MJ5900 Master Thesis Course description

The purpose of the master thesis is for the student to complete an independent scientific study based on a research question that is related to the field of study (journalism/media and communication/non-fiction).

Language of instruction is Norwegian. 

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 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 thesis for examination.

After completing the thesis, 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 thesis 
• has in-depth knowledge of the scientific requirements for quality in research 
• has basic knowledge about research 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 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 (1) or a practical-theoretical (2) thesis.

1. The theoretical master thesis is an independent scientific investigation of a theoretical and empirical nature that is carried out under supervision. The master thesis should explore a research question within the field of study (journalism/media and communication/non-fiction), meaning:

• questions related to material (text in a broad sense) 
• questions related to practice and professionalism 
• 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 the field of study within media development to other related fields

2. The practical-theoretical thesis is an independent development project within the field of study (journalism/media and communication/non-fiction) conducted under supervision.

• The practical and theoretical work should be guided by an overall research question
• The practical production is intended for a medium / an enterprise belonging to the field of study and field of practice
• The practical part should be used as material for the theoretical reflection
• 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 choice of doing a practical master thesis must be done 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 rationale for collaboration must be explained, as well as an outline of the scope of the project and the distribution of work between the students. A cooperation agreement must be established between the students 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 thesis and an oral examination where one hour is set aside pr. student for examination. The grade can be adjusted one grade up or down.

The theoretical master thesis must be a minimum of 80 pages and a maximum of 100 pages plus reference lists and appendices where applicable. 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 thesis consists of the practical work and an individual written theoretical reflection of this work. The practical part should be the equivalent of 6 months' work. The theoretical part should be around 50 pages. Font Arial or Calibri, size 12 points, line spacing: 1.5. The practical and the theoretical part should be given equal weight towards the final grade, but the overall consistency of the work should also be considered. To be qualified 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 scope will increase with the number of students who collaborate, estimated to half a year practical work per student.The theoretical reflection must be handed in individually and will be given an individual grade.

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