LL.M. Major Research Paper Milestones

The Major Research Paper is less extensive than a thesis (generally 50-70 pages, excluding abstract, notes, bibliography, and any appendices) and requires less in terms of original analysis. It still must be your own work, but that work may simply review and synthesize existing literature (with due citation).

It is prepared with the advice and direction of your supervisors and constitutes the principle focus of the non-thesis master’s program.

The following milestones are useful in developing your major research paper:

• Prepare your proposal.
  Your LL.M. application should have included a basic proposal. You should revise and expand that proposal over the course of your first months, in close communication with your supervisors. By the end of the second semester it should be finalized, approved by your supervisors, and lodged with the Graduate Assistant.

• If necessary, apply to the Human Research Ethics Board for approval.
  All research involving human participants must receive approval in advance from the Human Research Ethics Board (HREB). It is wise to apply early in your program, for approval can take up to six weeks even if modifications are not required. Again, this should be done in close consultation with your supervisors.

• Develop your proposal and begin your major paper research in the framework of LAW501 and LAW502.
  These two courses are designed to help you formulate and commence your research, to start writing, and to obtain feedback from your colleagues.

• Research and write in earnest.
  Students normally begin to work on their major research paper in earnest during the second semester. The major research paper will dominate your work from then until completion. The earlier you begin to write the better. Writing helps to clarify ideas, identify issues, and direct your research. Draft chapters are essential to enable your supervisors to give effective feedback.
  
  For formatting, see Thesis and Dissertation Guidelines and UVic Thesis Template. You must use a consistent citation style. In Law, students normally use the most recent edition of Canadian Guide to Uniform Legal Citation (“the McGill guide”). You must scrupulously avoid any form of academic dishonesty.
  

• Examination
  LL.M. major research papers are examined, in writing only, by your supervisory committee members. There is no oral examination or external examiner.
  
  Please read the major research paper submission procedures and submission deadlines carefully early in your program.

• Final Submission.
  The last stage is the final submission of the completed and corrected major research paper.
  
  There are strict submission deadlines by which you must submit in order to avoid a subsequent term’s fees and graduate at a specific convocation ceremony. You are responsible for informing yourself about these deadlines and meeting them. You must allow a reasonable time for supervisors to review, comment on, and approve drafts. Communicate closely with your supervisors about their availability as you approach the date of submission.
  
  Submission deadlines are established by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and cannot be extended. Timelines allow for very little leeway for unexpected delays. We encourage all who can meet earlier deadlines to do so.