MP Guidelines -- What is an MP?
Subject Matter and Scope
A hallmark of the MP is its flexibility. What distinguishes
masters projects from masters theses is that although they
may include original laboratory or field research, they
may also take the form of management plans, handbooks, educational
curricula, or other such products. Masters projects which
are original research should not be as large as a masters
thesis. They should be of publishable quality, although
they need not be comprehensive enough to stand alone as
a publication. Masters projects that do not follow the usual
format for scientific research (e.g., management plans,
educational curricula, policy analysis) should follow a
framework that is considered good practice in an appropriate
field (e.g., an accepted methodology for designing and evaluating
educational programs).
The project should demonstrate skills the student has
learned during his/her masters program at Duke, it should
provide original insights not available elsewhere, and it
should be clearly grounded in the larger context of work
in the relevant field of study. Not all projects need include
quantitative analysis, but those using qualitative methods
(e.g., case study, text analysis) should explicitly follow
an accepted methodology.
Dr. Lisa Campbell has developed a presentation on principles
of research design applicable to MPs in a wide variety of
fields. Link to video >
Presentation files by program chairs regarding various
types of MPs and exemplary examples of past MPs are linked
below:
Planning Your Project
Early and careful planning is essential to completing
a high quality project within the two academic years of
a professional masters program. This planning begins in
the first year as the student identifies areas of interest
through coursework and explores possible summer internships.
Planning intensifies as the student chooses an internship
and identifies a specific project and MP advisor in late
spring. Consultation with the MP advisor continues as the
student works over the summer. The MP proposal is drafted
and revised early in the second fall term. Work on the
project and meetings with the advisor continue during the
fall and early spring. Completed projects are presented
orally in a schoolwide symposium in early April with the
final written report due in early May. Some programs vary
a bit from the schedule outlined below; chairs of these
programs will communicate the appropriate schedule to students
in the program so that they can meet all deadlines. Students
entering the Nicholas School in the spring term and concurrent
degree students completing their programs in December will
follow a comparable timetable, but offset by one semester.
A more detailed timetable is available in a different section
of this webpage (click
here to get to it).
Examples of Past MPs
Students are encouraged to consult this collection for ideas
on the scope, quality and format of these reports.
The Real Thing: Old Reports
Most past MPs are housed in the BioSci library, and are
available within 24 hours by requesting them by title,
author and date from the off-site stacks location (click
here for
campus
map or for off-site
stacks request form). The most recent 3years worth
are in the Reading Room. These reports may be checked
out for a period of one week. Please treat these volumes
with care, as these are the only copies we have. If
we have problems with missing MPs, all volumes will
be removed to the BioSci library.
Project Report and Format
The results of the project are presented as a written
report suitable for a scientifically literate, but not
necessarily specialist, audience. The general requirement
is that a written report, typically 30 to 50 pages in
length, be submitted in the format described here.
This report is signed by the advisor, copied, bound (tape
or surebind only), and submitted to the Office of Enrollment
Services.
For some kinds of projects, presentation of results in
other than manuscript form may be appropriate, although
these are usually accompanied by some written documentation
that interprets the project and sets it in a larger context.
Some examples of alternative formats are a documentary
film, an illustrated brochure, an environmental
advertising campaign, an on-the-ground project (e.g.,
a self-guided trail) and a set of materials for use in
the public schools. Other possibilities no doubt exist.
When the final report includes media other than a written
document, its format must be approved in advance by the
advisor and the Education Committee.
Seminar and Symposium Presentation of Masters Project
At the end of each semester, the school sponsors a symposium
where students present the results of their projects. Presentations
are required.
Alone or as a Group?
The project may represent an individual or a team effort.
Projects may be initiated by an individual or a group, or
may be designed to contribute to ongoing research activities
of the faculty. If credit is to be earned as a member of
a team, the contribution of each team member must be identified
clearly, both in the proposal and in the final report.
Publishing?
When appropriate, students are encouraged to submit their
research for publication in a journal. Such an article may
be submitted as the student's final report as a manuscript
of the length, quality and format required by the journal.
For more information, contact the Office
of Professional Studies
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