SFB5900 Master's Thesis in Family Therapy Course description

The master's thesis is an independent work worth 30 credits. 

The master's degree thesis should be an independent and analytical work with relevance to the subject areas in the programme (family therapy). The students must choose a topic that will be highlighted through systematic use of qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies. The research question can be of either a theoretical or an empirical nature.

The master's thesis is submitted in the form of a monograph or an article manuscript as described below.

All compulsory exams must be passed before the student can submit his/her master's thesis for assessment.

Knowledge

The student has

• advanced knowledge of a specialised field in the area of family therapy
• in-depth knowledge of theories relevant to the topic of the master's thesis
• in-depth insight into a topic or phenomenon from several different perspectives 
• in-depth knowledge, and application of academic requirements for analysis and written production

Skills The student is capable of

• delimiting a large topic or phenomenon and turning it into a research object
• choosing and making use of one or several methods to explore the master's thesis research question
•  developing a design for an empirical study
• analysing data material using theoretical perspectives and concepts
• carrying out a systematic and critical analysis, applying key research principles and giving a clear, academic presentation of the results
• evaluating research ethics issues related to his/her own project

Competence

The student is capable of

• reading research literature in a critical and reflective manner
• considering issues relating to academic, professional and research ethics
• communicating knowledge and own research results orally and in writing
• applying research-based knowledge and skills in areas relating to family treatment

Requirements for the master's thesis

Requirements to academic delimitations: The master's degree thesis should be an independent and analytical work with relevance to the subject areas in the field of family therapy. The students must choose a topic that will be highlighted through systematic use of qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies. The research question can be either of a theoretical or an empirical nature.

The master's thesis must follow the Faculty of Social Sciences' template for writing assignments.

Please note in particular the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet Section 7-5, regarding cheating. See also the Appeal Boards¿ website regarding cheating on the university¿s website regarding exams. A total of 10 hours of supervision are offered, which can take place both individually and in groups.

Monograph:

Individual theses in monograph form are expected to have a scope of 50 pages +/- 10 % (excluding the table of contents, introduction, summary, references and appendices), written in 12-point Times New Roman with 1.5 line spacing.

Up to two students can co-write a joint master's thesis. The programme leader, or the person the programme leader has delegated the task to, must approve the project. The students must sign a co-writing contract. A note must accompany the submission of the thesis, stating the parts of the thesis that each student has had main responsibility for. Monograph theses written by two students are expected to have a scope of around 75 pages. The scope of the thesis can be adjusted by up to +/- 10%. Fifteen supervision sessions are allotted when co-writing if the students have a joint supervisor.

Article manuscript

Individual assignments in article form must consist of one ready to submit article manuscript intended for a peer reviewed journal (level 1 or 2).

Theses in article form written by two students should consist of two article manuscripts. When several article manuscripts are submitted as master's thesis, they must be thematically linked.

A reflection note/introduction ("kappe") of approx. 15 pages must be handed in together with the article manuscript(s). The introduction note should expand on topics like methodology and theoretical points of departure, in addition to topics that are not sufficiently covered in the articles. In cases where the master's thesis consists of several article manuscripts, the connections between the articles should be pointed out in the note. Submission of the master's thesis in the form of an article manuscript does not necessitate that the manuscript is submitted or accepted for publication in the chosen scientific journal. However, the manuscript should follow the chosen journal's guidelines for publication. 

In the second semester, students shall prepare the project description for their master's thesis. This work is done as part of the course's compulsory Kickoff-seminar. The project description forms the basis for assignment of a supervisor at the end of the second semester, and a supervisory agreement must be signed. Participation in the Kick-off-seminars and signing of the supervisory agreement are mandatory work requirements (see below). Within this module, also a "Mastertorg" and a "Mid-way seminar" are arranged.

The Kickoff seminars are arranged in the second semester, divided into two sessions (one at the beginning and one towards the end of the semester, each of one day's duration). Seminar participation is compulsory. The purpose of the seminar is to provide support for the student in their planning and startup of their master's thesis, including the preparation of a project outline for the master's thesis. The kickoff seminar consists of various activities and learning methods. The first session consists of introductions about the research process, development of issues, research ethics and privacy considerations. Practical information is also provided on literature search and the University Library's offerings. Supervisory agreements, duties and rights in the supervision relationship are also presented. The second session consists of group feedback on work requirements (see below, the section on work requirements), and discussion of planned master's projects in groups. Subsequent to the second session, supervisors are assigned.

"Mastertorg" is arranged at the beginning of the second semester. Here, students are presented with ongoing research projects they can relate to.

Supervisor agreement. When supervisor and student are appointed, they must, within a specified deadline, og through the content of and sign the supervision agreement.

Mid-way seminars are arranged at the beginning of the fourth semester for full-time / sixth semester for part-time. For the seminar, the students hand in a limited text that will be included in their master's thesis (see separate information for details), which is presented for discussion and input in groups consisting of fellow students and a teacher.

Kickoff seminar

Work requirements for the kickoff seminar consist of 1) attendance at its seminars and 2) written submission of a 2-page project outline of the students' master's degree project. A template has been created for what the sketch should contain, and this will be distributed at the Kickoff seminar's first seminar. The work requirement is to be delivered in Canvas at a specified deadline. The outlines are presented and discussed in the Kickoff seminar's second seminar. Students who fail to get their Project outline approved will be given a new deadline by agreement with the course coordinator.

Absence: Students who for various reasons are prevented from attending one or both sessions must apply for and justify this. They will then receive an additional work requirement (in addition to the 2-page project outline) to be delivered within a specified deadline.

Supervisor agreement: When a supervisor is assigned, the supervisor and the student must go through and sign the supervision agreement. This regulates the relationship between the supervisor and the student, rights and obligations within the supervision relationship. Signed agreement must be delivered within a specified deadline.

Exam consists of two parts; the written submission and an oral examination. The written submission (the master's thesis) must be passed before the student can present themselves for the oral examination. The oral examination starts with the student (s) giving a presentation of the master's thesis in lecture form (30 minutes, 45 minutes by co-writing). The student then undergoes an individual oral test.

The student may be informed about the grade given on the written part of the master's thesis before starting their oral presentation. The oral presentation (lecture) and the subsequent individual oral examination may adjust the grade given in the written work. The final grade is then determined. It is the final grade that is included in the student's diploma.

When two students co-write a master's thesis, the written part is given the same grade. In the oral presentation, each student should present their part of the thesis. After this, they are divided and undergo an individual oral examination. The oral presentation and the oral examination is considered  the individual student's contribution and is used for any final grade adjustment.

A student may submit a new or revised master's thesis once if their thesis do not pass. The thesis must then be delivered in processed form and within an agreed deadline. In such cases, the student is offered three hours of additional guidance before the new delivery. It is not possible to have a new master's thesis evaluated in the same study program if the thesis have been assessed with a passing result.

In order for the master's thesis to be published and made available to the public, the student must approve a publishing agreement in advance of the submission. Provided such approval, passed thesis and thesis without clauses will be published in ODA (the university's Digital science Archive).

Grade scale A-F.

The Master's thesis is graded by one internal and one external examiner. The supervisor cannot be an examiner.

If the student appeals against the grade, a new committee will be appointed and the master¿s thesis will be re-assessed. If the assessment is changed, a new oral exam will be held.