Veidlapa Nr. M-3 (8)
Study Course Description
Development of Master’s Thesis
Course Code
VPUPK_250
Branch of Science
General Psychology; Psychology
ECTS
6.00
Target Audience
Psychology
LQF
Level 7
Study Type And Form
Full-Time
Study Course Implementer
Course Supervisor
Jeļena Koļesņikova
Structure Unit Manager
Kristīne Mārtinsone
Structural Unit
Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy
Contacts
Riga, Dzirciema Street 16, vppk@rsu.lv, +37167061587
About Study Course
Objective
To enhance master's students' understanding and ability to independently implement their developed research project, which demonstrates the acquisition of theoretical and practical knowledge, as well as methodological and organizational skills in the field of psychology.
Preliminary Knowledge
Research methodology.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
1.Students understand, compare and critically evaluate different theoretical approaches and research results related to the research topic; they understand and can describe the requirements for the Master’s Thesis and assessment criteria.
Skills
1.First part of the study course: Students apply their knowledge to define the research problem, to select and critically evaluate the professional information sources and to use the evidence-based practice in order to define the research problem and justify the topicality; students define the research aim and question(s)/hypothesis(es); they select the research methodology appropriate to the aim of the research and describe the planned methods of data analysis. Students evaluate the research risks. Second part of the study course: Based on the research project, the following activities are performed: data collection and analysis, interpretation of empirical data according to the research question(s)/hypothesis(s), evaluation of research limitations; drawing conclusions; applying ethical standards to the research; designing and presenting the research.
Competences
1.Independently and correctly develop and implement the research and present research results.
Assessment
Individual work
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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1.
Individual work |
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1. Develop a draft research/ theoretical part of the Master’s thesis including the research justification, a literature review and a detailed description of the research methodology. Evaluate the possible risks and threats of the planned research, describe the ethical aspects of the research; present the draft Master’s thesis. 2. Carry out research according to the developed project, which includes data collection, processing and analysis, description and interpretation of the obtained results, conclusions and suggestions, as well as format the Master's thesis according to RSU Regulations and the Department methodological guidelines for the development of Master's theses; to present the Master's thesis. 3. Provide feedback at the end of the study course (fill in the questionnaire). |
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Examination
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Title
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% from total grade
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Grade
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1.
Examination |
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10 points
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1. The course requirements are fulfilled within the given time (20%). 2. Master’s thesis includes (50%): Introduction: • the topicality and problem of the research, based on the latest, most important research in the sector; • the goal, the objectives research questions or hypothesis, which are mutually agreed, correspond to the topic of the research, and appropriate data analyses methods are used for each research procedure; • research methodology for each research question/ hypothesis is described according to the research design, characterising data collection sources, methods and procedures; • clear description of ethical aspects of the research is presented, analysing possible risks and threats, stating the ways for overcoming them. Theoretical part: • theoretical discussions and guidelines are reflected; • the most recent and most essential research is included; • the specific place of the research among existing ones is highlighted; • the primary sources are dominant; • the critical analysis of sources is done; • theoretical justification of the research allows formulate research question/ hypothesis. 3. The scientific style has been used in the Master's thesis and correct references have been made (10%). 4. The presentation and defence of the Master’s thesis theoretical part should demonstrate (20%): • visual representation; • student’s ability to answer the questions and take part in discussion; • good time management. |
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Study Course Theme Plan
FULL-TIME
Part 1
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Introductory lecture. Adherence to academic integrity.
Description
Annotation: Adherence to academic integrity
Topics covered during the class: Legal and ethical aspects of the master's thesis
Literature: Akadēmiskā godīguma terminu vārdnīca. Akadēmiskā godīguma vispārējās vadlīnijas. (2020). Uzziņu izdevums. Rīga: RTU Izdevniecība. 161 lpp.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Principles of master thesis development
Description
Annotation: Principles of master thesis development Topics covered during the class: Reasoning for the topicality of the research, problems, purpose, question/hypothesis formulation and research planning Literature: Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. RSU izdevniecība: Rīga (e-studijas vidē). |
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Review of literature sources
Description
Annotation: Review of literature sources
Topics covered during the class: Content and structure of the literature review
- The literature review development process
- Literature search and selection
- Reading and summarizing
- Text format
- Specificity of literature review in qualitative research
- Specificity of the literature review in the systematic review
Literature: Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.) (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija. Izdevniecība: RSU
Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere A. (red.). (2018). Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana. Rīga: RSU, 301 lpp.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Method: participants, instrument, procedure
Description
Annotation: Method: participants, instrument, procedure Topics covered during the class: Study participants / data sources Instrumentation / data acquisition method Procedure Data processing and analysis Literature: Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. RSU izdevniecība: Rīga (e-studijas vidē). |
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Development of the empirical part of the master's thesis
Description
Annotation: Development of the empirical part of the master's thesis Topics covered during the class: The requirements for the development of the empirical part of the master's thesis, as well as the development of the interpretation part of the results, will be considered. Literature: Mārtinsone, K. un Šneidere, K. (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. RSU izdevniecība: Rīga (e-studijas vidē). |
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Development of the empirical part of the master's thesis
Description
Annotation: Development of the empirical part of the master's thesis Topics covered during the class: The requirements for the development of the empirical part of the master's thesis, as well as the development of the interpretation part of the results, will be considered. Literature: Mārtinsone, K. un Šneidere, K. (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. RSU izdevniecība: Rīga (e-studijas vidē). |
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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The content and structure of the master's thesis defense and presentation presentation
Description
Annotation: The content and structure of the master's thesis defense and presentation presentation Topics covered during the class: Presentation preparation and research data visualization Literature: Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. RSU izdevniecība: Rīga (e-studijas vidē). |
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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The content and structure of the master's thesis defense and presentation presentation
Description
Annotation: The content and structure of the master's thesis defense and presentation presentation Topics covered during the class: Presentation preparation and research data visualization Literature: Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. RSU izdevniecība: Rīga (e-studijas vidē). |
Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
16 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Test (Semester)
Part 2
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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The structure of the discussion part of the master's thesis
Description
Annotation: The structure of the discussion part of the master's thesis
Topics covered during the class: Overview of the obtained research results and comparison with other studies.
Evaluation of the scientific strength of the results.
Conclusions, proposals and recommendations.
Literature: Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere A. (red.). (2018). Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana. Rīga: RSU, 301 lpp.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Review of literature sources
Description
Annotation: Review of literature sources
Topics covered during the class: Content and structure of the literature review
- The literature review development process
- Literature search and selection
- Reading and summarizing
- Text format
- Specificity of literature review in qualitative research
- Specificity of the literature review in the systematic review
Literature: Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.) (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija. Izdevniecība: RSU
Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere A. (red.). (2018). Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana. Rīga: RSU, 301 lpp.
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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On site
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Auditorium
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2
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Topics
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Master's thesis is formatted in accordance with the RSU Regulations and the Department methodological guidelines for the development of Master's Thesis
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Lecture
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Modality
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Location
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Contact hours
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|---|---|---|
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On site
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Study room
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2
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Topics
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The content and structure of the master's thesis defense and presentation presentation
Description
Annotation: The content and structure of the master's thesis defense and presentation presentation Topics covered during the class: Presentation preparation and research data visualization Literature: Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. RSU izdevniecība: Rīga (e-studijas vidē). |
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Master's thesis is formatted in accordance with the RSU Regulations and the Department methodological guidelines for the development of Master's Thesis
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Total ECTS (Creditpoints):
3.00
Contact hours:
8 Academic Hours
Final Examination:
Exam
Bibliography
Required Reading
1.
Akadēmiskā godīguma terminu vārdnīca. Akadēmiskā godīguma vispārējās vadlīnijas. (2020). Uzziņu izdevums. Rīga: RTU Izdevniecība. 161 lpp.
2.
Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.) (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija. Izdevniecība: RSU
3.
Mārtinsone, K. un Pipere A. (red.). (2019). Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana. Rīga: RSU, 301 lpp.
4.
Mārtinsone, K. un Šneidere, K. (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. RSU izdevniecība: Rīga.
Additional Reading
1.
Creswell, J. W. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approach. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.
2.
DeVellis, R.F. (2017). Scale development: theory and applications. Los Angeles.
3.
Howitt D., Cramer D., (2016). Research Methods in Psychology. 5th edition. London: Pearson
4.
Kaplan, D. (2009). Structural equation modeling: foundations and extensions. Los Angeles
5.
Leech, N.L., Barrett, K.C., & Morgan, G.A. (2025). BM SPSS for intermediate statistics : use and interpretation. 6th edition. New York: London: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
6.
Pētniecības terminu skaidrojošā vārdnīca.
7.
Raščevska, M. (2005). Psiholoģisko testu un aptauju konstruēšana un adaptācija. Rīga: RaKA.
8.
Rust, J. (2020). Modern psychometrics : the science of psychological assessment. Hove, East
9.
Sussex Wilson, M. (2025). Constructing measures : an item response modeling approach. New York.
10.
RSU ‘Nolikums par kvalifikācijas darba, studējošā pētnieciskā darba, bakalaura darba un maģistra darba izstrādāšanu un aizstāvēšanu’ (2020). Pieejams sadaļā 'Pētnieciskais darbs'.
Other Information Sources
1.
Saskaņā ar izvēlēto pētījuma tēmu