SIW5901 The Master's Thesis Course description

The student submits a thesis that investigates a research question using one or several relevant research methodologies.

All other courses within the master's degree must be passed before submitting the master's thesis.

A student who has completed his or her qualification has the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has advanced knowledge of

• research designs relevant to the investigation of a particular research question
• a particular area of social or health policy of relevance to their degree
• relevant research literature on the subject matter of the master-s thesis
• theories and methodological approaches relevant for the chosen subject matter
• basic conceptual tools needed to understand an critically examine relevant social or health research

Skills

The student can

• conduct a review of the state of scientific knowledge related to a research question in social and health policy
• conduct a limited, independent research project under supervision
• choose a methodology that is relevant for a specific health and social welfare research question
• apply research methods in a reflective manner
• critically evaluate relevant quantitative or qualitative methods used in reports, books or articles investigating a particular social welfare or health policy problem

General Competence

The student can

• read and critically assess academic literature
• present specialised knowledge and research findings in the form of academic writing
• apply advanced skills and knowledge in the field of social welfare and health policy
• evaluate issues related to the academic, professional and research ethics

Grade scale A-F.

This course will use a collaborative and portfolio method to provide you with an overview over qualitative research tools and analysis. We give particular attention to methodological reflection, comparative analysis and the links between research questions and research design.

We will go through the main steps of the qualitative research process, and reflect on the process of carrying out these steps, in order to understand the strengths and limitations of various designs.

None.

The exam consists of two parts: the Master thesis itself and an oral examination. The Master thesis must receive a passing grade before the student can sit for the oral examination. The oral examination begins with the student presenting their Master thesis in lecture format (30 minutes, 45 minutes if co-authored with another student). Following this, the student will participate in an individual, oral discussion and assessment (of approx. 45 minutes).

The student can choose to receive the grade on the written master's thesis before the oral presentation of the thesis (the lecture) commences.

The oral presentation (the lecture) and the subsequent individual, oral discussion and assessment can change the grade that is given for the Master thesis. After the oral examination, the final grade is set. The final grade is entered into the diploma.;

When two students co-author a Master thesis, both will receive the same grade for the written thesis. Each individual student will, however, individually present their part of the thesis in lecture form and subsequently participate in an individual, oral discussion and assessment. The presentation and oral discussion and assessment will be evaluated as the individual student’s contribution and will be used for possible adjustment of the final grade.

A student can deliver a new or revised Master thesis one time if the Master thesis does not receive a passing grade. The student in this case will receive an offer of three-hours further supervision before delivery of the new thesis. Students receiving a passing grade on their Master thesis do not have the right to have their thesis re-evaluated within the same study program.

The student must sign a publication agreement before delivery of the Master thesis for the thesis to be published and made publicly available. Given the student signature and approval, all passing and non-restricted Master theses will be published in ODA, the University’s digital archive.

The course consists of lectures and study groups.

For every lecture, there are seminars where study groups work with practical exercises and have group discussions. These seminars will be supervised on demand. Groups will complete practical exercises in each seminar, which will be collected in a "group portfolio". Portfolio work will receive feedback from the instructor and from peers at specified times throughout the semester.

The following coursework requirements must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• Student must participate in at least four of the seminar exercises.
• An oral presentation, presented by the group, as well as peer feedback to another group's work. The presentation can be anything from a presentation of results from that group's work, to presenting the most interesting group discussion or reflection on course related topics.

Attendance during the group presentation is mandatory, and presentations and feedback must be approved by the course lecturer. Students who are not present or that have not provided input to the group or have not participated in providing feedback to a peer group, and presentations that are not approved, will have to submit an alternative qualification to be able to sit for the examination.

Lack of an approved course work requirement will disqualify the student from taking part in the final examination.

The exam in the course is a semester course paper. The exam paper must have a scope of 10 pages (+/- 10 per cent). Font and font size: Calibri 12 points. Line spacing: 1.5.

The student will work with the course paper through work on and reflections about the practical exercises through the semester until delivery. The paper’s theme is defined or approved by the course leader.

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