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The Graduate School at the University of Missouri–Columbia (Mizzou)

Required Supplements on CD

Files You Must Include

The documents listed below are not part of your research document, so they are considered to be supplemental materials.

The naming convention is very specific. File names should be lowercase, exactly as you see them below:

  • declaration.pdf
  • public.pdf
  • short.pdf

Folder for Multimedia

If you have video, audio, external photos or other multimedia to go along with your research, you should place it in a folder saved as “media.” Only add this folder to your CD if you have files to put in it.

File Declaration Form (declaration.pdf)

The purpose of this form is to document the specific types of files that are part of your submission.

Instructions, Form Terms Defined

  • This page should be saved to your CD as a separate file: “declaration.pdf.”
  • List file names (eg. public.pdf, short.pdf)
  • “File type” refers to what type of software was used to save the file. Unless you have multimedia, all of your file types should be PDF.
  • “Version” refers to the version of the software you used, for example, “Version 6.0.”
  • “Size” refers to how large the files are, for example, “534 KB.”
  • “File Descriptions” should be brief explanations of what each file contains.

Download the File Declaration Form as a PDF with form fields you can type on

Download the File Declaration Form as a rich text document (works in word processing programs like Microsoft Word)

Public Abstract (public.pdf)

  • Save to your CD as a file: “public.pdf”
  • Not counted, numbered or listed in the Table of Contents
  • Inform a reader on a general, less technical level. Write this as you would a piece for a local newspaper.
  • The body needs to explain the following:
    • Justification and significance of the research problem
    • Type of research done
    • Results found
    • Implications of the research for advancing basic academic scholarship; enhancing economic or technological development; developing appropriate social policy; or improving the overall quality of life in the community, state, nation or world

Go to the Public Abstract generator

Short Academic Abstract (short.pdf)

Short Academic Abstract layout example
  • Save to your CD as a file: “short.pdf”
  • Provide a brief overview of your research. It is meant for those in your field, so it can be as technical in nature as you wish.
  • Do not include a page number in the short.pdf file.
  • If you want a version of the Short Academic Abstract in your thesis or dissertation, then please number the page in the research.pdf file and include an entry in the Table of Contents.
  • The title must be typed at least one inch from the top of the page, centered and in all caps.
  • ABSTRACT must be centered and in all caps.
  • The Abstract should be no more than one page in length (approximately 150 words), with the main content double-spaced.

Download the example Short Academic Abstract in rich text format (Don't forget to convert to PDF and save as short.pdf)