Qualifying Paper

Parts I &II: Qualifying Paper

Parts I & II of the qualifying exam are centered around a paper written by the student that is modeled after those published in Psychological Bulletin or Psychological Review. Ideally, the paper would consist of a detailed review and theoretical synthesis of a coherent body of research. The paper should demonstrate independent and original thinking on the part of the student and should either take a theoretical stance or recommend experiments designed to resolve theoretical ambiguities (i.e., the paper should not merely review published research). The paper does not have a prescribed length, although low-end and high-end limits of 30 and 50 pages, respectively, seem reasonable.

Formation and Make-up of the Qualifying Paper Committee
The student is responsible for forming the Qual Paper Committee, a departmental committee consisting of three or more faculty members from the Department of Psychology (one of whom is your advisor). The committee should be formed at least one (1) month prior to Qual Paper Proposal. The student is also responsible for setting up meeting time & place (email reservations@psy.ucsd.edu to reserve a room) and submitting advance copy of proposal to committee members via email. For students with a primary advisor located outside of the department, committees should include 4 members (both the primary advisors inside and outside the department, plus two additional members from within the Psychology Department).

Qualifying Paper Proposal
Once the committee is formed, the student should prepare a brief (e.g., 3 page) proposal defining the area of research and the theoretical issues that will be addressed in the paper. A proposal meeting is then arranged (before Dec. 1 of the second year), and committee members may at that time recommend changes in the scope of the paper and define their expectations. The paper proposal and an email attachment of the proposal should be made available to committee members at least two weeks prior to the proposal. On the day of the proposal bring the Qualifying Paper Proposal Approval Sign-Off Sheet* to have the committee sign upon acceptance of the proposal. Turn the sign off sheet into the Graduate Coordinator.

NOTE: There are many academic titles, and not all of them allow the holder to be eligible to serve on your committee in an unrestricted capacity. You should check with the Graduate Coordinator if there is the slightest question about an individual's eligibility.

Qualifying Paper Defense
After the completion of the Qualifying Paper, the student must give a presentation, explaining the ideas and data and presented in the Qualifying Paper to their committee. The committee will be given an opportunity to ask questions and discuss the paper at this presentation before granting a satisfactory passing grade on the Qualifying Paper. A final draft of the paper and an email attachment of the paper should be made available to committee members at least two weeks prior to the defense. On the day of the defense bring the Qualifying Paper Final Approval Sign-Off Sheet** to have the committee sign upon acceptance of the final paper. Turn the sign off sheet into the Graduate Coordinator.

*Download the qual proposal sign-off sheet here.

**Download the qual defense sign-off sheet here.