SPED4006 Master thesis
- Course codeSPED4006
- Number of credits45
- Teaching semester2026 Autumn, 2027 Spring
- Language of instructionEnglish
- CampusLillehammer
- Required prerequisite knowledge
All other courses must have been passed before handing in the thesis
The master’s thesis is an independent research project based on an original research question connected to the Master of special education. The research question should be investigated scientifically, and the thesis should be based on theoretical research within a practical context. The thesis will demonstrate skills and abilities in the following areas:
- independent and autonomous research
- analytic capacity and capability
- critical reflection and evaluation
- academic writing
- Completion of a master’ degree provides the student with a foundation for further scientific research and enquiry at the higher [doctoral] level.
The master's thesis must be a comprehensive and independent work based on an issue related to the special education subject area. The problem must be scientifically elucidated. The work must be based on theoretical studies and can be linked to empirical investigations, either the student's own or existing data collections. The work on the master's thesis will provide the student with a basis for independent research work where analytical skills and critical awareness are practiced. Completion of the master's thesis provides a basis for further specialization and will make you proficient in research and scientific methods. It is open for students (up to 2 students) to collaborate on the master's thesis.
A 45 ects master's thesis can be submitted as a monograph or an article script, as described below.
Monography:
Individual assignments corresponding to 45 ect are expected to have around 80 pages (A-4, line spacing 1, 5), i.e., approx. 32,000 words. There may be variations in scope depending on how the assignment is, but it should in no case exceed 100 pages (40,000 words). If the thesis is written as group work between two students, the length should be approximately 120 pages (+/-10%).
Article script:
Individual assignments in article form must consist of at least one article ready for delivery intended for a peer-reviewed journal (level 1 or 2). Assignments in article form written by two students must consist of at least two such article scripts. In addition to the article, the student must write an introduction. In the introduction, the article will be placed in a more comprehensive professional framework. The introduction may also contain a more thorough review of methodological and/or professional conditions in the relevant area that are not sufficiently covered in the articles. The scope of the introduction is decided on with the supervisor, but a guiding norm can be about 30 pages (with a line spacing of 1.5).
Learning Outcome
Upon passing the course, students have achieved the following learning outcomes:
Students
- have an in-depth knowledge in a specific area of the theoretical/philosophical field of Special Education
- have an in-depth knowledge of theories that are relevant to the topic covered in the master's thesis
- have an extensive insight into a topic or phenomenon from several different perspectives
- can accommodate academic requirements for analysis and written production
Students
- can undertake original and independent research
- can effectively undertake meaningful and robust research and enquiry and generate meaningful findings and conclusions
- can reduce broader themes or phenomena into concrete topics that are suitable for a research project
- can identify and apply one or more research methods to shed light on the research question(s) in the master thesis
- can apply theory as a tool to analyse the data material
- can conduct a systematic and critical analysis and apply established principles in research to present findings clearly and academically
- can consider relevant ethical aspects related to one's own master thesis.
Students
- can demonstrate project management
- can demonstrate autonomous learning
- can critically reflect upon existing research literature
- can apply research-based knowledge and skills in areas related to the field of special education
- can disseminate knowledge and own research results in writing and orally
| Form of assessment | Grading scale | Grouping | Duration of assessment | Support materials | Proportion | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Written examination with an adjusting oral examination | ECTS - A-F | Individual |
|
Masters’ Thesis and Oral Exam.
The paper is evaluated by two examiners, one of which is external. A final oral examination related to the master's thesis is used to adjust the grade of the master's thesis. One overall grade is given based on the written work and oral examination. The oral examination is individually, even when having written the thesis as a pair. Performance is assessed using a grading scale from A-F, where E is the lowest passing grade
Use of previous work in the master's thesis:
As a general rule, reusing previous exams is not allowed in the master's thesis. This does not prevent further work development of earlier exams but must be accounted for by the regular use of source references. This provision does not apply to project sketches submitted to master's thesis seminars that can be reused without processing.