Degree Project in Nursing, 15 credits

The aim of the course is for the student be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the scientific basis of nursing care and be able to apply relevant research methodology in an independent research project for the degree, within a given time frame.
The aim is also for the student to understand how research results can be applied in nursing and for the student to be prepared to encounter changes in the profession.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
On completion of the course, the student should be able to

• demonstrate knowledge of the disciplinary foundation of nursing care and its importance for the choice of subject for the research project
• describe and explain different types of study design, methods for data collection and methods for data analysis, as well as ethical considerations in research
• show advanced knowledge or a specific issue of relevance to the nursing profession

Skills and abilities

On completion of the course, students should be able to:

• apply appropriate methodology to investigate a specific issue within nursing based on ethical and scientific guidelines
• present and discuss the results of the research project in accordance with its aims
• present the research project in written form with scientific precision and using appropriate scientific language
• present, discuss and defend the research project's chosen study design, methodology, results and conclusions of the research project

Values and perspectives

On completion of the course, students should be able to:

• evaluate the clinical appolications of the research project
• discuss the research project's results with relevance to nursing care, society, research ethics, and health care ethics, including their relevance to human rights
• evaluate the strengths and weaknesses in the own and others' research projects and demonstrate the ability to identify areas where additional knowledge development in nursing is needed.

The research project for the degree is to a great extent based on the course participants' own initiative and independent work.
The course involves presentation of and discussion of one's own and critical review of others' research projects as work on the projects progresses.The course focuses on training students in a scientific approach to issues in nursing care, including the specification of problems and research aims and choices that must be made to conduct rigorous scientific research. The course includes scheduled meetings together with the supervisor and other students as well as final examination seminars. At the examination seminar, the student presents and defends their own research project for the degree and publicly discusses another research project.

The Degree Project is written in collaboration with a fellow course student.
The research project for the degree can be written individually only under exceptional circumstances. Supervision of the research projects and continuous feedback takes place during scheduled group meetings. Lectures are held that focus on development and writing of a research project. 

Distance learning is IT-based, and supervision takes place virtually. 

The course coordinator assesses how absence from compulsory teaching sessions can be made up for. Until the student has participated in the compulsory parts (or compensated any absence with assigned tasks in accordance with instructions from the course director) the final study results can not be reported. Absence from a compulsory session can mean that the student cannot make up the missed session until the next time the course is offered.

Examination
The written research project, the critical oral review of another research project, and the defense of one's own research project are assessed individually by a teacher based on established assessment criteria. The oral examination is carried out during an examination seminar where the student presents and defends their own research project, and critically reviews another research project. 

To pass the course, a passed written degree project, defense of one's own research project, critical oral review of another research project, and participation in two further examination seminars is required. Grades are determined by the examining teacher.

Students who fail at the first examination of the written research project have the right to one additional supervisory session during the semester. Student who do not pass the regular examination are entitled to re-sit the examination on five more occasions. A student who has not achieved a passing grade after taking the examination three times can take parts of the course or the whole course again. Being able to retake all or parts of the course is subject to availability. If the student has failed six examinations/tests, no additional examination is given.

All occasions when a student has participated in the same test count as examination occasions.

Submission of a blank exam is considered an examination occasion. Late submissions of examinations are not accepted. 
Students who have not submitted their examination on time are required to then take another examination.

If there are special grounds, or a need for adaptation for a student with a disability, the examiner may decide to deviate from the syllabus's regulations on the examination form, the number of examination opportunities, the possibility of supplementation or exemptions from the compulsory section/s of the course etc. Content and learning outcomes as well as the level of expected knowledge, skills and attitudes may not be changed, removed or reduced.