Supervision of M.Sc. theses using the writing of a scientific article as a framework to increase efficiency and quality of research outcomes.

Abstract

The number of published peer-reviewed research articles has increased exponentially in the past decades, as has the degree of competitiveness in scientific publishing. Publication of scientific articles remains the gold standard for measuring research quality. In this context, quality is understood as to how rigorously the scientific method was applied. However, a critical disconnect exists between the continuous channel of projects fed to students by research laboratories, and the scientific quality of outcomes these students produce. Here, we present a process for the supervision of M.Sc. thesis projects conducted in research laboratories with the objective to increase productivity and quality. It is based on an iterative model of writing a scientific article naturally following the scientific method. This approach intends to maximize learning and development for the student, as well as productivity for the research laboratory by facilitating the publication of a peer-reviewed scientific article out of the thesis work.