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 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 
• has in-depth knowledge of the scientific requirements for quality on research 
• has basis knowledge about ethics

Skills

The student

• has developed the ability to design a research project from the original idea to a master's thesis
• can formulate a clear research question grounded in the theories central to the field
• can examine a data material with methods that are appropriate in light of the purpose of the project and carry it out with great accuracy and thoroughness
• 'can design a thesis with a clear and distinct structure
• can discuss the findings in a critical manner
• can write accurately and engaging
• can use appropriate references in accordance with good scientific standards

General competence

The student

• has the ability to develop relevant research questions and a solid project design
• has competence in the presentation of scientific data
• can give and receive constructive criticism and feedback
• has developed competence for independent research work
• can communicate and discuss research processes and 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 an independent scientific investigation of a theoretical and  empirical nature. It represents an independent research work carried out under supervision. That the student should relate to a research question within the field of study may mean:

• questions related to material (text in a broad sense) from journalism / media and communication / non-fiction
• questions related to practice and professionalism 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 

2. The practical / theoretical thesis is an independent project 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 consists of an independent and individual research question that opens up for a theoretical reflection on specific aspects of the project, for instance the development of the idea, production, genre, use, language, tools, themes, ethics etc. 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 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.

In the case of collaboration on the practical-theoretical master's thesis, an application must be sent to the head of the master's program in which the scope of the project and the distribution of work between the students are explained. A cooperation agreement must be established between the students in advance of the work where the work tasks is defined for the practical part. The agreement should be added as an appendix to the master thesis.  

Students can seek partners 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 including the research question, research design, theoretical approaches and choice of method for a possible master's thesis.

2nd semester

During the spring semester, a seminar is organized about the master's thesis work. The final project outline must be submitted within a specified deadline. When a supervisor has been appointed, the student and supervisor must sign a supervision agreement. This agreement regulates the relationship between supervisor and student, rights and obligations in the supervision relationship.

3rd and 4th semester

Individual guidance.

Three seminars are arranged in the 3rd and 4th semester. The purpose of the seminars is to offer the students support and advice throughout the process.  

The students are in addition advised to organize colloquies to discuss theory and methods and give each other feedback.

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

All students are entitled to 16 hours of individual supervision during the work on the master's thesis. Students that co-operate, are entitled to the same amount of supervision as those working alone. If two students co-operate, they are entitled to 32 hours. 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.

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.

The practical / theoretical master's thesis consists of a major practical work, as well as an individual written theoretical reflection of this work. The practical part should be the equivalent of 6 months' work. The output will vary, and it is necessary to discuss the scope/output with the supervisor. Written-theoretical part: Around 50 pages. Font Arial or Calibri, size 12 points, line spacing: 1.5. The practical part and the theoretical part counts 50 per cent each 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.

If the practical part is done in collaboration, the students will receive the same grade for the practical part. The theoretical reflection must be handed in individually and will be given an individual grade. The scope will increase with the number of students who collaborate, estimated to half a year practical work per student.

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