ACIT5920 Master's Thesis, Phase 2 Course description

Phase 2 (MT-2) is dedicated to the continued development of the master's project work, for example, planning and implementation of the methdology, development, data collection and analysis. The precise nature and status of the work will be dependant on the specific project. 

In addition, there will be a series of workshops on the academic writing and effective communication of the thesis project, building on the workshops in Phase 1. Students will develop an awareness of the conventions of academic writing and the writing process and use a range of analytical tools and methods to develop their writing and writing practices as part of writing their thesis.

Master's Thesis, Long - MT1 (Phase 1) must have been passed before the student can start work with MT2.

A student who has completed this course should have the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

On successful completion of this course the student:

• has specialized knowledge on the specific areas of their Master thesis
• understands that scientific writing is a process of both constructing and communicating meaning.
• understands the structures and conventions of methods and results chapters of a thesis.

Skills

On successful completion of this course the student:

• can plan and carry out limited research or development projects
• can identify types and scopes of results which are required to ensure the claims and conclusions are scientifically valid
• can reflect on the decisions made and their consequences for the project
• can produce effective methods and results chapters which conform to disciplinary conventions and the program's formal requirements.
• can effectively draft and revise their work 

General competence

On successful completion of this course the student:

• can carry out projects according to a defined project plan
• can carry out projects on the basis of a problem statement and defined research questions
• can carry out comprehensive independent study
• apply the methods and results-reporting skills to other academic writing situations, such as the writing of academic research articles. 

This is the first phase of their research where the student can focus entirely on development and getting results for their project.

The academic writing workshops will cover topics such as 

• Variations in academic style
• Audience, purpose and style
• The writing process
• Disciplinary identity
• Academic language
• Vocabulary, grammar, sentence, paragraph and text
• Coherence and cohesion
• Directness and formality
• Avoiding common errors: e.g. digression, lack of thesis statement, misunderstanding one’s audience
• Analysing, discussing and responding to academic texts
• Article structures, including IMRAD

The project plan, literature study, problem statement and research questions from Phase 1 forms the basis for Phase 2. The work is carried out under the guidance of the supervisor appointed at the start of Phase 1.

In addition to the project work, there will be a series of workshops during which students will be provided with a range of analytical tools and methods to help develop their writing skills. Students will also receive formative feedback on draft versions of their texts from the course instructor and their peers, with a focus on the Phase 2 report. 

The following required coursework must be approved before the student can take the exam:

1. A draft text of the Phase 2 submission
2. A peer review of another students draft text of the Phase 2 submission
3. A Process memo (reflection on the feedback received)
4. A 10-minute oral presentation outlining the methodology for the study and any preliminary results

The Phase 2 submission is an individual written report of between 4,000 and 10,000 words that amounts to the Methodology chapter of the master's thesis. The report should  include a discussion of any refinements that have been made to the initial problem statement and research question(s) outlined in the Phase 1 submission and also cover ethical considerations related to the project work. 

The Phase 1 submission should be included as an appendix to the Phase 2 submission. 

It is understood that the contents of the Phase 2 submission does not necessarily constitute the final versions of the text in the master's thesis. 

New/postponed exam: In case of failed exam or legal absence, the student may apply for a new or postponed exam. New or postponed exams are offered within a reasonable time span following the regular exam. The student is responsible for applying for a new/postponed exam within the time limits set by OsloMet. The Regulations for new or postponed examinations are available in Regulations relating to studies and examinations at OsloMet.

All aids are permitted.

Assessment is pass or fail.

Two internal examiners. External examiner is used periodically.

Assistant professor Sigrun Pahr Maennling