This artificial collection consists of student research papers produced by graduate degree candidates between 1938 and 2004. These papers were not submitted as formal theses or dissertations for the completion of a degree. They were gathered for their unique, unusual, or illustrative content, and inclusion in the collection is not systematic. The papers vary in format, including professionally bound volumes, spiral-bound copies, and those placed in report folders.

Topics include scientific innovation, child psychology, social problems, educational practices, language development, and public policy. Examples include a 2004 study on nanostructures for emission detection, a 1994 analysis of homelessness in Sioux Falls, a 1993 examination of the psychological effects of having a hearing-impaired sibling, and a 1968 curriculum design for male homemaking students in Lake Norden High School.

The collection provides insight into the diverse interests and applied research efforts of graduate students at South Dakota State University over nearly seven decades. It offers perspectives on local and regional issues, educational methods, and public service initiatives, making it a valuable resource for understanding historical and social developments in South Dakota and the broader Midwest.