Degree project in Psychology, 15 credits

To be eligible to advance onto this course, students must have no more than 15 credits remaining from the previous term, and no credits remaining from any terms preceding this.

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

On completion of the course, the student 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 prevailing ethical rules
• under supervision, independently locate, collect, evaluate and interpret relevant information in relation to the point of inquiry
• in a written format, 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
• within the constraints of an academic seminar, 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, the student 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
• psychometric evaluations of psychological instruments
• systematic reviews of recently published psychological research
• preform a secondary analysis of published data on the basis of a new point of inquiry

The course begins with establishing a project plan that lays out the general structure, content and timing of the work to be done. At this stage, the scope and time plan of the thesis is established. The student is also given practice searching scientific literature in the library’s databases as well as subsequently proceeding to 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. Because 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. 

Thesis subjects are presented by the researcher collegium 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, 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.

Self-authored completed 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 seminar is an opportunity for feedback and an opportunity to alter the thesis is given afterward. Final grade of the thesis is awarded after the final version has been submitted. To pass the whole course, 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, the student is offered further supervision to alter the thesis to adhere to the demands for obtaining a Pass grade; a grade that can only be obtained after a new seminar. 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 for examinations.

If the thesis project is delayed (more than 1 semester 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 is performed per KI's local guidelines. Students are informed of outcomes and any measures taken via the course website.