Master's Thesis (one year)

Aim

After completion of the course, the student should on an advanced level be able to: - independently identify and formulate a research problem relevant to the field of Child Studies; - identify, evaluate, integrate and describe relevant previous research concerning the research problem; - design a research plan for how the research problem can be studied within a given time frame using adequate methods; - conduct research, including gathering and analysing empirical material and evaluating one’s own results; - describe and apply ethical principles in the research process; - describe and argue for the study in an academic manner both orally and in writing; - critically read and evaluate other studies using the qualitative criteria for scientific work.

Content

The student will write a thesis dealing in depth with a problem in Child Studies, and will conduct supervised research leading to the completion of a thesis. The choice of subject, methods and literature will be discussed in dialogue with the student’s supervisor. The thesis is to be presented and defended at a seminar. Both the process and the result – the thesis – should be characterized by a high degree of insight into theory and method. Students will also learn to act as critical discussants (peer reviewers) in relation to each other’s projects.