MAJO5900 Master's Thesis Course description

*The course is also offered to students who have already taken midwifery training as a further education programme under the national curriculum and regulations of 2005, and who have been admitted to the Master's Programme in Midwifery and granted exemption from parts of the programme. These students will follow a separate course of study, and will start the programme in August.

Introduction

By acquiring and combining knowledge from the other parts of the programme, the students will write an independent scholarly work in the form of a master's thesis written under supervision. The master's thesis must have a systematic scholarly structure and be based on topical and relevant literature and/or empirical data that provides an answer to the research question that the student has formulated.

Students must have passed MAJO4200 Research Theory and Methodology in Midwifery before they can start this course. All courses other than MAJOPRA4 must be passed before the students can submit his/her master's thesis for assessment.

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

Knowledge

The student:

• has the advanced knowledge about relevant research, scientific theories and research methods required to work on a delimited research question in the field of midwifery
• is capable of using recognised scientific methods to carry out a delimited research project
• has an in-depth understanding of data collection and the most common forms of quantitative and qualitative data analysis
• has in-depth knowledge of research ethics and the formal requirements that apply to research projects

Skills

The student is capable of:

• formulating a clear research question for the material to be used
• demonstrating an understanding of the relationship between the theoretical framework and relevant empirical material or theoretical findings
• carrying out methodological assessments and analyses and concluding in a manner that demonstrates understanding
• communicating about issues, analyses and conclusions in midwifery, both with specialists and with the general public
• developing a research design and carrying out an independent, delimited research or development project in accordance with applicable scientific and research ethical standards
• carrying out critical analyses of theories and methods and using them to structure argumentation in the field of midwifery

Competence

The student:

• has the competence required to initiate and carry out delimited research and development projects in his/her future professional practice
• is capable of designing, initiating and carrying out small-scale studies
• is capable of assessing the methodological and theoretical preconditions for scientific studies
• is capable of disseminating the results of his/her own and other people's research
• is capable of using his/her knowledge and skills to engage in innovative thinking and further development of the midwifery discipline
• is capable of communicating extensive independent work and masters the forms of expression used in midwifery
• is capable of analysing relevant academic, professional and research ethics issues

The master's thesis

The master's thesis is an independent scholarly or development work carried out under supervision and must be written in pairs. In special cases, students can apply to write the thesis alone. The thesis must be based on a research question, a topic or a hypothesis of relevance to midwifery. The master's thesis can be included as a delimited, but independent part of internal or external research or development projects in midwifery.

The master's thesis can be written as a monograph, a scientific article or a set of clinical guidelines, a procedure, information brochure or information video. Some students will collect and process the data for their master's thesis in other countries, which will provide an opportunity to take a broader global perspective on women's sexual and reproductive health.

Relevant research designs and sources of data for the master's thesis

• Empirical approach: students can choose qualitative or quantitative research designs
• A research-based midwifery development project based on clinical guidelines, established clinical practices or user experience relating to the midwife's functions and areas of responsibility
• Systematic literature studies

Completed Master’s degree (120 ECTS credits) or equivalent education level.

Upon completing the course, the candidates are expected to have gained the following learning outcomes (knowledge, skills, and general competence).

Knowledge

The candidate:

• • has deep understanding of theories, documents, concepts, and definitions within the area of sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship
  • has advanced knowledge of the nature of cultural, organizational, institutional, economic, and business based innovation for sustainability.
  • has a nuanced understanding of the multiple challenges in the development of innovative sustainable solutions for a fair society
  • has knowledge of professions and the role of professions in sustainable innovation.

Skills

The candidate:

• • has developed an ability to critically examine and challenge established thinking and solutions to ‘wicked’ and complex problems
  • can work and contribute efficiently in cross- and multidisciplinary teams concerning sustainable innovation
  • can apply a sustainable and policy relevant approach to scientific problem identification and development work.

General competence

The candidate:

• • can identify new, relevant research problems and challenge established knowledge and practice within sustainable innovation
  • can contribute to new, advanced knowledge and insight within the area of sustainable innovation and entrepreneurship based on scientific judgement and integrity
  • can communicate research and development work to society as well as through recognized academic channels such as scientific workshops, conferences and journals in the field of sustainable innovation

Active participation in the seminars is necessary to adequately understand the course material and themes. Preparation and participation are therefore mandatory, and candidates are expected to attend all days of teaching and required to attend at least 80 percent of teaching days. In special cases of documented illness, the course leader may accept exceptions to this requirement. In these cases, lack of participation can be substituted with alternative arrangements such as active reading of the relevant syllabus literature.

Course requirements are assessed as confirmed or not confirmed. The course requirement must be completed and confirmed within the given deadline in order to have the right to submit a final essay.

The course requirements are:

• A plenary presentation on a subject decided in collaboration with the course lecturer.
• A prepared opposition to at least one other presentation.
• 80 % attendance is required.

Confirmed participation in the course and accepted final essay.

• Individual essay (4000-5000 words). The essay will discuss the most important theoretical aspects from the syllabus, with relevance for the candidate’s PhD project. Cover page, illustrations, and list of references come in addition.

Assessment is pass/ fail. If an essay is graded fail, the candidate has one opportunity to resubmit a

revised essay within a given time-period.

The final essay is assessed by the course lecturer and one other examinator. External examinators will be used regularly. The assessment of the essay is based on the learning outcomes for the course.