University of Wisconsin - Stout

  1. With program director, complete a tentative plan of course of study for the concentration you plan to enroll in. In total you need 40 credits -- 20 must be at 700 or above with a grade of "B" or better.

  2. Formulate a Research Question and consider research design (who could be potential subjects, accessible to you, sample size, food products or processing procedures or sensory, human subject concerns, what equipment is available, methods, budget, data analysis, time frame) Identify preliminary relevant library sources, start reading and talking to people.

  3. Select an advisor: Must be selected from the graduate faculty.

  4. Determine if you'll complete a Plan A or Plan B

    Plan A (thesis): Requires a Research Committee and Chair. A thesis committee must have a minimum of 3 members, one of whom must be from another department. An outside of university person can serve as a 4th member if program director provides memo and resume.

    Plan B (problems): Requires one Research Adviser

  5. Complete the Appointment of Research Advisor/Chair and Committee form: see towards end of research packet . Secure all signatures.

  6. Complete the introductory research course (Research Foundations) and begin chapters 1-3 of your thesis. Purchase of Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5th Ed. is recommended.

  7. Refine your question more – identify more library resources; continue researching, talk to more people (be curious, be self-critical to refine the research and read!)

  8. All instruments (surveys or questionnaires) should be designed to make data collection and data entry easier. The Statistical Consultant, Christine Ness, can help you with layout and ordering of questions, sampling techniques, generating a random number and sample size.

  9. Funding for graduate student research is provided on a competitive basis. Awards for a Small Research project will be up to $500 (between 16 and 25 proposals funded per year). These are intended to fund smaller scale projects or dissemination of research findings. Larger research projects may be funded up to $2,000 (up to five funded per year). Anyone awarded $500 or more must publish their research in the UW-Stout Research Journal. Applications are due the 15th of the month and guidelines are found online.

  10. Mandatory Training - Everyone must complete Human Subjects Training prior to beginning any type of research.

  11. Everyone must submit Protection of Human Subject’s Training in Research (IRB) form (typed). All attachments and your certificate of Human Subject’s Training must be submitted to Research Services (152 Vocational Rehabilitation Bldg.) for IRB approval before any data collection occurs.

  12. Begin conducting research following IRB approval

  13. Register for the Research Paper credits -- no online registration -- (add card requires research advisor's signature on problems or thesis credits. Make sure to use their section number of the course).

  14. Incompletes are not automatically assigned but are determined in consultation with research advisor. An "I" not removed within one year results in an "F." An "IP" not removed within two years, stays permanently. In both cases the student must re-enroll and pay fees to obtain credit for the research paper.

  15. Only begin conducting research (Chapter 4 of paper) following IRB approval. IRB approval only is good for one year.

  16. Complete the Application for Degree Candidacy and submit the final program plan done during the next to last semester or before you begin the UW-Stout internship. (Once final plan is submitted, a revision must be submitted by you and program director to graduate school if there is a deviation).

  17. Complete online request for graduation within the first two weeks of the semester in which you intend to graduate (check Graduate School website for deadline – you must graduate in this semester, or you will need to reapply and pay the $30 fee again). This form also allows you to walk in ceremony if all courses are completed except for thesis.

  18. Statistical analysis consulting can be obtained with Christine Ness. She can help you with excel spreadsheet and statistical analysis.

  19. Write a preliminary draft of your paper (writing one chapter at a time and saving seems to help). Ask advisor to review draft and revise appropriately.

    Format paper – follow guidelines for title page, abstract, table of contents, headings and sub-headings, list of references (using correct formatting style), appendices and double spacing, scanning appendix materials and copyright permission if required. Experts exist to help with formatting for a fee, including our own Vicki Weber.

  20. Submit revised paper to committee (at least 3-5 weeks prior to graduation – check with committee about how much time is needed; generally allow at least three weeks prior to defense for committee to review the research paper).

  21. Oral Defense is scheduled. Student provides date to Graduate School and it is posted. If a student’s written thesis is acceptable and the oral defense successful, the committee will sign the final copies of the thesis. If the thesis and/or defense are not acceptable the student will be asked to make changes, resubmit the thesis and sit for a second oral defense.

  22. Submit your paper, electronic version and "Submission of Final Research Report" form. (Absolute deadline is 4:00 p.m. on the final day of class in the term in which you wish to graduate); the Submission of Final Research Report form is the last page of the Research Packet.

  23. See the Graduate School website for additional graduation information (cap, gown, fees).

Please refer to the Graduate School website for any other questions: