University of Wisconsin Stout | Wisconsin's Polytechnic University

1. Appropriate methodological applications and designs will be applied in Plan A (M.S. theses), Plan B (M.S. problems, M.S. field projects, M.S. field problems) and Ed.S. (Ed.S. Thesis and Ed.S. Field Problems) research.
   
2. The level of analysis should generally be more sophisticated in Plan A research than in Plan B. However, regardless of the plan followed, the level of analysis required in the study should not exceed the level of understanding or preparation of the student.
   
3. The graduate research paper shall note any errors in the execution or limitations of the study, and the impact such errors or limitations have on the conclusions discussed. These errors need not place a student in jeopardy of having the work rejected, but they must be recognized and addressed.
   
4. Papers must be presented in appropriate form with correct spelling, appropriate sentence structure, format, and citation of references.
   
5. Students should not initiate any data gathering for the research paper until the design has been discussed with the adviser and approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Generally, this process should not start until after the student has completed at least one course in research. Revisit after going through rest of document.

In order to qualify, the Plan A or Ed.S. paper must contribute to the body of knowledge in the relevant field. It should be characterized by at least one of the following criteria. The paper:

• Presents results that generalize beyond the scope or sample of the study. (This may be determined by the extent and method of sampling followed in the study. If the sampling process seems limited, the student will demonstrate an awareness of its limitations and defend the representation of the sample as it pertains to a population. A pilot study may precede the main study.)
• Reviews and critically analyzes research using a meta-analytic procedure.
• Reviews and analyzes research using a critical science procedure.
• Analyzes national, regional, or unique data sets to derive new knowledge.
• Replicates research to confirm or extend previous studies.
• Uses qualitative procedures relevant to the student's discipline.

In order to qualify, the Plan B paper must contribute to the body of knowledge in the relevant field. It should be characterized by one or more of the following criteria. The paper:

• Replicates, with proper acknowledgment, a previously published study in a localized setting.
• Develops and field tests an assessment tool in a localized setting.
• Reviews and critically analyzes research, literature or data in a selected area.
• Applies research methodology and principles relative to a particular discipline to solve a problem for a regional organization the results of which might apply only to the participating organization.
• Applies single case design methodology or examines the effects of an intervention(s) in a localized setting.
• Conducts a pilot study.
• Develops a discipline related grant proposal.

• Provide for and maintain care to protect human and animal subjects in research.
• Demonstrate ethical behavior and proper conduct in the execution of research.
  
• Demonstrate an understanding of data analysis commensurate with the research proposal.
  
• Demonstrate an understanding of how knowledge is advanced within their field.
  
• Demonstrate an appreciation and understanding of different approaches to the development of knowledge, (e.g., empirical, experimental, developmental, qualitative, quantitative, and the like).
  
• Demonstrate the ability to be a critical consumer of research including the understanding of potential design flaws, and biases that may be reported in the popular press or in discipline-specific journals.
  
• Demonstrate an understanding of judgments and decisions made in the execution of a study along with the subjectivity present even in highly controlled studies.
  
• Demonstrate the ability to synthesize, summarize research findings, address and solve problems and make evidence based recommendations pertinent to the research findings.
  

• Have the primary responsibility for designing, conducting, and reporting the research.
  
• Establish a climate of mutual respect and reciprocal communication with adviser and colleagues.
  
• Complete the appropriate certification process (IRB or IACUC) prior to the collection of any data involving human or animal subjects.
  
• Submit a detailed timetable for completion of the research project to the adviser/committee.
  
• Effectively communicate ideas in writing.
  
• Understand the basics of research design and data analysis.
  
• Work with advisor to understand expectations for creating a comprehensive and relevant literature review appropriate to research problem and discipline.
  
• Review paper for proper formatting before final submission to adviser.
  
• Submit required drafts and the finished document to the adviser/committee according to the agreed upon timeline.
  
• Correct any deficiencies that may exist and return to the adviser according to the agreed upon timetable.

• Establish a climate of mutual respect and reciprocal communication.
• Meet with the student to approve the design of the study prior to its initiation.
• Discuss advisement expectations with the student.
• Complete the appropriate certification process (IRB or IACUC) which relates to the use of human or animal subjects in research.
  
• Be reasonably available for consultation in accordance with the agreed upon time frame. (Note: When this document was originally proposed, the Graduate Student Council recommended the equivalent of one scheduled hour per week.)
• Provide written feedback to students on drafts of the paper within the agreed upon time frame.
  
• Assist with the research design and data analysis, and provide suggestions on how the results can be used in framing conclusions.
• Assist with the integration of prior research with the findings of the current study.
• Review the paper for proper formatting before final submission.
• Evaluate the finished paper and, if approved, forward the signed cover sheet to the Graduate School.
  
• Once notification of final approval is received from the Graduate School, assign a grade.
  
• Act as committee chair for Plan A, or Ed.S. committees.
  

• Track numbers of advisees per graduate faculty.
  
• Determine release time for faculty thesis advisers.
  
• Track individual and aggregate graduate research paper data for the department.
  
• Encourage and facilitate the involvement of department faculty in research advising.
  
• Incorporate advisement into performance evaluations.
  
• Approve the appointment of department faculty as research advisers.
  
• Advise students regarding availability and expertise of a department faculty for research advisement.
  
• Inform faculty of research advisement responsibilities, policies, and resources.
  
• Use advisement resources to support release time for research advisers.
  
• Monitor instructional load assignment for graduate research advisement.
  
• Incorporate the need for research advisement into departmental resource allocations.
  

• Advise students regarding potential research advisers.
  
• Advise students regarding completion of research requirements within the program.
  
• Advise students regarding thesis credit registration.
  
• Advise students regarding scope of research project, e.g. Plan A versus Plan B.
  
• Advise students regarding the timing of research project within the total program plan.
  
• Review and approve research topic
  
• Advise students regarding registration, appointment of research adviser, the IRB process, and the protection of animal/human subjects process.
  

Expected of Committee Chair

• The committee chair determines the grade for the research paper with input from the committee.
• The committee chair schedules an oral examination upon conclusion of the research.
• Schedule a meeting with the student at the outset to review the responsibilities of both the committee and the student.

Expected of all Committee Members

• Refine and approve the research design.
• Plan a timeline for completion of the paper.
• Discuss the value of the research and avenues for its dissemination.
• Provide timely feedback to the student.
• Be reasonably available for consultation either individually or collectively in accordance with the agreed upon time frame.
• Participate in an oral examination upon conclusion of the research, and provide feedback regarding the student's command of the subject matter.
• Read the finished paper and give final approval by signing the cover sheet of the research paper.
  

For your Research Paper you have an option to do one of the below options:

1. Plan B or Field Problem (2, 3, or 4 credits depending on degree program) XXX-735 (e.g. SCOUN-735, SPSY-735, and the like).
2. Plan A Thesis (6 credits); XXX-770. (Except Ed.S. in School Psychology, use SPSY 870.) Note: not all programs offer the Plan A Thesis option.
3. Field Study (6 credits) XXX-895 (Ed.S. in Career and Technical Education only).

Many research projects involve collecting data about or from human subjects. The assurance of human subjects' protection is required by law to precede data collection; if not secured, both researcher and the affiliated institution could be held liable for human subjects' violations.

The UW-Stout Institutional Review Board (IRB) is responsible for reviewing research proposals for compliance with the protection of human subjects' laws. This includes research conducted by Master's and EdS students. Detailed information regarding whether this process is related to your project can be found on the Research Services website.

All graduate students conducting research are required to complete the human subjects training and are provided with a tutorial to do so. The certification at the end of the tutorial is the mechanism UW-Stout uses to record the names of those that complete the training.

The tutorial takes approximately one hour. Be sure to fill out the certification when you complete the tutorial. A copy of the certificate must accompany each research proposal submitted to the IRB.

Look to the links and resources to the right for UW-Stout resources such as the University Library, Writing Center, and Applied Research Center.

• Purdue Online Writing Lab (OWL)
• OWL APA Formatting and Style Guide

The following people offer fee-based services: