Master's Thesis in Psychology

Postgraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The work on the master’s thesis is intended to provide the students with deeper insight into theory and empirical practice within a specialised field. The work will develop the students' ability to reflect critically on defined theoretical issues using scientific methods. The thesis must be presented in a written format in line with relevant standards for dissemination of academic research work.

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course, students should have the following learning outcomes, defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student is able to:

  • analyse the relationship between topic, research question and research design
  • explain their choice of research design in view of the research question, academic requirements and resources
  • demonstrate breadth and depth of knowledge of the project's research area

Skills

The student is able to:

  • develop, plan and conduct a research project, and communicate the results of the project
  • produce a clear and precise written presentation of their research work
  • evaluate and explain their choice of research design
  • determine what conclusions can be drawn from the analysis
  • structure an academic text in accordance with the APA standard, including correct use of sources, correct presentation of references and use of relevant literature databases

General competence

The student is able to:

  • reflect on the role of the researcher in the collection and use of data
  • reflect on ethical issues related to use and interpretation of own data, references and quotations
  • reflect on authorship and co-authorship in academic work

Semester of Instruction

Autumn and spring
Required Previous Knowledge

Students must have completed and passed the course MAPSYK302 Research methods and 30 credits from the other common and specialisation courses before starting on the master’s thesis module.

Students must have passed the examinations in the common courses and specialisation courses in their chosen programme option before they can submit their master's thesis.

Students on the “behaviour and neuroscience” programme option who are going to use laboratory animals must take a course in the use of laboratory animals in research equivalent to the courses LAS301 and LAS302 during the course of their study.

Recommended Previous Knowledge
None
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap
None
Access to the Course
Registration for the course requires admission to the master's degree programme in psychology
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
  • A project outline must be submitted via MittUib within the specified deadline.
  • Dissemination: The students must carry out an academic presentation of their project in the form of a presentation lasting 15–30 minutes at the closing conference for the master's degree programme. The presentation must be in the form of an oral presentation.
Forms of Assessment
Master's theses will be assessed by a committee consisting of two experts, one external and one internal. Grading will be determined on the basis of the written work presented. A grading scale from A to F will be used. If two students submit a joint thesis, they will receive a joint grade for both candidates. 
Grading Scale
A-F
Assessment Semester
Autumn and spring
Reading List
Not applicable
Course Evaluation
The module will be evaluated in line with the Faculty of Psychology's procedures for participatory evaluation and the University of Bergen's quality assurance system.
Examination Support Material
Not applicable
Programme Committee
Department of Psychosocial Science
Course Coordinator
Department of Psychosocial Science
Course Administrator
The Faculty of Psychology