PHBA8240 Complex stimulus control - research and application Course description

At least two subjects (20 ECTS) from the first semester must have been passed before the student can start work with Phase 1.

A student who has completed this course should have the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

On successful completion of this course the student:

• has specialized knowledge of the research literature of the specific areas of their Master thesis
• understands the functions, structures, and forms of introduction chapters in theses
• understand the functions, structures, and formal requirements of literature review chapters in thesis.
• understands the function and structure of the IMRAD model and other heuristics for thinking about how academic texts are constructed
• understands the role and methods of peer learning and peer review, particularly the "summarize, evaluate, suggest" structure for commenting.

Skills

On successful completion of this course the student can:

• clearly define and limit problem areas
• connect his/her own project to relevant research literature
• clearly formulate problem statement and research questions applicable to the area of their master project
• apply different heuristics to the writing of the introduction and literature review chapters.
• give and receive effective peer feedback specific to the chapters.
• analyze and reflect on own writing through process memos and other reflective documents.

General competence

On successful completion of this course the student:

• can apply knowledge in new areas and plan limited projects
• can carry out comprehensive independent literature study
• understands and is able to articulate the idea that introduction and literature review structures and forms are based on disciplinary conventions.

Candidates must write an essay based on a problem of their choice and discuss theoretical and research challenges associated with the use of one or multiple methods of measurement. The essay must consist of up to 5,000 words and must be submitted no more than 2 weeks after the end of the course.

Stimulus equivalence - theory, research and possible applications. Alternative interpretations of equivalence relations. The course is strongly research focused. Students are required to read and criticize selected papers with the objectives of offering alternative explanations of the findings. They will design and execute an experiment, and write a report of their findings, discussing theoretical interpretations. If using live subjects, student experiments must be pre-approved by REK (The National Committees for Research Ethics in Norway) for a series with specific techniques. Students write an application for REK approval as a technical exercise. Students may cooperate on experiments.

All

The Phase 1 submission is an individual written text of between 5,000 and 10,000 words that amounts to the two first chapters of the thesis: the Introduction and Literature Review. The text should clearly formulate the problem statement and research questions, and include a plan of the research to be conducted in Phase 2 and 3 of the masters thesis.

It is understood that the contents of the Phase 1 submission does not necessarily constitute the final versions of the text in the master's thesis.

The exam grade can be appealed.

New/postponed exam

In case of failed exam or legal absence, the student may apply for a new or postponed exam. New or postponed exams are offered within a reasonable time span following the regular exam. The student is responsible for applying for a new/postponed exam within the time limits set by OsloMet. The Regulations for new or postponed examinations are available in Regulations relating to studies and examinations at OsloMet.

This course is primarily aimed at PhD candidates admitted to the PhD Programme in Health Sciences but is also open to other applicants. Admission requirements are a completed hovedfag, master's degree (120 credits) or equivalent qualification.

The course can also be offered to students who have been admitted to the "Health Science Research Programme, 60 ECTS", by prior approval from the supervisor and based on given guidelines for the research programme.

Two internal examiners. External examiner is used periodically.

This course is primarily aimed at PhD candidates admitted to the PhD Programme in Health Sciences but is also open to other applicants. Admission requirements are a completed hovedfag, master's degree (120 credits) or equivalent qualification.

The course can also be offered to students who have been admitted to the "Health Science Research Programme, 60 ECTS", by prior approval from the supervisor and based on given guidelines for the research programme.

This phase is the beginning of a longer research project. The content will be relative to the student's project.

The academic writing workshops will cover topics such as

• Variations in academic style
• Audience, purpose and style
• The writing process
• Disciplinary identity
• Academic language
• Vocabulary, grammar, sentence, paragraph and text
• Coherence and cohesion
• Directness and formality
• Avoiding common errors: e.g. digression, lack of thesis statement, misunderstanding one’s audience
• Analysing, discussing and responding to academic texts
• Article structures, including IMRAD