Final Thesis

Aim

The aims of the course are that the students have further developed their knowledge of the domain selected for the final thesis, developed their methodical and analytical skills and also their knowledge of scholarly approach, scholarly communication and scholarly presentation. The students have completed an individual research-oriented assignment clearly relevant to the profession. In the final thesis on the Special Teacher Education Programme, the students have: - used questions connected to special educational activities, and in dialogue with relevant research regarding ethical rules, selected applicable methods for collection and analysis of data. - demonstrated an analysing approach, expertise and awareness regarding research ethics and research methods. - presented and defended their own work, read and critically reviewed scholarly work, and carried out public discussion and examination.

Content

The course covers specialisation in a domain selected for the final thesis and advanced knowledge of research methods and scientific starting-points for research. The scholarly writing process and review and analysis of scholarly texts are studied and practised during the course. The final thesis is carried out independently, and skills acquired in earlier courses on the Special Teacher Education Programme should be related and further developed. The thesis should be relevant to the profession, and relevance should in this case be interpreted broadly. The final thesis may consist of an empirical study, development work, a literature or document study. The course includes reading, critically reviewing and constructively discussing other students' theses.