Degree Project in Health Informatics, 30 credits

Approved course in scientific research methods at advanced level.

All courses from year 1 and at least 10 credits from courses in term 3 at the Master's programme in health informatics.

Knowledge and understanding
The student shall be able to demonstrate:

• an understanding whether a research question falls within the boundaries of Health Informatics, and whether it is specific and appropriately delimited,
• an ability to critically assess published research, and
• advanced methodological knowledge in health informatics.

Skills
The student shall be able to demonstrate an ability to:

• individually plan, design and implement a research project based on a selected methodological approach, within specified time limits,
• clearly present and discuss results, orally and in writing,
• critically draw conclusions and reflect on the meaning of obtained empirical results.
• generalise or transfer knowledge, and
• identify the need for further knowledge,

Attitudes
The student shall be able to:

• identify potential methods and select the most appropriate in order to address the research questions, and
• demonstrate an awareness and ability to take into account relevant social and ethical aspects throughout the research process.

The degree project is an individual project addressing a relevant scientific problem in health informatics. The project is documented in a scientific report – the degree thesis.

The student has the responsibility to identify an appropriate research project. This is described in a project proposal that must be approved by the course director. The student must have a main supervisor that supports the student during the whole course. There may also be a co-supervisor.

The student authors a project plan that must be approved by the main supervisor and the course director. The e-learning platform PingPong will be used for continuous reporting, discussion and feedback regarding for example the research plan, method descriptions and preliminary results.

The student has to present and defend his/her degree thesis in the mandatory examination seminar. Another student will take the role of the opponent during the seminar.

The student must also take the role as an opponent at another thesis presentation in the examination seminar.

The examination is performed through active participation in PingPong, as well as a written degree thesis and opposition report. Active participation in PingPong is assessed according to Fail/Pass. Students must also take the role as an opponent in the examination seminar and submit a written opposition report to obtain a passing grade. The degree thesis is assessed with A-F.

Compulsory participation
The student must actively participate in the review and discussion of other students project plans and thesis through PingPong as well as the examination seminar. The course director assesses if and, in that case, how absence can be compensated. Before the student has participated in all compulsory parts or compensated absence in accordance with the course director's instructions, the student's results for the course will not be registered in LADOK.

Limitation of number of examination occasions
The student has the right to be examined six times. If the student has not passed the course after four examinations
he/she is encouraged to visit the study counsellor.

Examination will be provided during a time of two years after a possible cancellation of the course. Examination can take
place according to an earlier literature list during a time of one year after the date when a major renewal of the literature.

Course evaluation will be carried out in accordance with the guidelines established by the Board of Education.

The course language is English.