Master Thesis in Health Science
Knowledge:
- Has in-depth knowledge about health sciences and the chosen area of specialisation, as well as specialised insight into theories and research related to the delimited topic of the master’s thesis.
- Has in-depth knowledge about the critical assessment of research-based knowledge and can apply theory and research in order to formulate academic reasoning in scientific dissemination.
- Has in-depth knowledge about the master’s thesis’s chosen research design and research methodology, their philosophy of science basis, and research ethics challenges.
Skills:
- Can actualise the chosen topic for the master’s thesis within health sciences and the chosen area of specialisation, as well as critically account for the status of knowledge within the topic area and formulate a clear research question.
- Can independently carry out a delimited project using adequate scientific methodology in line with applicable research ethics and legal guidelines, as well as critically assess all stages and their own role in the research process.
- Can clearly account for analyses, critically assess and discuss the results in relation to previous research, relevant theory, and societal challenges.
- Can describe and present their own academic work both in writing and orally, using clear scientific language and precise formulations.
General competence:
- Can contribute to interdisciplinary quality and improvement projects for innovation and service innovation.
- Can assess, communicate, and disseminate research-based knowledge in academic and public forums.
The master’s thesis is generally conducted individually but can be carried out in groups of up to two students if methodological requirements necessitate it (this applies just for systematic reviews or scoping reviews).
The following task assessments (AK and OD) must be approved before the master’s thesis can be submitted:
AK1) Project Description, it should be completed by the end of the 6th semester.
AK2) The candidate delivers two presentations related to their own master’s thesis and serves twice as an opponent for a fellow student at the master’s thesis seminar.
OD1) A candidate must participate in at least two seminars (1/2)
OD2) A candidate must participate in at least two seminars (2/2)
Length: A monograph must be 15,000-25,000 words. An article + master’s thesis must be 12,000-15,000 words, including the article. For both formats, the following sections are excluded from the word count: front page, foreword, table of contents, reference list, appendices, and summary (in both Scandinavian and English). More information can be found in Canvas.
Examination: The candidate completes a written assignment (OP) and an oral presentation (OM/OMU). The examination is conducted in Norwegian or English. The master’s thesis may be written the form of either a monograph or a scientific article with an accompanying thesis.
Separate guidelines for structure and content have been developed for both formats, along with assessment criteria. An oral presentation is conducted if the written work is passed (grade A-E) and is delivered via a digital platform. The oral exam is conducted in groups if two students have written their thesis together.
Examination committee: The committee consists of one external and one internal examiner (excluding the supervisor).
Grading: (A-F). The written thesis is graded first, and the oral presentation may lead to an adjustment of the final grade.
The examination submission must always be prepared by the candidate personally. Generating a submission with the assistance of ChatGPT or similar artificial intelligence tools and submitting it wholly or partly as one’s own work, is considered academic misconduct.
For more information regarding the use of ChatGPT or similar artificial intelligence tools, as well as referencing, unauthorized collaboration, and plagiarism: Refer to the Guidelines for Examination Candidates at Nord University (Rector’s decision, 16.05.23): https://www.nord.no/student/eksamen