MAE4090D – Thesis (part-time programme option)
Course content
The thesis is an independent piece of scientific research demonstrating your acquired competence in assessment, measurement and evaluation in relation to the aims of the program.
You are guided in your work by a supervisor with expertise in the particular thematic area that you have chosen for your master’s thesis. Your work will be linked to a research internship in either an academic group or a professional partner organization.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
- in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the chosen assessment, measurement and evaluation topic
Skills
- plan, organize, and complete an assessment, measurement and evaluation project from the initial idea to its completion
- effective organization and communication skills
Competence
- independent research and analytical competence in issues related to assessment, measurement and evaluation
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
- to receive supervision, you must have completed MAE4230/MAE4221 Research Seminar I
- to be allowed to hand in your thesis, you must also have completed all first and second year courses
Teaching
You are being guided in the work on the thesis by your supervisor(s) in individual tutorials. You have the right to 30 hours of supervision. This includes the supervisor’s preparation time and face to face supervision.
If you write your theses linked to a research internship at a professional partner organization, an internal academic co-supervisor is also appointed.
The supervision agreement must be filled out and handed in to the administration. Note that supervision is obligatory.
The thesis shall be written as a manuscript in journal article APA style.
Thesis structure:
1. Front Page
2. Popular abstract (max. half a page)
3. Acknowledgements/Preface
4. Journal Article (typically about 25-40 pages).
5. Appendix I: GDPR documents & Ethical approval
6. Appendix II: Data Management & Analysis Code
7. Appendix III: Supplemental Material
Examination
The examination consists of two parts
- master’s thesis
- oral examination
You need to receive a passing grade for your master’s thesis in order to sit for the oral examination.
The thesis and oral examination is evaluated and graded by a committee comprised of two members, one of which is external. The supervisor is not included in the grading committee.
During the oral examination you will be asked questions by the commission members based on your written thesis. In addition to the thesis manuscript, you are expected to prepare a presentation of approximately 20 minutes.
The student receives a preliminary grade for the master’s thesis before the oral examination, along with a written explanation of the grade.
The oral examination serves to adjust the grade given on the thesis. The result can be either the same grade, one grade up or one grade down.
After the oral examination, the student receives the final grade for the master’s thesis along with specific scores in the grading rubric. If an adjustment was made, the student will be informed of the grounds for the adjustment.
Deadline for submission of the thesis is in the first half of May every year with the oral examination taking place before the end of the semester. Please refer to the semester page for specific information about the submission deadline and schedule for the oral examinations. Candidates who are delayed one semester, will hand in their theses in the first half of November, with the oral examination taking place in the end of December.
Language of examination
You will write your master's thesis in English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
Resit an examination
Students who are unable to submit their theses within the standard deadline, have to apply for an extension.
It is only possible to apply for extensions one semester at a time.
When applying for an extension, you need to make a progress plan along with your supervisor which shows how far the work with the thesis has come, how much work is left, when drafts are due (specific dates) and how many more suerpvision meetings are planned. The supervisor has to approve of the progress plan in order for the application to be granted.
The progress plan is to be uploaded in this webform.
The deadline for applying for an extension is 1 June in the spring semester and 1 December in the autumn semester.
Students who are granted an extension will only receive extra guidance from their supervisor if the supervisor has time.
The theses are to be submitted within the normal deadlines, i.e. in the first half of May in the spring and the first half of November in the autumn. Check the semester pages to find the exact deadline.
Withdrawal from an examination
A master’s thesis that is not passed may be resubmitted only once, and then within the agreed time and in revised form. A master’s thesis that is passed may not be resubmitted in revised form.
If you withdraw from the exam after the deadline, this will be counted as an examination attempt.
Special examination arrangements
Application form, deadline and requirements for special examination arrangements.
Evaluation
In accordance with the UiO quality assurance system, the course is subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students to participate in a more comprehensive evaluation.