The general aim of the master thesis is for the student to acquire general research skills and experience, and to gain skills in independent critical thinking.

There are three possible approaches to organizing the content of the thesis work:

• Narrative literature review, combined with new data collection and data analysis
• Semi-systematic literature review, combined with minimal or no data collection, but with analysis of existing research data
• Extensive literature review on a topic with a solid rationale, grounded in a well-described theoretical framework, and including a detailed evaluation of each paper¿s methodological strengths and weaknesses

On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student :

• Knows how to compose a research report using the IMRAD structure and the template provided by CIH.

Skills

The student is able to:

• Develop one or several specific research questions based on a solid rationale and grounded in an appropriate theoretical framework
• Carry out a critical literature review on a well-defined and relevant health-related topic
• To design and carry out research using the standards of the qualitative or the quantitative scientific method, and according to appropriate ethical and efficiency standards
• To critically evaluate research methods
• To present a written thesis with the structure and logical composition that characterizes an academic text
• To discuss research findings with due attention to validity

General competence

The student is able to:

• Use the acquired research competence in other areas of global health
• Communicate research findings to a broader audience and the general public through oral presentations and written media using appropriate language and presentations tools.

Centre for International Health

E-mail: studie@igs.uib.no

Tel: 55588569/70