Examination arrangement

Course content

The aim of the course is that the student have planned the master's thesis project, and written an extended project description for the master's thesis.

The course is directly related to the student's work to develop a project description/plan for the work on the master's thesis, which will be written the following semester (IDS4100). The process of selecting the master's thesis topic and creating a project description begins in the fall semester. The course coordinator for the master's thesis (IDS4100) is responsible for the selection/allocation of the master's thesis and supervisor.

Once the master's thesis and supervisor are chosen/allocated to the students, the work begins in this course, IDS4005 Project work, where the focus is on developing the project description in collaboration with the superviser.

Students will, preferably in collaboration with an organization, familiarize themselves with the relevant empirical field, plan and outline the research design and problem area / research question, and reflect on ethical considerations. In addition, students will familiarize themselves with the relevant research field and present relevant theory that will shed light on the master's thesis.

Supervision is a mandatory and integral component of the project description work. Supervision ensures that students acquire the necessary knowledge for planning the project.

As a delivery in the course, students will submit an extended project description for the master's thesis that meets the academic requirements for such at the master's level. The academic work must relate to current theory and best practice.

As a general rule, the master's thesis, and thereby also the project description, is to be written in pairs. If there is a specific need to submit individually, an exception to this rule may be granted from the course coordinator of IDS4100.

More information on the course and its connection to IDS4100 can be found in the MIIDS guidelines for master's theses, as outlined in "Information for Those Writing a Master's Thesis at IØT-G" on Blackboard.

Learning outcome

Knowledge:

At the completion of the course, the student will:

• have in-depth knowledge of how research projects are planned and described.
• have advanced knowledge of relevant theory for their own research
• be able to apply existing theories and methods in independent work, in groups and under supervision

Skill:

At the completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• analyse and critically relate to various sources of information and use these to structure and formulate academic reasoning and issues
• design and plan an independent, limited research or development project under supervision and in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics
• interact with businesses and supervisors to find data and empirical data to shed light on a given issue
• choose and describe methods adapted to a specific chosen problem
• critically evaluate selected research methods with respect to validity and reliability and ethics.

General competence

At the completion of the course, the student will be able to:

• apply their knowledge and skills from previous courses to design and plan research and development projects
• understand the course's usefulness for further study progression and profession
• communicate about academic issues and research design in the field

Learning methods and activities

Primarily the supervision of an assigned supervisor and seminars on relevant topics.

It is presumed that the students, through self-study, acquire the relevant syllabus and follow the course's Blackboard room. It is also presumed that the students are active in collaboration with the supervisor and the chosen organization.

Students will work with planning and design of the project description throughout the semester.

Students will present their project description orally in accordance with given guidelines.

Compulsory assignment:

Oral presentation of project description must be approved for assessment in the course.

Participation in specified seminars as announced in Blackboard. Absence must be approved by the course supervisor.

More information on the course and its connection to IDS4100 can be found in the MIIDS guidelines for master's theses, as outlined in "Information for Those Writing a Master's Thesis at IØT-G" on Blackboard

Compulsory assignments

• Oral presentation of project description
• Participation in seminars

Further on evaluation

Submission of extended project description.

Passed / failed

Note: Compulsory activities and oral presentation of project description must be approved for assessment in the course.

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

The student must have 52,5 study points completed in the study program

including DS4000 Research methods

Course materials

TBL