MBA506 Advanced research methods and project plan for master's thesis

Contents and structure

The course shall expand the students¿ understanding of the master's thesis with regard to research design, implementation and analysis, as well as ethical issues relating to own projects.
The course is compulsory and is held in the third semester.

The course addresses research design, implementation and analysis of data and ethical issues relating to the student's individual master's thesis. This involves work with searching for and assessing selected methodological literature and preparing grounds for the choices in a separate project.

The student prepares a project plan for the master's thesis which includes a research design. The application to the Norwegian Centre for Research Data (NSD) must be enclosed with the project plan if the project requires this.

Selections relating to the research project are made in cooperation with the supervisor(s) for the master's thesis. Agreements are entered into with the supervisor(s) for the master's thesis. 

Learning Outcome

Upon completing the course the student shall have the following overall learning outcomes:

The student

• Has specialised knowledge of relevant theories relating to his/her own research project.
• Can apply knowledge in new areas within kindergarten research

The student

• Can analyse and critically assess his/her own research project and evaluate its limitations.
• Can identify, analyse and summarise existing research relating to a research topic
• Can independently formulate a plan for a defined research or development project under supervision and in accordance with applicable research ethics guidelines.

The student

• Can analyse relevant research ethics issues relating to his/her own project and how these can be managed in an appropriate manner (G1).
• Can communicate with specialist about the reasons for research decisions relating to own research project (G4).
• Can communicate with specialists and the general public about how his/her own project will contribute knowledge to the kindergarten field (G4).

Entry requirements

The students must have completed all courses in the first year before they commence the second year of the master programme. If there are special circumstances, this requirement may be waived.

Teaching methods

Teaching primarily takes the form of seminars, literature studies and supervision.

Compulsory learning activities

The student submits a written outline of a project proposal for the master's thesis.

The submission date is reported at the start of the course and is coordinated with compulsory coursework requirements in course 7.
A new opportunity is offered to those who do not have their coursework requirements approved.

Approved coursework requirements are valid for the following semester after approval.

Assessment

Individual oral exam, 30 minutes, in the form of a poster presentation of the master's project.

The time and place will be posted on the course's website at itslearning.

The project proposal will include the background to and purpose of the project, as well as research question and research method for how the project will be implemented.

Grade scale: Pass/Fail.