Master's Thesis in Psychology
Postgraduate course
- ECTS credits
- 30
- Teaching semesters
- Autumn, Spring
- Course code
- MAPSYK330
- Number of semesters
- 1
- Teaching language
- Norwegian or English
- Resources
- Schedule
Course description
Objectives and Content
Learning Outcomes
Upon completing the course candidates shall be able to:
Knowledge
- Analyse the relationship between subjects, research issues and research design.
- Choose adequate research design based on approaches to problems and framework factors such as time and the financial situation.
- Demonstrate broad, in-depth knowledge about their subject area.
Skills:
- Provide a clear, precise written presentation of their research work.
- Assess and explain their use of research design.
- Demonstrate the correct development of a scientific work in accordance with APA standards, the correct use of sources, the correct presentation of references and the use of relevant literature databases.
General expertise
- Reflect on the role of researchers in respect of collecting and using data.
- Reflect on ethical conditions in respect of using and interpreting their own data, sources and quotations.
- Reflect on the authorship and co-authorship of scientific work.
Semester of Instruction
Teaching and learning methods
Separate documents will be provided that describe the expected format for the master's thesis. The thesis can be written in Norwegian or English, but must have an abstract summary in both languages (about 200 words). The master's thesis must be written in line with the APA standard, with either one and a half or double line spacing, and with figures and tables in the text rather than at the end. The length of the thesis must be between 12,000 and 16,000 words (preface, summary, reference list and appendix come in addition). The length of the assignment can be shorter if everything necessary is covered. The length requirement is independent of whether one writes alone or in pairs. The thesis must have a broader review of the literature and a more comprehensive presentation of the background and issues, and more in-depth discussion than is usual for a scientific article.
About collaboration in master's thesis work: As a general rule, students will write a master's thesis in pairs, but writing alone may be permitted. When writing in pairs, it is expected that the authors will contribute with equal effort in the work, and that they will participate in supervision meetings and follow the plans they make for student collaboration. In assessing the assignment, the examiner will take into account whether the work has been done by one or two students. When submitting the master's thesis, a form must be submitted with a "declaration of own work in the master's thesis work", signed by both students and supervisors.
Teaching method: There will be a joint orientation meeting for MAPSYK330 and MAPSYK360 at the start of the autumn semester (typically given in Norwegian). Students on MAPSYK330 are encouraged to follow the seminars given on MAPSYK360 in the autumn and spring semesters.
Supervision: Supervision is regulated in a written contract. Parts of the supervision can be given in groups. The deadline for submitting a supervisor's contract is informed about in orientation meetings and in MittUiB. Those who are granted a request for a 30 credits master's thesis and are going abroad must enter into a supervisor agreement and have their work plan approved by the supervisor.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
Forms of Assessment
The master's thesis must be written in line with the APA standard, with either one and a half or double line spacing and with figures and tables in the text rather than at the end. The length of the assignment must be between 12,000 and 16,000 words (preface, summary, reference list and appendix come in addition).
The examiner will consider the degree of independent work and collaboration with fellow students. The master's thesis will be assessed based on scientific criteria and degree of independent work. Students writing a thesis together will get a joint grade.