Placement and Thesis
Full course description
The placement period is the ultimate chance for a student to apply the knowledge he/she has gained in the previous year with regards to study methodology and epidemiology, to develop their competencies as a researcher, and to be able to make a start on their scientific CV. The thesis duration is 12 weeks, and 18 weeks when also including the credits for the preparation of the thesis through writing an outline and research question (EPI4930) and finally a full research proposal (EPI4927).
Course objectives
Knowledge and understanding
- In-depth knowledge and understanding of the subject matter of the master research & thesis
- Skills that are acquired in the subsequent phases of the research project: defining a research question; developing study design; collection and balancing of relevant information; data collection, analysis and interpretation, drawing conclusions; for instance, data collection skills, measurement skills, organizational skills, communication skills, statistical skills, analytical skills, etc.
- Skills that are required to prepare the master thesis, based on the research project (e.g., writing skills).
Communication
- Ability to communicate with experts and non-experts, both by means of written report (journal article) and oral presentation on the background and aim, theoretical framework, research question, design, methodological issues (choice of study population, choice of determinants / interventions and outcome measures, choice of measurement tools, choice of statistical analysis techniques), results, remaining uncertainties and conclusions of his/her own master research.
Learning skills
- Development of learning capacities that are required to be able to operate more independently in a more complex research environment in the near future.
Recommended reading
Literature included in previous modules, including literature on writing as part of the modules EPI4930 “Writing a Research Question and Outline” and EPI4927 “Writing a Research Protocol”. Further, additional literature will need to be used depending on the thesis topic.