SBV5920 Master's Thesis Course description

The master’s thesis is an independent, analytical work with a scope of 30 ECTC credits of relevance to the subject areas in the programme. The students must choose a topic to be elucidated through systematic use of qualitative and/or quantitative methods. The research question can be of a theoretical or an empirical nature. The master’s thesis can be submitted as a monograph or as an article-based thesis (article manuscript and introductory chapter (kappe)). 

The language of instruction is Norwegian.

Students must have passed all courses in the master’s degree programme before they can submit their master’s thesis for assessment.

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

• advanced knowledge of a specialised field in the area of child welfare
• in-depth knowledge of theories relevant to the topic of the master’s thesis
• in-depth insight into several different perspectives on a topic or phenomenon
• in-depth knowledge of the application of academic requirements for analysis and written production

Skills

The student can

• delimit a large topic or phenomenon and make it an object of research
• choose and make use of one or several methods to explore the master’s thesis’ research question
• develop a design for an empirical study
• analyse data material using theoretical perspectives and concepts
• carry out a systematic and critical analysis, apply key research principles and give a clear, academic presentation of the results
• evaluate research ethics issues related to their own project

General competence 

The student can

• read research literature in a critical and reflective manner
• consider issues relating to academic, professional and research ethics
• communicate knowledge and own research results orally and in writing
• apply research-based knowledge and skills in the work on the master’s thesis

In the second semester, the student will prepare a project outline for their master’s thesis. This work is carried out as part of the course’s compulsory kick-off seminar. A supervisor is assigned at the end of the second semester based on the project outline, and a supervision agreement must be signed. The kick-off seminar and supervision agreement are compulsory coursework requirements. A research market (Mastertorg) and midway seminar are also organised as part of the course.

Number of hours of supervision

For individual master’s theses: a total of 10 hours of supervision, which can take place individually or in groups.

For master’s theses written by two students together: a total of 15 hours of supervision. 

The kick-off seminar takes place in the second semester and consists of two gatherings (one at the beginning and one towards the end of the semester. Each gathering lasts for one day.) The purpose of the seminar is to offer support to individual students as they start working on their master’s thesis, including the preparation of a project outline for the master’s thesis.

The kick-off seminar consists of various activities and forms of learning. At the first gathering, students are given an introduction to the research process, how to develop a research question, research ethics and privacy considerations. Information will also be provided on how to search for relevant literature and about the university library’s services. The supervision agreement, obligations and rights in the supervisor-student relationship will also be covered. At the second gathering, students are given feedback on their project outline in groups, and the planned master’s projects are discussed in groups. The students are assigned their supervisors after the second seminar.

The Mastertorg research market takes place at the beginning of the second semester. At this event, ongoing research projects they can apply to be affiliated to are presented to the students.

Supervision agreement: Once a supervisor has been appointed, the student and the supervisor must review the content of and sign a supervision agreement by a given deadline. This agreement governs the relationship between the supervisor and the student and the rights and obligations in the student-supervisor relationship.

The midway seminar is held at the beginning of the fourth semester for full-time students and in the sixth semester for part-time students. For the seminar, the student must submit a limited number of pages of text that is to be included in the master’s thesis. The text will be presented for discussion and input in groups consisting of fellow students and a lecturer. 

The following required coursework must be approved in order for the student to submit their master’s thesis:

• Coursework requirement 1: Participation in the kick-off seminar. If the student is for some reason prevented from attending one or both of the gatherings, the student must apply and provide grounds for their non-attendance. In such cases the student will be assigned compensatory coursework to be submitted by a given deadline.
• Coursework requirement 2: A two-page project outline of the student’s future master’s thesis. A special template must be used for this purpose. If the project outline is not approved, the student will be given the opportunity to submit an improved version once by a given deadline.
• Coursework requirement 3: A signed supervision agreement by a given deadline.

The exam consists of two parts: the master’s thesis and an oral exam.

1. Master’s thesis

The master’s thesis can be submitted as a monograph or as an article-based thesis (article manuscript and introductory chapter (kappe))

Monograph:

Individual theses in monograph form are expected to have a scope of 52 pages (+/- 10 per cent), excluding the table of contents, introduction, summary, references and appendices, written in 12-point Calibri with 1.5 line spacing. The student must use the APA referencing style.

Two students may write a monograph together. The project must be approved by the head of studies, or a person to whom the head of studies has delegated this task. When submitting the master’s thesis, a note must be attached in which the students describe which parts of the thesis each student had main responsibility for. Monograph theses written by two students together are expected to have a scope of around 77 pages (+/- 10 per cent). 

Article-based thesis (article manuscript and introductory chapter (kappe))

Individual article-based master’s theses must consist of one article manuscript ready for submission to a peer-reviewed journal (level 1 or 2) and an introductory chapter (kappe). 

Two students may write an article-based master’s thesis together. In such case, the thesis must consist of two article manuscripts ready for submission to a peer-reviewed journal (level 1 or 2) and an introductory chapter (kappe). Two article manuscripts submitted together as a master’s theses must be thematically linked. The head of studies, or the person the head of studies has delegated the task to, must approve the project.

Article manuscript: The length (number of words) and referencing style of the article manuscript must comply with the journal’s publication guidelines. Introductory chapter (kappe): An introductory chapter of 15 pages (+/- 10 per cent), excluding the table of contents, foreword, summary, references and appendices, should accompany the article manuscript. The methodology, theoretical perspectives, and themes that have not been fully explored in the articles, should be discussed in the introductory chapter. If the assignment consists of several article manuscripts, the introduction should thematically connect the articles. The student must use the APA referencing style in the introductory chapter. Written guidelines are available on how to write the introductory chapter.

It is not a requirement that the manuscript has been accepted for publication in the journal in question before the article-based master’s thesis is submitted.

In case of not passing the master's thesis

Students are allowed to submit a new or revised master’s thesis once if they fail. The student is then offered three hours of additional supervision before re-submission. 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.

1. The oral exam

Students must have been awarded a pass grade for their thesis before they can take the oral exam. The oral exams starts with the student(s) giving a presentation on the master’s thesis in the form of a lecture (30 minutes, 45 minutes if co-written). The student will then have an individual oral exam (approximately 45 minutes) 

The student can be informed of the grade awarded for the master’s thesis before the oral presentation of the master’s thesis (lecture) starts.

The oral presentation (lecture) and the subsequent individual oral exam can adjust the grade awarded for the master’s thesis. The final grade is then set. The final grade is entered on the diploma.

Co-written theses

When two students write a thesis together, they will be awarded the same grade for the written thesis. Each student will present their part of the thesis in the form of a lecture and then take an individual oral exam. The lecture and the oral exam will be considered as the individual student’s contribution and be used to adjust the final grade, if relevant.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grade scale A-F

The master’s thesis and oral exam are graded by one internal and one external examiner. The supervisor cannot be an examiner. If the student appeals the grade, a new committee will be appointed, and the master’s thesis will be re-assessed. A new oral exam will be organised if the grade is changed.