ACIT5910 Master's Thesis, Phase 1 Emneplan

Phase 1 (MT-1) of the master's thesis lays the foundation for conducting a successful master project and writing the master's thesis. In this phase, you will study the relevant literature, map out the area of your master project, find and formulate problem statement and research questions, and plan the research you will conduct in your master project.

In addition, there will be a series of workshops on the academic writing and effective communication of the thesis project. Students will develop an awareness of the conventions of academic writing and the writing process and use a range of analytical tools and methods to develop their writing and writing practices as part of writing their thesis.

At least two subjects (20 ECTS) from the first semester must have been passed before the student can start work with MT1.

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
• can connect his/her own project to relevant research literature
• can clearly formulate problem statement and research questions applicable to the area of their master project
• can apply different heuristics to the writing of the introduction and literature review chapters.
• give and receive effective peer feedback specific to the chapters.
• can 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.

Each student is appointed a supervisor when starting MT1. The work is carried out under the guidance of the appointed supervisor.

In addition to the project work, there will be a series of working during which students will be provided with a range of analytical tools and methods to help develop their writing skills. Students will also receive formative feedback on draft versions of their texts from the course instructor and their peers.;

The final assessment will be based on the following four deliveries:

• A written Master thesis (Length: 20,000-30,000 words, using one of the available document templates).
• A draft research paper (Length: 3,000-6,000 words)
• Individual oral presentation (30 minutes).
• Any physical or digital artefact that has been developed by the student as part of the research project. The mode of submission must be approved by the supervisor beforehand and the artefact must be made available in such a way to be inspected by the examiners. In the case of a physical artefact, video and images may be used to document the properties of it, eliminating the need for a physical inspection.

The master's thesis is assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

• The originality and / or relevance of the issues or research questions to the field of study.
• Clarity in the development of issues or research questions being addressed.
• Documentation and use of relevant theory and research, as well as systematic use of sources.
• Clarity in the relationship between issues / research questions being addressed, the method choices / methodologies employed and the resulting discussions / conclusions.
• Ability to collect, systematize, interpret / deconstruct and present knowledge in a clear way.
• Reflection on ethical issues in the research process.
• Written presentation (clear table of contents, accurate literature references, bibliography and appendices).

Theses are written in Norwegian or English. The oral exam can be taken in Norwegian or English, regardless of which language the thesis was written in.

All exams must be passed in order to pass the course. 

Students can appeal against the grade set for the written part of the exam. If the grade is changed after an appeal against the grade, and the oral exam has already been held, the oral exam must be retaken.

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.

All aids are permitted, provided the rules for plagiarism and source referencing are complied with.

Grade scale A-F.

The written thesis must be awarded a grade of A-E (preliminary grade) in order for a student to take the oral exam. The final grade is set after the oral exam. The grade can be adjusted up or down by one grade based on the oral exam.

Two external examiners will be used for the assessment.

Assistant professor Nuno Marques

Assistant professor Sigrun Pahr Maennling