FLKM5000 Master's Thesis Course description

The purpose of the master’s thesis is for the student to conduct an independent, scholarly work. During the work on the master’s thesis, students need to investigate a delimited topic using social sciencemethods over a limited period of time. The thesis must be based on one or several issues within the thematic field of the master’s programme: the relationships between international development, education, and sustainabilities in the Global South and relations between the North and the South.

The work on the master’s thesis forms the core of the programme, and the academic training must be seen in light of this. The master’s thesis gives the student the opportunity to document their competence at a higher level and make a contribution to the production of knowledge in the field. The work on the thesis is intended to help the student to read research results in a critical and reflective manner, develop methodological skills in the social sciences, and encourage independent research work. This should enable the student to see their work and its potential contribution in a wider context, to develop their ability to assess and take a stance on other scholarly contributions, including towards those that use other methods and theoretical approaches than those they have chosen to use themselves.

All the courses in the first year of the programme must be passed and all required coursework must be approved before the students can submit the master’s thesis and take the oral exam as the final assessment. This applies for students starting the programme until/including the academic year 2022-2023.

The following applies for students starting the programme in the academic year 2023-2024 and onwards:Students must have passed all of the courses in the first year of their study programme (FLKM4110, FLKM4210, FLKM4310/FLKM4320, and FLKM4410) before they can commence the course FLKM5000.

In very special cases and by application, partial deviation from these requirements may be considered.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student:

• has in-depth knowledge in their research topic and its field.
• has sound knowledge of the relevant philosophy of science, research methodology, and particular methods as appropriate to their study and the field.
• is capable of making a critical and research-based assessment of the knowledge base in their topic and its field.

Skills

The student:

• is capable of planning and carrying out a research project.
• is capable of arguing for and explaining academic points of view in their own field in writing and orally
• is capable of conducting research studies of relevant connections in the field.
• is capable of contributing to the development of new research-based knowledge in their field.

General competence

The student:

• is capable of disseminating research-based knowledge in the field both orally and in writing.
• is capable of contributing knowledge to the development of their field.
• is capable of identifying needs for new knowledge that is relevant to international education and social conditions in the South.

Students are assigned an academic supervisor for their individual research project (FLKM5000). A total of 50 hours are available for supervision, of which up to 10 hours may be used in the preparation of the project description in FLKM4410.

A range of supplementary workshops related to academic English writing, conventions for thesis structure and specific chapters, and data analysis, may be offered as required.

Initiatives like "Shut up and Write" sessions or (on-campus) writing retreats may be facilitated for students, as required.

Initiatives like a "Three Minute Thesis" Activity / Event may be organised for students after submission of thesis for examination.

The following required coursework must be completed by students prior to submitting their master’s thesis for examination:

• participation in organised ‘writing seminar groups’ that will meet a minimum of 8 times for 2 hours each session, in which students’ present and discuss drafts of their thesis work (maximum of 10 pages / 3,000 words). Each student will present their work a minimum of two times each for feedback and discussion. These writing seminars support the development of students’ writing, and their capacity to take a critical stance to their own work and the work of others.
• Participation in at least one (1) 2-hour library database workshop and at least one (1) 2-hour academic / thesis writing workshop.
• Submission of a (mid-term) progress report / seminar paper for review (approximately 5,000 words).

The purpose of participation in the writing seminar groups, and other academic writing workshops, is to facilitate students’ progress in the writing of their thesis for its timely completion and submission for examination.

Similarly, the purpose mid-term progress report is to check on progress and, as required, identify any particular strategies or interventions needed to facilitiate timely progress and completion.

The basis for assessment is an individual master’s thesis of 30,000 to 38,000 words (excluding the cover page, summary, table of contents, reference list and appendices), followed by an individual oral exam lasting 45 to 60 minutes. The oral exam consists of an examination/conversation about the master’s thesis and its strengths and weaknesses.

Written thesis are evaluated, followed by the oral exam. One final grade is awarded for the master’s thesis, based on these two components. The final grade is set after the oral exam.

If the written master’s thesis does not meet the specified formal requirements, the submission will be registered as ‘failed’. An oral exam will then not be held for the candidate.

Assessment criteria

The master’s thesis will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

• The clarity, relevance and/or originality of the research questions or issues in relation to international education and development
• Ability to think independently and critically
• Documentation and use of relevant theory and research, and systematic approach to use of sources
• Connections between the main issues, research questions, choice of method, discussions and conclusions
• Ability to collect, systematise, interpret and present knowledge in a logical and easy-to-follow manner in relation to selected theories and perspectives
• Reflection on ethical issues in the research process
• Written presentation, clear table of contents, accurate literature references, reference list and appendices

Examination Report

A structured, written, evaluation report from the examiners will be provided to all candidates after the completion of the oral exam component.

Resit/rescheduled exams

A student will not be allowed to submit a new master’s thesis in the same programme if a pass grade has already been awarded. If a fail grade is awarded for the master’s thesis, the student can submit a new or revised thesis once only (see the Regulations Relating to Studies and Examination at OsloMet. Resit/rescheduled exams are organised in the same way as ordinary exams.

Right of appeal

If a student appeals the grade, both components of the exam must be re-assessed together. A new oral exam will be held.

Support material is permitted for the written part.

Letter grades ranging from A to F are used, with A being the highest grade and E the poorest pass grade, and F being a fail grade.

One internal and one external examiner are used.