Aim and Content

The general aim of the master thesis is for the student to acquire general research skills and experience, and to gain skills in independent critical thinking.

There are three possible approaches to organizing the content of the thesis work:

1. Narrative literature review, combined with new data collection and data analysis
2. Semi-systematic literature review, combined with minimal or no data collection, but with analysis of existing research data
3. Extensive literature review on a topic with a solid rationale, grounded in a well-described theoretical framework, and including a detailed evaluation of each paper¿s methodological strengths and weaknesses

Learning Outcomes

The thesis is expected to show that the student is able:

1. To develop one or several specific research questions based on a solid rationale and grounded in an appropriate theoretical framework
2. To carry out a critical literature review on a well-defined and relevant health-related topic
3. To design, carry out or critically evaluate research methods using the standards of the qualitative or the quantitative variant of the scientific method, and according to appropriate ethical and efficiency standards
4. To discuss research findings with due attention to the internal and external validity
5. To present a written thesis with the structure and logical composition that characterizes an academic text

Course offered (semester)

Autumn/Spring

Course Unit Level

Master

Access to the Course Unit

Students enlisted at the programme "Master of Philosophy in International Health" at the University of Bergen

Teaching Methods

The thesis is to be written individually in the last year of study (full time), and corresponds to 60 ECTS credits.

The student is entitled to in total 30 hours of supervision individually and in groups. Parts of this supervision may be ICT based. In addition, the student may attend courses in literature search, proper use of sources and source references, as well as research ethics related to use of sources etc.

Assessment methods

The thesis must be defended in an oral thesis examination. Internal and external examiner.

Grading Scale

Grading scale A-F, A being excellent and F being fail.

Reading List

The students need to find literature relevant for the thesis, in consultation with supervisor.