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University of Wyoming

 

Master's Program

THESIS /
NON-THESIS OPTIONS


Framework for Comparison of Thesis/Non-Thesis Options (Accepted by Graduate Education Subcommittee, May 2005)


Introduction

Currently, the School of Nursing has two options for completion of the research component of the graduate program. Students can choose to do the traditional thesis study or a non-thesis clinical project. The expected outcome from either of these options is that the student will demonstrate competence in synthesizing research and theory in order to inform their clinical practice. Within either option, the student is expected to demonstrate critical thinking, communication skills, and scholarly inquiry. The focus, purposes and objectives of these two options are presented here in a comparative manner.

Thesis Research Study

[NURS 5960: Research Study - variable credit 1-4 hours; total of 4 credit hours required]-
(student works independently over several semesters to do this research project)

  • Focus is on investigating a nursing problem using the complete research process.

  • Purpose is to demonstrate competence in integration of research and theory in order to meet the objectives of the graduate program in nursing.

  • Objectives.  The student will:

    • Conceptualize a researchable nursing problem

    • Design a researchable study

    • Conduct the study

    • Produce a scholarly report using the standard, five-chapter thesis format

Non-Thesis Clinical Project

[NURS 5650: Non-Thesis Project - variable credit 1-4 hours; total of 4 credit hours required] - (student works independently over several semesters to do this research project)

  • Focus is on developing, implementing, and evaluating a clinical nursing project.

  • Purpose is to demonstrate competence in integration of research and theory in order to meet the objectives of the graduate program in nursing.

  • Objectives.  The student will:

    • Conceptualize a nursing problem that can be studied in the literature

    • Design a project that addresses the nature of the problem

    • Implement the project

    • Evaluate the outcomes

    • Produce a scholarly report that describes the implementation and evaluation of the project and makes recommendations for future consideration

revised 8-1-2008