M.Phil. in Global Health - Thesis

Postgraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

The general aim of the master thesis is for the student to acquire general research skills and experiencein the field of global health, and to gain skills in independent critical thinking. We define global health as an area of research, education and practice that focuses on improving health and achieving health equity, especially in low and middle income countries.

The topic of the thesis should be relevant to global health, and there are three possible approaches to organizing the content of the thesis work:

  • Narrative literature review, combined with new data collection and data analysis
  • Semi-systematic literature review, combined with minimal or no data collection, but with analysis of existing research data
  • Systematic literature review on a topic with a solid rationale, and including a detailed evaluation of each paper¿s methodological strengths and weaknesses

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student can:

  • Demonstrate in depth knowledge of the global health area focused in the research.
  • Describe relevant rules and regulations on ethical research requirements

Skills

The student is able to:

  • Develop one or several specific research questions relevant to global health based on a solid rationale and grounded in an appropriate theoretical framework
  • Carry out a critical literature review on a well-defined and relevant global health-related topic
  • To design and carry out research using the standards of the qualitative or the quantitative scientific method, and according to appropriate ethical and efficiency standards
  • To critically evaluate the appropriateness of research methods and measures to increase trustworthiness
  • To compose a written thesis with the IMRaD (introduction, methods, results and discussion) structure and logical composition that characterizes an academic text
  • To extensively appraise research findings with due attention to validity

General competence

The student is able to:

  • Communicate research findings to an academic audience and the general public through oral presentations and written media using appropriate language and presentations tools.
  • Use the acquired research competence in other areas of global health and propose innovative ideas for research in global health
  • Engage in public debates on global health.

Level of Study

Master

Semester of Instruction

Autumn/spring
Required Previous Knowledge
Proficiency in English at a level corresponding to TOEFL 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based) or IELTS band 6.0 is expected.
Access to the Course
Students enrolled in the master programme in Global Health, students enrolled in similar programmes at UiB or other partner universities.
Teaching and learning methods

The thesis is in most cases written individually. Students who opt to do a systematic literature review may collaborate with another student and they can write a joint thesis.

The student is entitled to in total 40 hours of supervision. (This includes the time supervisors use on reviewing the analysis and the text.) Part of the supervision will be group-based as all students have to attend four writing workshops where they share their drafts and get feedback from peers and a scientific staff member. Each student will also give peer feedback to two other students at each of the workshops.

In addition, the student may attend courses in literature search, proper use of sources and source references, as well as research ethics related to use of sources, dissemination etc.

Teaching Methods and Extent of Organized Teaching
The thesis is to be written individually in the last year of study (full time), and corresponds to 60 ECTS credits The student is entitled to in total 30 hours of supervision individually and in groups. Parts of this supervision may be ICT based. In addition, the student may attend courses in literature search, proper use of sources and source references, as well as research ethics related to use of sources etc.
Compulsory Assignments and Attendance
All students have to attend four writing workshops where they share their drafts and get feedback from peers and a scientific staff member. Each student will also give peer feedback to two other students at each of the workshops
Forms of Assessment
The thesis must be defended in an oral thesis examination and assessed by an internal and external examiner.
Grading Scale
ECTS credits A-F (F = fail)
Assessment Semester
Spring
Reading List
The students need to find literature relevant for the thesis, in consultation with supervisor.
Course Coordinator
Professor Ingvild Fossgard Sandøy