Research Plans
Candidates for master’s degrees will organize their graduate study to meet the requirements of one of four research plans:
• thesis, 6 graduate credits;
• research paper, 3 credits;
• creative project, 3 or 6 credits; or,
• graduate research methodology course plan, a minimum of 3 graduates credits.
The research requirement must be taken at Ball State University.
Before beginning work on a thesis/research/creative project, a student must submit a topic approval form, approved by his or her advisor and the appropriate departmental chairperson or designee, to the dean of the Graduate School. The form, obtainable online on the Graduate School’s website, is to be accompanied by a short (up to 300 words) description of the proposed research paper, creative project, or thesis.
Although the concerned department has the responsibility for determining the manual or form to be followed in writing the thesis, research paper, or creative project, projects must also conform to Graduate School guidelines located on the Graduate School’s website.
Students must be registered during their final semester. If not registering for a course or courses, the candidate will register for MAST 600, Master’s Candidate, for a fee of $75. A master’s candidate may also take MAST 600 under other circumstances when not registered for a course or courses in order to access university services—for instance, while working off an incomplete grade—with the approval of the candidate’s committee chairperson or graduate advisor.
This plan requires the candidate to present a thesis embodying the results of a study of some subject directly related to the area of specialization. The thesis must show that the candidate can pursue a research problem successfully and draw valid and significant conclusions from the data. The student must have a committee of three faculty members selected in consultation with the department chairperson. A student’s thesis may be approved with one dissenting committee vote. If one member of the thesis committee dissents, the dissenting member and, if appropriate, the chairperson of the thesis committee will file with the dean of the Graduate School a letter detailing the circumstances of the dissent.
A student is not permitted to submit a thesis before completing 12 credits of graduate work and the candidate’s advisor and departmental chairperson have signed a statement approving the subject. A student must also be in good academic standing to register for THES 698. Approval forms are available on the Graduate School webpage.
The approved thesis must be presented to the dean of the Graduate School in final form by the submission deadline during the term in which the student is to be certified for graduation. The final digital copy of the approved thesis, any accompanying materials, and up to 300-word abstract of the thesis describing the nature of the study and findings must be submitted to the Graduate School electronically. Two hard-copy documents, the Final Approval Form and the ETD Signature Form, signed by all three members of the student’s committee and the department chairperson, must be submitted to the Graduate School. The approval form needs to be signed by all members of the committee, even if the thesis passes with a dissenting vote. If one member of the thesis committee dissents, the dissenting member and, if appropriate, the chairperson of the examining committee will file with the dean of the Graduate School a letter detailing the circumstances of the dissent. If the departmental advisor and the department chairperson are the same person, another member of the graduate faculty within the department of the student’s major must also sign the form, indicating familiarity with the project and knowledge of the student’s work.
The student who writes a thesis must enroll in THES 698: Thesis, for a total of 6 credits. The thesis is not used to meet the requirements for any course except THES 698.
The grading system used for THES 698 is credit/no credit.
Research Paper (RES 697)
This paper must be an original study of nonthesis proportions showing that the candidate possesses the abilities to pursue a research problem successfully and to draw valid and significant conclusions from the data. It must be on some subject directly related to the candidate’s area of concentration and must meet the approval of the student’s departmental advisor and the department chairperson.
A student is not permitted to submit a research paper before completing 12 credits of graduate work and the candidate’s advisor and the department chairperson have signed a statement approving the subject. A student must also be in good academic standing to register for RES 697. Approval forms are available online.
The approved research paper must be presented to the dean of the Graduate School in final form by the submission deadline during the term in which the student is to be certified for graduation. The final digital copy of the approved research paper, any accompanying materials, and a 250- to 300-word abstract of the research paper describing the nature of the study and findings must be submitted to the Graduate School electronically. Two hard-copy documents, the Final Approval Form and the ETD Signature Form, signed by the student’s advisor and the department chairperson, must be submitted to the Graduate School, showing that the work is accepted as the student’s research paper for a master’s degree. If the departmental advisor and the department chairperson are the same person, another member of the graduate faculty within the department of the student’s major must also sign the form, indicating familiarity with the paper and knowledge of the student’s work.
The student who writes a research paper must enroll in RES 697: Research Paper for 3 credits. The research paper is not used to meet the requirements of any course except RES 697.
The grading system used for RES 697 is credit/no credit.
Creative Project (CRPR 698)
The creative research project (3 or 6 credits) must be in the student’s concentration area. Examples of creative projects are a musical arrangement, composition, or recital; painting(s), sculpture, or a craft project; a literary composition; and instructional units in science or social science. The creative project must be supported by a written report that includes background research and other significant information basic to the project, as well as a thorough description of the project itself. The student is required to have a committee of three for the 6-credit project and an advisor for the 3- credit project. These members will be selected in consultation with the department chairperson. For the 6-credit project, a student’s creative project may be approved with one dissenting committee vote. If one member of the thesis committee dissents, the dissenting member and, if appropriate, the chairperson of the committee will file with the dean of the Graduate School a letter detailing the circumstances of the dissent.
A creative research project must show evidence of superior craftsmanship and creative scholarship and must be limited to students, on the recommendation of the department chairperson, who are capable of exhibiting these traits. It must meet the approval of the student’s advisor and the chairperson of the department concerned.
A student is not permitted to submit a creative project before completing 12 credits of graduate work and obtaining a signed statement from the departmental advisor and the department chairperson approving the project. A student must also be in good academic standing to register for CRPR 698. Approval forms are available online.
The approved creative project must be presented to the dean of the Graduate School in final form by the submission deadline during the term in which the student is to be certified for graduation. The final digital copy of the approved project, any accompanying materials, and a 250- to 300-word abstract of the project describing the nature of the project must be submitted to the Graduate School electronically. Two hard-copy documents, the Final Approval Form and the ETD Signature Form, signed by all three members of the student’s committee (for a 6-credit project) or the student’s advisor (for a 3-credit project) and the department chairperson, must be submitted to the Graduate School, showing that the work is accepted as the student’s creative research project for the master’s degree. For the 6-credit project, if one member of the creative project committee dissents, the dissenting member and, if appropriate, the chairperson of the committee will file with the dean of the Graduate School a letter detailing the circumstances of the dissent. If the departmental advisor and the departmental chairperson are the same person, another member of the graduate faculty in the student’s major department must also sign the form.
The student who writes a creative project will enroll in CRPR 698: Creative Project for a total of 3 or 6 credits. The creative research project is not used to meet the requirements for any course except CRPR 698.
The grading system used for CRPR 698 is credit/no credit.
Graduate Research Methodology Course Plan
This course plan is not approved as a research plan option in some master’s degree programs. For these programs, a thesis, research paper, or creative project is required.
A candidate for a master’s degree choosing the graduate research methodology course plan will complete an appropriate research course at Ball State University totaling a minimum of 3 credits. The research course, with departmental approval, will constitute a part of the master’s degree major.
Each academic unit offering a master’s degree will identify the course or courses it will use to satisfy the research course requirement of 3 or more credits. The research course may be taken in another department with the approval of the major-area advisor.
Research methodology courses identified as appropriate should emphasize either basic or applied research skills, or both. Unlike other graduate courses in the major area dealing with research, this course will have research as its primary focus and will be taught by persons with special research competencies and interests. Course content should include preparation of a research study, report, or paper.