Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)

Course Description Status: Approved

Course Description Version: 25/26.P.2.00

Description Period: 2025./26 academic year pavasara semestris

Study Course Accepted: -

Study Course Description

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
-
10 points

According to the documents “methodological instructions for the direction of Psychology for the Development of the course, Bachelor’s and Master’s theses”

and RSU Regulations on the Development and Defence of qualification Paper, student Research Paper, Bachelor’s thesis and Master’s thesis "

, in order to admit a student to the defence of Master’s thesis, it is necessary to:

1. Active participation in classes, co-ordination with the current and topic of the work to be developed.

2. Pre-defence of the work developed:

1) A Master’s thesis file uploaded in E-studies and a written acceptance by the work supervisor for its advancement towards defence,

2) 7 min. long presentation prepared according to the following structure: 1. Front page I. Name, author’s name II. The given name, surname, academic position and/or degree III of the manager. The given name, surname, academic position and/or degree IV of the consultant. The year and place where the work is defended 2. Content – structure 3. Spotlight and issue 4. Theoretical overview - main concepts 5. Objective and tasks and research questions (aligned with tasks) or hypothesis 6. Method: Participants, instrumentarium, procedure followed for ethical reasons 7. A scoreboard structured according to questions or hypothesis, part of the discussion and conclusions. 8. Ethical considerations. 9. Practical application of the findings, limitations of the study and recommendations for future researchers

Study Course Theme Plan

FULL-TIME
Part 1

  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

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Research development. Data analysis. Academic writing.
Description
Annotation: Based on the acquired knowledge, skills and competences in the study courses Research Methodology and Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Master’s Thesis Development, topical issues related to the theoretical and practical part of the Master’s thesis are discussed. Issues related to ethics, academic writing, the use of data analysis methods and scientific strength are raised. Literature: Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.). (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra perspektīva. Rīga: RSU Mārtinsone, K., Šneidere, K. (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. Rīga: RSU Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.). (2019). Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana (otrais, papildinātais izdevums). Rīga: RSU

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Research development. Data analysis. Academic writing.
Description
Annotation: Based on the acquired knowledge, skills and competences in the study courses Research Methodology and Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Master’s Thesis Development, topical issues related to the theoretical and practical part of the Master’s thesis are discussed. Issues related to ethics, academic writing, the use of data analysis methods and scientific strength are raised. Literature: Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.). (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra perspektīva. Rīga: RSU Mārtinsone, K., Šneidere, K. (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. Rīga: RSU Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.). (2019). Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana (otrais, papildinātais izdevums). Rīga: RSU

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Research development. Data analysis. Academic writing.
Description
Annotation: Based on the acquired knowledge, skills and competences in the study courses Research Methodology and Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Master’s Thesis Development, topical issues related to the theoretical and practical part of the Master’s thesis are discussed. Issues related to ethics, academic writing, the use of data analysis methods and scientific strength are raised. Literature: Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.). (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra perspektīva. Rīga: RSU Mārtinsone, K., Šneidere, K. (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. Rīga: RSU Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.). (2019). Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana (otrais, papildinātais izdevums). Rīga: RSU

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Research development. Data analysis. Academic writing.
Description
Annotation: Based on the acquired knowledge, skills and competences in the study courses Research Methodology and Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Master’s Thesis Development, topical issues related to the theoretical and practical part of the Master’s thesis are discussed. Issues related to ethics, academic writing, the use of data analysis methods and scientific strength are raised. Literature: Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.). (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra perspektīva. Rīga: RSU Mārtinsone, K., Šneidere, K. (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. Rīga: RSU Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.). (2019). Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana (otrais, papildinātais izdevums). Rīga: RSU

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Research development. Data analysis. Academic writing.
Description
Annotation: Based on the acquired knowledge, skills and competences in the study courses Research Methodology and Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Master’s Thesis Development, topical issues related to the theoretical and practical part of the Master’s thesis are discussed. Issues related to ethics, academic writing, the use of data analysis methods and scientific strength are raised. Literature: Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.). (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra perspektīva. Rīga: RSU Mārtinsone, K., Šneidere, K. (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. Rīga: RSU Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.). (2019). Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana (otrais, papildinātais izdevums). Rīga: RSU

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Research development. Data analysis. Academic writing.
Description
Annotation: Based on the acquired knowledge, skills and competences in the study courses Research Methodology and Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Master’s Thesis Development, topical issues related to the theoretical and practical part of the Master’s thesis are discussed. Issues related to ethics, academic writing, the use of data analysis methods and scientific strength are raised. Literature: Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.). (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra perspektīva. Rīga: RSU Mārtinsone, K., Šneidere, K. (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. Rīga: RSU Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.). (2019). Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana (otrais, papildinātais izdevums). Rīga: RSU

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Research development. Data analysis. Academic writing.
Description
Annotation: Based on the acquired knowledge, skills and competences in the study courses Research Methodology and Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Master’s Thesis Development, topical issues related to the theoretical and practical part of the Master’s thesis are discussed. Issues related to ethics, academic writing, the use of data analysis methods and scientific strength are raised. Literature: Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.). (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra perspektīva. Rīga: RSU Mārtinsone, K., Šneidere, K. (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. Rīga: RSU Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.). (2019). Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana (otrais, papildinātais izdevums). Rīga: RSU

  1. Lecture

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Research development. Data analysis. Academic writing.
Description
Annotation: Based on the acquired knowledge, skills and competences in the study courses Research Methodology and Theoretical and Practical Aspects of Master’s Thesis Development, topical issues related to the theoretical and practical part of the Master’s thesis are discussed. Issues related to ethics, academic writing, the use of data analysis methods and scientific strength are raised. Literature: Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.). (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra perspektīva. Rīga: RSU Mārtinsone, K., Šneidere, K. (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. Rīga: RSU Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.). (2019). Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana (otrais, papildinātais izdevums). Rīga: RSU

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Preparing a research presentation.
Description
Annotation: Preparation of the Master’s thesis presentation, structured, focused presentation of information, visualisation of information. Literature: Mārtinsone, K., Šneidere, K. (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. Rīga: RSU

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Preparing a research presentation.
Description
Annotation: Preparation of the Master’s thesis presentation, structured, focused presentation of information, visualisation of information. Literature: Mārtinsone, K., Šneidere, K. (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. Rīga: RSU

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Preparing a research presentation.
Description
Annotation: Preparation of the Master’s thesis presentation, structured, focused presentation of information, visualisation of information. Literature: Mārtinsone, K., Šneidere, K. (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. Rīga: RSU

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Preparing a research presentation.
Description
Annotation: Preparation of the Master’s thesis presentation, structured, focused presentation of information, visualisation of information. Literature: Mārtinsone, K., Šneidere, K. (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. Rīga: RSU

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Preparing a research presentation.
Description
Annotation: Preparation of the Master’s thesis presentation, structured, focused presentation of information, visualisation of information. Literature: Mārtinsone, K., Šneidere, K. (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. Rīga: RSU

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Preparing a research presentation.
Description
Annotation: Preparation of the Master’s thesis presentation, structured, focused presentation of information, visualisation of information. Literature: Mārtinsone, K., Šneidere, K. (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. Rīga: RSU

  1. Class/Seminar

Modality
Location
Contact hours
On site
Auditorium
2

Topics

Preparing a research presentation.
Description
Annotation: Preparation of the Master’s thesis presentation, structured, focused presentation of information, visualisation of information. Literature: Mārtinsone, K., Šneidere, K. (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. Rīga: RSU
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
18.00
Contact hours:
32 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Defence (Master’s thesis)

Bibliography

Required Reading

1.

Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.). (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra perspektīva. Rīga: RSU

2.

Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.). (2019). Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana (otrais, papildinātais izdevums). Rīga: RSU

3.

Mārtinsone, K., Šneidere, K. (red). (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. Rīga: RSU

Additional Reading

1.

Aasheim, L.L. (2012). Practical clinical supervision for counselors: an experiential guide. New York, NY: Springer.

2.

Bernard, J.M., Goodyear R.K. (2014). Fundamentals of clinical supervision. Harlow: Pearson.

3.

Carol, H. (Ed.). (2006). Handbook of adult development and learning. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

4.

Carroll, M. (2014). Effective supervision for the helping professions. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.

5.

Copeland, S. (2005). Counselling supervision in organizations: professional and ethical dilemmas explored. London: SAGE.

6.

Cutcliffe, J.R., Fowler, J., & Hyrkas, K. (Eds). (2011). Routledge handbook of clinical supervision: fundamental international themes. Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.

7.

Guest, G., Namely, E. E. & Mitchell, M. L. (2013). Collecting Qualitative Data: A Field Manual for Applied Research. Los Angeles: SAGE.

8.

Leech, Nancy L. IBM SPSS for intermediate statistics : use and interpretation / Nancy L. Leech, Karen C. Barrett, and George A. Morgan. Fifth edition. New York, NY : Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2015

9.

Mārtinsone, K. (sast.). (2012). Pieaugušo izglītība. Rīga: RaKa.

10.

Creswell, J. W. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.

11.

Raščevska, M. (2005). Psiholoģisko testu un aptauju konstruēšana un adaptācija. Rīga: RaKA.

12.

Kroplijs, A., Raščevska, M. (2010). Kvalitatīvās pētniecības metodes sociālajās zinātnēs. Rīga: Raka.

13.

Mārtinsone, K., Pipere A. (red.). (2011). Ievads pētniecībā. Stratēģijas, dizaini, metodes. Rīga: RaKA.

14.

Pētniecības terminu ]skaidrojošā] vārdnīca (RSU, tiešsaistē).

15.

Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A., Kamerāde, D. (red.). (2016). Pētniecība. Teorija un prakse. Rīga: RaKa

Other Information Sources

1.

Saskaņā ar izvēlēto pētījuma tēmu