Course - Master's Thesis in Archives and Records Management - DOK3901
Master's Thesis in Archives and Records Management
About
About the course
Course content
The Master's thesis is an independent scientific research work within the field of archives and records management and should be based primarily on courses and topics included in the master's study. The thesis will contribute to developing and demonstrating the student's expertise in archives and records management as an academic discipline and a research area, related to the objectives of the master's program and, if desired, incorporating topics from the master's program in digital transformation. Through the thesis work, the student will gain advanced knowledge of the subject area corresponding to the master's level, in-depth knowledge of selected theories and methods, as well as experience in oral and written communication. Supervision is an essential component of the work on the master's thesis. It ensures that the student is provided with the necessary knowledge and implies a necessary control in obtaining and analyzing the empirical data. Supervision is therefore a compulsory part of the program.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
The student
- knows how to identify challenges in records management and to evaluate appropriate methodological approaches to solving these challenges.
- has thorough knowledge of scientific literature and methods related to the thesis
Skills
The student
- can work independently on a research project of a certain size and over a certain period of time.
- can gather relevant information, analyze the information, draw conclusions and document the results.
General competence
The student
- can reflect on various scientific methods and sources relevant to digital collaboration.
- can communicate his or her research work in writing and orally, in written form as a large research report, and in oral form as a presentation adapted to an academic audience.
- can demonstrate a research ethical and a healthy critical attitude towards his or her own research work.
Learning methods and activities
Lectures, seminars, supervision. This takes place primarily digitally (in real time), but teaching and learning activities on campus may occur.
Compulsory assignments
- Updated project plan
- Chapter draft
- First draft of entire thesis
- Oral presentation seminar 1
- Oral presentation seminar 2
- Supervision min. 1 hour
Further on evaluation
OBLIGATORY ASSIGNMENTS
The student must submit a revised project plan with milestone plan of approx. 5 pages, minimum 1 draft of the main chapters, and a first draft of the entire master's thesis. These compulsory assignments are to be submitted according to a detailed plan announced at the start of the first term. The student will also have to do an oral presentation of their own work at a minimum of two seminars. The student is required to attend both seminars in their entirety, not only for their own presentations. If the presentations are carried out digitally, it is a prerequisite that the student participates with both camera and microphone during the entirety of the seminars. The student also have to complete a minimum of 1 hour of supervision.
Compulsory assignments are assessed as approved/not approved and must be approved before the student submits the completed Master's thesis. Students who have previously approved compulsory assignments in this course, must contact the teacher responsible for the course at the start of the term to get an assessment as to whether the compulsory assignment is still valid.
ASSESSMENT
The master's thesis is written in monograph form. The thesis may be submitted either individually or as a joint project by two students. If the thesis is submitted as a joint project, the students must sign a collaboration agreement and submit a description of their collaboration together with the thesis. When the master's thesis is submitted as a joint project, a joint grade is normally awarded. In some cases, however, it may be appropriate to assess the candidates individually. The oral examination is conducted individually.
The examination consists of the thesis and an oral examination that may adjust the final grade. Details regarding the format and conduct of the oral examination will be provided at the beginning of the semester. The oral examination will only be held if the written thesis has received a passing evaluation. In the event of an appeal, the thesis will be reassessed by an appeals committee before a new grade-adjusting oral examination is conducted.
Students should expect a period of up to three months between submission of the thesis and the final oral examination.
All other examinations in the Master's programme must be completed before the Master's thesis can be submitted for assessment.
Specific conditions
Admission to a programme of study is required:
Archives and Collections Management (MAD)
Recommended previous knowledge
DOK3001, DOK3002, DOK3003, DOK3005
Required previous knowledge
The course has study rights requirements and is reserved for students admitted to the program. All compulsory courses in the Master's program must be passed before the master's thesis can be submitted for assessment.
Course materials
The course reading list and course plan will be published on NTNU's digital learning platform (Canvas) at the beginning of term. Minor changes to the list may occur during term. Students are obliged to keep informed and up-to-date on all information from teachers via the learning platform and NTNU e-mails.
Syllabus
Subject areas
- Archival knowledge
- Digitalisation
- Social Sciences
Contact information
Course coordinator
Lecturers
Department with academic responsibility
Examination
Examination
Ordinary examination - Autumn 2026
Master's thesis
Submission 2026-11-25 Time Release 09:00
Submission 09:00 Exam system Inspera Assessment