Thesis/Dissertation Overview

What's On This Page?

Research 

When To Apply 

Master's Students

In Progress

Doctoral Students

Students who wish to apply for ethics approval from the University of Alberta’s Research Ethics Board prior to the completion of their candidacy exam but after completion of their candidacy proposal may do so with the approval of their supervisory committee. However, students must not begin research until they have successfully passed their candidacy exam.

Research Applications

Research Ethics Board (REB)

All research conducted by students dealing with human participants is subject to a research ethics review by one of the four Research Ethics Boards. REB 1 and REB 2 review the full range of social sciences, behavioural, education, arts, business, humanities, and engineering research conducted by University staff and students.

Alberta Research Information Services (ARISE)

Formerly known as REMO
ARISE is an online ethics system used for ethics applications across the Education Faculty. All future human ethics applications for new studies and post-approval activities, such as amendments, renewals and close reports, must be entered into the system. An application is developed using a smart form, which is dynamically created as the form is completed. All other aspects of ethics review and administration will also be managed online. You require a valid CCID and password to access ARISE.
You must then fill in your profile page. This must be done the first time you log on. There is detailed information on the ARISE homepage regarding the use of the online platform. In the online form, students must indicate their status as students and the name of their supervisor. When a student submits the form, it will be routed to the supervisor for review, feedback and approval before being forwarded to the Research Ethics Board.

Cooperative Activities Program (CAP)

Students who wish to conduct research in schools in Edmonton-area school districts must follow the CAP Application Process, which is outlined on the Faculty of Education's Administrative Website. 
The Cooperative Activities Program is an administrative network designed to coordinate and facilitate university-initiated research projects which require the involvement of students, teachers and/or other personnel within four school boards in Edmonton and the surrounding area: 
  • Edmonton Catholic Schools
  • Edmonton Public Schools
  • Elk Island Public Schools
  • St. Alberta Public Schools
  • Greater St. Alberta Catholic Schools

The internal review within the University of Alberta may take up to 3.5 weeks during more intensive application periods, while at the division level, the review may take anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks.

Quick Links

Master's Thesis & Doctoral Thesis (Dissertation) Expectations

Master's Thesis (U of A Calendar)

The University of Alberta Calendar states that a thesis-based master's program requires the creation of:"...a thesis or thesis-equivalent that, at a minimum, should reveal that the student is able to work in a scholarly manner and is acquainted with the principal works published on the subject of the thesis. As far as possible, it should be an original contribution."

Doctoral Dissertation (U of A Calendar)

The University of Alberta Calendar states that a doctoral program requires the creation of:"...original research, or other advanced scholarship, culminating with a thesis or thesis-equivalent that, a minimum, must embody the results of original investigations and analyses and be of such quality as to merit publication, meeting the standards of reputable scholarly publications. It must constitute a substantial contribution to the knowledge in the student’s field of study.

Submission