Courses: PSYK250 Bachelor's Thesis - General Psychology - Autumn 2019
Language of Instruction
English and Norwegian
Objectives and Content
By working on their Bachelor's theses, students shall develop their own ways of thinking and working. They shall learn about the requirements which are stipulated for major written projects and about any working methods which might suit their purpose. By collecting and discussing relevant empirical and/or theoretical material, students shall learn how to cast light on various problems. Project assignments shall provide a methodical basis for any future work on a Master's thesis and they can also serve as thematic admission for continuing such subjects in their chosen field of study. Assignments can be purely theoretical, or they can consist of a smaller empirical investigation.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge
Upon completing the course candidates shall:
- Be able to understand the current requirements which apply to a scientific work
- Be able to account for the basic characteristics of quantitative and qualitative research methods, or more precisely research design and the collection and processing of different types of data (qualitative and quantitative)
- Be able to account for the various phases incorporated in a research project
- Possess knowledge about the various phases of a research project
Skills
Upon completing the course candidates shall:
- Be able to plan and undertake a research project
- Be able to ask research questions which can be answered by using scientific methods
- Be able to acquire relevant research information (including undertaking data searches)
- Be able to develop and make use of adequate research tools (e.g. interview guides and questionnaires)
- Be able to demonstrate their skills through the correct development of a scientific work in accordance with APA standards, the correct use of sources, the correct presentation of references and the use of relevant literature databases
- Be able to analyse data or present and discuss theory
- Be able to express theory and results both orally and in writing
General expertise
Upon completing the course candidates shall:
- Be able to reflect on undertaking research in respect of theory and empiricism
- Be able to reflect on ethical conditions in respect of using and interpreting their own data, sources and quotations
Teaching Methods and Extent of Organized Teaching
This course is based on both individual and group supervision. Supervision will take place through personal contact and online.
As a general rule project assignments should be written in groups of two or three students, depending on the projects and supervisory staff available in the academic environment at the Department. When attending the compulsory information meeting students will be presented with possible projects and efforts will be made to allocate them between students in line with the priority wishes of the students concerned. If any students do not wish to be involved in a written group thesis relating to the projects offered, then they will be responsible for finding their own project and supervisor at the Faculty.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
The following activities are compulsory for the http://www.uib.no/nb/emne/PSYK250PSYK250 Bachelor's thesis in general psychology:
- Information meeting at the start of the semester.
- A written supervision contract, which shall be entered into between students and a scientific employee at the Faculty of Psychology by 30 January. Supervision of Bachelor's theses is compulsory and topic assignments shall be approved by whoever is responsible for the course.
- An oral presentation of the Bachelor's thesis and participation throughout the presentation day. The member of staff responsible for http://www.uib.no/nb/emne/PSYK250PSYK250 will attend oral presentations of Bachelor's theses and shall be responsible for the approval of such presentations.
- The APA standards course.
Forms of Assessment
Bachelor's thesis (max. 7,000 words, excluding references, the appendix and tables)
Grading Scale
The grading scale used is A to F. Grade A is the highest passing grade in the grading scale, grade F is a fail.
Assessment Semester
Spring
Reading List
The APA's book is included in the syllabus. The literature list also includes literature (800-1,000 pages) chosen by students themselves. Literature shall be approved by a supervisor.
Course Evaluation
This course is assessed in line with the procedures of the Faculty of Psychology which relate to the evaluation of participants and the University of Bergen's own quality assurance system.
Course Coordinator
Department of Psychosocial Science
Course Administrator
The Faculty of Psychology
Contact Information
Information Centre: tel. (+47) 55 58 27 10,
e-mail: exchange@psyfa.uib.no