Study Guide

Objective

The students
- understand the meaning of scientific thinking.
- are able to plan and carry out a scientific work.
- have insights into the research process and problem solution.
- are able to look for, retrieve and apply scientific publications.
- command scientific documentation.
- are able to present and defend a scientific work.
- are able to analyze and evaluate an investigation.
- are able to critically evaluate their own activities.
- are able to produce research plan

Content

Introduction to thesis
Production of research plan and presentaion
Producing research work
Supervision of thesis work

Location and time

Autumn 2024

Materials

According to the topic of Thesis

Recommended literature: Maria Henricson (red.) (2023). Vetenskaplig teori och metod - från idé till examination inom vård- och hälsovetenskap. Studentlitteratur, Lund.

Teaching methods

Introduction lecture to the course, thesis work, followed by mainly self-directed studies with possibility to supervision. The student makes a plan for the thesis. The presentation of the plan for the thesis is the examination

Employer connections

The Thesis can be a work ordered, but is not necessary always so

Exam schedules

Presentation of work plan for thesis autumn 2024 and presentation of the thesis in May 2025

Completion alternatives

No optional examination form

Student workload

The course is 3 cr which is equivalent to 81 h work for the student

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

If the thesis plan is done according to instructions it is assessed as passed.

Further information

The content of the work plan for thesis:
Novia titlepage
Table of content
Introduction
Background (description of the topic, at least 5-6 scientific studies)
Aim and problem definition
Method (Data collection based on 2 references/discuss method of selection)
Ethical consideration (based on references)
Timetable
Reference list
Minimum 6 pages and maximum 10 pages (excl. Title page and table of content)
Follow Novia’s instructions for writing Thesis)

1. You find Novia’s title page on Moodle (no key needed)
2. Table of content is done in Word, if you do not know how to do choose ? (help) in the upper right corner and write list of content in the search field
3. The introduction should be about 1 p, where the reader is introduced to the topic and also to your interest of studying it.
4. Background shall be 3 – 5 p and divided into chapters where description of concepts and the topic of the subject. In the background you also describe the previous research done
5. Aim and problem definition can be short about ½ p.
6. The method can be described on 2-3 p. The chapter includes a description of the approach (qualitative/quantitative design), motivation for the choice and data collection method. References need to be included.
7. Ethical considerations are described on about 1 p and with the help of references ethical principles followed are discussed. refer to relevant documents on Finnish National advicory board on Research Integrity TENK. (tenk.fi)
8. Time plan should estimate how Thesis proceeds. Please do a realistic plan writing something for each month and write it also in your calender.
9. Works cited

Evaluation scale

Approved/Rejected

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Exam
answers depend heavily on words and expressions found in the literature
has superficial knowledge of the subject, but shows a basic understanding of the subject

Written assignment
The student has partially followed the instructions for the written assignment. The student shows limited to a deficient knowledge of the knowledge of the substance.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Exam
can account for the literature, reflect and motivate his/her views
can give an independent account of the literature
understands most of the topic
presents independent views and can apply ideas to analogous situations
can motivate some of their claims and positions
can give some own examples

Written assignment
The student has mostly followed the instructions for the written assignment and has mastered the substance of her/his work, but the application is limited. The student can ask relevant questions and can lead a discussion at the seminar.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Exam
has in-depth knowledge of the subject
can analyze and interpret subject facts
master the subject versatile
has a broad grasp of the subject
presents original and apposite examples

Written assignment
The student has followed the instructions for the assignment and shows that she/he has mastered the substance. She/he have read the other participants' assignments and can ask relevant questions and can lead a discussion at the seminar. The assignment and the possible opponentship show something out of the ordinary (technical execution, oral presentation, mature reflections, independent working methods)

Assessment methods and criteria

The work plan for the thesis is assessed as either failed or passed.

The plan must include the following parts (for passing):
• Novia cover page
• Table of contents
• Introduction (at least 1 page): must include at least 2 sources
• Purpose and research questions
• Background (at least 4 pages). Must include: for one student: at least 6 sources, of which at least 2 are scientific and for two students: at least 9 sources, of which at least 4 are scientific
• Method (at least 1 page): Selection; Data collection; Data analysis method; Ethical considerations and Timeline
• References (of the sources used in the plan)

Length: at least 6 pages and at most 9 pages (excluding cover page, table of contents, and references)

Must follow Novia's writing guidelines: https://intra.novia.fi/studier/examensarbete/skrivanvisningar/

Qualifications

Theoretical studies
Basic practice courses