Area-specific thesis preparation MA AS

Normally a MA thesis will contain the following sections:

  1. Introduction
  2. Method
  3. Results
  4. Discussion
  5. References
  6. Appendices

Appendices normally contain:

  • A copy of the REB certificate (if applicable)
  • Materials for the study (e.g., questionnaires that were used)
  • Other relevant information at the discretion of the student
  • A print out of Department Statistical Methods in Theses: Guidelines and Recommendations document with notes from the committee meeting (if applicable).

During the preparation of the written thesis the student should be receiving feedback from the advisor as well as the advisory committee (what form that takes (e.g., drafts, meetings) will be up to each committee to determine). Students are encouraged to have a carefully planned out timeline for this process, as it will likely take longer than they expect.

Thesis length can be highly variable depending on the nature of the MA thesis project; typically varying between 30 to 100 pages in length, excluding references and appendices. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss a plan of the structure of their thesis (including approximate length of the different sections) with their advisor prior to writing their thesis.

The style of the thesis (e.g., based on chapters; similar to a manuscript) should be confirmed with the advisory committee. The committee is encouraged to consider thesis styles and format amenable to scholarly publications when appropriate.

Theses should adhere to the most recent APA formatting guidelines.

The thesis should strive to evince critical and creative thinking skills, literacy skills and communication skills and a global understanding. The thesis and the work it includes must be professional and adhere to the highest ethical standards. The thesis must also demonstrate the candidate's capacity for original and independent work, and should include a critical evaluation of work which has previously been done in the candidate's field of research. The thesis should emphasize any new conclusions which may be drawn from the candidate's own research.

Typically, students will submit multiple drafts of their thesis to their advisor prior to submitting it to their committee.

A minimum of two weeks will be allowed for any Advisory Committee member, including the advisor, to evaluate any work submitted to them.