Guidelines for Independent Study in Community Health
Students wishing to pursue an independent study in Community Health should
complete the first step in this process prior to registering for independent study credit.
The second step should be completed by the third week of the semester in which the
study is proposed.
An independent study, like a thesis, is a research project designed and executed
by the student with faculty oversight. In contrast to a thesis, however, it is a smaller
project that can be completed in a single semester.
1.
The student must identify a faculty member willing to supervise the
independent study. The faculty member must be a member of the Community
Health Policy Board, whose names are listed in the CHP Newsletter and in the
Bulletin.
2.
By the end of the third week of school, the student must have completed a
preliminary draft of her or his independent study plan. The plan should
contain the following elements:
a. A clear statement of the research question or topic, including the proposed
product.
b. A brief statement of the initial argument. The initial argument should
indicate the general direction and philosophy of the thesis.
c. An initial summary of the literature. This need not be a full literature
review but should include a discussion of three or four key papers or
books.
d. A discussion of the proposed methods of the independent study, including
evidence the student plans to collect.
e. A timeline for completion of the study, including dates on which paper
drafts will be submitted to the faculty member.
If a student wishes to work on the independent study while he or she is abroad
during the junior year or during the summer before the senior year, these steps must
be completed before the student begins work on the independent study. Students
should not expect to have an independent study approved after their return.
A copy of the study plan must be given to the CHP Program Administrator, who
will update the Registrar’s records and place the plan in the student’s file.
If the independent study involves human subjects and requires approval by the
Institutional Review Board (IRB), the student MUST secure that approval before
collecting data on human subjects. Students should submit information to the IRB as
early as possible to avoid delays in completing their independent study. If any data
collection is being done while the student is abroad, this clearance must be obtained
before the student leaves Tufts.