeks before thefinal presentation

2024/7/10

2nd Wednesday

2024/8/7

1st Wednesday

2024/8/28

2nd Wednesday①：1②Doctoral dissertation②：5③Abstract of dissertation （English）③：1④Author bibliography④：1⑤Offprints or copies of core paper and its PDF file⑤：each 1⑥Request for non-disclosure / disclosure on the Internet of my
doctoral dissertation⑥：1⑦Non-plagiarized dissertation report⑦：1⑧Ethics review report⑧：1（Academic advisor）
Decide the final presentation day
Judgement of the Preliminary review anddeliberation of setting the Doctoral
Dissertation Review Committee

Steering
Committee

The final presentation and the doctoral
dissertation review

Late July 2024
(7/10～)①Doctoral dissertation review application（Academic advisor）
Submission of doctoral dissertation review
report(Student)
Submisison of PDF file of dissertation

The Doctoral
Dissertation
ReviewCommittee（Academic advisor）
The report of doctoral dissertation review(Student)
PDF file of the doctoral dissertation
PDF filre of the core paper (if there are additions)

Judgement of the doctoral dissertation review Steering
Committee
and deliberation of degree conferment

Degree conferment

Submit a full text dissertation CD for permanent archives to publish
openly on the Internet.
Those who were approved of postponement of Internet publication must
submit another CD that carries the summary and the title page.

2024/9/25

End of each month2024/9/25

End of each academic
Degree conferment ceremony
season［List 1］
Prescheduled days for submitting preliminary review application

Setting the Preliminary
Review committee

Days

April 2024

3/28（Thu.）・3/29（Fri.）・4/1（Mon.）May 2024

4/26（Fri.）・4/30（Tue.）・5/1（Wed.）

June 2024

5/30（Thu.）・5/31（Fri.）・6/3（Mon.）

July 2024

6/27（Thu.）・6/28（Fri.）・7/1（Mon.）

September 2024

8/29（Thu.）・8/30（Fri.）・9/2（Mon.）

October 2024

9/27（Fri.）・9/30（Mon.）・10/1（Tue.）

November 2024

10/30（Wed.）・10/31（Thu.）・11/1（Fri.）

December 2024

11/29（Fri.）・12/2（Mon.）・12/3（Tue.）

January 2025

12/26（Thu.）・12/27（Fri.）・1/6（Mon.）

February 2025

1/30（Thu.）・1/31（Fri.）・2/3（Mon.）

March 2025

2/27（Thu.）・2/28（Fri.）・3/3（Mon.）

Bring or send (due no later than)documents on the days of the list.

Degree Application Guide(Doctoral Program)
For the application of the doctoral dissertation review (including the final examination;
hereinafter referred to as the “dissertation review”), follow the instructions below.
1.

Doctoral degree (Given after completing the course of study)(1) Diploma policy
The degree is given to an individual who completes the purpose of the course which isdefined in the Regulations of the Graduate School of the University of Tsukuba, and iscertified as possessing ability in the field of Library and Information Studies orInformatics. The doctoral degree given by the Graduate School of Library, Informationand Media Studies is the Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Philosophy in Library andInformation Studies, or Doctor of Philosophy in Informatics.

(2) Doctoral dissertation requirements
The doctoral degree is an academic degree conferred on an individual who is qualified
as an independent researcher. The Graduate School of Library, Information and Media
Studies obligates students to submit a sole author doctoral dissertation, in English, inwhich new knowledge obtained by appropriate research methods is clearly described. A
doctoral dissertation must therefore be a compilation based on two or more
peer-reviewed papers published in academic journals.

(3) Prerequisites for applying for the dissertation review
1) Students need to complete an interim presentation three months prior to applying
for a preliminary review.

2)

Students should have enrolled in the doctoral program for three years or longer up
to the point of degree conferment.

3)

Students should have acquired ten or more credits during the doctoral program up
to the point of degree conferment.

4)
5)
*

Must have passed the preliminary review
Remain enrolled in the doctoral program until the day of the degree conferment.

Interim presentation
Students who enrolled in the graduate school for one year or longer must give a
presentation on the progress of their doctoral dissertation. In principle, interim
presentations can be held on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Presenters may
choose the date of their presentation according to the progress of their research.
Those who wish to make a presentation must obtain approval from their academic
advisors and should apply to the Graduate Academic Affairs Section at least five
weeks prior to the date of the presentation. Presentations should be about 60
minutes in length, including a question-and-answer session, and should include a
description of the purpose, methods, and progress of the research.
1

(4) Application prerequisites for the preliminary review
Only students who fulfill all the following requirements are eligible to apply for the
preliminary review.
1) Two or more papers, which provide the core of the doctoral dissertation, must havebeen published or accepted for publication by a peer-reviewed academic journal or
accepted as peer-reviewed proceedings papers by the end of the preliminary review(Papers that comprise the core of the doctoral dissertation must be peer-reviewed,
i.e., equivalent to a full paper, written by the applicant as the sole or main author).
2) Must have conducted an interim presentation more than three months before*

At least one core paper should have been submitted and accepted while attending thedoctoral program. The applicant can apply for a preliminary review if one of thesubmitted papers is still under review and the other one has already been published.
In this case, if the paper under the review process is not accepted for publication by
the end of the review, the student fails the preliminary review.

*

A peer-reviewed international conference paper or a peer-reviewed bulletin paper isacknowledged as one of the core papers.

*

Even if it is published in a peer-reviewed academic journal, the paper published in asole organizational journal, such as IBM Journal, etc., is recognized as equivalent to apeer-reviewed bulletin paper.

*

Commentaries cannot be included in the core papers, even if they have been
published in an academic journal.

*

Papers that comprise the core of the doctoral dissertation must be written in English.

(5) Preliminary review
The preliminary review is an occasion at which five instructors, including the main andsecondary academic advisors, examine the Doctoral dissertation for preliminary review
and decide whether it meets the requirements of a doctoral dissertation before thedissertation review. Applicants must modify their drafts based on the points discussed
in the preliminary review. When such modifications are applied and considered to meetthe required standard of a doctoral dissertation, the paper will be regarded as having
passed the preliminary review.

The preliminary review will be terminated if theapplicant withdraws from the program. A successful candidate has to apply for anauthentic dissertation review as soon as the judgment is made.
*Unless the dissertation review is applied within three months from the day theSteering Committee approve the passing of the preliminary review, the candidates will
have to undergo the preliminary review again.

*

In case that the Steering Committee once approved the passing of the preliminary
review while the candidate was enrolled in the doctoral program and withdraws fromthe program after the approval, if the candidate applies for an authentic dissertation
review within three months from passing the preliminary review, it can be considered2the preliminary review as a ‘Doctoral Degree by Way of Doctoral Dissertation’ with theapproval of the Steering Committee.
Individuals who wish to undergo a preliminary review must submit the following
documents to the Dean of the Graduate School of Library, Information and Media
Studies (hereinafter referred to as the “Dean”) on the days prescheduled every month.
(Individuals should not be on a leave of absence when submitting them.)*

Submission: Graduate Academic Affairs Section,
Academic Service Office for the Library, Information and Media Sciences
Area① Preliminary review application (form code: 別記様式—後予１): One copy
② Doctoral dissertation for preliminary review: Five copies③ Abstract of the doctoral dissertation for preliminary review [English] (form code: 別記様式—後予４): One copy
④ Author bibliography (form code: 別記様式—後予５): One copy
⑤ Offprints or copies of papers that form a core of the doctoral dissertation: Five copies
of each and PDF file
⑥ Curriculum vitae (form code: 別記様式—後予６): One copy
⑦ Letter of consent (form code: 別記様式—後予７): One copy of each
⑧ Thesis fairness report (form code: 別記様式－後予８): One copy
⑨ Ethics review report (form code: 別記様式－後予９): One copy
⑩ Other reference materials (if any): One copy of each(6) How the preliminary review is conducted
1)

A Preliminary Review Committee formed for each applicant reviews the Doctoral
dissertation for preliminary review. After the review, the committee makes their
judgment within one year whether an applicant is on leave of absence or in school.

2)

The candidate applying for a preliminary review must make a presentation of the
key points of the Doctoral dissertation for preliminary review.

3)

The Doctoral Dissertation Preliminary Review Committee will examine thefollowing points and describe their findings in a preliminary review report.
・The peer review system of the papers that form the core of the Doctoral dissertation
for preliminary review
・Contents of letters of consent
・Possibility of replacing core paper with another peer-reviewed paper
・Possibility of title change(7) Applying for the dissertation review
After successfully passing the preliminary review, candidates can apply for the
dissertation review. Those who wish to take the dissertation review must submit thefollowing documents and apply to the Dean within 3 months after the date of approval of
the passing of preliminary review. (Individuals should not be on a leave of absence when3

submitting them.) Be sure to contact the Graduate Academic Affairs Section in advanceregarding the date of submission.
*

Submission: Graduate Academic Affairs Section,
Academic Service Office for the Library, Information and Media
Sciences Area

① Doctoral dissertation review application (form code: 別記様式－後１): One copy
② Doctoral dissertation: Five copies③ Abstract of the doctoral dissertation [English] (form code: 別記様式－後３): One copy
④ Author bibliography (form code: 別記様式－後４): One copy
⑤ Offprints or copies of papers that form the core of the doctoral dissertation: One copies
of each and PDF file
⑥ Request for non-disclosure / disclosure on the Internet of my doctoral dissertation(form code: 別記様式－後１０): One copy
⑦ Thesis fairness report (form code: 別記様式－後１３): One copy
⑧ Ethics review report (form code: 別記様式－後１４): One copy(8) How a dissertation review is conducted
A group of five or six examiners consisting of one or more experts from externalorganizations (e.g., faculty member at other graduate schools at the University, faculty
member at graduate schools of other universities or research institutes) and the mainand secondary academic advisors will examine whether the work meets therequirements of a doctoral dissertation. The dissertation review is an occasion at whichpass or failure of the doctoral dissertation will be judged in the short term, provided thata preliminary review panel has duly examined the draft. Therefore no “modification
required” or “conditional pass” will be allowed. If major revisions are necessary, thedoctoral dissertation must be judged as a “fail.”1)

The Doctoral Dissertation Review Committee, formed for each dissertation, reviews
the doctoral dissertation.

2)

The final presentation must be made open to the public. It lasts for about 60 minutes,
including Q&A session.

3)

A public announcement of the final presentation must be made ten days prior to thefinal presentation.

4)

The final examination will be conducted after the final presentation. The
examination consists of questions to the author about their doctoral dissertation andrelated fields, either orally or in writing. The examination is not open to the public
and lasts 60 minutes or longer.

(9) Conferment of the degree
The degree is conferred on those who have passed the dissertation review. The official
date of conferment is the last day of the month that the Steering Committee judges as“pass.” (However, a decision as to conferment in March must be made by the Steering
Committee in February in principle, which will be the final judgment of degree4conferment.) If other items, including period of attendance, acquired credits, etc., do notsatisfy the conditions, conferment will be withheld.
One CD for Internet publication, which contains the doctoral dissertation for thepermanent archives, must be submitted by the day of conferment. If no CD is submitted,
the conferment will be withheld.

(10) Publication of the doctoral dissertation
Candidates who have received the doctoral degree must publish the full text of theirdoctoral dissertation on the Internet within one year of the day of conferment. If this is
not possible, due to plans to publish the doctoral dissertation as a book, apply for apatent, etc., students should submit their Request for non-disclosure / disclosure on theInternet of my doctoral dissertation to the Steering Committee. The Steering
Committee will make a decision on the Internet publication and will issue a Letter ofApproval and an Answer on Postponement of Internet Publication (form 1) with theperiod if approved. The length of the period to postpone approved here is the end of
March of one year after the day of conferment.
When the reason to be compelling is solved, students must submit an Application on
resolving the reason of postponement of the Internet publication (form 2) immediately.
When the reason is not resolved during the period of postponement, students must
submit an Application on extension of postponement of Internet publication (form 3) by
the end of February of that year. If students do not submit the form, the full text of thedoctoral dissertation will be published on the Internet on April 1 of that year.
When an Application on extension of postponement of Internet publication (form 3) is
submitted, the Steering Committee will make a decision and issue form 1 if approved.
However, the longest length of the postponement is until the end of March of three
years after the day of conferment.
However, regardless of whether or not it is possible to publish the doctoral dissertation
openly on the Internet, the CD for the permanent archives must be submitted by thedate of degree conferment.
When the Steering Committee agrees to the reason of postponement, students willsubmit a summary in addition to the full text of the doctoral dissertation. A summary is
published openly as a substitute. However, the University provides a full text of thedoctoral dissertation if someone requests to read it.
If students permit to publish openly, he/she is able to submit postponement by the
Request for non-disclosure / disclosure on the Internet of my doctoral dissertation. The
propriety of the postponement is judged at the next Steering Committee. A doctoral
dissertation already published cannot be withdrawn from Internet publication.

(11) Precautions
If any wrongdoing is uncovered, such as incorrect information having been submitted in
the application, or the use of plagiarized data in the doctoral dissertation, the review
process will be halted. If wrongdoing is discovered after conferment of the degree, any
degree obtained in such manner will be rescinded. Any type of misconduct will be
subject to severe disciplinary action.
5

2.

Doctoral degree (Doctoral degree by way of dissertation)(1) Diploma policy
The degree is given to an individual who certified as possessing ability in the field of
Library and Information Studies or Informatics. The doctoral degree given by the
Graduate School of Library, Information and Media Studies is the Doctor of Philosophy,
Doctor of Philosophy in Library and Information Studies, or Doctor of Philosophy inInformatics.

(2) Doctoral dissertation requirements
To a doctoral degree obtained by way of dissertation, a dissertation constitutes proof of
independent researcher. The purpose of the dissertation is to enrich the academic
standard of this research field with new findings obtained by original research. The
Graduate School of Library Information and Media Studies requires the candidate tosubmit sole dissertation written by him/her alone, in English or Japanese, in which newknowledge discovered by means of appropriate research methods must be clearly
described. It is therefore a condition that a doctoral dissertation must be a compilation of
three or more papers published, after peer review, in academic journals.

(3) Prerequisites for applying for the dissertation review
1) Students should have an academic advisor for the doctoral degree act as acaretaker.

2)

Must have passed the preliminary review(4) Application prerequisites for the preliminary review
Only students who fulfill all the following requirements are eligible to apply for the
preliminary review.
Three or more papers, which provide the core of the doctoral dissertation, must havebeen published or accepted for publication by a peer-reviewed academic journal(papers that comprise the core of the doctoral dissertation must be peer-reviewed, i.e.,equivalent to a full paper, written by the applicant as the sole or main author).
For those who a) left the program after having been enrolled for the prescribed period,b) have acquired the prescribed credits, and c) apply for a doctoral degree within two
years of leaving without re-admittance the program, two or more papers, which provide
cores to the dissertation, must have been published or accepted for publication by apeer-reviewed academic journals. However, in such case, the candidate must haveconducted interim presentation.
*

For those who left the program after having been enrolled for the prescribed period,
have acquired the prescribed credits, and apply for a doctoral degree within two
years of leaving without re-admittance the program, a peer-reviewed international
conference paper or a bulletin paper is acknowledged as one of the core papers.
6

* Even if it is published in a peer-reviewed academic journal, the paper published in asole organizational journal, such as IBM Journal, etc., is recognized as equivalent toa peer-reviewed bulletin paper.
* Commentaries cannot be included in the core papers, even if they have been
published in an academic journal.
* Papers that comprise the core of the doctoral dissertation must be written in English
or Japanese.

(5) Preliminary review
The preliminary review is an occasion at which five instructors, including the caretaker,
examine the Doctoral dissertation for preliminary review and decide whether it meetsthe requirements of a doctoral dissertation before the dissertation review. Applicantsmust modify their drafts based on the points discussed in the preliminary review. Whensuch modifications are applied and considered to meet the required standard of a
doctoral dissertation, the paper will be regarded as having passed the preliminary
review. A successful candidate has to apply for an authentic dissertation review as soon
as the judgment is made.
A fee for the preliminary review is free of charge, and the candidate can apply for the
preliminary review of the doctoral degree by way dissertation only once.
*

If the dissertation review isn’t applied within three months from the day theSteering Committee approve the passing of the preliminary review, the passing ofis rescinded.

*

In case that the Steering Committee once approved the passing of the preliminary
review while the candidate was enrolled in the doctoral program and withdraws
from the program after the approval, if the candidate applies for an dissertation
review within three months from passing the preliminary review, it can beconsidered the preliminary review as a ‘Doctoral Degree by Way of Doctoral
Dissertation’ with the approval of the Steering Committee.

Individuals who wish to undergo a preliminary review must submit the following
documents to the Dean of the Graduate School of Library, Information and Media
Studies (hereinafter referred to as the “Dean”) on the days prescheduled every month.
*

Submission: Graduate Academic Affairs Section,
Academic Service Office for the Library, Information and Media Sciences Area①

Preliminary review application (form code: 別記様式—後予１): One copy②

Doctoral dissertation for preliminary review: Five copies③

Abstract of the doctoral dissertation for preliminary review [English] (form code:
別記様式—後予４): One copy④

Author bibliography (form code: 別記様式—後予５): One copy⑤

Offprints or copies of papers that form a core of the doctoral dissertation: Fivecopies of each and PDF file7

⑥

Curriculum vitae (form code: 別記様式—後予６): One copy⑦

Letter of consent (form code: 別記様式—後予７): One copy of each⑧

Confirmation sheet of dissertation intended for doctoral degree (form code: 別記様式—後予８): One copy⑨

Thesis fairness report (form code: 別記様式－後予８): One copy⑩

Ethics review report (form code: 別記様式－後予９): One copy⑪

Other reference materials (if any): One copy of each(6) How the preliminary review is conducted
1)

A Doctoral Dissertation Preliminary Review Committee formed for each applicant
reviews the Doctoral dissertation for preliminary review. After the review, thecommittee makes their judgment within one year.

2)

The candidate applying for a preliminary review must make a presentation of the
key points of the Doctoral dissertation for preliminary review.

3)

The Doctoral Dissertation Preliminary Review Committee will examine thefollowing points and describe their findings in a preliminary review report.
・The peer review system of the papers that form the core of the Doctoral
dissertation for preliminary review
・Contents of letters of consent
・Possibility of replacing core paper with another peer-reviewed paper
・Possibility of title change(7) Applying for the dissertation review
After successfully passing the preliminary review, candidates can apply for the
dissertation review. Those who wish to take the dissertation review must submit thefollowing documents with a postal transfer certificate of JPY 57,000 as the fee for the
dissertation review, which is pasted on a Furikomihyo-tenpu-daishi (a slip on which a
postal transfer is certified), and apply to the Dean within 3 months after the date of
approval of the passing of preliminary review. Be sure to contact the Graduate Academic
Affairs Section in advance regarding the date of submission.
Furthermore, if an leaver who has been enrolled in the program for three years or longer
and has acquired ten or more credits while attending, wishes to undergo a dissertation
review within one year of the day he/she left without re-admittance the program, they
are exempted from the fee for the dissertation review.
*

Submission: Graduate Academic Affairs Section,
Academic Service Office for the Library, Information and Media
Sciences Area

① Doctoral dissertation review application (form code: 別記様式－後１): One copy
② Doctoral dissertation: Five copies③ Abstract of the doctoral dissertation [English] (form code: 別記様式－後３): One copy
④ Author bibliography (form code: 別記様式－後４): One copy
8

⑤ List of research achievement (form code: 別記様式—後９): One copy
⑥ Offprints or copies of papers that form the core of the doctoral dissertation: one
copies of each and PDF file
⑦ Request for non-disclosure / disclosure on the Internet of my doctoral dissertation(form code: 別記様式－後１０): One copy
⑧ Thesis fairness report (form code: 別記様式－後１３): One copy
⑨ Ethics review report (form code: 別記様式－後１４): One copy
⑩ Petition on expected dissertation for a doctoral degree application (form code: 別記様式－後１２): One copy*

In case that an leaver requests to consider his/her successful preliminary

review while attending the program as a preliminary review of a ‘Doctoral Degree
by Way of Dissertation’(8) How a dissertation review is conducted
A group of five or six examiners consisting of one or more experts from externalorganizations (e.g., faculty member at other graduate schools at the University, faculty
member at graduate schools of other universities or research institutes) and thecaretaker will examine whether the work meets the requirements of a doctoral
dissertation. The dissertation review is an occasion at which pass or failure of thedoctoral dissertation will be judged in the short term, provided that a preliminary review
panel has duly examined the draft. Therefore no “modification required” or “conditionalpass” will be allowed. If major revisions are necessary, the doctoral dissertation must be
judged as a “fail.”
1) The Doctoral Dissertation Review Committee, formed for each dissertation, reviews
the doctoral dissertation.
2) The final presentation must be made open to the public. It lasts for about 60 minutes,
including Q&A session.
3) A public announcement of the final presentation must be made ten days prior to thefinal presentation.
4) The final check will be conducted after the final presentation. The check consists ofsome questions to the author about his doctoral dissertation and related fields,
either orally or in writing. The examination is not open to the public and lasts 60
minutes or longer.

(9) Conferment of the degree
The degree is conferred on those who have passed the dissertation review. The official
date of conferment is the last day of the month that the Steering Committee judges as“pass.” (However, a decision as to conferment in March must be made by the Steering
Committee in February in principle, which will be the final judgment of degree
conferment.)
One CD for Internet publication, which contains the doctoral dissertation for thepermanent archives, must be submitted by the day of conferment. If no CD is submitted,
the conferment will be withheld.
9(10) Publication of the doctoral dissertation
Candidates who have received the doctoral degree must publish the full text of theirdoctoral dissertation on the Internet within one year of the day of conferment. If this is
not possible, due to plans to publish the doctoral dissertation as a book, apply for apatent, etc., students should submit their Request for non-disclosure / disclosure on theInternet of my doctoral dissertation to the Steering Committee. The Steering
Committee will make a decision on the Internet publication and will issue a Letter ofApproval and an Answer on Postponement of Internet Publication (form 1) with theperiod if approved. The length of the period to postpone approved here is the end of
March of one year after the day of conferment.
When the reason to be compelling is solved, students must submit an Application on
resolving the reason of postponement of the Internet publication (form 2) immediately.
When the reason is not resolved during the period of postponement, students must
submit an Application on extension of postponement of Internet publication (form 3) by
the end of February of that year. If students do not submit the form, the full text of thedoctoral dissertation will be published on the Internet on April 1 of that year.
When an Application on extension of postponement of Internet publication (form 3) is
submitted, the Steering Committee will make a decision and issue form 1 if approved.
However, the longest length of the postponement is until the end of March of three
years after the day of conferment.
However, regardless of whether or not it is possible to publish the doctoral dissertation
openly on the Internet, the CD for the permanent archives must be submitted by thedate of degree conferment.
When the Steering Committee agrees to the reason of postponement, students willsubmit a summary in addition to the full text of the doctoral dissertation. A summary is
published openly as a substitute. However, the University provides a full text of thedoctoral dissertation if someone requests to read it.
If students permit to publish openly, he/she is able to submit postponement by the
Request for non-disclosure / disclosure on the Internet of my doctoral dissertation. The
propriety of the postponement is judged at the next Steering Committee. A doctoral
dissertation already published cannot be withdrawn from Internet publication.

(11) Precautions
If any wrongdoing is uncovered, such as incorrect information having been submitted in
the application, or the use of plagiarized data in the doctoral dissertation, the review
process will be halted. If wrongdoing is discovered after conferment of the degree, any
degree obtained in such manner will be rescinded. Any type of misconduct will be
subject to severe disciplinary action.

10Doctoral dissertation guidelines
I. For preliminary review

1.

Dissertation for preliminary review

1.1 Dissertation format(1) Use A4-size paper with portrait orientation, write horizontally and printed(single-sided or double-sided printing)(2) Include the following components: (* If applicable)① Front cover② Title page③ Abstract (English)④ Table of contents⑤ List of figures*⑥ Body of the doctoral dissertation (include conclusion)⑦ Acknowledgement*⑧ Bibliography⑨ Full list of publications⑩ Appendices*(3) If the dissertation is to include content approved by ethical review, clearly state in afootnote to the body or elsewhere that the approval has been obtained.
(Example)
・In the case of Word
User experiments on ~.
Footnote {University of Tsukuba Library, Information and Media Sciences Ethics
Review
Notice (Approval) No. xx-xx} was made.
・In the case of Tex.
User experiments on ~.
¥footnote {University of Tsukuba Library, Information and Media Sciences Ethics
Review Notice (Approval) No. xx-xx} was made.
1.2 Cover page format, etc.
(4) Refer to the examples of the front cover and title page.
(5) Date of completion must be stated.
(6) Name should be as registered in TWINS.

11

Example of front cover

Title(20 points, centered)Month YYYY
Name
(16 points, centered, the month of completion,
name should be as registered on TWINS)

12

Example of Title Page

Title
(20 points, centered)Name（(16 points, centered, name should be as registered on TWINS)

Graduate School of Library, Information and Media Studies
University of TsukubaMonth 20XX
(16 points, centered, the month of completion)13

2.

Abstract of the Doctoral dissertation for preliminary review
Print the abstract in English of about 1200 words on the form: 別記様式—後予４ as
described below on A4-sized paper. The abstract should not include any reference. On
the second and subsequent pages, each page should be stamped or signed with the nameof the degree, student ID number, name, and title, and the number of pages should be
written in the bottom column as "1/2, 2/2".

3.

Author bibliography for Doctoral dissertation for preliminary review
3.1

Doctoral dissertation title

Write the title of the Doctoral dissertation for preliminary review on the form.
3.2 Core papers of the Doctoral dissertation for preliminary review
List two or more core papers in the following categories 1) to 2). Write the name of thecategories 1) and 2). Write “None” on the blank category. In principle, core papers
should be written in accordance with the following instructions. (However, if it isdifficult to follow the description method, the volume number and other information
should be written according to the notation on the reprint or its copy.)
The names of journals and international conferences should be written as they appear
on the Offprints or copies of papers. All authors should be listed, and the name of theapplicant should be underlined.(For single-authored papers, the name of the applicant
need not be underlined.) Attach a document that can determine the structure of thepeer review system for the core paper.
1)

Peer-reviewed academic journals

2)Peer-reviewed international conference proceedings and Peer-reviewed bulletin
papers【How to list】
1)

Peer-reviewed academic journals[Example_1] (1) Taro Tsukuba, Hanako Tsuchiura, and Kasumi Kasuga, “Polynomial
Time Search in Constraint Satisfaction Problems”, Journal of theJapan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME), Vol.2, No.3, 2014,
pp.234-240.
[Example_2] (2) Taro Tsukuba, “Implementation of Distributed Robot Control
Systems with Transputers,” Trans. of the SICE, Vol.4 No.5, 2015
(accepted).
2)

Peer-reviewed international conference proceedings and Peer-reviewed bulletin
papersPeer-reviewed international conference proceedings[Example_3]_(1) Taro Tsukuba and Hanako Tsuchiura, “A Frequency Domain
Repetitive Control Algorithm for Robot Manipulators”, Proc. of the 2nd
Motion and Vibration Control Conf., Yokohama, Aug 2007, pp.12-20.
[Example_4] (2) Taro Tsukuba, Kasumi Kasuga, and Hanako Tsuchiura, “AnAlgorithm for Robot Manipulators”, Proc. of the 3rd Motion and14Vibration Control Conf., New York, Jul 2013 (in press).
Peer-reviewed bulletin papers[Example_5] (1) Taro Tsukuba, Hanako Tsuchiura, and Kasumi Kasuga, “Polynomial
Time

SearchinConstraint

Satisfaction

Problems”,

Library,

Information and Media Studies, Vol.2, No.3, 2014, pp.234-240.

4. Copies of the core papers
In addition to copies of the core papers, the documents to certify that the core papers
are peer reviewed, such as submission regulations, etc. should be submitted.

5. Curriculum vitae
Write your name clearly in English. The spelling you write here is used for the diploma.

6. Letters of consent
If a core paper for the Doctoral dissertation for preliminary review is based on joint
research, you are required to submit a letter of consent (form: 別記様式—後予７) fromeach co-researcher.

7. Thesis fairness report
The applicants must check no plagiarism is included in the thesis. In addition, theapplicants must use the plagiarism checking tool “iThenticate” in collaboration with theacademic advisor and submit the Thesis fairness report with the signature of applicant.
Tools other than iThenticate is not accepted. iThenticate cannot be used by theapplicant alone.
If you have to modify something on the dissertation after the preliminary review, use
iThenticate again and also resubmit the Thesis fairness report, too. (The resubmissionis unnecessary if the modification is minor. The judgement of resubmission is made by
the chief examiner of Master’s Thesis Review Committee.)

8. Ethics review report
Signatures of both the applicant and main academic advisor are required.
If you have to modify something on the dissertation after the preliminary review,
resubmit the Ethics review report, too. (The resubmission is unnecessary if themodification is minor. The judgement of resubmission is made by the chief examiner ofMaster’s Thesis Review Committee.)

15

II.

For the dissertation review

1. Doctoral dissertation
1.1 Dissertation format(1)

Use A4-size paper with portrait orientation, write horizontally and printed(single-sided or double-sided printing)(2)

Include the following components: (* If applicable)① Front cover② Title page (English)③ Abstract in English (including English title)④ Table of contents⑤ List of Figures*⑥ Body of the doctoral dissertation (including conclusion)⑦ Acknowledgement*⑧ List of references⑨ Full list of publications⑩ Appendices*(3) If the dissertation is to include content approved by ethical review, clearly state in afootnote to the body or elsewhere that the approval has been obtained. Do the same as
in Dissertation for preliminary review.
1.2

Style of front page, etc.
Same as the dissertation for preliminary review

2.

Abstract of the doctoral dissertation
Print the English abstract of about 1200 words on the form: 別記様式—後 3 on A4-sized
paper. The abstract should not include any reference. On the second and subsequentpages, each page should be stamped or signed with the name of the degree, student ID
number, name, and title, and the number of pages should be written in the bottom
column as "1/2, 2/2".

3. Author bibliography for the doctoral dissertation
3.1

Doctoral dissertation title
Write the title of the doctoral dissertation.

3.2

Methods and timing of printing and publication[Example 1] This doctoral dissertation will be published on the Internet after the
degree has been conferred.
[Example 2]

XXX Publishers have undertaken to publish this as a book in (month),(year).
3.3 Core paper for the doctoral dissertation
List two or more core papers in the following categories 1) to 2). Write the name of the16

categories 1) and 2). Write “None” on the blank category. In principle, core papers
should be written in accordance with the following instructions. (However, if it isdifficult to follow the description method, the volume number and other information
should be written according to the notation on the reprint or its copy.)
The names of journals and international conferences should be written as they appear
on the Offprints or copies of papers. All authors should be listed, and the name of theapplicant should be underlined.(For single-authored papers, the name of the applicant
need not be underlined.) Attach a document that can determine the structure of thepeer review system for the core paper.
1)

Peer-reviewed academic journals

2)Peer-reviewed international conference proceedings and Peer-reviewed bulletin
papers【How to list】
1) Peer-reviewed academic journals[Example_1] (1) Taro Tsukuba, Hanako Tsuchiura, and Kasumi Kasuga, “Polynomial
Time Search in Constraint Satisfaction Problems”, Journal of theJapan Society of Mechanical Engineers (JSME), Vol.2, No.3, 2014,
pp.234-240.
[Example_2] (2) Taro Tsukuba, “Implementation of Distributed Robot Control
Systems with Transputers,” Trans. of the SICE, Vol.4 No.5, 2015
(accepted).
2)

Peer-reviewed international conference proceedings and Peer-reviewed bulletin
papersPeer-reviewed international conference proceedings[Example_3]_(1) Taro Tsukuba and Hanako Tsuchiura, “A Frequency Domain
Repetitive Control Algorithm for Robot Manipulators”, Proc. of the 2nd
Motion and Vibration Control Conf., Yokohama, Aug 2007, pp.12-20.
[Example_4] (2) Taro Tsukuba, Kasumi Kasuga, and Hanako Tsuchiura, “AnAlgorithm for Robot Manipulators”, Proc. of the 3rd Motion andVibration Control Conf., New York, Jul 2013 (in press).
Peer-reviewed bulletin papers[Example_5] (1) Taro Tsukuba, Hanako Tsuchiura, and Kasumi Kasuga, “Polynomial
Time

SearchinConstraint

Satisfaction

Problems”,

Library,

Information and Media Studies, Vol.2, No.3, 2014, pp.234-240.

4. Request for non-disclosure / disclosure on the Internet of my doctoral dissertation
If there is any reason for not publishing their doctoral dissertation on the Internet, thecandidate should talk with the academic advisor, etc. to obtain approval for withholding
publication. The rationale must be given in detail on the form. Publication on the Internet
can be delayed for up to three years after completion of the doctoral program.

5. Thesis fairness report
17

The applicant has to check no plagiarism is included in the thesis. In addition, theapplicant has to use the plagiarism checking tool “iThenticate” in collaboration with theacademic advisor and submit the Thesis fairness report with the signature of applicant.
Tools other than iThenticate is not accepted. iThenticate cannot be used by the applicant
alone.

6. Ethics review report
Signatures of both the applicant and main academic advisor are required.

18

III.

Submission of the doctoral dissertation for Internet publication

1．Dissertation format(1)

Use A4-size paper with portrait orientation, write horizontally(2)

Include the following components: (* If applicable)① Title page
② Abstract in English (including English title)③ Table of contents④ List of Figures*⑤ Body of the doctoral dissertation (including conclusion)⑥ Acknowledgement*⑦ List of references (List of references at the end of each chapter of the body ofdissertation is acceptable.)⑧ Full list of publications⑨ Appendices*(3) If the dissertation is to include content approved by ethical review, clearly state in afootnote to the body or elsewhere that the approval has been obtained. Do the same asin the dissertation for preliminary review.
1.2

Style of Title page, etc.
Same as the dissertation for preliminary review

２. Submission
The full text of the doctoral dissertation must be copied onto a CD as a PDF file. The
blank CD will be supplied by the Academic Service Office. Write your name andaffiliation as illustrated below on both the CD and its case.
Candidates whose Request for non-disclosure / disclosure on the Internet of my doctoral
dissertation have been approved should submit another CD that carries a summarizedversion of the doctoral dissertation (with the title page).
<Example of CD label etc.>

Dissertation submitted to the University of Tsukuba（Doctoral
Degree）
Title：□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□□○○○○○○○

Graduate School of □□□□□Name□□□□□□□* Submission: One CD for Internet publication
One CD of thesis summary (only those who apply)
19

Major: □□□□□

* Submit to the Graduate Academic Affairs Section, Academic Service Office for the Library
Information and Media Sciences Area
* Deadline: Date of degree conferment
Please be reminded that conferment of the degree will be withheld if the required CD is not
submitted.

3. Publication
Individuals who have been granted the doctoral degree must publish the full text of theirdoctoral dissertation on the Internet within one year of the date of degree conferment.
The processing section at the University will collect CDs for Internet publication. The
University of Tsukuba Library will publish these materials via its institutional repository.
The data published in such manner will be automatically archived in the Library of the
National Diet.
Those doctoral dissertations postponed from publication on the Internet, whose authors
have submitted a summary version for Internet publication instead, can be read in fulltext at the University of Tsukuba Library.
Doctoral dissertations postponed from publication on the Internet will also be publishedin full on the Internet if and when such reasons no longer apply.

20