Form and Scope of the MRP
The major research paper can take a variety of formats. It may, for example, consist of a monographic research report (a maximum of 50 pages) or an article.
The monograph format should include:
- Title page;
- Introduction;
- Research topic & research questions;
- Methodology;
- Results and discussion;
- Theoretical and practical implications and contributions to the field of education;
- Conclusions;
- References;
- Appendices;
The article format must meet the following requirements:
- The article must be substantial and equivalent to a monograph. The student must be the sole, or first and principal author. If the student is not the sole author, they must have contributed at least two-thirds of the original content and writing of the article. The student must formally specify his/her contribution. The article must be considered equivalent to a master’s major research project.
- The article may have been published during the student’s time as an active student. Alternatively, it may have been submitted for publication, or may be in the form of a manuscript ready for submission for publication, in a peer-reviewed academic journal. If the article has already been published, a copy of the article as published must be included in the MRP, with the permission of the journal. If the committee members require changes or additions, these must be added as an appendix, since a published article cannot be modified.
The major research paper by Article would include:
- introductory chapter;
- at least one research article related to the research of the major research paper;
- a synthesis and conclusion which integrates the material addressed in the articles and provides a global summary and analysis.
Depending on the structure of subsequent chapters, it may be appropriate and desirable for the introductory chapter to review existing literature and discuss methodological issues that may facilitate the understanding of the research topics and/or results reported in the articles or chapters that follow.
Layout and structure
- The dissertation should be typed with 1.5 line spacing, using Times New Roman 12-point font and 2.5 cm margins;
- It should include a title page, a table of contents and a one-page summary;
- Bibliography and citations must follow APA standards.
Structure
The major research paper should typically consist of the following parts:
Introduction: Presentation of the purpose of the dissertation, relevance to the intervention and research, presentation of the chapters. Approximately 2 to 5 pages.
Methodology: Presentation and justification of the approach taken including reference to relevant studies. Approx. 2 to 5 pages.
Literature Review: Synthesis of the relevant literature within which the study is situated. Approx. 15 to 30 pages.
Results and Discussion: Analysis of results based on literature reviews and theoretical framework. Approx. 15 to 20 pages.
Conclusion: Summary of dissertation subject, main conclusions, avenues for intervention and research. Approx. 2 to 5 pages.
Appendices: Any additional documents or material (graphs, maps, explanatory diagrams, etc.) that may help the reader to better understand your literature review may be included as appendices.
Submission deadlines
The major research paper must be submitted to the professor no later than the last day of the official exam period, as indicated in the calendar of important academic dates by term.
- If you are unable to submit your major research paper by this date, you must submit a request for a deferred grade in accordance with the Academic regulations A-8.6.
Evaluation of the MRP
The supervisor selects an evaluator to grade the major research paper. An email must be sent to the program director for approval. Once approved, the supervisor informs the student.
Once the major research paper is completed, the student submits it by email to the supervisor and the evaluator for evaluation. They have 10 business days after the submission to evaluate the major research paper and complete the Evaluation Report Form according to the following criteria:
- Overall understanding of the subject: situating the literature in their historical, theoretical, and methodological context.
- Relevance and scope of the review: comprehensively covering relevant work in the field using key studies.
- Criticism and analysis of the sources used: summarize and critically analyze previous research studies, evaluating their methodologies, results and theoretical and social implications.
- Originality and contributions to the field: identify new trends, controversies, gaps and propose new perspectives or recommendations.
- Conformity with the usual standards of presentation of academic writing.
The evaluation of the MRP will result in one of two verdicts:
- The MRP is accepted and meets the program requirements; in this case, you will have completed the requirements of your program. The grade ‘S’ (satisfactory) will be entered in your file.
- The MRP requires major revisions and does not meet the required criteria. In this case, a grade of ‘NS’ (unsatisfactory) will be entered in your file. You will have to enrol again in MRP 6999 the following term. Your new version will be evaluated again by the director and the same committee.
Important: After the second submission, if the MRP still does not meet the criteria, you will receive a grade of ‘NS’ (not satisfactory) again and will be withdrawn from the program.
*The supervisor has the responsibility of sharing the Evaluation Report form with the evaluator. Once the evaluation is completed, the supervisor must submit the final grade and both Evaluation Report forms to [email protected].