Course content

The master thesis shall be an individual scientific investigation of a topic chosen by the student. Through the work with the master thesis, the students shall use the theoretical, analytical and methodological competence they have acquired through their studies. The investigation may be empirical or theoretical. The latter may, for example, consist of carrying out conceptual analyses or in clarifying and assessing the ideological assumptions on which the field is based. The master thesis shall provide training in working systematically and methodically, and contribute to the student developing skills in analytical and critical thinking.

Learning outcome

The purpose with the master thesis is that the students shall make an individual research work with relevance for the scientific field of Social Work.

Knowledge - The student has in-depth knowledge of:

• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a specific thematic area
• Develop a research design and methodology for a defined research project
• Identify, collect and critically evaluate relevant research material, literature and other sources of knowledge within the field
• Evaluate research ethics and its relevance to the thematic field of knowledge
• Evaluate the relevance, strengths and limitations of different methods in empirical research.
• Communicate the results of their research in accordance with general scientific standards of validity and reliability
• Develop a systematic and academically sound analysis based on relevant theory and previous research

Skills - The student can:

• Evaluate and refine research designs, data collection methods and analytical approaches according to the chosen research question(s)
• Discuss the relevance of national and international research within the chosen topic and relate it to their own project and results or findings
• Apply and justify the use of relevant research methods for the chosen research question when conducting empirical research
• Systematize, analyze and critically discuss collected data
• Evaluate ethical issues related to their own research project
• Communicate the results of their research in accordance with scientific standards
• Apply and justify the choice of relevant theoretical perspectives when conducting theoretical research
• Present the research project in an academically appropriate manner with correct reference use.
• Present the research project orally and justify key choices in the research project.

General competence - The student can:

• Demonstrate analytical and systematic skills that are relevant to research, policy development, teaching or work in organizations and professional environments.
• Be critical of theoretical perspectives and research findings, both their own and those of others.
• Understand and answer questions and draw well-founded conclusions.

Learning methods and activities

Individual supervision and mandatory master's seminars. In addition, seminars will be arranged on research ethics and SIKT, the process of writing, data collection and the project outline. Mandatory participation in the master's seminar must be approved. For the seminars, each student must prepare and present an abstract with a limited theme and problem and in the following semester submit a complete project outline with research design and plan for implementation. Planning of the master's thesis should start early in the second semester. A supervisor is appointed after the approved project outline.

Compulsory assignments

• One compulsory master seminar autumn
• One compulsory master seminar spring

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

The course has admission right requirements, which means that the course is reserved for students who have been admitted to study Master's degree in Social Work at NTNU.

All other courses included in the master's program (totaling 75 ECTS credits) must be passed before the master's thesis can be submitted.

Course materials

Individual curriculum

Credit reductions