Thesis
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Research Essay
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| 80-100 pages |
65-80 pages |
- based around original research using primary sources (e.g. – documents, interviews, raw data such as election studies, etc.)
- original theoretically-filling clear gap in existing literature
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- while incorporating original research and primary documents, these may not form the core of the work if there is strong analysis and discussion of secondary sources
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- designed, researched and written with regular consultations of the supervisor and/or other faculty
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- supervisor must be consulted at major points of the process but will have a lesser role; other faculty usually not involved until grading
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- should represent a distinct and original contribution to the field
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- should represent a strong understanding of the field and an original and insightful interpretation of it
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- will reflect the workload of four one-term graduate courses, for 2.0 credits
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- will reflect the workload of two one-term graduate courses, for 1.0 credit
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- takes on average approximately eight months of full-time work from beginning to completion, but this will vary considerably according to a wide range of factors
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- takes on average approximately four months on a full-time basis, but will also vary considerably
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- defended before a formal thesis board
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- graded by the supervisor and one other faculty member
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- as a distinct contribution to the field, should likely be publishable if it can be summarized into article length
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- may or may not be publishable
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Will be particularly valuable for students who:
- strongly wish to study a particular topic in depth using primary resources
- want to undertake a major piece of research to prepare themselves for eventual PhD studies
- are not planning to proceed to the PhD and seek a final “capstone” to their academic career
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Will be particularly valuable for students who:
- have a wide range of scholarly interests and do not feel strongly drawn to a single topic
- hope to proceed more quickly to a PhD and do not feel they need to conduct major research at this stage
- do not plan a future research career and would rather develop general writing and analytical skills
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