The general study information is available here.

SVF-3023 has two components: one in the Spring Semester and another in the Fall Semester.

In the spring, students work with developing a thesis topic and proposal with a supervisor in March. The Contract for Supervision of Thesis Work should be established by this time.

In the autumn, SVF-3023 runs until November when a 6000 word research paper is submitted. You should also register for the autumn semester, even though you were also registered for SVF-3023 during the spring semester.

The purposes of the course are threefold. Firstly SVF-3023 is intended to provide a starting point for students working with their thesis, helping them to deal with the initial methodological, theoretical and analytical issues from their research. Secondly, SVF-3023 is designed to aid the learning process of students and help them develop their reading, writing, and analytical skills. And thirdly, the course is also to function as a meeting ground for students to discuss issues related to the research paper they are preparing.

Each week from September, students present their work which they are developing at the Specialisation with Methodology Seminar Fall 2006. This seminar gives students an opportunity to explore issues and challenges associated with the research process, to talk about each individual research paper and to think through any difficulties experienced during the work with this research paper.

There are no compulsory requirements about what each research paper should be about or contain, rather it is left for each student to choose an aspect from their own work. The final research paper or part of it should ideally be used as the basis of part of the thesis in some form, adapted and tailored to fit into the overall scope and structure of the thesis.

Research papers can solely address key theoretical issues, as well as methodological and empirical issues. For example, the project research paper may form part of the introduction of the thesis, or a discussion of theoretical/methodological/analytical issues may form part of the thesis. There are no hard and fast rules about this.

Detailed Information

Information Meeting:
Monday, September 4th, 2006, 12.15 - 14.00; room U-06.

Teaching
The course has multiple teaching arrangements involving around 20 hours of supervision plus a seminar coordinated by Diane Lister.

Assesment
The Project Proposal must be subitted by May 8th, 2006 by 14:00 at D-1010. Evaluation: Pass/Fail, by May 18th.

Research Paper of up to 6000 words, to be submitted on Friday, November 10th, 2006 by 14:00 at D-1010. Evaluation: A-E, F = Fail (no oral examination)

Examination Semester
Spring, Autumn

Imoportant Deadlines:

March 1st, 2006: Contact with supervisor should be established

March 31st, 2006: The contract between you and your supervisor has to be signed

May 4th, 2006: Seminar Research, Ethics and Safety. By Diane Lister, from 12:15 to 14:00 room U-06

May 8th, 2006: Submission of the project description/project proposal

May 18th, 2006: The project description must be approved

September 1st, 2006: The semester kick-off arrangement takes place in the afternoon. Deadline for registration.

By this time you should be back in Tromsø. Each student is to take a 10 study point elective. Students need to check with the relevant departments the details of the chosen elective (an overview of relevant electives is available here).

November 10th, 2006: Submission of the Research Paper (graded A-F, F = Fail).

Academic Coordinator:
Diane Lister


Contact Person:
Hildegunn Bruland

Seminar Leader:
Alberto Valiente Thoresen