Thesis Guidelines MPN Program

Last Revised: August 27, 2012

For whom is this document intended?

This document is designed for students completing the Master of Psychiatric Nursing (MPN) program at Brandon University.  The document will describe the nature of a thesis, and outline the process for completion of the thesis. 

What is a thesis?

A thesis is a formal comprehensive, written document describing a research study on a chosen subject.  A thesis is used to demonstrate capacity to complete a research project and present the findings.  A completed thesis represents a distinct contribution to knowledge in the field of study. 

What is the process for completion of a thesis? 

The thesis process involves:

-          Identifying a Thesis Advisor;

-          Selecting a Thesis Committee;

-          Identifying learning needs and developing a learning plan;

-          Completing coursework and registering for the thesis;

-          Developing and finalizing the thesis proposal;

-          Obtaining ethical approval for the study;

-          Conducting the research and preparing the thesis;

-          Submitting drafts to the Thesis Committee; and

-          Defending the thesis and submitting final documents. 

 Identifying a Thesis Advisor

The process of completing a thesis starts with identification of a Thesis Advisor.  The Thesis Advisor provides assistance at every stage of the MPN program, including selection of a thesis committee, planning to address learning needs, selecting / clarifying the research question(s), and choosing research methods.  The Thesis Advisor will also provide guidance on practical aspects of conducting research, and will ensure that the work meets university requirements. 

For full-time students, the Thesis Advisor should be in place by the end of the first year in the MPN program.  For all students, the Thesis Advisor must be in place prior to registration for the first course in the chosen stream.  The Thesis Advisor must be approved as a full member of the Brandon University Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS).  A list of Health Studies faculty approved as full members of the FGS is available in the ‘Student Resources’ section of the MPN web page.  The right Thesis Advisor will be someone the student works well with and who has the expertise to guide the work.  More detailed information on selecting a Thesis Advisor and Thesis Committee is available in the ‘Student Resources’ section of the MPN web page. 

The Thesis Advisor must be approved by the Graduate Health Studies Steering Committee (GHSSC).  Once the student has selected a thesis advisor and confirmed that the faculty member is willing to serve in that capacity, the student will submit a letter of request to the GHSSC indicating rationale for the selection. 

Selecting a Thesis Committee

Once confirmed, the Thesis Advisor will work with the student to identify and arrange for at least two other members to serve on the Thesis Committee.  Collectively, the Thesis Advisor and other Thesis Committee members will have the expertise to guide the thesis work and evaluate the thesis.  The number of people who are eligible to serve as committee members is larger than the number of people approved for thesis advising.  Committee members are content experts, and may be from inside or outside Brandon University.  At least two members of the Thesis Committee should be from Brandon University.  Committee members from outside Brandon University must be approved as associate members of Brandon University Faculty of Graduate Studies. 

Once committee members have been identified, have agreed to serve on the committee and, if necessary, obtained the necessary approval for membership in the Brandon University Faculty of Graduate Studies, the Thesis Advisor will take the names forward to the GHSSC for approval. 

Identifying learning needs and developing a learning plan

The Thesis Committee will collaborate with the student to identify learning needs for completion of the thesis, and will work with the student to develop a plan to address learning needs.  Learning needs will normally be addressed through the directed readings course (75:656) or an elective but, depending on the learning needs, additional courses or workshops may be required by the committee.  If learning needs will be addressed through a directed readings course, the Thesis Advisor will work with the student to develop a course outline that specifies the overall purpose of the course, desired learning objectives, a tentative reading list, learning activities, contact schedule, and course requirements.  The Thesis Advisor will bring the course outline to the GHSSC for approval.  If additional courses will be required for the students’ program, the GHSSC will also approve the students’ program. 

Completing coursework and registering for the thesis

All courses must be complete before the student may register for the graduate thesis (75:700). 

Developing and finalizing a thesis proposal

The thesis proposal is constructed by the student with guidance from the Thesis Advisor and Thesis Committee members.  The student will deliver an oral presentation and defense of the completed thesis proposal to her/his Thesis Committee.  The thesis proposal must be approved by the students’ Thesis Committee before the research can commence.  The student will prepare a 500-word summary of the approved thesis proposal.  The summary will be submitted by the Thesis Advisor to the GHSSC for information. 

Obtaining ethical approval for the study

Most thesis work will require ethical approval.  Students may wish to review the tutorial online course on research ethics based on the Tri-Council Policy Statement 2 offered by the Panel on Research Ethics.  The course can be found at http://www.pre.ethics.gc.ca/eng/education/tutorial-didacticiel/   

For research requiring ethical approval, the student will prepare and submit an application to the Brandon University Research Ethics Committee (BUREC).  The application form must be signed by the Thesis Advisor.  Forms, processes, and deadlines for submission are available on the BUREC web pages at http://www2.brandonu.ca/administration/vpacademic/research/committees/ethics.asp   Once BUREC approval is received, the student will submit a copy of the approval letter for the student file.  The student is responsible for complying with all BUREC policies and conditions, including preparation of an annual and/or final report(s). 

Conducting research and preparing the thesis

Only after BUREC approval has been obtained can data collection, data analysis, and preparation of the thesis begin.  During the period of data collection, analysis, and writing, the student will need to be in regular contact with the Thesis Advisor to provide updates on progress and solicit guidance as needed.  The contact schedule is negotiated between the Thesis Advisor and the student, but routine contact is recommended.  The student may also be in contact with other members of the Thesis Committee as needed to draw on their expertise. 

The student will meet with the Thesis Committee at least once a year, usually in conjunction with preparation of the Annual Progress Report Form.  The on-campus session is also a good time to schedule a committee meeting.  The student is responsible to arrange meetings with the Thesis Committee.  If the meeting will be held on campus, the student can book a room for the meeting through Wendy Haidey, MPN Program Assistant.  If audio- or video-conferencing is needed, the Thesis Advisor will make arrangements for the technology. 

The student will work with the Thesis Advisor to develop an outline for the thesis.  The student will share draft chapters and sections with the Thesis Advisor for feedback.  This feedback is essential to ensure that expectations are clear and that the work stays on track.  Draft material will also be shared with the Thesis Committee at points to be determined by the student and Thesis Advisor.  Again, ongoing feedback is useful to keep the work on track.

The structure of the thesis document will adhere to the requirements outlined in the most recent version of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA).  Students will also attend to APA guidelines for mechanics of style, and writing clearly and concisely. 

Defending the thesis and submitting final documents