Course syllabus
Confirmation
This course syllabus was confirmed by Department of Education and Special Education on 2011-11-14 and was last revised on 2020-12-08 to be valid from 2021-01-18, spring semester of 2021.
Field of education: Social Sciences 100%
Department: Department of Education and Special Education
Position in the education system
The course can be part of the following programme: 1) International Master's Programme in Educational Research (L2EUR)
Main field of studies: Education with Specialization in Educational Research
Specialization: A2E, Second cycle, contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (120 credits)
Entry requirements
To be eligible for this course students on the International Master's programme in Educational research need at to have passed the first year courses. The first year courses are: PDA085, Introduction to International Master in Educational Research, PDA180, Research environment – optional course I or PDA084, Qualitative approaches to educational research, PDA086 Research methodology, inquiry and data analysis or PDA186, Design, measurement and analysis in educational research and PDA181, Introduction to a research environment - optional course II or PDA185, Introduction to educational research practice. In addition, the students should have passed one of the second year courses: PDA182, Academic writing and research design or PDA183, Academic reading in education.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
Knowledge and understanding
- critically, independently and creatively identify and formulate scientific questions; • operationalise key concepts;
Competence and skills
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investigate research questions using appropriate methods and theoretical frameworks, so as to contribute to the development of knowledge within the field;
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report an analysis, findings and discussion in a scientific or scholarly manner;
Judgement and approach
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make and defend scientific judgements relevant to educational research, taking into account social, cultural, ethical and socio-environmental (sustainable education/educational research) aspects;
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present and discuss scientific work in writing according to scientific standards.
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The course is sustainability-related, which means that at least one of the learning outcomes clearly shows that the course content meets at least one of the University of Gothenburg's confirmed sustainability criteria.
Course content
A master’s thesis is a carefully argued scholarly text that presents an original argument that is carefully documented from clearly identified primary or secondary sources. The thesis will be based on an independent work within the field of education research on a topic that has been decided upon in consultation with an appointed supervisor.
Form of teaching
Individual supervision of Master's thesis project, progress seminars and a peer- evaluation exam.
Language of instruction: English
Assessment
Learning is assessed through the following:
1. A thesis;
2. An oral examination of the thesis;
3. Acting as discussant in another student’s oral examination.
The thesis may be individually written or written together with one or two co-authors. Where more than one author is involved the individual contributions of each must be clearly pointed out in a foreword to the thesis.
A student who has taken two exams in a course or part of a course without obtaining a pass grade is entitled to the nomination of another examiner. The student needs to contact the department for a new examiner, preferably in writing, and this should be approved by the department unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6 Section 22 of the Higher Education Ordinance).
If a student has received a recommendation from the University of Gothenburg for special educational support, where it is compatible with the learning outcomes of the course and provided that no unreasonable resources are required, the examiner may decide to allow the student to sit an adjusted exam or alternative form of assessment.
In the event that a course has ceased or undergone major changes, students are to be guaranteed at least three examination sessions (including the ordinary examination session) over a period of at least one year, but no more than two years, after the course has ceased/been changed.
Grades
The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U).
Course evaluation
Course evaluation is done in relation to the course learning outcomes and content and is done continuously during the course in the form of an individual network survey at the end of the course. The result and any changes in the course structure will be communicated to both the students who completed the evaluation and to the students who will begin the course.
Additional information
The course uses the University of Gothenburg’s management learning system for different forms of digital communication. Access to a computer and the Internet is therefore required.
Course summary:
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