STUDENT HANDBOOK FOR MSAH 7000 MASTER S THESIS OTTERBEIN UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SPORT SCIENCES WESTERVILLE, OHIO

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1 STUDENT HANDBOOK FOR MSAH 7000 MASTER S THESIS OTTERBEIN UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SPORT SCIENCES WESTERVILLE, OHIO This document serves as the syllabus for all sections of MSAH 7000 Effective Fall Semester 2013

2 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Mission and Vision Statements Graduate School Page 3 MSAH Program Page 3 Thesis Overview Application for Thesis Course Page 4 Course Description Page 4 Course Objectives Page 4 Course Evaluation Page 4 Thesis Process Thesis Advisor Page 5 Thesis Committee Page 5 Project Development Page 5 Project Completion and Defense Page 5 OhioLINK Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Center Page 6 Other Information Student Research Funds Page 6 Reference Websites Page 6 Appendices Project Process Page 7 Paper Outline Page 8 Grading Rubric Paper Page 9-10 Grading Outline Oral Defense Page 11

3 3 MISSION AND VISION STATEMENTS Graduate School Mission Statement: Otterbein is an inclusive community dedicated to educating the whole person in the context of humane values. Our mission is to prepare graduates to think deeply and broadly, to engage locally and globally, and to advance their professions and communities. An Otterbein education is distinguished by the intentional blending of the liberal arts and professional studies, combined with a unique approach to integrating direct experience into all learning. The Graduate School programs reflect the important and historic link between liberal arts instruction and specialized education. The humanities, sciences, and social sciences provide graduate students with the fundamental knowledge necessary for success in their chosen careers. Individuals, their environment, and the complex interactions between people, groups, culture, and the physical environment are the subject matter of these traditional disciplines. Whereas the undergraduate curriculum examines the liberal arts in identifiable courses, Otterbein graduate curricula incorporate insights from the liberal arts into each graduate level class as appropriate. Vision Statement: Otterbein University s Graduate School creates engaged and transformed leaders who shape tomorrow MSAH Program Mission Statement: The Master of Science in Allied Health (MSAH) will provide students with an advanced professional skill set to broaden career opportunities for individuals seeking knowledge in the areas of allied health administration, management, leadership, and health and wellness. The Department of Health and Sport Sciences (HSS) is dedicated to creating a challenging and supportive environment where all members can develop their talents, intellectual abilities and a passion for lifelong learning. This program serves to draw on the strengths of the current undergraduate curriculums to ultimately meet the emerging needs of the constituencies we serve.

4 4 THESIS OVERVIEW Application for Thesis Course: MSAH 7000 is intended to be taken after students have completed approximately half of the coursework in the MSAH program. Ideally, MSAH 5000 Research Design should be completed so the student is familiar with the research process. To register for the course, the student must be given permission by the faculty member that is overseeing the course. This process is intended to ensure that students are ready to take the course. Course Description: This course serves as a culminating project designed to allow the student to undertake a substantial research project in an area of interest. Students will be required to develop a thesis committee which minimally will consist of the student s advisor and one other faculty member selected by the graduate student. Additional committee members may include other allied health professionals who have expertise in the selected research topic area. Students selecting this option must complete two three hour terms for the Master s Thesis requirement. Students will be expected to complete both a written report of the research conducted and an oral defense of their project. Course Objectives: 1) Design a research question suitable for graduate level work. 2) Work with committee members to develop the research project per established guidelines. 3) Develop a presentation and defend the research project. The Thesis should culminate with the student addressing the three focuses of the MSAH program: Clinical knowledge Enabling practitioners to improve the scientific basis of your practice, update content knowledge as it relates to Health Sciences, and improve skills related to critical inquiry. Leadership skills Advance your knowledge related to leadership and ethical issues, extending skills as they relate to program development and design, and developing your skills in assessment and evaluation. Educational skills Deepening your knowledge in curriculum design and implementation, learning theory, pedagogy, and issues related to teaching and learning round out the professionally focused curriculum. Course Evaluation: Both the oral and written portions of the project will be evaluated by each member of the student s committee. Copies of the rubrics to be used for each part of the thesis evaluation can be found in Appendices.

5 5 THESIS PROCESS Thesis Advisor: During the completion of MSAH coursework, students considering completing the Thesis option should strive to identify a full-time faculty member who demonstrates an interest in the area of interest of the thesis topic that the student has identified. Ideally, the topic area should align with the student s MSAH track and the faculty member s expertise. Thesis Committee: The thesis advisory committee will vary by student but will include the following members: 1. Thesis Advisor (see above) 2. Full-time Faculty member, with a practice or content expertise, to serve as a second reader. 3. The formal defense of the thesis will also include a Graduate School representative. Proposal Development: 1. During MSAH 5000 Research Design, a formal thesis proposal will be developed. 2. At time of thesis advisor assignment and the start of MSAH 7000 course, the thesis proposal will be finalized. 3. Prior to conducting data collection, an Otterbein University Institutional Review Board (IRB) application must be completed, submitted to the IRB committee and approved. IRB guidelines and application can be found at ms/student_research/srf_forms.aspx. If the project involves other organizations, the need for completing IRB documents for participating organizations should be evaluated. Project Proposal Completion and Defense: Upon completion of the thesis project, the tangible outcomes of the process will result in two artifacts: 1. A paper outlining the research conducted following the thesis outline defined in Appendices. The paper should be written using APA guidelines. Timelines for completion will be outlined by the Thesis Advisor. Grading rubric for paper can be found in Appendices. 2. An oral defense/presentation of the project to the members of the thesis committee, faculty of the MSAH program, fellow MSAH students and invited Otterbein and community members. The presentation time will be arranged when the student is ready. Grading rubric for presentation can be found in Appendices. 3. Students are required to complete and sign an official Capstone Completion Form. This form will then be sent to the Graduate School and the Registrar for final approval.

6 6 OhioLINK Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Center: Upon completion of final thesis, it should be submitted to the OhioLINK Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Center. Link: Read the complete submission guidelines listed on the site prior to submission.. OTHER INFORMATION Student Research Fund Students are encouraged to apply for funds for their research culminating project. Information on how to apply for such assistance is located on the following Otterbein website: research.a spx Reference Websites 1. Thesis Writing: How to Write a Master s Thesis 2. Writing and Presenting Your Thesis or Dissertation

7 7 MSAH THESIS RESEARCH PROJECT PROCESS Your own ideas and questions on a topic of great interest Survey of Current Learning/Literature Review Report of Relevant Past Research and Theories Research Question and/or Hypothesis Research Method Implementation of Research Project: Participants Instruments Procedures Ethical Considerations Limitations

8 8 MSAH 7000 Thesis Project Paper Outline 1. Abstract Summation of entire paper (1 page, words). 2. Statement of Problem What got your attention to this being a problem? 3-5 pages. 3. Survey of Current Learning Objective review of the literature (7-10 pages). a. Research Question What you exploring based on the literature? b. Hypothesis Based on the literature. What does it tell you that you should find? 4. Research Methodology Objective & detailed. Someone else could replicate based on your description (4-7 pages). a. Participants b. Instruments c. Procedures for data collection d. Statistical analysis tools identify specific statistical tools to be used (quantitive). e. Limitations f. Ethical considerations be sure to include IRB & organizational approval 5. Results/Findings Objective & detailed. No analysis (5-10 pages). 6. Analysis/Discussion What do the results tell you and how do they compare to prior research (5-10 pages). a. Limitations compared to pre-data collection b. Conclusions c. Use of results d. Further research e. Summary 7. References 8. Tables/Appendices

9 9 MSAH 7000 MASTER S THESIS PAPER GRADING RUBRIC Outcome 10 Exemplary 8 Proficient 6 Meets Minimum Standard 4 Developing Below Expectations Comments/ Suggestions Identifies a topic Develops a research question(s) Topic is creative, focused, manageable & addresses an original significant issue Question is clear, addresses problem, is Topic is focused, manageable & addresses issues Question is too broad but is Topic is manageable but too narrowly focused Question is unclear and too broad Topic is too general and wide ranging to be manageable Question is unclear with no purpose or relevance Identifies the purpose of the study Purpose is clear Purpose is too general Purpose is unclear, lacks direction No purpose is identified Literature Review Synthesizes indepth information from sources Presents indepth information from sources Limited sources used to present information Minimal sources used to support topic Literature Review Analysis Displays various points of views/approache s Displays one point of view Little analysis of research No analysis used Design/Methodolog y Skillfully developed design or methodology can be synthesized to other disciplines Appropriate design or methodolog y but with elements missing Critical elements of design are missing Design shows a misunderstandin g of the methodology or framework

10 10 Discussion Conclusions Limitations and Implications Writing mechanics Organizes and synthesizes evidence to reveal insightful patterns, differences or similarities States conclusion that is logical and is derived from the findings and research Insightfully discusses in detail and supported limitations and implications Written work has no major errors in word selection and use, sentence structure, spelling and punctuation. Organizes evidence to reveal important patterns, differences or similarities States conclusion only from the findings Discusses and supported limitations and implications Written work is relatively free of errors in word selection and use, sentence structure, spelling and punctuation Organizes evidence but the organizatio n does not reveal patterns, differences or similarities States a general conclusion with minimal connection to findings Presents and supported limitations and implications Written work has several major errors in word selection and use, sentence structure, spelling and punctuation List evidence but it is not organized and/or is unrelated to the purpose States ambiguous and illogical conclusion Presents limitations and implications but they are possibly ir and unsupported Written work has serious and persistent errors in word selection and use, sentence structure, spelling and punctuation Total: /100 Other Comments:

11 11 MSAH 7000 Master s Thesis Oral Presentation Rubric Student Name: CATEGORY Preparedness Student is completely prepared and has obviously rehearsed. Students seems pretty prepared but might have needed a couple more rehearsals. The student is somewhat prepared, but it is clear that rehearsal was lacking. Student does not seem at all prepared to present. Content Attire Enthusiasm Speaks Clearly Vocabulary Questions Comments: Shows a full understanding of the topic. Business attire, very professional look. Facial expressions and body language generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others. Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100 95%) of the time, and mispronounces no words. Uses vocabulary appropriate for the audience. Extends audience vocabulary by defining words that might be new to most of the audience. Answers ALL questions correctly and efficiently Shows a good understanding of the topic. Casual business attire. Facial expressions and body language sometimes generate a strong interest and enthusiasm about the topic in others. Speaks clearly and distinctly all (100 95%) of the time, but mispronounces one word. Uses vocabulary appropriate for the audience. Includes 1 2 words that might be new to most of the audience, but does not define them. Answers most questions correctly Shows a good understanding of parts of the topic. Casual business attire, but wore sneakers or seemed somewhat wrinkled. Facial expressions and body language are used to try to generate enthusiasm but seem somewhat faked. Speaks clearly and distinctly most (94 85%) of the time. Mispronounces no more than one word. Uses vocabulary appropriate for the audience. Does not include any vocabulary that might be new to the audience. Unsure how to answer some questions Does not seem to understand the topic very well General attire not appropriate for audience (jeans, t shirts, shorts). Very little use of facial expressions or body language. Did not generate much interest in topic being presented. Often mumbles or cannot be understood OR mispronounced more than one word. Uses several (5 or more) words or phrases that are not understood by the audience. Not prepared to answer most questions