Criteria for Nursing Research (Master's Paper) Project and

Thesis

The purpose of both the research project and thesis is to provide the student an
opportunity to apply the research process to the problems in nursing. Both scholarly
projects are rigorously evaluated and must conform to APA format. The master's
paper or the master's thesis is the culminating academic requirement of the MSN
degree program. Either approach is considered a rigorous experience facilitating the
synthesis of nursing theory, practice and research. The completion of the thesis
awards six credits (NUR 6970/6971) and completion of the master's paper awards
three credits (NUR 6970).

RESEARCH PROJECT THESIS

• The purpose is for the student to • The purpose is for the student to
use the research process to test or validate knowledge by
investigate clinical problems. conducting research.

• The paper requires supervision by • The paper requires supervision by

a Master's Paper committee
comprised of the major professor
(committee chair) and two
members. The major professor
(chairperson) must be actively
teaching in the graduate program;
one member must be a nursing
faculty member; the other member
must be from another discipline
but with expertise relating to the
research problem or content area.
• The proposal must be approved by
the committee.
• The study must have sufficient
rigor:
o Instruments for data
collection must have a least
a content and face validity.
o Sample must be
scientifically selected and
defined.
• A subset of data from faculty
research may be analyzed as a
research project, if agreed upon by
a responsible faculty mentor.
Secondary analysis may be done.
• Student may work on a group
project as long as the finished
product reflects sufficient
a Thesis committee comprised of
the major professor (committee
chair) and two members. The
major professor (chairperson) must
be actively teaching in the
graduate program; one member
must be a nursing faculty member;
the other member must be from
another discipline but with
expertise relating to the research
problem or content area or to
research design or methodology.
• The proposal must be approved by
the committee.
• The study must have sufficient
rigor:
o Study design represents
adequate validity, reliability,
and control.
o Sample size is adequate to
allow acceptable level of
statistical power
o Sample must be
scientifically selected and
defined.
• The research reflects an original
proposal developed by the student.
A replication student may be
pursued.
 experience with the research
process by each member of the
group. The proposal should reflect
a clear indication of responsibilities
of each member.
• The manuscript must be in
accordance with the American
Psychological (APA) format, typed,
and formally presented to the
committee.
• A bound copy of the master's
paper must be submitted to the
Director's office of the MSN
program. Certification for
completion of the Master's Paper is
at the Graduate Program level. The
student must provide a bound copy
of the paper to the committee
chair.
• Group projects are not acceptable
for thesis.
• Manuscript preparation must be in
accordance with FIU Regulations
for Thesis and Dissertation
Preparation (latest edition),
Division of Graduate Studies.
• Instructions for filing the
manuscript are found in the FIU
Regulations for Thesis and
Dissertation Preparation. These
instructions must be followed. In
addition, one (1) bound copy must
be provided to the Director's office
of the MSN program and one (1)
bound copy must be provided to
the committee chair.