Georgia Institute of TechnologyIvan Allen CollegeSchool of Public Policy
Students with BuzzMaster of Science in Public Policy






Final Paper and Thesis

Procedures for a Professional Research Paper

Most students pursue the professional research paper option rather than the thesis (the thesis being suggested chiefly for students who wish to pursue a Ph.D. in some social sciences-related field). The research paper is to be a policy-relevant analysis that draws upon, and demonstrates mastery of, the knowledge, understanding, and analytical tools that comprise the MSPP curriculum. It is desirable, but not necessary, that the paper topic be developed in conjunction with an outside institution in the policy community. (Note however, that if the research paper is the only experience a student has with the policy community, then the paper must be developed this way). The paper itself should be of the quality and approximate length of a journal article. It can be a creative synthesis of knowledge related to a policy problem (it must be more than a reworking of existing material), a report of original research or analysis, or a piece of policy analysis directed toward a policy problem.

You should plan to do the research paper in a single three-credit segment in your final semester of study. By the beginning of your second year in the program (as a full-time student), you should have a good idea of your career goals and the kind of research paper you would like to do that would contribute most to those goals. Choose a faculty advisor who can work with you on the paper and, if possible, advise you of career opportunities. This is the person whose permission you will need to sign up for PUBP 6800 (the Research Paper). During Fall semester of your second year, explore alternative topics and possible advisors informally with members of the faculty. By the end of Early Registration (Phase I) of Fall Semester, you should have identified a topic and an advisor. You should expect to submit a final draft of your paper three weeks before the beginning of final exams.

Procedurally, you and your advisor will agree on the type of product you will prepare, and on a schedule of accomplishments that will yield draft and final versions of the paper. The milestones should include, in addition to the draft and final versions of the paper, a brief proposal or abstract, a preliminary outline, a detailed outline and bibliography. Your advisor will review and critique these outputs and draft of the final report, and assign a grade based on the final paper. Two copies of the final version must be turned in by the last day of classes. Remember, it is your responsibility to ensure your advisor receives your paper with enough lead-time to critique it and return it to you for any necessary revisions. It is NOT a good idea to wait until the last day of class to turn in your paper.

Procedures for Thesis

Most students have not pursued the thesis option, but it is often the best choice if you plan to continue graduate work. A successfully completed thesis indicates (1) that you are capable of research-intensive work and (2) that you have mastered the theory, methods, and understanding that underlie a particular area of policy-related knowledge. The thesis more closely corresponds to the standards expected of an academic researcher.

The model for an acceptable thesis is a research effort (typically 80-120 pages in length) that would qualify (probably in somewhat reduced form) for publication in a refereed policy relevant journal. The thesis does not require that you collect information and data from original sources. It is possible for you to extend and synthesize from existing works, but it is necessary that you contribute something original and unique to the existing body of knowledge about public policy. Your thesis committee decides whether your thesis meets this criterion. A typical committee will consist of a Chair and one other member from the School of Public Policy, and a third member from outside the School. The third member could be a member of the Georgia Tech faculty, on the faculty of another academic institution, or a member of an outside organization interested in your thesis topic. (Members of thesis committees who are not on the Georgia Tech faculty must submit their resumes along with the Request for Approval of Thesis Topic form).

You should plan to register for 3 hours of thesis (PUBP 7000) in the Fall semester of your second year, and 6 hours Spring semester to finish the thesis (if you are a full-time student). Prior to registering for thesis hours, you should have identified your thesis chair, obtained his or her agreement to chair your thesis committee and filled out and submitted the signed Request for Approval of Thesis Topic form to the Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research. During the 3 hours of thesis Fall semester, you and your committee should agree on a series of milestones, including a draft thesis proposal, final proposal, and draft thesis, and final thesis. The product of the first three hours of thesis is a completed, approved thesis proposal.

The proposal should include a discussion of the problem to be investigated, a brief literature review, clear, precise presentation of the research question(s), discussion of the research strategy to be used, data sources and data collection techniques, discussion of data quality, a section on how the data are to be analyzed, and a bibliography. As work progresses on your thesis, it is likely that you will deviate from the proposal (that's the way research works). So, don't feel trapped by the proposal, but be sure to keep your advisor informed of substantial changes. The more you interact with members of your thesis committee and the more material you give them to read as you progress, the less likely you are to be surprised by critical comments. The Institute's time schedule for preparation of theses is very tight, so plan conservatively. Refer to the Manual for Graduate Theses for details.

NOTE: The Manual for Graduate Theses is the definitive instruction guide for the preparation and submission of theses. Manuals are available from the Office of Graduate Academic and Enrollment Services located on the ground floor, room 4, Tech Tower.