Bachelor thesis (BPSBAC)
The Bachelor thesis (BPSBAC) follows a structured research format to explore a chosen topic in psychology. Students can choose to use various methodologies, such as empirical studies or literature reviews. The course also covers professional and research ethics. The course aims to help students gain knowledge about their research area, learn how to set up and conduct a study, and write about their findings in an academic manner. Students will also learn to discuss ethical issues related to their research. Students are expected to demonstrate a clear understanding of their research topic, know how to carry out research, and discuss their findings and related ethical issues effectively.
Course description for study year 2024-2025
Course code
BPSBAC
Version
2
Credits (ECTS)
30
Semester tution start
Spring
Number of semesters
1
Exam semester
Spring
Language of instruction
Norwegian
Content
Learning outcome
Knowledge
Upon successful completion of the course, the student should:
- understand the specific research field addressed in the assignment
- comprehend the key theoretical frameworks and their historical context within the student's specific area of study
- acquire knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies
- be acquainted with relevant themes and issues within the realm of applied ethics and research ethics
Skills
Upon successful completion of the course, the student should:
- be capable of outlining a subject area and formulating a research question
- be proficient in conducting a relevant literature review
- be able to perform a comprehensive analysis of a selected psychological phenomenon by synthesizing and critically evaluating relevant theories, empirical evidence, and ethical considerations
- be able to structure and articulate a coherent research process, from formulating a research question to presenting and discussing findings, culminating in a well-substantiated conclusion
General Competence
Upon successful completion of the course, the student should:
- be able to produce a comprehensive academic text
- be capable of reflecting upon and debating ethical questions within the scope of applied ethics
- be able to account for, analyze, and discuss the research question and generate a well-thought-out progression from the question to the conclusion
Required prerequisite knowledge
Recommended prerequisites
Exam
Bachelor thesis and oral exam
Form of assessment | Weight | Duration | Marks | Aid |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bachelor thesis | 0/1 | Letter grades | All | |
Bachelor thesis after oral exam | 1/1 | 30 Minutes | Letter grades |
The exam consists of a written and oral part with one common grade.Written part:
• The thesis may be written individually or in groups of up to three people.
• Scope: The scope of the thesis is max. 8000 words for theses written by one student or a group.
• Special provisions: The bachelor’s thesis course must be completed and approved by the lecturer responsible for the course no later than one month before the thesis is submitted. The bachelor’s thesis must contain an abstract in English of maximum one page. The abstract is included in the assessment.
The bachelor’s thesis must be written in article form. The article must comprise an introduction, research questions and objectives, methodology, presentation of findings, discussion and limitations of the study. The rules for group examinations (see above) also apply to the use of article form.Oral part:The oral exam is used as an adjustment of the grade. The final grade may be adjusted at most one grade up or down as a result of the oral exam. The duration of the oral exam will be approx. 1/2 hour.Failed exam:Students who have not passed the exam in the subject can, upon application, be granted a second attempt (cf. regulations on studies and exams at UiS § 3-10 fourth paragraph letter b).
Coursework requirements
All of the compulsory activities must be approved in order for the student to be eligible for examination. Approval/non-approval of compulsory activities is announced on Studentweb, normally no later than 7 days before the examination. Students who lack approval of one or more compulsory activities will be withdrawn from the examination.
Compulsary activities:
- Seminars: Preparation for, attendance and participation in five seminars. Students who have less than 75% attendance at the seminars lose the right to take the examination, regardless of the reason.
Course teacher(s)
Course coordinator:
Pravin TembjergStudy Program Director:
Bianka Anna KarshikoffMethod of work
The teaching consists of lectures and seminars.
- Students are expected to prepare for lectures by reading relevant literature.
- A self-determined required reading of 800 pages related to the various subjects relavent to the course and thesis, for example; methods and statistics , ethics, and topics relevant for the thesis.
- In seminars, the different theoretical topics and methods are presented using a variety of different learning activities.
- The seminars will take place in groups, based on topics and/or methodological approach. The students and seminar tutors in the different groups will work with the relevant method(s).
- The seminars will be used to initiate and facilitate informal peer review by the students.
- In terms of supervision, the individual student and their academic supervisor are expected to agree on the form and content of the supervision within the defined forms at an early stage.
Overlapping courses
Course | Reduction (SP) |
---|---|
Bachelor thesis (BPSBAC_1) | 15 |