Print Course syllabus
Course syllabus - Thesis in Work Life Studies, Master
Scope
30 credits
Course code
PSA315
Valid from
Spring semester 2016
Education level
Second cycle
Progressive Specialisation
A2E (Second cycle, contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (120 credits)).
Main area(s)
Work Life Studies
School
School of Health, Care and Social Welfare
Ratified
2016-01-29
Literature lists
Course literature is preliminary up to 8 weeks before course start. Course literature can be valid over several semesters.
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Writing references according to the APA-style. About referencing in academic writing in social work
School of Health, Care and Social, HVV, 2015
URL: Link
Scientific writing. Guidelines for degree-/independent projects within the disciplinary domains at first- and second-cycle levels at the School of Health, Care and Social Welfare.
The School of Health, Care and Social Welfare (HVV),
URL: Link
Web Addresses
Reference Literature
Qualitative inquiry & research design : choosing among five approaches
4th ed. : Los Angeles : Sage Publications, [2017] - xxv, 459 pages
ISBN: 978-1-5063-6117-8 LIBRIS-ID: 20024195
Research design : qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches
5. rev. ed., international student edition : SAGE, 2018 - s.
ISBN: 978-1-5063-8676-8 LIBRIS-ID: 22384547
Discovering statistics using IBM SPSS statistics
5. ed. : London : Sage Publications, [2018] - xxix, 1070 sidor
ISBN: 9781526419521 LIBRIS-ID: 21986061
URL: Companion website
Academic Writing: Process and Product
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2016. ProQuest Ebook Central,
Philosophy of science : a very short introduction
2. ed. : Oxford : Oxford University Press, 2016 - 140 p.
ISBN: 9780198745587 LIBRIS-ID: 18713096
Assessment of methods in health care and social services. A handbook. Preliminary version
Swedish agency for health technology assessment and assessment of social services (SBU)., 2018
URL: Available online
Objectives
The objective of the course is for students, independently though under supervision, to delve deeper into a freely chosen area within the domain of work life studies, e.g. work life and health, work and labour market in a globalized world, social and psychological processes in the workplace, leadership, or work life and control. Students are expected to independently plan an empirical study or investigation, analyze data and discuss the result in relation to scientific publications.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:
1 give proof of theoretical knowledge as well as an understanding of work life issues, including an interdisciplinary overview of the field, ethical aspects, as well as in-depth knowledge within the chosen area;
2 integrate knowledge as well as analyze, assess and handle complex phenomena, issues and situations within the chosen area;
3 independently identify and formulate research questions, plan and carry out an empirical data collection with adequate methods, and document the process;
4 clearly present and discuss, in exchanges with different groups, their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based, in speech as well as writing, and assess another empirical project in a constructive manner;
5 show the skills required to participate in or critically assess research, development or investigative work within the work life domain.
Course content
Independent in-depth studies within a freely chosen work life studies area, including literature searches (peer-reviewed publications), autonomous planning of a study based on the literature, with ethical and societal aspects included as core elements, as well as contact with respondents; formulation of aims and research questions as well as choice of analytical methods suitable for the purpose; realization of an empirical study; coherent and linguistically correct documentation of the study and its outcome in accordance with APA guidelines or the equivalent; defense of the scientific investigation and its contribution to the field of knowledge, as well as written and spoken discussion of another student’s scientific study.
Tuition
Supervision and examination seminar.
Specific requirements
A completed bachelor’s degree from an institution of higher education of three years or more, equivalent to 180 credits in one of the following subject areas: Public Health Science, Caring Science with Specialisation in Nursing, Nursing science, Medical Science, Physiotherapy, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology and the student must have been an active participant in the course Qualitative Research Methods I and Quantitative Research Methods I even if not yet examined or the equivalent. In addition Swedish B/Swedish 3 and English B/English 6 are required. For courses given entirely in English exemption is made from the requirement in Swedish B/Swedish 3.
Examination
UPS1, degree project, 30 credits: independent written project, defense of the scientific investigation, as well as active participation in the discussion of another two scientific investigations; grades Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with distinction (VG).
A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.
Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.
Grade
Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail