Writing the MS ThesisThe master's thesis represents a work of higher standard than a term paper. Students work at their own pace to write the thesis essay, which advances a specific view in the students' chosen field of learning as a result of research. The written thesis essay is between 18,000 and 30,000 words in length. Writing the thesis involves one to two semesters of individual scholarship and research usually uninterrupted by other studies. The thesis essay demonstrates the student's sophistication, skill and ability to undertake independent research using the established methods of analysis most appropriate for the essay's subject. The essay provides an opportunity to explain the practical usefulness of the research results for the business profession. A good thesis essay not only advances a specific view, but it does so in writing that is clear, concise, convincing and objective. Look at the following advice for writers of these and other research papers: On writing clearly from the editors of The Economist magazine, on beginning and writing a thesis and more on beginning and writing a thesis.Thesis and research papers should conform to the APA Publication Manual published by the American Psychological Association. Any charts or tables should conform to the principles in Tufte's The Visual Display of Quantitative Information (ISBN 0-9613921-4-2). Students are responsible for following all Masters Thesis Procedures of The Peter J. Tobin College of Business.Sources of Recorded KnowledgeYou can access (using your student passwords) over the Internet the extensive electronic databases at the St. Augustine Library, and at WRDS. Also from inside the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Library you can access Interent, CD-ROM and text-based databases specific to risk management and insurance. There are also many web sites full of practical instructions, thought-provoking ideas, useful data and insightful animation. Here is a small sample (in random order):