Exam type: Master thesis, written home examination in groups (2 students), and oral presentation and defence of the thesis

Duration: Semester

Grading scale: Norwegian grading system using the graded scale A - F where A is the best grade, E is the lowest pass grade and F is fail

Weighting: 100% of the overall grade

Aids: All aids are permitted

Oral presentation and defence

There will be an oral presentation and defence of the thesis about three weeks after the master thesis is handed in. The group presents the thesis for internal and external sensor. The presentation will take about 20 minutes. After the presentation, the sensors will discuss the thesis with the candidates. The final grade is based on the written master thesis, the presentation and the discussion.

Evaluation criteria:

Overall impression: Factors like the front page, table of contents, layout, structure, order and presentation also matter. If the thesis does not follow formal requirements for submissions, this will count negatively in the evaluation.

Introduction and positioning of the research problem: In the introduction the topic should be presented in some detail, for the reader to understand the research problem. The research problem should start from existing knowledge and be positioned in relation to relevant research. The research problem should have potential to bring new knowledge to the field.

Literature review. The master thesis should have a solid theoretical foundation. To achieve a high evaluation, using teaching books as a foundation is not enough. The thesis should use and discuss a selection of relevant scientific articles. Sources used in the literature review should be up to date, relevant, and scientific.

The literature used shold be relevant for the research problem. The students should extract the relevant information necessary for the reader to understand the research problem, and limit unnecessary description.

Choice of method, design, data collection. Choice of method and design should be theoretically justified and suitable to answer the research problem. The students should select an appropriate method for data collection and analysis, and discuss the weaknesses and limitations of the selected methodology.

Discussion, conclusion and implications. The students should discuss their findings in relations to existing theory. Cross-disciplinary reasoning is encouraged. The students should discuss weaknesses and reflect over implications for research and practice. The students should see the consequences of the suggested policy implications, and assess the realism of these.

Language and terminology. The language should show that the students have acquired and can use the field's terminology. The central concepts should be defined and used correctly. An academic language is expected. A large amount of spelling mistakes will influence negatively the assessment.

Creativity and independence: The master thesis should be a result of independent work, and copying of other works (even if referenced) is not acceptable. Simple "re-writing» of other texts is considered copying. Depending on the amount this will count negatively. Creativity in the use of examples, comparisons, policy implication setc will be rewarded in the assessment.

Structure and consistency: The thesis should have a good structure.

Subject description MOP5100

Master Thesis

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