MJ5900 Master Thesis Course description

The purpose of the master's thesis is for the student to complete an independent scientific study based on a research question that is related to the field of study.

For journalism and media and communication:

The courses MED4000 Media Development and Media Research and MED4100 Introduction to research methods, as well as optional courses of a total of 40 credits must be passed before the student can submit the master's thesis for examination.

For non-fiction:

The courses MED4000 Media Development and Media Research, MED4100 Introduction to research methods, MJ5300 An introduction to non-fiction, as well as optional courses of a total of 30 credits must be passed before the student can submit the master's thesis for examination.

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

• The student has solid knowledge of relevant research traditions for media development in general and the field of study in particular
• has solid knowledge of relevant methodological and theoretical approaches for the master's thesis topic in particular
• has in-depth knowledge of the scientific requirements for ethics, validity, representativeness, reliability and generalizability

Skills

The student

• has developed his/hers ability to produce a research project from the original idea to a master's thesis
• has the ability to formulate a clear problem with adequate research questions solidly grounded in the subject's theories
• has the ability to examine a complex material with methods that are appropriate in light of the purpose of the project and carry it out with great accuracy and thoroughness
• is able to design a thesis with a clear and distinct structure, where the conclusions drawn have good evidence in the examined data,
• is able to discuss the findings in a critical manner
• writes correctly, accurately and interestingly
• can use references, appendices etc. in accordance with good scientific standards

General competence

The student

• has the ability to analyze scientific, practical and ethical research questions
• has competence in the presentation of scientific material, and has developed the ability to give and receive constructive criticism and feedback
• has developed competence for independent research work
• has the competence to innovate and to apply their knowledge and skills in new areas
• can communicate and discuss research processes and research results

The master's thesis is a scientific work in media development in general and the field of study in particular. The master's thesis must be completed either as a theoretical (1st) or a practical / theoretical (2nd) thesis.

1. The theoretical master's thesis is a scientific investigation of a theoretical and / or empirical nature. It represents an independent research work carried out under supervision. That the student should relate to an issue within the field of study may mean:

• questions related to material (text in the broadest sense) from journalism / media and communication / non-fiction
• questions related to practice and professional practice in journalism / media and communication / non-fiction
• questions related to journalism / media and communication / non-fiction as a social institution
• questions related to journalism / media and communication / non-fiction as a business
• questions that connect other fields with the field of study (eg globalization studies, technology studies, economics studies, gender studies, language studies, media anthropology, or the like, or links between the three fields of study's subject areas.

2. The practical / theoretical assignment is an advanced, individual work within the field of study's subject area connected with research theoretical and methodological reflection.

• The practical production is intended for a medium / an enterprise belonging to the field of study and field of practice
• The theoretical part can be a critical-theoretical reflection on the creation or development of the production and possibly its reception, and / or on language, tools, themes or the like. The theoretical reflection must be based on the theoretical and methodological  traditions of the subject area.
• The practical and the theoretical part are linked together in that the practical part is used as material for the theoretical-analytical written reflection.

The choice of practical master's thesis takes place in consultation with the supervisor, who in each case assesses whether the student has the necessary prior knowledge required for the planned project.

Students are encouraged to seek partners in working life within the field of study and field of practice (ie editorial environments / media companies / communication companies / publishers or similar) in the preparation of both the theoretical and practical variant of the master's thesis.

1st semester

The work on the master's thesis starts in the compulsory subjects MED4000 Media development and media research and MED4100 Introduction to research methods. In these courses, students will present and discuss preliminary sketches of the theoretical starting point, research question, research design and choice of method for a possible master's thesis.

2nd semester

Master's thesis supervisor is appointed in the second semester. After the appointment, the student can request an informal conversation with the supervisor. At the beginning of the spring semester, a seminar is arranged for all students, related to the master's thesis work.

3rd and 4th semester

Individual guidance. Students are encouraged to organize seminars where background and method literature, research design, methodological approaches, selection of empirical material and drafts of chapters, empirical studies and analyzes are discussed.

Part-time students are not expected to start work on the master's thesis until the 4th semester.

The student is entitled to 16 hours of individual supervision during the work on the master's thesis. The main supervisor must normally come from the Department of Journalism and Media Studies. It is possible for the students to apply for a co-supervisor. The number of hours for a co-supervisor is included in the 16 hours the students are entitled to for supervision of the master's thesis.

No coursework requirements

The assessment consists of the master's thesis and an oral examination where one hour is set aside pr. student for examination and feedback, and where the grade can be adjusted one grade up or down.

1. The theoretical master's thesis must be a minimum of 80 pages and a maximum of 100 pages plus reference lists and any appendices. Font Arial or Calibri, size 12 points, line spacing: 1.5. In order to complete the oral exam, the written exam must have been evaluated to a pass.
2. The practical / theoretical master's thesis consists of a major practical/development work, as well as a written theoretical reflection discussion of this work. The practical-theoretical assignment can be an opportunity to test hypotheses and develop the practical field (journalism, media and communication or non-fiction). Written-theoretical part: Around 50 pages. Font Arial or Calibri, size 12 points, line spacing: 1.5. Practical part (research, preparation, recording, editing): Equivalent to 6 months work. The practical part of the master's thesis is a production intended for a medium / an activity belonging to the field of study and field of practice. The scope will vary depending on which media types or combinations of these are used, and it is necessary to discuss the scope with the supervisor. The practical part counts 50 per cent and the theoretical part 50 per cent of the final grade. In order to be able to sit for the oral examination, both the written examination part and the practical part must be passed.

Students can choose whether they want to write the master's thesis in Norwegian or English.

The appeal deadline runs from the day the oral hearing is completed and the final grade is set.

Candidates who do not pass the practical part must apply for a new / postponed exam in both the practical and theoretical part. Candidates who do not pass the theoretical part can get a new / postponed exam for the theoretical part.

A student can submit a new or revised master's thesis once if the master's thesis has not been passed.

It is not permitted to have a new master's thesis assessed in the same study program when the student has previously had his / her thesis assessed with a pass, cf. Regulations on studies and examinations at OsloMet § 5-6 (1st and 2nd paragraph)

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grades from A-F.

The master's thesis and the oral examination are assessed by one internal and one external examiner.

Karoline Andrea Ihlebæk