3 Multimodal and New Form Theses

Here at Iowa, we understand that not every thesis and dissertation submitted to the Graduate College will look the same. Your discipline and degree goal will shape your work, as will the very questions you are trying to answer. Probably now more than ever, there’s not a one-size-fits-all formula for what your thesis should look like.

These sorts of differences extend not only to content, but also to the media which best showcase your work. In the arts and humanities, a recording, video, or website might be the most accurate portrayal of your research. In STEM fields, animations or code might be important. In both cases, your work may take you beyond the traditional PDF to include other important elements. Your thesis might be multimodal, meaning it includes different elements submitted in a range of file types. Or, it may be new form, with the bulk of your work lying outside the traditional PDF.

If you think you might want to include more nontraditional elements in your thesis, first talk with your thesis committee. Your committee members are in the best position to let you know about the norms of your discipline and to help you anticipate any potential issues. Then, reach out to the Graduate College. We can help answer logistical questions and connect you with resources on campus who can help.

Together, we can all make sure you are prepared to submit your work in the most appropriate medium possible.