General topics - Preliminary meetings
- if required, what courses the student should be taking
- what makes a good thesis
- formulating the thesis research project topic
- getting approvals for the thesis research project topic
- research ethics, intellectual property rights, academic integrity
- if intellectual property comes to be developed, how it will be shared
- University regulations on progress reports, continuous registration, time limits for program completion and any other relevant rules
- timelines (or a very rough schedule) for completing the research and thesis
- identify promising sources of information relevant to the thesis: libraries, archives in Ottawa and elsewhere
- whether or not all research can be conducted locally
- whether information is time sensitive
- theses or papers especially relevant to the topic
- typical obstacles to doing this research and how to deal with them
- presentation of thesis research at conferences, seminars and other meetings
- financial support for the student
- formation of a thesis committee
- frequency and goals of meetings
- absences
- supervisor’s expectations regarding submission of drafts and turnaround time for feedback , and
- publishing opportunities and how the various contributors will be acknowledged
Specific questions: resource allocation, training and research
- the student’s and supervisor’s role in the student’s data collection and analysis (for example, lab manuals, data storage and archival details)
- technical training and support for the student
- laboratory facilities (if applicable) and hours
- lab attire and etiquette
- office space for the student
- office etiquette
- rules governing the use of University equipment such as computers or lab supplies
- safety considerations, regulations and training such as Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) training, and
- confidentiality issues relating to the research (if relevant).