Research activities

• Learning about specific degree requirements and University academic regulations.
• Ensuring that courses chosen meet all program and graduation requirements.
• Checking the uOttawa email account (all communication with the University must be through this account).
• Informing the thesis supervisor of any situations that could impede the progress of his or her research.
• Ensuring that a meeting is held at the end of every term to discuss the progress of his or her research.
• Conducting research according to the Research Ethics Board guidelines.
• Working in a disciplined manner, systematically planning work, setting realistic deadlines.
• Meeting regularly with the thesis supervisor to discuss the research project, theoretical or conceptual framework, literature review, data collection, interpretation of data, etc.
• Submitting sections of the thesis to the thesis supervisor at regular intervals.
• Meeting with the supervisor and committee to receive feedback on the thesis writing.
• Submitting the list of examiners as well as the approval for deposit form one month prior to submission of the thesis for evaluation.

• Ensuring that the student demonstrates the skills required to conduct graduate-level research and the ability to complete all steps in the research process.
• Ensuring that the student follows the correct style and format in writing the thesis (APA or other recognized style).
• Meeting with the student to discuss the research project and provide relevant feedback.
• Ensuring that the student plans a realistic work schedule.
• Assisting the student in defining the scope of the research project from an overall interdisciplinary perspective.
• Forming a committee (at least one member from the Faculty of Education for MA and three for PhD).
• Ensuring committee members have an opportunity to review drafts of the proposal and provide feedback.
• Arranging full committee meetings to discuss the proposal and provide feedback.
• Organizing the research proposal meeting by reserving a time and place.
• Assisting the student in applying for ethics approval from the Office of Research Ethics and Integrity, if necessary.
• Planning regular meetings between members of the thesis committee and the student to provide feedback during the thesis writing process.
• Contacting the external examiner for PhD thesis evaluations and obtaining an up-to-date CV and confirmation of availability to evaluate the thesis at the expected time of deposit.
• Signing the “Conflict of Interest with Proposed External Examiner” form.

Attending meetings involving the following:

• Discussing and providing feedback on the research proposal as part of the approval process.
• Providing feedback on proposal and thesis drafts.
• Evaluating the thesis and draft comments for each evaluation criteria.
• The thesis defence itself.

The Faculty uses the annual progress report to monitor your academic progress, assess the progress made over the past year, and to define your goals for the coming year. The information provided in the report demonstrates that you are making systematic and consistent progress in your research.

This is also an opportunity for you and your thesis supervisor to consider the research conducted, make any adjustments required, review your goals and agree on the tasks to be conducted in the months to come.

To submit an Annual Research Progress Report, go to the Applications menu in uoZone and click Service Requests. For detailed instructions, review the Service Requests tutorial under the Service Requests application.

1. Meet with your professor to review your goals and fill out the Annual Progress Report together. Be sure to complete ALL sections of the annual progress report form; otherwise, it will be sent back to you.
2. You must submit your report at the start of the spring/summer term to ensure that it is processed before enrolment begins in June.
3. Submit the form through uoZone. Paper forms will not be accepted; contact us if you encounter technical difficulties.

The program director’s office will review all reports and approve them as soon as possible. Problematic reports will be sent to the Vice-Dean, Programs for review and a decision.

For further details, review the information on the progress report.