Master´s Thesis (one year), 15 credits

Main field of study

Course level

Advancement level

Course offered for

• Master's Programme in Child Studies

Entry requirements

• Bachelor's degree equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen within the humanities, social sciences or the behavioral sciences with a major relevant to the programme. 
  Examples of fields:
  - anthropology
  - education
  - history
  - communication studies
  - media studies
  - language studies
  - psychology
  - social work
  - sociology
  - political sicence
  or equivalent
• English corresponding to the level of English in Swedish upper secondary education (English 6)
  Exemption from Swedish
• Passed the course Introduction to Child Studies and at least 5 ECTS credits from the course Research Methods in Child Studies.

Intended learning outcomes

After completion of the course, the student should on an advanced level be able to:

• independently identify and formulate a research problem relevant to the field of Child Studies
• identify, describe, evaluate and integrate relevant previous research concerning the research problem
• conduct research, including collect and analyse empirical material and evaluating one’s own results
• apply ethical principles in the research process
• use scientific language to report a research study within a set time frame
• defend and argue for the study in an academic manner both orally and in writing
• critically read and evaluate other studies using the qualitative criteria for scientific work
• develop one’s own study based on others’ comments

Course content

During the course an independent in-depth research study in Child Studies is planned, conducted, analysed and presented. The course focus is on conducting and writing a thesis using a relevant research method as well as previous research.

Teaching and working methods

The teaching in this course is carried out online and consists of lectures, seminars and group work. In addition, the student will engage in independent studies.

The written independent group assignment is normally written in pairs. 

The time for supervision is limited. The student has the right to supervision during the semester in which the student is registered to take the thesis course. If there are special reasons, and if the supervision time has not been used during the current semester, the course director in consultation with the supervisor can decide to offer tutoring during the next semester. 

Language of instruction and examination: English.

Examination

Examination comprises:

• oral group defense: Fail/Pass
• oral group opposition, grading scale: Fail/Pass
• active participation in seminar, grading scale: Fail/Pass
• written independent group assignment: EC

A passing grade (E) in the course requires grade E in the written independent group assignment as well as a passing grade in the other examinations in the course. Higher grades are based on the written independent group assignment.

Detailed information about the examination can be found in the course’s study guide.

If special circumstances prevail, and if it is possible with consideration of the nature of the compulsory component, the examiner may decide to replace the compulsory component with another equivalent component.

If the LiU coordinator for students with disabilities has granted a student the right to an adapted examination for a written examination in an examination hall, the student has the right to it.

If the coordinator has recommended for the student an adapted examination or alternative form of examination, the examiner may grant this if the examiner assesses that it is possible, based on consideration of the course objectives.

An examiner may also decide that an adapted examination or alternative form of examination if the examiner assessed that special circumstances prevail, and the examiner assesses that it is possible while maintaining the objectives of the course.

Students failing an exam covering either the entire course or part of the course twice are entitled to have a new examiner appointed for the reexamination.

Students who have passed an examination may not retake it in order to improve their grades.

Grades

Other information

Planning and implementation of a course must take its starting point in the wording of the syllabus. The course evaluation included in each course must therefore take up the question how well the course agrees with the syllabus. 

The course is conducted in such a way that there are equal opportunities with regard to sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation and age.

If special circumstances prevail, the vice-chancellor may in a special decision specify the preconditions for temporary deviations from this course syllabus, and delegate the right to take such decisions.

Department