A declaration page stands as a testament to the integrity and authenticity of a thesis. It is a succinct section at the beginning of the document that outlines key information and affirmations regarding the authorship and originality of the work.
Essentially, it serves as a formal declaration of the author’s adherence to ethical standards and their acknowledgement of the contributions made towards the completion of the thesis.
A declaration page acts as a cornerstone of academic integrity, helping to reinforce the credibility of the research presented in the thesis or dissertation.
By explicitly stating that the work is original and free from plagiarism, the author not only upholds the principles of honesty but also demonstrates their commitment to scholarly standards.
Let’s explore this further.
Key Components in a Declaration Page
Here are some of the key components to include in your declaration guide.
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Title of the Thesis
The declaration page typically begins with the title of the thesis, serving as a concise identifier of the research topic or subject matter. The title should accurately reflect the scope and focus of the thesis, providing readers with a clear understanding of its contents.
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Name of the Author
Following the title, the declaration page includes the name of the author or authors (if applicable), affirming their authorship and responsibility for the research presented within the thesis.
The author’s name serves as a key identifier, linking them directly to the work and asserting their ownership of intellectual contributions.
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Declaration of Originality
Central to the declaration page is the declaration of originality, wherein the author asserts that the work presented within the manuscript is their own original creation.
This declaration typically includes statements affirming that the research has not been plagiarised and that any academic sources or references utilised have been properly cited. Use APA citation style or the one required by the university to adhere to submission requirements.
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Statement of Contributions
The statement of contributions provides the author or authors an opportunity to acknowledge the individuals or entities that have contributed to the completion of the thesis. This may include your supervisor, advisors, collaborators, or funding agencies, etc.
The statement should clearly describe the specific contributions made by each party, highlighting their roles in the research process.
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Acknowledgements (If Applicable)
In some cases, the declaration page may include a section for acknowledgements, wherein the author expresses gratitude to individuals or organisations who have provided support, guidance, or inspiration during the course of the research.
Acknowledgements may include mentors, peers, family members, or institutions that have facilitated the author’s academic pursuits.
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Date of Submission
Finally, the declaration page concludes with the date of submission, indicating the date on which the thesis was formally submitted for evaluation or examination.
The inclusion of the submission date serves as a record of the thesis’s completion and submission timeline, ensuring compliance with academic deadlines and requirements.
How to Write a Declaration Page
After consulting with my university’s thesis or research paper submission requirements, I have found the elements necessary to consider while crafting official originality statements. Personally, all the below-mentioned factors have worked like a checklist for me to write a quality and correct declaration for my social sciences dissertation writing.
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Clear & Concise Language
One of the primary rules of crafting an effective declaration page is to use clear and concise language. Avoid ambiguity or verbosity, and strive for clarity in expressing your affirmations and acknowledgements.
The declaration should be easily understandable to readers, conveying your commitment to academic integrity without unnecessary exaggeration.
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Formatting & Presentation Tips
Formatting plays a crucial role in the presentation of the declaration page. Ensure that the page layout is clean and organised, with consistent font styles and sizes.
Use headings and subheadings to state different sections of the declaration, making it easier for readers to navigate. Additionally, pay attention to spacing and alignment to maintain a polished appearance.
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Honesty & Integrity
Honesty and integrity are paramount when crafting a declaration page. It is essential to uphold the highest ethical standards and truthfully affirm the originality of your work.
Avoid any misleading statements or exaggerations, as they can undermine the credibility of your thesis. Demonstrating integrity in your declaration not only reflects positively on your character but also reinforces the trustworthiness of your research.
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Institutional Guidelines & Requirements
Every academic institution may have its own specific guidelines and requirements for declaration pages. Before crafting your declaration, familiarise yourself with these guidelines to ensure compliance.
Pay attention to formatting specifications, word limits, and any specific language or statements that may be required. Adhering to institutional guidelines demonstrates your attention to detail and respect for academic conventions.
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Writing the Declaration of Originality
The declaration of originality is a crucial component of the acknowledgement section, affirming the authenticity and uniqueness of your work.
What Constitutes Original Work?
Original work refers to content that is created by the author and has not been previously published or plagiarised. When writing the declaration of originality, it is important to understand what constitutes original work within the context of your field of study
This may involve original research findings, innovative ideas, or creative interpretations of existing knowledge. In simple terms, it refers to any type of research writing, such as a research paper or a dissertation.
The use of original ideas and phrasing indicates the authenticity of the work, meaning that the content from beginning to end is solely created by the author or authors, supported by appropriate references or citations to give proper credit to the original contributors.
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Digital Declaration Requirements
We have searched the official guidelines of prestigious universities like Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, King’s College London, etc., just to find out the exact spacing and information that researchers need to add in their certificate of authorship.
Digital Declaration Requirements
We have searched the official guidelines of prestigious universities like Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, King’s College London, etc., just to find out the exact spacing and information that researchers need to add in their certificate of authorship
PDF Thesis Format Specifications:
- File size of no more than 50 MB.
- Font embedding throughout the document.
- Hyperlink functionality to ensure internal navigation works correctly.
- Bookmarks are required for chapter navigation.
- Printing and copying permissions.
Electronic Signature Integration:
Unlike traditional research submissions, in which mentioning your name and other details was enough to hand over the copy to the relevant personnel. Digital submissions of the thesis require students to add an e-signature to their work to testify to its authorship.
Here’s a little different or more detail-oriented digital declaration page format that students can consider replicating.
Digital Signature Block:
Electronically Signed: [Your Full Name]
Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]
IP Address: [Auto-generated by Submission System]
Submission ID: [University-Generated Reference]
Multi-File Submission Protocols:
Some institutions want their students to submit multiple files, including the prepared thesis and attachments like a declaration form, in a compressed ZIP format.
- File naming conventions: “Surname_FirstName_Declaration.pdf”
- Separate appendix submissions
- Supplementary material declarations
Managing Multi-Author Declaration
It is quite difficult to give due credit and appreciation to every researcher involved in writing team studies for submission. On the other hand, crafting a certification of authorship for a single-author study is not a big deal. As mentioned above, it only requires a few details, and boom, you are ready to submit your study.
Collaborative studies from students working on project management dissertation topics and similar team studies are best attributed to every contributor by mentioning each one while maintaining thesis integrity.
State these:
- Individually authored chapters and sections.
- Collaborative methodology development.
- Shared data collection responsibilities.
- Individual analysis and interpretation.
You can consider this standard template for your group finance dissertations and similar projects.
Penalties of Writing False Declaration
If you know what are the consequences of plagiarism in your research papers or dissertations. Then, you can easily understand how making false claims in your study declaration can impact your career and integrity. Make sure to avoid declaration misconduct and save yourself from legal, academic, and other consequences as mentioned below.
- Submission rejection and resubmission requirements.
- Academic probation and suspension from university.
- Degree revocation, even if you are doing post-graduation.
- Transcript notation of academic misconduct.
Future Impact on Your Academic Career
- Rejection of enrolment in further studies.
- Ineligibility for research funding and fellowship grants.
- Complications in getting professional licences.
- Academic career limitations.
Mentioning AI Usage in Declaration
Undoubtedly, artificial intelligence (AI) has become a part and parcel of our academic research writings. That’s why some universities are now asking students to clearly mention the use of AI tools (If applicable) in affirmation statements.
It means if you have taken any assistance in literature review writing to any part of a dissertation. Then, simply add a few words clearly stating your use of AI tools in completing your research study. In case you take it for granted and get caught upon detection by the reviewers.
Your academic integrity will be at stake, and you may face negative reviews for hiding the reality. That’s why it’s better to add AI acknowledgements in the thesis declaration page.
Frequently Asked Questions
An example of a declaration in a thesis might state: “I hereby declare that this thesis is my original work, conducted under the supervision of [supervisor’s name], and all sources used have been properly cited and acknowledged.”
The declaration typically appears as a preliminary page in a thesis, preceding the abstract and acknowledgements. It is usually located after the title page and before the table of contents, providing a formal statement from the author regarding the originality and integrity of their work.
An example of a declaration statement in a thesis could be: “I solemnly declare that this thesis is the result of my own research endeavours, conducted under the guidance of [supervisor’s name]. All sources used have been duly acknowledged and referenced according to the conventions of academic integrity and citation.”
The declaration format for a PhD thesis typically includes a statement asserting the author’s originality of work, acknowledgement of sources, compliance with ethical standards, and declaration of any assistance received. It’s usually structured in a formal, concise manner and is placed at the beginning of the thesis document.
