Master’s Thesis

Main Study Course Information

Course Code

VPUPK_261

Branch of Science

Psychology

ECTS

18.00

Target Audience

Rehabilitation

LQF

Level 7

Study Type And Form

Full-Time

Study Course Implementer

Course Supervisor

Sanita Šuriņa

Structure Unit Manager

Kristīne Mārtinsone

Structural Unit

Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy

Contacts

Riga, 16 Dzirciema Street, vppk@rsu.lv, +37167061587

About Study Course

Objective

To improve the students’ understanding of research, taking into account ethical aspects, to independently develop a Master’s thesis, including the relevance and problem of the research, theoretical background and the method of implementation of the research, describing the results obtained, the conclusions drawn from them and evaluating the scientific strength of the research carried out.

Preliminary Knowledge

Completed study courses Research Methodology, Theoretical and Methodological Fundamentals of the Master’s Thesis Development.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge

1.Comprehend, compare and critically evaluate different theoretical dispositions and study results in relation to the study subject; comprehend the requirements of the development of Master's Thesis and its assessment criteria.

Skills

1.Formulate research problem questions, select and critically evaluate literature sources according to the topic, substantiate the topicality and problem of the research, formulate the research aim and question(s)/hypothesis(es), create a theoretical basis for the research, choose a research method appropriate to the research aim, conduct research in accordance with ethical norms, describe research results and the conclusions derived from them, evaluate the scientific strength of the study.

Competences

1.Independently plan a study that is compliant with the basic principles of research and ethical norms, and present it.

Assessment

Individual work

Title	% from total grade	Grade
1. Individual work	-	-
To develop a Master’s thesis, completed study course evaluation questionnaire.

Examination

Title	% from total grade	Grade
1. Examination	-	-
According to documents Methodological guidelines for the elaboration of Master’s theses in Psychology, Art Therapy and Supervision study programmes at RSU (https://www.rsu.lv/sites/default/files/book_download/noradijumi_magistra_darbu_izstradei_2020.pdf) and RSU Regulations on Development and Defence of Qualification Paper, Student’s Research Paper, Bachelor’s Thesis and Master’s Thesis (https://www.rsu.lv/sites/default/files/imce/Dokumenti/Nolikumi/par_kvalif_darba_petn_darba_bak_mag_darba_izstradasanu_aizstavesanu_2020_rev.pdf). To be admitted to the Master’s thesis defence, the following is required: 1. Active participation in classes, in line with the subject and topic of the work. 2. Pre-defence of the thesis: 1) Master’s thesis file uploaded to e-studies and written approval of the thesis supervisor to proceed with the thesis defence, 2) A 7-minute presentation, structured as follows: 1. Title page i. Title, author’s full name ii. Name, surname, academic title and/or scientific degree of the supervisor iii. Name, surname, academic title and/or scientific degree of the consultant iv. Year and place of the thesis defence 2. Contents - structure 3. Topicality and problem 4. Theoretical overview - key concepts 5. Aim and objectives, research questions (aligned with the objectives) or hypothesis 6. Method: participants, set of instruments, procedure, ethical considerations 7. A report of the results, structured according to the questions or hypothesis, a discussion section and conclusions. 8. Ethical considerations. 9. Practical application of the obtained discovery, research limitations and recommendations for future researchers

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME

Part 1

Class/Seminar

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2

Topics

RSU Master’s Thesis Regulations and Recommendations for the Master’s Thesis. Procedure for defending the Master’s thesis.

Description

Annotation: Review and discussion of the RSU Master’s Thesis Regulations and Recommendations for the Master’s Thesis, including the established checklists. Discussion of the procedure for defending the Master’s thesis, clarification of unclear issues. Literature: Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.). (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra perspektīva (Research methodology: an interdisciplinary perspective). Riga: RSU Mārtinsone, K., Šneidere, K. (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās (Methodological guidelines for the elaboration of Master’s theses in Psychology, Art Therapy and Supervision study programmes at RSU). Riga: RSU

Lecture

Modality	Location	Contact hours
On site	Auditorium	2