Phase II Research Paper Guidelines

Guidelines for the research project required for the completion of a master's or diploma in process work:

1. Metaskills

The process of the research/thesis project itself is an adventure, full of learning and discovery about the topic and about oneself.

Some of the following metaskills may be useful:

• One definition of "research" is looking again, looking carefully, looking from a new perspective. This process of looking is as important as what we find! Research is not only the outcome or final product, but is a process of growth, an awesome journey!

• Research can be fun, creative, growthful, adventurous, etc.

The process of developing an idea, carrying out the research, creating a project and/or writing a paper, like every process, has a process structure -- some material is more primary, some is more secondary, we have edges and follow channel structure in doing research as in other activities. We encourage each student to bear this in mind, and to seek help at different points along the way, to uncover dreaming dimensions within the research journey, that may help deepen the process, and even make it more enjoyable.

2. What is a research project?

• Research means examining and looking at something with care, from new angles, perspectives, and offering fresh insights or perspectives.

• The research project or thesis must be a new contribution to the body of process work: it can be a written thesis OR a creative project accompanied by a written explanation.

The written thesis presents an idea, a new application, or offers a new way of looking at something that has already been discussed.

• The topic of the thesis should be discussed in relation to the field of psychology or related fields, and also to process work theory. The master's thesis should include a review of all relevant literature on the subject.

• The thesis must identify its audience, and use language appropriate to that audience. Terms must be defined, theories explained, antecedents mentioned, and credit should be given to pioneers in the field. It is appropriate to use process work terms; however, these terms should be defined or explained so that a wider audience could find this work useful.

• The master's thesis should follow standard research guidelines for literature citations, footnotes, quotations, bibliographies. Normally its length should be between 50-100 pages.

OR,

A creative project can be done in place of a thesis.

• A creative project could be a film, video or audio tape, project involving art, dance, or music, a training manual, personalized account, series of lectures, curriculum or class.

• This project must be accompanied by an essay which explains the value of the research project, its contribution to process work, and its connection to psychology or related disciplines. The paper accompanying a creative project is a way of metacommunicating about the project in a form which will be most accessible to the wider process community and to the world.

3. Procedures:

• Following the intermediate exams students attend a research colloquium which helps them to brainstorm, develop ideas, begin to write exploratory essays on themes and ideas that interest them. This is a place for the student to take initial ideas, interests, and questions, and begin to develop them further into a research proposal. It can also be a place to follow through on development of the research project, with help from the instructor and from other students.

• In addition to the research colloquium, tutorials may be arranged to help students learn about writing, thesis structure, and research methods.

• When the student has a topic, and feels ready to go to the next step, s/he presents the idea to the study committee and discusses it with them.

• The student chooses a thesis advisor from any of the faculty -- not necessarily from their study committee.

• The study committee, in consultation with the thesis advisor, must approve the completed project at least six months before the student's final exams (that is, before a meeting of celebration can take place).

• A project for another institution will be accepted if it meets the standards of the process work research project and does not exceed our statute of limitations [*NB: not resolved yet: here we need to agree on a number of years]

Administrative guidelines:

Rates of compensation:

• If the student meets with the advisor to work on personal issues or complications related to the thesis, this is compensated at a therapy hour rate.

• If the student sends drafts to be read, and feedback has to be given, we suggest that this be compensated at a critical reader/advisor rate, perhaps $30-$50/hour - which includes reading the draft, and writing/giving feedback.

• All arrangements between students and advisors should be negotiated and clearly understood ahead of time.

• The completed thesis or accompanying written description in the case of a creative project, should be submitted with a hard copy and also on disk, and an abstract should accompany it, so it can be put on line.

Appendix

• Structure of a typical thesis: (Please note: this is one possible outline, which may or may not suit the needs of a particular subject or project. There are many ways to organize a research project.)

A thesis might begin with an introductory chapter which identifies the topic being discussed, and relates it to other work in the field. This chapter may also review the theories upon which the topic rests. (It may be useful to write a very rough draft of this chapter just to establish your approach, then put it aside, knowing you will rewrite it at the end of your research.)

Some questions to consider in this introductory chapter:

What prompts this investigation?

What theoretical or practical issue gives rise to this exploration?

What is the larger field in which this issue is located?

Who else has done research here?

What other background thinkers, areas, theories do we need to know about?

The literature review, depending on its length, can be in chapter one, or might be chapter two.

A practical research paper must define and discuss its methodology, the way it proceeds in collecting and analyzing material. Any research paper should define its point of view. The student may seek help from faculty to find out about qualitative or quantitative research methodologies and practices.

In a theoretical thesis, the introductory chapters are usually concerned with developing ideas and theories, starting from established ideas, and extending into new territory, new ways of synthesizing and understanding material.

Next describe your data-- what are you investigating? Video transcripts, anecdotes, examples, cases, are all data.

Subsequent chapters may present and analyze your data.

Finally, you present your conclusions -- what have you learned? What are the possible applications for process work? What are the implications of this study for you, for clients and other therapists, for the world?

Research style: Students should consult a standard guide to research style, such as the MLA stylesheet, or the research guide of the American Psychological Association. Having done so, clarity and simplicity of style will be appreciated!

References; American Psychological Association (1994). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, (4th. ed.) Washington, DC: Author.

Strunk & White, Elements of Style

Patton, Michael Quinn. Qualitative evaluations and research methods / by Michael Quinn Patton-- 2nd edition.

Qualitative Research: Analysis Types and Software Tools. by Renata Tesch, Psu Library H62. TS7 1990

Moustakas, Clark. "Heuristic Research: Design and Methodology".Person-centred review, spring.

Return to previous page