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

At the end of the second semester, a two page project description must be submitted and approved before the student gets a supervisor. A master's thesis preparation seminar will help the student to produce the two page project description.

A supervisor will be appointed by the programme director. Supervision is a crucial component in the preparation of the thesis. The supervisor is to assist the student when he or she is acquiring the necessary and relevant knowledge, as well as, when collecting and analysing data. The supervisor must ensure that the student-s research activity comply with accepted ethical standards within social research, including standards defined by the Norwegian Data Protection Official and the National Committees for Research Ethics in the Social Sciences and the Humanities 

Every student is entitled to approximately 10 hours of face-to-face consultation, individually or in groups, or the equivalent if part of the supervision is conducted via email.

An agreement between the student and the supervisor must be signed by both parties to ensure that rights and obligations are understood. The student and the supervisor may request a substitute if either party fails to meet the obligations outlined in the agreement.

The research work (analysis of qualitative and/or quantitative data or a literature review) is conducted during the fourth semester. Norwegian students are encouraged to carry out their data collection abroad. International students often collect their data in their home countries.

Studentene skal tilegne seg kunnskaper om databasedesign og ferdigheter i bruk av relasjonsdatabaser. Videre skal de utvikle ferdigheter i konstruksjon og vedlikehold av databaser samt innsikt i flerbruker og flerlags databasearkitektur. De skal få kjennskap til XML og innsikt i programmering mot databaser.

Ingen ut over opptakskrav.

Etter å ha gjennomført dette emnet har studenten følgende læringsutbytte definert i form av kunnskap, ferdigheter og generell kompetanse:

Kunnskap

Studenten kan:

• gjøre rede for hva et databasesystem er og hvilke deler det består av
• gjøre rede for hva nosql-databaser er og hvor dette benyttes
• forklare hva transaksjoner er og hvordan de utføres
• gjøre rede for bruk av indekser og ulike måter å lagre filene fysisk
• forklare hva et datavarehus er og hvordan dette skiller seg fra et databasesystem
• gjøre rede for hvordan ER-modellering kombinert med normalformer gir relasjonsdatabaser med god struktur

Ferdigheter

Studenten kan:

• designe databaser ved hjelp av ER-modellering
• opprette databaser og benytte disse ved hjelp av språket SQL
• opprette tabeller, håndtere data i databaser, håndtere brukere og rettigheter ved hjelp av SQL
• utføre select og subselect spørringer ved hjelp av SQL
• tegne ER-modeller og generere databasescript ved bruk av software

Generell kompetanse

Studenten kan:

• formidle hvordan databaser dokumenteres og designes med ER-modeller

Grade scale A - F. 

The master's thesis will be assessed by an internal and an external examiner. Neither examiner shall be involved in the supervision of the master's thesis in question. 

Ingen.