SIW5900 The Master's Thesis Course description

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

All courses included in the master's degree must be passed in order to submit 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 applied to the discussion of critically examining, explaining and understanding a social or health research questions

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

A supervisor will be appointed by the academic staff connected to the Master's programme in Social Sciences. 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 is based upon accepted ethical practices within social research.

Every student is entitled to approximately 12 hours of face-to-face consultation, or the equivalent if part of the supervision is conducted via email. If two students are writing together they will be offered 17 hours of shared supervision.

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

The research work is conducted during the third semester, and usually requires 3 to 6 months. Norwegian students are encouraged to carry out their research abroad. For international students, field work is usually conducted in their home countries. International self-financed students may conduct their field work in another country than their home country.

A contract between the student and the supervisor, as well as a progress plan, must be prepared in the beginning of writing the master's thesis.

Students writing in pairs will be awarded identical grades.

Students can appeal their grade, upon which two new examiners (one internal and the other external) will be appointed to re-assess the thesis. Note that one can risk receiving a lower grade than the one initially awarded.

Students who fail the master's thesis can re-submit their thesis once, on the provision that the thesis is sufficiently revised. Students will have limited hours of supervision when writing a revised thesis (cf. Regulations Relating to Studies and Examinations at Oslo University College § 5-6(1) Reassessment of Master's theses and other major assignments).

Students who pass cannot improve the grade by submitting a revised or new thesis. (cf. Regulations Relating to Studies and Examinations at Oslo University College § 5-6).

All referenced material is allowed.

Students are awarded grades on a descending scale from A to E for pass and F for fail.

The master's thesis will be assessed by two examiners. At least one examiner must be external. Neither examiner will be involved in the supervision of the master's thesis in question.