Placement and Thesis
Volledige vakbeschrijving
During the final stage of the program, master students will execute an individual master thesis research project. The research is executed according to the research proposal that is written during module 5 ‘Research Methods and thesis preparation’. During the research project, the student will collect and analyse data (qualitative, quantitative or both), draw conclusions and report on the research findings by writing an individual master thesis. As a general rule, full-time master students execute their thesis research project from April to July, part-time students from April to July in year 1 and in year 2.
For their research proposal and thesis project, and in consultation with their thesis supervisor and the placement coordinator, students can select their own topic, provided that the chosen topic fits with one or more key topics of the master program. In addition, the students can select the theory, design and research methods from a range of accepted approaches. The thesis must be written according to the guidelines that are determined by the Faculty Education Office (see Student Portal).
Doelstellingen van dit vak
The specific course objectives are:
Expert:
The student is able to;
- Integrate research methodologies and research designs in research proposals common in the fields of the master program.
- Integrate methods for data collection and data analysis in research proposals common in the fields of the master program.
- Report research results and discuss the results in the view of existing theories, previous research and policy and practice.
Investigator:
The student is able to;
- Use knowledge of theories and issues from other units to execute the master thesis research project and to write the master thesis.
- (Further) Develop a problem statement, a theoretical framework, the research methodology and research methods for their master thesis research project.
- Execute the thesis project and write the master thesis according to the requirements determined by the FHML.
After having completed the thesis project, the student is able to:
- Have a scientific attitude and judgement
- Critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of the applied theory and research methods as well as the quality of the conducted research and relevant ethics aspects.
- Form opinions about the proper use of theory and research methods.
- Communicate and present research results effectively by discussing theory and research methods, and by writing a master thesis.
- Conduct research and to write a research report, as well as to lead and manage their master thesis research project.
Aanbevolen literatuur
● Creswell J.W. & Creswell J.D. 2018. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. 5th edition. Sage Publications Inc. ● Guthrie, G. 2010. Basic Research Methods: An Entry to Social Science Research. New Delhi, India: Sage Publications. E-book Accession Number: 340339. ● Ross, T. 2012. A Survival Guide for Health Research Methods. Maidenhead: McGrawHill Education. E-book Accession Number: 442876. ● Cals, J. W., & Kotz, D. 2013. Effective writing and publishing scientific papers, part I-III, VII-VIII. J Clin Epidemiol, 66(6), 585. ● Liberati, A. et al. 2009. The PRISMA statement for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses of studies that evaluate health care interventions: explanation and elaboration. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 62(10):e1-34. ● Hsieh, H.F. and Shannon, S.E. 2005. Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative Health Research, 15(9): 1277-1288. ● Creswell J.W. & Plano Clark V.L. 2017. Designing and Conducting Mixed Methods Research. 3rd edition. Sage Publications Inc.