Major Research Paper

Course-only option (in lieu of MRP)

Effective April 2024, students may select to take two courses (6 credits) instead of completing an MRP. These two courses can be API electives or two graduate-level courses that can be taken outside the School. (As always, courses taken outside the School must be approved by the MA coordinator and students are allowed to take in their program a maximum of 2 courses outside the School.)

Registration and completion

Students may register for the MRP for one term only, and they must submit their major research paper within that term of enrolment – by the date specified below.

Before registering for the course

By February 1 of the first year of study, students must submit the form “Registration of a Research Paper Topic and Appointment of a Research Supervisor,” signed by the supervisor.

Registration

[Starting in the Winter 2024 semester: To register for the semester in which students will write and complete the MRP, students must first submit the form “Authorization to Register for MRP course”, signed by their supervisor.]

It is expected that before the beginning of the semester in which the student is registered to write and complete the MRP, the student and the supervisor will establish the following points:

1. Research paper topic, including the research question to be answered. (Note: With the supervisor’s approval, the topic may be developed from a student’s previous academic work or a special project, but it must advance substantially beyond the original work.)
2. List of at least 15 relevant and substantive readings that will be used as research sources for the MRP. This list represents a starting point for the research.
3. A work schedule to meet the deadlines identified below.

Grandfather clause

Students who have registered to the old MRP course code (API6999) in past semesters prior to fall 2023 (Spring-Summer 2023, Winter 2023, etc.), will exceptionally be able to register to API6999 for multiple terms. This does not apply to students registering to the MRP for the first time after fall 2023.

Dropping the course

Students who drop the MRP before September 27 will receive financial credit if they are not registered to other courses.

For students who drop the MRP between September 27 and November 15 (after receiving their supervisor’s feedback in late-October), they will not receive financial credit for the term even if they are not registered to other courses.

If the student wants to drop the MRP before November 15 and they are not registered to other courses, then they must submit a service request for a leave of absence.

Deadlines

Length and format

Length: 50 pages. Double-spaced print. Normal fonts and margins.

Final version

After the final version of the MRP has been submitted, it cannot be revised.

Grading

Students must submit a completed MRP by the submission deadline, or they will automatically receive a failing grade of Non-Satisfactory (NS).

• Satisfactory (pass): The work poses a clear research question and seeks to answer the question through an organized examination that demonstrates the student’s capacity for independent analysis. The work uses relevant research sources and evidence appropriately. The work demonstrates that the student has done a considerable amount of research. The writing is clear.
• Distinction (formerly a grade of “A”): Work shows a considerable amount of critical thought and independence, a capacity to analyze and synthesize, solid organization, evidence of extensive knowledge base with systematically listed sources and a superior grasp of the subject mater. Work also has very a good research question and develops strong arguments in answering it. There is clear evidence of independent thought and originality of approach. Examples, empirical illustrations and supporting evidence are valid, reliable and are used appropriately while demonstrating clarity and coherence of argumentation and focus on relevant data. This work is written and presented to very good academic standards.
• Non-Satisfactory (fail): Such work shows a very limited grasp of the basic literature and reveals major errors and/or omissions. The work reflects only a superficial understanding of the subject mater and/or fails to answer the research question and/or contains substantial amounts of irrelevant material. The paper is likely to contain extensive irrelevancies, lack a central thesis, be inconsistent or inadequate in its use of sources and referencing, and may be repeatedly marred by errors of grammar and syntax. Arguments are poorly organized and difficult to follow or may not even be present; the work recites existing knowledge without demonstrating a capacity for independent analysis.

Re-registering for the MRP

Students who fail the MRP may register to take the course again only if they have not failed another course. Students who fail two courses are automatically removed from the program.