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Program Structure

A clear, guided path from idea to publication

Overview

ThesisPathways is a structured, one-on-one research mentorship program designed for high school and undergraduate students. Each student works closely with a PhD-level mentor to complete an original research project or a literature review and submit it to a student research journal.

The program consists of 20 individual 30-minute sessions, conducted remotely, with clearly defined milestones to ensure progress, accountability, and successful completion.

What Students Work On

All projects are designed to be safe, ethical, and feasible for students to complete independently with mentor guidance.

Original Research vs. Literature Review

Original Research Project

In an original research project, students investigate a novel question by collecting or analyzing data. This may include experiments, simulations, surveys, interviews, or analysis of open-source datasets.

  • Follows the scientific or scholarly method
  • Involves data collection or data analysis
  • Generates new insights on a focused question
  • Common in STEM and some social sciences

Example: Analyzing air quality data to study links between pollution and asthma outcomes.

Literature Review

In a literature review, students synthesize and critically evaluate existing research on a specific topic. Rather than collecting new data, students analyze published studies to identify trends, gaps, and future directions.

  • Focuses on critical reading and synthesis
  • No new data collection required
  • Identifies debates, patterns, and gaps in research
  • Common in humanities, social sciences, and theory-heavy fields

Example: Reviewing existing studies on climate anxiety among adolescents.

Both project types are rigorous, mentor-guided, and eligible for submission to student research journals. Students and mentors select the format that best aligns with the student’s interests, experience level, and academic goals.

The 20-Session Journey

Sessions 1–3: Foundations

Students meet their mentor, refine their interests, and develop a clear project title and research question.

Sessions 4–7: Project Design

Students design their methodology and create a detailed paper outline. Mentors ensure the project is well-scoped, rigorous, and feasible.

Sessions 8–13: Research & First Draft

Students conduct their research or literature review and complete a full first draft of their paper.

Sessions 14–17: Revisions & Final Draft

Mentors provide detailed feedback as students revise their work into a polished, submission-ready manuscript.

Sessions 18–20: Submission & Review

Students prepare a cover letter, submit their paper to a journal, and respond to reviewer feedback with mentor support.

Program Outcomes

Ready to Begin Your Research Journey?

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