Qualifying Research Paper

Students planning further graduate study in the near future at OISE are advised to undertake a Qualifying Research Paper (QRP).  Those students with no prior background in empirical research will find completing a QRP within the two regular sessions of the program very difficult.

Students should identify a supervisor and a second reader by the end of the first year. Each full-time member of the Jackman ICS staff is committed to supervising two QRPs per year. Other HDAP staff (and other graduate school staff at OISE/UT) can also supervise QRPs, but they have no obligation to do so. A list of HDAP faculty members’ research interests is available on the HDAP website.

Students with prior background in empirical research (including statistics, measurement, and research design) should begin to identify a research question in the fall of their first year. Students are encouraged to attend the research groups of HDAP faculty whose research interests them and to select a research topic that relates to one of the areas of on-going research.

Students who wish to complete both the QRP and Special Education options should consult with their advisor.

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In order to complete a Qualifying Research Paper, you are advised to elect the following course in your first year. It is suggested that you take this course in the Spring term.

• HDP1209H - Research Methods and Thesis Preparation in Human Development & Applied Psychology
  This course reviews foundational skills necessary for the successful completion of the M.A. thesis. The primary goals will be to develop: the ability to draw valid conclusions from quantitative evidence; the ability to critique published research articles; the ability to conduct a well designed piece of research; the ability to write up that research in a format appropriate for a journal article or thesis. The course deals with research methods, the conceptual foundations of statistics, and the preparation of a thesis/research report. The aim is to try to integrate these three things (research methods, the interpretation of statistics, and thesis/journal article preparation).

In addition, you must:

• Identify a research problem and arrange for a QRP supervisor by January of your first year.
• Complete the QRP proposal and submit an ethics form by the end of the Spring term of your first year.
• Complete CTL2004H Elements of Statistics, if you did not study statistics during your undergraduate studies.
• Elect the following course in your second year:
  HDP2252H - Individual Reading and Research in Human Development and Applied Psychology: Master’s Level Specialized study, under the direction of a staff member, focusing upon topics that are of particular interest to the student but are not included in available courses. While credit is not given for a thesis investigation proper, the study may be closely related to such a topic.