Degree project in Psychology, 15 credits

To be eligible to advance onto this course, students must have no less than 120 credits from semester 1-4 of the Study Programme in Psychology as well as at least 15 credits from semester 5.

The objective of the course is for students to enhance their knowledge of psychology and psychological methods by planning and executing an independent empirical thesis under supervision for a 15 credits thesis in the field of psychology.

On completion of the course, the students should be able to:
• search scientific databases, extract relevant publications and review, evaluate and summarise publications of relevance to the content of their thesis
• identify and formulate a point of scientific inquiry in the field of psychology with respect to the resources and time available
• under supervision, independently define, analyse and discuss study design and method in relation to the point of inquiry, and with respect to the prevailing ethical rules
• under supervision, independently locate, collect, evaluate and interpret relevant information in relation to the point of inquiry
• under supervision, independently compile, analyse and interpret the data collected in relation to the point of inquiry, using academic language and the scientific praxis applied in the field of psychology
• independently discuss, critically evaluate and make cases for or against, respectively and where appropriate, the content of their own and other students’ theses on the grounds of their relevance to the subject and of methodological and ethical considerations
• demonstrate an ability to comply with accepted scientific practice and ethical rules; integrity in their research and documentation; and an awareness of the responsibilities of research involving human subjects
• discuss and understand the importance of collaboration in attaining a high level of quality in all parts of the research process

At the start of the course, students select one of the thesis subjects offered in the field of psychology. Available thesis subjects are decided by the examiner in consultation with a thesis committee, and are then sent for approval to the research forum of the Study Programme in Psychology. Possible subjects include:
• conducting, analysing and reporting of psychological experiments
• analysing and reporting a particular set of data from an established research project
• conducting psychometric evaluations of psychological instruments
• conducting systematic reviews of recently published psychological research
• conducting a secondary analysis of published data on the basis of a new point of inquiry

The course begins with the drawing up of a project plan that lays out the general structure, content and timing of the work to be done. At this stage, the scope of the thesis is defined and a time plan is established. Students are also given practice searching scientific literature in the library’s databases. They then carry out their own thesis project under supervision, during which time they have opportunities to test and develop knowledge and methodological skills of relevance to their subject. The course concludes with an examination seminar, during which the project papers are debated.

The course includes an introductory lecture on writing a project paper and literature searches. Students compose their thesis in pairs. Since one of the course objectives is to train collaboration, individual theses will only be accepted under exceptional circumstances. Thesis projects are conducted under supervision and in a respondent/opponent format. 

The thesis subjects are presented by the research forum no later than at the start of term (i.e., about ten weeks before course start),), by which time each proposed subject is to be documented with a defined problem area, key reading list, methodology and specific learning objectives.

During the first few days of the course, the students and their supervisors delimit and define the subject and draw up a time plan. The students are then to plan, conduct and report an independent scientific project under supervision

Completed thesis projects are then reported in a scientific thesis to be debated with an opponent during a concluding seminar. Participation in these thesis seminars is compulsory and entails active presence at other students’ seminars and opposing another scientific thesis.

Achieved learning objectives are examined through presentation of the thesis during a thesis seminar where the thesis, the defence and the public discussion and examination are evaluated by the examiner.
The various parts are awarded the following grades: a) Thesis: Fail (U) or Pass (G) b) Respondent performance (defence and discussion of own thesis): Fail (U) or Pass (G) c) Opponent performance (for another thesis): Fail (U) or Pass (G)

Supervisors assess whether the thesis are able to satisfy the criteria for a Pass grade and for submission for public discussion at the seminar. The thesis presented at the seminar form the basis of the students’ grades. To pass the course a whole, students must obtain a Pass on all three parts and must have taken active part at three of the thesis seminars advertised during the course.

In the event of a student obtaining a Fail grade for respondent or opponent performance (and in the event of absence), written supplementary information may be demanded by the examiner. In the event of a student obtaining a Fail grade for the thesis, he or she will receive a list of rectifying steps to take for it to qualify for a Pass. Submission dates for revised thesis are the same as the accepted examination resit dates during the following term.

The transitional regulations comply with KI’s local guidelines. Courses that have been discontinued or thoroughly revised, or which have been given a radically new reading list, will offer two additional examinations (to the ordinary examination) on the former content and literature during a period of one year from the date of discontinuation or revision.

If the start of the thesis project is delayed (for more than one term from the start of the course), the students cannot expect to be supervised by their original supervisor, which may impinge upon their ability to conclude their thesis project in accordance with the original plan.

Course evaluation based on the expected learning outcomes of the syllabus takes place in accordance with KI’s local guidelines. Students are informed of their results and any measures taken on the course website.