Study Guide

Objective

The student will:
- collect data for the thesis, with consideration to the necessary ethical issues linked to the study
-describe methods of data analysis
-present the methodological part of the thesis at an intermediary seminar
- present, discuss and defend the approved thesis at a seminar
- critically examine another thesis presented at the seminar
- carry out an approved maturity exam

Content

The student will:
- collect data for the thesis, with consideration to the necessary ethical issues linked to the study
-describe methods of data analysis
-present the methodological part of the thesis at an intermediary seminar
- present, discuss and defend the approved thesis at a seminar
- critically examine another thesis presented at the seminar
- carry out an approved maturity exam

Location and time

Novia, Alere
Autumn 2023
Presentation and maturity exam w. 50
or spring week 7 or 20

Materials

See courses on methodology and ethical documents in Moodle course for thesis.
Also see Moodle course TH02

Teaching methods

Students independent work and presentation of thesis with the help of supervision

Employer connections

Cooperation with the field if the thesis is a project ordered from a health care organization.

Exam schedules

Presentation and maturity exam w. 50
or spring week 7 or 20

Completion alternatives

Presentation of thesis and maturity exam in May or November
Opposition of another student's work

Student workload

Students independently plan their work and include time for supervision, using/following the practical guide for thesis writing.

Evaluation scale

H-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

See separate framework for evaluation

Assessment criteria, good (3)

See separate framework for evaluation

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

See separate framework for evaluation

Assessment methods and criteria

0-5

Assessment criteria, fail (0)

Grade 0
FRAUD AND IRREGULARITIES ALWAYS GENERATE A FAILED GRADE REGARDLESS OF GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS IN THE THESIS

THEORETICAL FOUNDATION
The theoretical background and the theoretical framework of the study are irrelevant and source criticism is missing.

SCIENTIFIC WRITING
The work is not systematic and the language is commonplace and inexact.
The understanding of the text is at stake due to language and grammatical mistakes.
The text is neither clear nor logical, and is not credible, for example, in the result.

METHOD
The choice of methodology is not described or is poorly described and irrelevant.
The correlation between the method description and the realisation of the thesis is very poor.
The ethical discussion is irrelevant or missing.
The thesis is not comprehensive enough according to standards for a thesis.
The conclusions are illogical and are not drawn on an analysis of the data material.

RESULTS
The presentation of the results is insufficient/ incorrect/ not based on the analysis of the data material.
There is no logical structure and the analysis/ reflective discussion is uncritical and shallow.

THESIS AS A WHOLE AND PRESENTATION
The summary of the thesis is poorly written (abstract).
The introduction is not linked to the content of the thesis, the aim is not clear and the research questions are not in accordance with the aim.
Unstructured layout and incorrect reference list.
The presentation is unstructured, unprepared and irrelevant.
The opposition of the thesis is irrelevant and based on personal opinions.
Immature and dependent work process.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

THEORETICAL FOUNDATION
grade 1
The theoretical background and the theoretical framework of the thesis are based on few sources and the description is general or brief.
Sources are referred to in an unreflective way.
Some source criticism can be found in the text.

grade 2
The theoretical background and the theoretical framework of the thesis are based on mainly relevant literature but remain very general or briefly described.
The sources are few, only partially relevant and form a weak theoretical background for the thesis.
The ability to present an overview of relevant research is weak.
The source criticism is inadequate.

SCIENTIFIC WRITING
grade1
The language is commonplace, throughout the work and the terminology is unclear or inexact.
Popular science sources are frequently used and it is not possible to know if the difference between scientific sources and popular science is understood.
The source paths are not clear.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

På engelska
THEORETICAL FOUNDATION
grade 3
There is a basic ability to synthesize and the theoretical background and the theoretical framework of the thesis form a functioning theoretical whole for the thesis.
The literature is relevant regarding the topic, and the theoretical framework is relevant.
Good source criticism.

grade 4
The study has a good theoretical foundation based on extensive and relevant literature and a clear and adequate theoretical framework.
Very good source criticism.

SCIENTIFIC WRITING
grade 3
The use of language is mainly correct and shows a basic understanding of writing scientific text.
Some shortcomings related to use of terminology and construction of sentences occur (for example, writing about yourself in third-person singular).
The search paths for used sources are clear and the referencing is correct.

grade 4
Correct use of language shows understanding of search paths and use of scientific text, even if some small mistakes occur. Can clearly distinguish between popular science and scientific text and use of different types of sources.
The text is credible and exact.

METHOD
grade 3
The method description gives a good picture of the realisation of the study, however missing in-depth discussion on different choices of methods.
The study is corresponding to the scope of a thesis and is carried out well.
The ethical discussion is short but declare relevant ethical issues.
The critical review is extensive but not reflective.
The conclusions are legitimate and reflect the aim, but the ability for argumentation is missing.

grade 4
The description of method gives a comprehensive picture of the realisation of the study and shows awareness of advantages and disadvantages concerning the choice of methods.
The ethical discussion is extensive and complete regarding relevant ethical issues.
The conclusions are comprehensive and well founded.

RESULTS
grade 3
The data material is big enough for analysis and the presentation of the results is systematic and follows the described process, but the reasoning is tentative and mainly referring.
The coherence between the aim and the conclusions is clear, but brief and undeveloped, the refection is missing.

grade 4
The data material is rich and the analysis follows the description and is well implemented.
The presentation of results is correct and shows the ability for independent reasoning.
The presentation of results follows the described process, which renders transparent results.
The coherence between the aim and the conclusions is clear and extensive and demonstrates strengths and weaknesses in the realisation.

THESIS AS A WHOLE AND PRESENTATION
grade 3
The summary of the study is well written.
The introduction gives the reader a good enough picture to understand the topic and aim of the study.
The aim and the research questions are logically connected.
Layout, reference list and references follow the standard.
The presentation and the opposition according to the instructions.
The work process has been smooth and mainly independent.

grade 4
The summary of the study is very well written.
The introduction gives a clear background to how the work relates to previous research and thus the aim of the thesis. The aim and the research questions are logically interconnected.
Layout, reference list and references follow the standard.
The presentation is systematic and an ability to develop and clarify the topic is present.
The opposition is critical and constructive and show the ability to familiarise with the opposed work.
The work process is mature and mainly independent.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Grade 5
THEORETICAL FOUNDATION
The background and the starting point are very well founded and well described and show an ability to understand the topic from different perspectives.
A reflecting approach to the topic is present in the work. The theoretical framework is well chosen and there is an ability to evaluate its merits and limitations.
The sources are comprehensive and relevant, and show an excellent ability for source criticism.

SCIENTIFIC WRITING
Scientific language is used throughout the thesis and the text is clear and distinct and gives an impression of accuracy and credibility.
The text is easy to read.
The use of references is correct.

METHOD
The description of method gives a comprehensive picture of the realisation of the study and shows the awareness of advantages and disadvantages concerning the choice of methods, and the ability to consider different alternatives.
The ethical discussion is extensive and complete regarding relevant ethical issues.
The conclusions are comprehensive and well founded and there is an ability of critical evaluation. An ability to show new perspectives and questions for further research.

RESULTS
The data material is rich and the analysis is transparent and excellently done.
The presentation of results is well-structured, innovative, original, and shows an ability for independent reasoning.
The coherence between the aim and the conclusions is clear and comprehensive.
Strengths and weaknesses in the realisation of the study are discussed.
The work finishes with an attractive ending, well-founded synthesis and possibilities for development.

THESIS AS A WHOLE AND PRESENTATION
The summary of the study is outstanding.
The introduction problematises previous research and knowledge of the topic and thus place the aim in a scientifically interesting context
The aim and the research questions are logically interconnected.
Layout, reference list and references follow the standard.
The presentation is systematic and an ability to develop and clarify the topic is present.
The opposition is critical and constructive and show an excellent ability to problematise and reflect critically on the topic.
The work process is flexible, mature and independent.
The work goes the extra mile that shows luminescence.

Qualifications

Thesis Plan and Seminar

Further information

Only for degree students