Students should explore these matters with their Program Supervisor during the first year of their MLIS program. They should also read carefully all current University Calendar regulations governing thesis-based programs. The following is a general procedure. Further details are contained in the University Calendar and the Faculty of Graduate Studies & Research Graduate Program Manual. Information on FGSR's website regarding Supervision and Examinations can be found here.
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The decision to pursue the thesis-based MLIS program should be made in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator and the student’s prospective Thesis Supervisor. This decision shall normally be made when the student completes half of the program or somewhat earlier (i.e., 2nd semester of 1st year). Selection of the thesis-based program is possible only when faculty with relevant expertise are available for supervision.
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The student will draft a thesis proposal of approximately 14 pages, which will normally include a statement of the research problem, a literature review (typically accomplished through a spring/summer LIS 599 directed study), and a description of the methodology. The proposal will be developed with guidance from the prospective Thesis Supervisor and other appropriate faculty members, preferably including someone from another department who is likely to be the external member of the supervisory committee (see 6. below).
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The proposal will be discussed at a meeting of the student, the Thesis Supervisor and at least two other members of the School’s full-time faculty. The thesis proposal must be signed by all three faculty members before the student is allowed to proceed in the thesis-based program.
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If ethics review is required it shall be undertaken immediately after approval of the proposal. Please consult the Research Ethics Office's website for the current Research Ethics Documents.
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Students must be registered in the thesis-based option by the start of the semester in which they
do their thesis research at the latest. The Thesis Supervisor, who will also become the student’s
Program Supervisor, will initiate a change of status/supervisor through the Graduate Student
Services Administrator (if required).
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The supervisory and examining committee(s) consists of at least three full-time faculty including the Thesis Supervisor, another faculty member from the School, and one faculty member from outside of the School. Co-supervision is an option. The student and Thesis Supervisor will normally select the other committee members together. The Director shall ensure that the proposed faculty meet FGSR requirements for committee membership.
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The supervisory committee shall hold a minimum of one meeting with the student annually.
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The Thesis Supervisor shall ensure that the student has been advised of the regulations governing their program. However, the student is also expected to be familiar with this procedure and relevant sections of the University Calendar.
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The thesis-based MLIS includes a residence requirement of two terms of full-time study. Full-time
study is defined as at least three courses per semester for both residence and scholarship purposes.
Students need not be registered in the thesis-based program in order to fulfill this requirement.
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The time limit for the thesis-based MLIS is four years. Those students interested in doing a thesis
should be aware that the amount of time a student can devote to the thesis and the research design
may lengthen the time to completion beyond the normal two years (see Sample Timeline below).
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The final examining committee will normally be the same as the supervisory committee.
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The final examination will be oral and will follow procedures outlined in the FGSR Graduate Program Manual. For information about formatting and submitting one's thesis, information can be found on FGSR's website.
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The revised thesis will be deposited within six months of the successful oral examination. SLIS requires one print copy of the thesis, which is paid for by the School.