Master's Project ideas

[KR14CCRN]

I am in an online Masters program with a specialization in Leadership and Management. I am having a difficult time coming up with a project idea with measurable outcomes that can be completed in the next three months. I am involved in so many projects at work already, that it has been beyond difficult developing new, refreshing ideas.

[llg, PhD, RN]

I think you should pick one of the projects you are already involved in ... and do something related to that. You will be much more efficient with your time that way. The work you have already done (and/or will be doing anyway) can be applied to the school assignment. And the work you do for the school project can enrich your project.

If none of your currect projects could possibly work ... then tell us about your interests and the type of work you hope to do after graduation. Use this school project as a means to get some experience in the type of work you want to do long-term.

Perhaps some of the readers here could give you some suggestions -- if you told us a little more about your interests, current projects, and plans for the future. But it's hard to make any suggestions based only on your initial post.

[BCRNA]

A master's level project will definitely take more than three months from start to finish. Coming up with a topic is the hardest part. If you could tell us more of your interests then it will help. I usually recommend people find something interesting to them that is related to their job, a problem they have encountered that needs to be addressed. Also, if your project has to have IRB approval then it will take much longer than three months to finish, even if it qualifies for expidited processing.

Look at what has been by other students in your area, oftentimes you can identify a topic in the discussion area of their paper (the recomended future study areas).

Usually a student thinks about a topic during the first half of the program, and actually completes it during the last half. If you were doing a program full time you should expect to spend 6 to 8 months on the project minimum, longer is possible if you are in school part time. Three months for a project is too short for it to be start to finish, unless you already had a topic and a solid basis to start with. If you are implementing some type of intervention, then you will need to leave it in place for quite a bit before measuring results. Additionally, it will take time to determine your methodology for gathering and analyzing data.