Print Course syllabus
Course syllabus - Thesis in Public Health Sciences
Scope
15.0 credits
Course code
FHA024
Valid from
Spring semester 2014
Education level
Second cycle
Progressive Specialisation
A1E (Second cycle, contains degree project for Master of Arts/Master of Science (60 credits))
Main area(s)
Science of Public Health
School
School of Health, Care and Social Welfare
Ratified
2013-02-01
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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Web Addresses
A self-study guide from the University Library
URL: Link
Academic writing
URL: Link
Deception and Disturbance
URL: Link
Search Guide
URL: Link
Reference Literature
Introduction to quantitative research methods: an investigative approach
ISBN: 0-7619-6804-0 (hft.)
Analyzing quantitative data: from description to explanation
ISBN: 0-7619-6758-3
Quantitative methods for health research: a practical interactive guide to epidemiology and statistics
ISBN: 9781118665411
Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches
ISBN: 978-1-5063-8676-8
Qualitative inquiry & research design: choosing among five approaches
ISBN: 978-1-5063-6117-8
Practical Guide to Dissertation and Thesis Writing
Enjoy writing your science thesis or dissertation!: a step-by-step guide to planning and writing a thesis or dissertation for undergraduate and graduate science students
ISBN: 9781783264209
Epidemiology kept simple: an introduction to traditional and modern epidemiology
ISBN: 9781444336085
Good research practice
URL: Link
Qualitative research in nursing and healthcare
ISBN: 9781118874486
Academic writing: process and product
ISBN: 9781475823554
Other Materials
Objectives
The objective of the course is that students learn to independently plan, carry out, analyze, and present a scientific study, based on a suitable theoretical background, within a research area of the public health sciences.
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, students are expected to be able to:
1 independently plan, carry out, and present a scientific study within the public health sciences
2 describe the background of the planned study, by using adequate scientific sources, in order to motivate the purpose and research questions of the study
3 give an account of, and discuss, the ethical considerations in connection with the planning, realization, and presentation of the study
4 apply and argue for theories and/or models that are of importance to the realization of the study, as well as to relate the results to the theories/models
5 describe the method used in the study, and to discuss the choice of method and the method itself, as well as possible limitations with respect to purpose and research questions
6 carry out an in-depth analysis of collected data
7 discuss results in relation to previous studies
8 suggest ways in which the results can be applied in public health work
9 assess and evaluate, by way of a critical discussion, the research questions, purposes, methods, results and possible applications of other students' degree projects
Course content
Planning and realization of a scientific study within a research area of the public health sciences
Research ethics
Written and oral presentation of the study
Critical assessment and evaluation of studies and essays
Specific requirements
A completed Bachelor´s degree from an institution of higher education of three years or more, equivalent to at least 180 credits (180 ECTS credits) within the fields of public health, caring, nursing or medical science. English course A is required for Swedish students. Foreign students are required to submit a TOEFL test result, minimum score 530, TWE score 4 (PBT) or 72, TWE score 17 (iBT) or IELTS test score for academic purposes with an overall band score of minimum 5.5 and no band score below 5.0 or equivalent.
Examination
Thesis (UPS1), 15 credits, an individually produced outline, an individually produced degree project, including response to peer review, as well as an individual review of another project on the advanced level. Examination will take place at three different seminars. Marks 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
Three-grade scale