CSD 900 Projects

Two people sitting and using a laptop

General Aims

The CSD 900 project is the required capping exercise for the course-based track of the MSc SLP program. The CSD 900 project is intended to allow students to independently explore a topic of interest within the domains of communication sciences and disorders. The CSD 900 project is intended to develop competencies in the areas of scholarly inquiry, critical thinking, collaboration and knowledge translation through a supervised, disciplined investigation of a particular question or issue in a chosen topic area.

Scope + Breadth

The project is a supervised experience culminating in a scholarly poster presentation at the CSD Annual Research Day. The project is completed in small groups and includes a wide range of approaches to scholarly inquiry. Projects can be empirical but this is not a requirement. Acceptable empirical approaches include case studies, descriptive studies, correlational studies, single-case experimental investigations, experimental and comparative investigations, and qualitative studies. Acceptable projects also include, but are not limited to, program evaluations, resource development, systematic reviews, evidence-based case reviews, meta-analyses, position statements and demonstration projects. Projects must significantly advance the student's knowledge of the chosen area of study.

Projects will typically be guided by an academic staff member of the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders but also may be collaboratively supervised by members of other departments such as Linguistics, Psychology, Engineering or Education, or by clinical community partners. 

Process

Students undertaking a CSD 900 capstone project will be expected to assume the following responsibilities:

  • Attend the CSD Annual Research Day in the fall of their first year and interact with second-year students as they present their CSD 900 posters. 
  • Attend the department research fair and select potential projects of interest. This fair typically takes place in mid-October of the first term. 
  • Once assigned to a project, meet with the supervisor and other members of the peer research team to discuss the project in further detail including project timelines, roles and responsibilities. 
  • Set up group meeting schedules and lines of communication among team members and the supervisor. 
  • Be aware of deadlines for possible scholarship applications and work with supervisors throughout the application process. 

Specific requirements and process documents will be accessible on the CSD 900 E-class website once a student is accepted into the MSc SLP program.

 Supervisors of CSD 900 capstone projects are expected to:

  • Provide an environment that is conducive to scholarly work and in which students can grow intellectually. 
  • Provide appropriate guidance to the team on the scope of the project and the standards expected. 
  • Be accessible to give advice and constructive feedback. 
  • Establish with the team a realistic timetable for completion of various phases of the project. 
  • Consider the graduate students as junior research colleagues and support the advancement of collaboration and scholarly competencies. 
  • Provide timely and explicit feedback on individual student and group performance and processes throughout the project. 

Product

  • The CSD 900 capstone final product is in the form of a poster presentation given to CSD staff, first-year students, invited researchers from other departments within the university and invited community members. Poster presentations will be given on the designated CSD Annual Research Day held in the Fall of the second year of the program. 
  • Evaluation is based on both individual contributions to the project throughout the year and the group poster and its presentation at the CSD Research Day. 
  • Final approval of the poster, submission of a final mark (Credit/No Credit) and letters of individual exemplary performance (as determined by the supervisor) will be submitted to the CSD administrator following the poster presentation.

Timeline

  • September/October of the first year - attend the CSD Research Fair and select from a list of research opportunities presented by CSD staff members by video on the e-class site. 
  • November of first year - attend the CSD Annual Poster Presentation and interact with second-year poster presenters. 
  • November - December of first-year - work with supervisors to set up timelines and expectations specific to the assigned project. Work with supervisors to complete scholarship applications (if applicable). 
  • Work with student research team members throughout the first year on completing CSD 900 project objectives.
  • March 1 - abstract due on e-class for CSD Bulletin Board 
  • Spring of the first year, schedule individual meetings with the supervisor to complete a mid-project performance and process evaluation. 
  • September of second year - prepare posters and practice presentations. 
  • November of second year - attend and present posters at the CSD Annual Poster Presentation. 
  • November of second year - schedule individual meetings with supervisor to complete a final project performance and process evaluation and student uploads to e-class site. 
  • November of second year - prepare posters for final submission to the e-class site.
  • CR is given for CSD 900 in the spring term along with CSD 540