Thesis Preparation Seminar
Code:
3GJ321Name:
Thesis Preparation SeminarTeaching semester:
AutumnLocations:
KristiansandYear:
2025 — 2026Teaching language:
EnglishStudy points:
15 Credits
Compulsory components
All lectures in the introductory week of 3GJ321 are compulsory, which, according to NLA regulation, means at least 80% attendance. The requirement of attendance is set to avoid excessive resources spent on individual follow-up at the subsequent stage when the actual MA thesis project begins. It is also compulsory for the students to attend the session where he/she responds to other students’ thesis proposal drafts. The student must submit an MA research proposal within the announced due date towards the end of the course.
The assessment of 3GJ321 comprises of one compulsory item: Submission of MA research proposal (pass or failure).
The submission date is final. The proposal will be assessed by the programme's Academic Committee and be given a pass or failure grade. In the case of failure, the student will be given a report outlining what needs to be improved in order to bring the proposal up to an acceptable standard. Two resubmissions are allowed. The proposal must obtain a passing grade before the student is assigned an advisor for the MA project (3GJ322/323). The proposal must follow the guidelines provided in the course. If the student’s proposal is not approved after the mentioned three attempts, the student will have lost his/her right to sign up for the course again.
- 3GJ303 Research Methodology
- In addition, as the main rule, 60 ECTS credits must have been completed (i.e. the first year of the programme). Exceptions to this rule may only be made in circumstances where minor parts are missing.
3GJ321-1: Preparing a research proposal
The student is introduced to the preparation and writing of a research proposal, with a particular view on the MA thesis proposal. The students will work both individually and in response seminars with their proposals. An important part of the research proposal process is to arrive at an appropriate method for the project, thus drawing directly on the material covered in 3GJ303 Research Methodology. A submission date will be given for the final proposal to be handed in at the end of the course.
3GJ321-2: Working with theory in a research project
This part of the course focuses on how theory becomes an integrated part of a research project, both at the planning stage, fieldwork stage, and writing stage. Students are urged to use knowledge from this part of the course when preparing their research proposal. Material covered in all previous courses in the programme is potentially applicable as theoretical points of departure for the project. This part of the course also deals with how to write the literature review.
3GJ321-3: How to do field research
This is a practically oriented part of the course advising students how to prepare and carry out field research. Various methods from 3GJ303 are revisited from a practical point of view, discussing items such as to how to conduct fieldwork interviews, how to get in touch with respondents, how to obtain a research certificate, and how to save the project when everything seems to fall apart. Particular attention is paid to the many troubles which may occur when crossing cultural and national boundaries, which are inherent to many research projects in Global Journalism. Instructors will draw from their own research experience in this part of the course.
3GJ321-4: Writing an MA thesis
This part of the course focuses on how to write a research report, with a particular view on the MA thesis. Items covered are organization of the thesis, style, argumentation, clarity of speech, plagiarism, working with statistics, and more.
3GJ321-5: Research ethics
This part of the course covers theoretical and practical issues in research ethics. Particular attention is paid to ethical considerations that are characteristic to journalism research.
Knowledge
The student:
- has knowledge of the basic design of a research project
- is aware of the elements involved in the preparation of a small-scale research project
Skills
The student:
- can write a proposal for a small-scale research project
- can assess and make preliminary judgments of potential ethical dilemmas expected to arise in a research project
General competence
The student:
- is able to prepare a small-scale research project, practically and theoretically
Website
A Guide to Internet Research Ethics
The Norwegian National Research Ethics Committees, Forskningsetikk, 2019,
View online
Website
Guidelines for Research Ethics in the Social Sciences and the Humanities
The National Committee for Research Ethics, Forskningsetikk, 2022,
Oppdatert fra 2016 retningslinjene som kan lastes ned her: https://www.forskningsetikk.no/ressurser/publikasjoner/guidelines-social-sciences-humanities-law-and-theology/
View online
Book
Writing your master's thesis : from A to Zen
Nygaard, Lynn P., Los Angeles, California, SAGE, xviii, 203 sider, 2017, isbn:978-1-4739-0392-0; 978-1-4739-0393-7,
Book
The student's guide to research ethics
Oliver, Paul, Maidenhead, Open University Press, XII, 180 s., 2010, isbn:9780335237975,
Book
Writing your thesis
Oliver, Paul, London, Sage, xi, 229 s., 2014, isbn:978-1-4462-6784-4,
Book
Competing loyalties : journalism culture in the Ethiopian state media
Terje S. Skjerdal (1972-), Universitetet i Oslo Det humanistiske fakultet (eksamenssted), Oslo, University of Oslo, Faculty of Humanities, 294, 2012,
Pp. 75–98. Finnes digitalt: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Terje-Skjerdal/publication/284733409_Competing_loyalties_Journalism_culture_in_the_Ethiopian_state_media/links/5658ee5708aeafc2aac33b88/Competing-loyalties-Journalism-culture-in-the-Ethiopian-state-media.pdf?origin=publication_detail
Compulsory components
All lectures in the introductory week of 3GJ321 are compulsory, which, according to NLA regulation, means at least 80% attendance. The requirement of attendance is set to avoid excessive resources spent on individual follow-up at the subsequent stage when the actual MA thesis project begins. It is also compulsory for the students to attend the session where he/she responds to other students’ thesis proposal drafts. The student must submit an MA research proposal within the announced due date towards the end of the course.
Assessment
The assessment of 3GJ321 comprises of one compulsory item: Submission of MA research proposal (pass or failure).
The submission date is final. The proposal will be assessed by the programme's Academic Committee and be given a pass or failure grade. In the case of failure, the student will be given a report outlining what needs to be improved in order to bring the proposal up to an acceptable standard. Two resubmissions are allowed. The proposal must obtain a passing grade before the student is assigned an advisor for the MA project (3GJ322/323). The proposal must follow the directions outlined in the Guidelines for the master’s thesis in Global Journalism at NLA. If the student’s proposal is not approved after the mentioned three attempts, the student will have lost his/her right to sign up for the course again.
- 3GJ303 Research Methodology
- In addition, as the main rule, 60 ECTS credits must have been completed (i.e. the first year of the programme). Exceptions to this rule may only be made in circumstances where minor parts are missing.
3GJ321-1: Preparing a research proposal
The student is introduced to the preparation and writing of a research proposal, with a particular view on the MA thesis proposal. The students will work both individually and in response seminars with their proposals. An important part of the research proposal process is to arrive at an appropriate method for the project, thus drawing directly on the material covered in 3GJ303 Research Methodology. A submission date will be given for the final proposal to be handed in at the end of the course.
3GJ321-2: Working with theory in a research project
This part of the course focuses on how theory becomes an integrated part of a research project, both at the planning stage, fieldwork stage, and writing stage. Students are urged to use knowledge from this part of the course when preparing their research proposal. Material covered in all previous courses in the programme is potentially applicable as theoretical points of departure for the project. This part of the course also deals with how to write the literature review.
3GJ321-3: How to do field research
This is a practically oriented part of the course advising students how to prepare and carry out field research. Various methods from 3GJ303 are revisited from a practical point of view, discussing items such as to how to conduct fieldwork interviews, how to get in touch with respondents, how to obtain a research certificate, and how to save the project when everything seems to fall apart. Particular attention is paid to the many troubles which may occur when crossing cultural and national boundaries, which are inherent to many research projects in Global Journalism. Instructors will draw from their own research experience in this part of the course.
3GJ321-4: Writing an MA thesis
This part of the course focuses on how to write a research report, with a particular view on the MA thesis. Items covered are organization of the thesis, style, argumentation, clarity of speech, plagiarism, working with statistics, and more.
3GJ321-5: Research ethics
This part of the course covers theoretical and practical issues in research ethics. Particular attention is paid to ethical considerations that are characteristic to journalism research.
Knowledge
The student:
- has knowledge of the basic design of a research project
- is aware of the elements involved in the preparation of a small-scale research project
Skills
The student:
- can write a proposal for a small-scale research project
- can assess and make preliminary judgments of potential ethical dilemmas expected to arise in a research project
General competence
The student:
- is able to prepare a small-scale research project, practically and theoretically
Website
A Guide to Internet Research Ethics
The Norwegian National Research Ethics Committees, Forskningsetikk, 2019,
View online
Website
Guidelines for Research Ethics in the Social Sciences and the Humanities
The National Committee for Research Ethics, Forskningsetikk, 2022,
Oppdatert fra 2016 retningslinjene som kan lastes ned her: https://www.forskningsetikk.no/ressurser/publikasjoner/guidelines-social-sciences-humanities-law-and-theology/
View online
Book
Writing your master's thesis : from A to Zen
Nygaard, Lynn P., Los Angeles, California, SAGE, xviii, 203 sider, 2017, isbn:978-1-4739-0392-0; 978-1-4739-0393-7,
Book
The student's guide to research ethics
Oliver, Paul, Maidenhead, Open University Press, XII, 180 s., 2010, isbn:9780335237975,
Book
Writing your thesis
Oliver, Paul, London, Sage, xi, 229 s., 2014, isbn:978-1-4462-6784-4,
Book
Competing loyalties : journalism culture in the Ethiopian state media
Terje S. Skjerdal (1972-), Universitetet i Oslo Det humanistiske fakultet (eksamenssted), Oslo, University of Oslo, Faculty of Humanities, 294, 2012,
Pp. 75–98. Finnes digitalt: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Terje-Skjerdal/publication/284733409_Competing_loyalties_Journalism_culture_in_the_Ethiopian_state_media/links/5658ee5708aeafc2aac33b88/Competing-loyalties-Journalism-culture-in-the-Ethiopian-state-media.pdf?origin=publication_detail
Compulsory components
All lectures in the introductory week of 3GJ321 are compulsory, which, according to NLA regulation, means at least 80% attendance. The requirement of attendance is set to avoid excessive resources spent on individual follow-up at the subsequent stage when the actual MA thesis project begins. It is also compulsory for the students to attend the session where he/she is required to respond to other students’ thesis proposal drafts. The student must submit an MA research proposal within the announced due date towards the end of the course.
Assessment
The assessment of 3GJ321 comprises of one compulsory item: Submission of MA research proposal (pass or failure).
The submission date is final. The proposal will be assessed by the programme¿s Academic Committee and be given a pass or failure grade. In the case of failure, the student will be given a report outlining what needs to be improved in order to bring the proposal up to an acceptable standard. Two resubmissions are allowed. The proposal must obtain a passing grade before the student is assigned an advisor for the MA project (3GJ322/323). The proposal must follow the directions outlined in the Guidelines for the master’s thesis in Global Journalism at NLA. The proposal must be written in either English or a Scandinavian language. If the student’s proposal is not approved after the mentioned three attempts, the student will have lost his/her right to sign up for the course again.
- 3GJ303 Research Methodology
- In addition, as the main rule, 60 ECTS credits must have been completed (i.e. the first year of the programme). Exceptions to this rule may only be made in circumstances where minor parts are missing.
3GJ321-1: Preparing a research proposal
The student is introduced to the preparation and writing of a research proposal, with a particular view on the MA thesis proposal. The students will work both individually and in response seminars with their proposals. An important part of the research proposal process is to arrive at an appropriate method for the project, thus drawing directly on the material covered in 3GJ303 Research Methodology. A submission date will be given for the final proposal to be handed in at the end of the course.
3GJ321-2: Working with theory in a research project
This part of the course focuses on how theory becomes an integrated part of a research project, both at the planning stage, fieldwork stage, and writing stage. Students are urged to use knowledge from this part of the course when preparing their research proposal. Material covered in all previous courses in the programme is potentially applicable as theoretical points of departure for the project.
3GJ321-3: How to do field research
This is a practically oriented part of the course advising students how to prepare and carry out field research. Various methods from 3GJ303 are revisited from a practical point of view, discussing items such as to how to conduct fieldwork interviews, how to get in touch with respondents, how to obtain a research certificate, and how to save the project when everything seems to fall apart. Particular attention is paid to the many troubles which may occur when crossing cultural and national boundaries, which are inherent to many research projects in Global Journalism. Instructors will draw from their own research experience in this part of the course.
3GJ321-4: Writing an MA thesis
This part of the course focuses on how to write a research report, with a particular view on the MA thesis. Items covered are organization of the thesis, style, argumentation, clarity of speech, plagiarism, working with statistics, and more.
3GJ321-5: Research ethics
This part of the course covers theoretical and practical issues in research ethics. Particular attention is paid to ethical considerations that are characteristic to journalism research.
Knowledge
The student:
- has knowledge of the basic design of a research project
- is aware of the elements involved in the preparation of a small-scale research project
Skills
The student:
- can write a proposal for a small-scale research project
- can assess and make preliminary judgments of potential ethical dilemmas expected to arise in a research project
General competence
The student:
- is able to prepare a small-scale research project, practically and theoretically
A Guide to Internet Research Ethics
The Norwegian National Research Ethics Committees, Forskningsetikk, 2019,
View online
Website
Guidelines for Research Ethics in the Social Sciences and the Humanities
The National Committee for Research Ethics, Forskningsetikk, 2022,
Oppdatert fra 2016 retningslinjene som kan lastes ned her: https://www.forskningsetikk.no/ressurser/publikasjoner/guidelines-social-sciences-humanities-law-and-theology/
View online
Book
Writing your master's thesis : from A to Zen
Nygaard, Lynn P., Los Angeles, California, SAGE, xviii, 203 sider, 2017, isbn:978-1-4739-0392-0; 978-1-4739-0393-7, Book
The student's guide to research ethics
Oliver, Paul, Maidenhead, Open University Press, XII, 180 s., 2010, isbn:9780335237975, Book
Writing your thesis
Oliver, Paul, London, Sage, xi, 229 s., 2014, isbn:978-1-4462-6784-4, Book
Developing effective research proposals
Punch, Keith F., London, SAGE, 186 sider, [2016]; © 2016, isbn:9781473916371; 9781473916388, Book
Competing loyalties : journalism culture in the Ethiopian state media
Terje S. Skjerdal (1972-), Universitetet i Oslo Det humanistiske fakultet (eksamenssted), Oslo, University of Oslo, Faculty of Humanities, 294, 2012,
Pp. 75–98. Finnes digitalt: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Terje-Skjerdal/publication/284733409_Competing_loyalties_Journalism_culture_in_the_Ethiopian_state_media/links/5658ee5708aeafc2aac33b88/Competing-loyalties-Journalism-culture-in-the-Ethiopian-state-media.pdf?origin=publication_detail
- National Committees for Research Ethics in Norway (2016) Guidelines for research ethics in the social sciences, humanities, law and theology. Available from https://www.etikkom.no/globalassets/documents/english-publications/60127_fek_guidelines_nesh_digital_corr.pdf. (40 pp)
- National Committees for Research Ethics in Norway (2019) A guide to Internet research ethics. Available from: https://www.etikkom.no/globalassets/documents/publikasjoner-som-pdf/forskningsetisk-veileder-for-internettforskning/a-guide-to-internet-research-ethics.pdf (20 pp)
- Nygaard, Lynn P. (2017) Writing your master’s thesis: From A to Zen. London: Sage (194 pp)
- Oliver, Paul (2010) The student’s guide to research ethics (2nd ed.). Maidenhead: Open University Press. (178 pp)
- Oliver, Paul (2014) Writing your thesis (3rd ed.). London: Sage. (248 pp)
- Punch, Keith F. (2016) Developing effective research proposals (3rd ed.). London: Sage. (192 pp)
- Skjerdal, Terje (2013) Competing loyalties: Journalism culture in the Ethiopian state media. PhD dissertation, University of Oslo. Pp. 75-98. (24 pp)
Compulsory components
All lectures in the introductory week of GJ 321 are compulsory, which, according to NLA regulation, means at least 80% attendance. The requirement of attendance is set to avoid excessive resources spent on individual follow-up at the subsequent stage when the actual MA thesis project begins. It is also compulsory for the students to attend the session where he/she is required to respond to other students’ thesis proposal drafts. The student must submit an MA research proposal within the announced due date towards the end of the course.
Assessment
The assessment of GJ 321 comprises of one compulsory item: Submission of MA research proposal (pass or failure).
The submission date is final. The proposal will be assessed by the programme¿s Academic Committee and be given a pass or failure grade. In the case of failure, the student will be given a report outlining what needs to be improved in order to bring the proposal up to an acceptable standard. Two resubmissions are allowed. The proposal must obtain a passing grade before the student is assigned an advisor for the MA project (GJ 322/323). The proposal must follow the directions outlined in the Guidelines for the master’s thesis in Global Journalism at NLA. The proposal must be written in either English or a Scandinavian language. If the student’s proposal is not approved after the mentioned three attempts, the student will have lost his/her right to sign up for the course again.
- 3GJ303 Research Methodology
- In addition, as the main rule, 60 ECTS credits must have been completed (i.e. the first year of the programme). Exceptions to this rule may only be made in circumstances where minor parts are missing.
GJ 321-1: Preparing a research proposal
The student is introduced to the preparation and writing of a research proposal, with a particular view on the MA thesis proposal. The students will work both individually and in response seminars with their proposals. An important part of the research proposal process is to arrive at an appropriate method for the project, thus drawing directly on the material covered in GJ 303 Research Methodology. A submission date will be given for the final proposal to be handed in at the end of the course.
GJ 321-2: Working with theory in a research project
This part of the course focuses on how theory becomes an integrated part of a research project, both at the planning stage, fieldwork stage, and writing stage. Students are urged to use knowledge from this part of the course when preparing their research proposal. Material covered in all previous courses in the programme is potentially applicable as theoretical points of departure for the project.
GJ 321-3: How to do field research
This is a practically oriented part of the course advising students how to prepare and carry out field research. Various methods from GJ 303 are revisited from a practical point of view, discussing items such as to how to conduct fieldwork interviews, how to get in touch with respondents, how to obtain a research certificate, and how to save the project when everything seems to fall apart. Particular attention is paid to the many troubles which may occur when crossing cultural and national boundaries, which are inherent to many research projects in Global Journalism. Instructors will draw from their own research experience in this part of the course.
GJ 321-4: Writing an MA thesis
This part of the course focuses on how to write a research report, with a particular view on the MA thesis. Items covered are organization of the thesis, style, argumentation, clarity of speech, plagiarism, working with statistics, and more.
GJ 321-5: Research ethics
This part of the course covers theoretical and practical issues in research ethics. Particular attention is paid to ethical considerations that are characteristic to journalism research.
Knowledge
The student:
- has knowledge of the basic design of a research project
- is aware of the elements involved in the preparation of a small-scale research project
Skills
The student:
- can write a proposal for a small-scale research project
- can assess and make preliminary judgments of potential ethical dilemmas expected to arise in a research project
General competence
The student:
- is able to prepare a small-scale research project, practically and theoretically
Website
A Guide to Internet Research Ethics
The Norwegian National Research Ethics Committees, Forskningsetikk, 2019,
View online
Website
Guidelines for Research Ethics in the Social Sciences and the Humanities
The National Committee for Research Ethics, Forskningsetikk, 2022,
Oppdatert fra 2016 retningslinjene som kan lastes ned her: https://www.forskningsetikk.no/ressurser/publikasjoner/guidelines-social-sciences-humanities-law-and-theology/
View online
Book
Writing your master's thesis : from A to Zen
Nygaard, Lynn P., Los Angeles, California, SAGE, xviii, 203 sider, 2017, isbn:978-1-4739-0392-0; 978-1-4739-0393-7,
Book
The student's guide to research ethics
Oliver, Paul, Maidenhead, Open University Press, XII, 180 s., 2010, isbn:9780335237975,
Book
Writing your thesis
Oliver, Paul, London, Sage, xi, 229 s., 2014, isbn:978-1-4462-6784-4,
Book
Developing effective research proposals
Punch, Keith F., London, SAGE, 186 sider, [2016]; © 2016, isbn:9781473916371; 9781473916388,
Book
Competing loyalties : journalism culture in the Ethiopian state media
Terje S. Skjerdal (1972-), Universitetet i Oslo Det humanistiske fakultet (eksamenssted), Oslo, University of Oslo, Faculty of Humanities, 294, 2012,
Pp. 75–98. Finnes digitalt: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Terje-Skjerdal/publication/284733409_Competing_loyalties_Journalism_culture_in_the_Ethiopian_state_media/links/5658ee5708aeafc2aac33b88/Competing-loyalties-Journalism-culture-in-the-Ethiopian-state-media.pdf?origin=publication_detail
Compulsory components
All lectures in the introductory week of GJ 321 are compulsory, which, according to NLA regulation, means at least 80% attendance. The requirement of attendance is set to avoid excessive resources spent on individual follow-up at the subsequent stage when the actual MA thesis project begins. It is also compulsory for the students to attend the session where he/she is required to respond to other students’ thesis proposal drafts. The student must submit an MA research proposal within the announced due date towards the end of the course.
Assessment
The assessment of GJ 321 comprises of one compulsory item: Submission of MA research proposal (pass or failure).
The submission date is final. The proposal will be assessed by the programme¿s Academic Committee and be given a pass or failure grade. In the case of failure, the student will be given a report outlining what needs to be improved in order to bring the proposal up to an acceptable standard. Two resubmissions are allowed. The proposal must obtain a passing grade before the student is assigned an advisor for the MA project (GJ 322/323). The proposal must follow the directions outlined in the Guidelines for the master’s thesis in Global Journalism at NLA. The proposal must be written in either English or a Scandinavian language. If the student’s proposal is not approved after the mentioned three attempts, the student will have lost his/her right to sign up for the course again.
- 3GJ303 Research Methodology
- In addition, as the main rule, 60 ECTS credits must have been completed (i.e. the first year of the programme). Exceptions to this rule may only be made in circumstances where minor parts are missing.
GJ 321-1: Preparing a research proposal
The student is introduced to the preparation and writing of a research proposal, with a particular view on the MA thesis proposal. The students will work both individually and in response seminars with their proposals. An important part of the research proposal process is to arrive at an appropriate method for the project, thus drawing directly on the material covered in GJ 303 Research Methodology. A submission date will be given for the final proposal to be handed in at the end of the course.
GJ 321-2: Working with theory in a research project
This part of the course focuses on how theory becomes an integrated part of a research project, both at the planning stage, fieldwork stage, and writing stage. Students are urged to use knowledge from this part of the course when preparing their research proposal. Material covered in all previous courses in the programme is potentially applicable as theoretical points of departure for the project.
GJ 321-3: How to do field research
This is a practically oriented part of the course advising students how to prepare and carry out field research. Various methods from GJ 303 are revisited from a practical point of view, discussing items such as to how to conduct fieldwork interviews, how to get in touch with respondents, how to obtain a research certificate, and how to save the project when everything seems to fall apart. Particular attention is paid to the many troubles which may occur when crossing cultural and national boundaries, which are inherent to many research projects in Global Journalism. Instructors will draw from their own research experience in this part of the course.
GJ 321-4: Writing an MA thesis
This part of the course focuses on how to write a research report, with a particular view on the MA thesis. Items covered are organization of the thesis, style, argumentation, clarity of speech, plagiarism, working with statistics, and more.
GJ 321-5: Research ethics
This part of the course covers theoretical and practical issues in research ethics. Particular attention is paid to ethical considerations that are characteristic to journalism research.
Knowledge
The student:
- has knowledge of the basic design of a research project
- is aware of the elements involved in the preparation of a small-scale research project
Skills
The student:
- can write a proposal for a small-scale research project
- can assess and make preliminary judgments of potential ethical dilemmas expected to arise in a research project
General competence
The student:
- is able to prepare a small-scale research project, practically and theoretically
Total reading: 896 pp.
- National Committees for Research Ethics in Norway (2016) Guidelines for research ethics in the social sciences, humanities, law and theology. Available from https://www.etikkom.no/globalassets/documents/english-publications/60127_fek_guidelines_nesh_digital_corr.pdf. (40 pp)
- National Committees for Research Ethics in Norway (2019) A guide to Internet research ethics. Available from: https://www.etikkom.no/globalassets/documents/publikasjoner-som-pdf/forskningsetisk-veileder-for-internettforskning/a-guide-to-internet-research-ethics.pdf (20 pp)
- Nygaard, Lynn P. (2017) Writing your master’s thesis: From A to Zen. London: Sage (194 pp)
- Oliver, Paul (2010) The student’s guide to research ethics (2nd ed.). Maidenhead: Open University Press. (178 pp)
- Oliver, Paul (2014) Writing your thesis (3rd ed.). London: Sage. (248 pp)
- Punch, Keith F. (2016) Developing effective research proposals (3rd ed.). London: Sage. (192 pp)
- Skjerdal, Terje (2013) Competing loyalties: Journalism culture in the Ethiopian state media. PhD dissertation, University of Oslo. Pp. 75-98. (24 pp)
Compulsory components
All lectures in the introductory week of GJ 321 are compulsory, which, according to NLA regulation, means at least 80% attendance. The requirement of attendance is set to avoid excessive resources spent on individual follow-up at the subsequent stage when the actual MA thesis project begins. It is also compulsory for the students to attend the session where he/she is required to respond to other students’ thesis proposal drafts. The student must submit an MA research proposal within the announced due date towards the end of the course.
Assessment
The assessment of GJ 321 comprises of one compulsory item: Submission of MA research proposal (pass or failure).
The submission date is final. The proposal will be assessed by the programme¿s Academic Committee and be given a pass or failure grade. In the case of failure, the student will be given a report outlining what needs to be improved in order to bring the proposal up to an acceptable standard. Two resubmissions are allowed. The proposal must obtain a passing grade before the student is assigned an advisor for the MA project (GJ 322/323). The proposal must follow the directions outlined in the Guidelines for the master’s thesis in Global Journalism at NLA. The proposal must be written in either English or a Scandinavian language. If the student’s proposal is not approved after the mentioned three attempts, the student will have lost his/her right to sign up for the course again.
- 3GJ303 Research Methodology
- In addition, as the main rule, 60 ECTS credits must have been completed (i.e. the first year of the programme). Exceptions to this rule may only be made in circumstances where minor parts are missing.
GJ 321-1: Preparing a research proposal
The student is introduced to the preparation and writing of a research proposal, with a particular view on the MA thesis proposal. The students will work both in groups and individually with their proposals. An important part of the research proposal process is to arrive at an appropriate method for the project, thus drawing directly on the material covered in GJ 303 Research Methodology. A submission date will be given for the final proposal to be handed in at the end of the course.
GJ 321-2: Working with theory in a research project
This part of the course focuses on how theory becomes an integrated part of a research project, both at the planning stage, fieldwork stage, and writing stage. Students are urged to use knowledge from this part of the course when preparing their research proposal. Material covered in all previous courses in the programme is potentially applicable as theoretical points of departure for the project.
GJ 321-3: How to do field research
This is a practically oriented part of the course advising students how to prepare and carry out field research. Various methods from GJ 303 are revisited from a practical point of view, discussing items such as to how to conduct fieldwork interviews, how to get in touch with respondents, how to obtain a research certificate, and how to save the project when everything seems to fall apart. Particular attention is paid to the many troubles which may occur when crossing cultural and national boundaries, which are inherent to many research projects in Global Journalism. Instructors will draw from their own research experience in this part of the course.
GJ 321-4: Writing an MA thesis
This part of the course focuses on how to write a research report, with a particular view on the MA thesis. Items covered are organization of the thesis, style, argumentation, clarity of speech, plagiarism, working with statistics, and more.
GJ 321-5: Research ethics
This part of the course covers theoretical and practical issues in research ethics. Particular attention is paid to ethical considerations that are characteristic to journalism research.
Knowledge
The student:
- has knowledge of the basic design of a research project
- is aware of the elements involved in the preparation of a small-scale research project
Skills
The student:
- can write a proposal for a small-scale research project
- can assess and make preliminary judgments of potential ethical dilemmas expected to arise in a research project
General competence
The student:
- is able to prepare a small-scale research project, practically and theoretically
Total reading: 876 pp.
- National Committees for Research Ethics in Norway (2016) Guidelines for research ethics in the social sciences, humanities, law and theology. Available from https://www.etikkom.no/globalassets/documents/english-publications/60127_fek_guidelines_nesh_digital_corr.pdf. (40 pp)
- Nygaard, Lynn P. (2017) Writing your master’s thesis: From A to Zen. London: Sage (194 pp)
- Oliver, Paul (2010) The student’s guide to research ethics (2nd ed.). Maidenhead: Open University Press. (178 pp)
- Oliver, Paul (2014) Writing your thesis (3rd ed.). London: Sage. (248 pp)
- Punch, Keith F. (2016) Developing effective research proposals (3rd ed.). London: Sage. (192 pp)
- Skjerdal, Terje (2013) Competing loyalties: Journalism culture in the Ethiopian state media. PhD dissertation, University of Oslo. Pp. 75-98. (24 pp)
Compulsory components
All lectures in GJ 321 are compulsory, although 25 % absence is allowed in cases of illness and other extraordinary circumstances. The requirement of attendance is set to avoid excessive resources spent on individual follow-up at the subsequent stage when the actual MA thesis project begins. Consultation with a preliminary advisor is compulsory as well (cf. GJ 321¿1), as is the submission of an MA research proposal within the announced due date towards the end of the course.
Assessment
The assessment of GJ 321 comprises of one compulsory item:
- Submission of MA research proposal (pass or failure)
The submission date is final. The proposal will be assessed by the programme¿s Academic Committee and be given a pass or failure grade. In the case of failure, the student will be given a report outlining what needs to be improved in order to bring the proposal up to an acceptable standard. Two resubmissions are allowed. The proposal must obtain a passing grade before the student is assigned an advisor for the MA project (GJ 322/323). The proposal must follow the directions outlined in the Manual for MA Thesis Proposal for NLA¿s MA Programme in Global Journalism. The proposal must be written in either English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.
- 3GJ303 Research Methodology
- In addition, as the main rule, 60 ECTS credits must be completed (i.e. the first year of the programme).
GJ 321-1: Preparing a research proposal
The student is introduced to the preparation and writing of a research proposal, with a particular view on the MA thesis proposal. The students will work both in groups and individually with their proposals. Each student will meet with a preliminary advisor during the process. An important part of the research proposal process is to arrive at an appropriate method for the project, thus drawing directly on the material covered in GJ 303 Research Methodology. A submission date will be given for the final proposal to be handed in at the end of the course.
Reading:
- No particular reading is presented for this part of the course, but the students will be acquainted with the standard format for writing an MA research proposal in the Global Journalism programme. Examples of research proposals will be used in the instruction.
GJ 321-2: Working with theory in a research project
This part of the course focuses on how theory becomes an integrated part of a research project, both at the planning stage, fieldwork stage, and writing stage. Students are urged to use knowledge from this part of the course when preparing their research proposal. Material covered in all previous courses in the programme is potentially applicable as theoretical points of departure for the project.
Reading:
- No particular reading is presented for this part of the course, but a series of examples will be used from the existing scholarship.
GJ 321-3: How to do field research
This is a practically oriented part of the course advising students how to prepare and carry out field research. Various methods from GJ 303 are revisited from a practical point of view, discussing items such as to how to conduct fieldwork interviews, how to get in touch with respondents, how to obtain a research certificate, and how to save the project when everything seems to fall apart. Particular attention is paid to the many troubles which may occur when crossing cultural and national boundaries, which are inherent to many research projects in Global Journalism. Instructors will draw from their own research experience in this part of the course.
GJ 321-4: Writing an MA thesis
This part of the course focuses on how to write a research report, with a particular view on the MA thesis. Items covered are organization of the thesis, style, argumentation, clarity of speech, plagiarism, working with statistics, and more. Instruction of how to use the analytics software SPSS will be offered for students who intend to use it in their project.
GJ 321-5: Research ethics
This part of the course covers theoretical and practical issues in research ethics. Particular attention is paid to ethical considerations that are characteristic to journalism research.
Knowledge
The student:
- has knowledge of the basic design of a research project
- is aware of the elements involved in the preparation of a small-scale research project
Skills
The student:
- can write a proposal for a small-scale research project
- can assess and make preliminary judgments of potential ethical dilemmas expected to arise with a planned small-scale research project
General competence
The student:
- is able to prepare a small-scale research project, practically and theoretically
Revised May 2019
Nygaard, Lynn P. (2017) Writing your master’s thesis: From A to Zen. London: Sage (194 pp.)
- Oliver, Paul (2010) The student’s guide to research ethics (2nd ed.). Maidenhead: Open University Press. (178 pp.)
- Skjerdal, Terje (2013) Competing loyalties: Journalism culture in the Ethiopian state media. PhD dissertation, University of Oslo. Pp. 75–98.
Total reading: 396 pp.
Compulsory components
All lectures in GJ 321 are compulsory, although 25 % absence is allowed in cases of illness and other extraordinary circumstances. The requirement of attendance is set to avoid excessive resources spent on individual follow-up at the subsequent stage when the actual MA thesis project begins. Consultation with a preliminary advisor is compulsory as well (cf. GJ 321¿1), as is the submission of an MA research proposal within the announced due date towards the end of the course.
Assessment
The assessment of GJ 321 comprises of one compulsory item:
- Submission of MA research proposal (pass or failure)
The submission date is final. The proposal will be assessed by the programme¿s Academic Committee and be given a pass or failure grade. In the case of failure, the student will be given a report outlining what needs to be improved in order to bring the proposal up to an acceptable standard. Two resubmissions are allowed. The proposal must obtain a passing grade before the student is assigned an advisor for the MA project (GJ 322/323). The proposal must follow the directions outlined in the Manual for MA Thesis Proposal for NLA¿s MA Programme in Global Journalism. The proposal must be written in either English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.
- 3GJ303 Research Methodology
- In addition, as the main rule, 60 ECTS credits must be completed (i.e. the first year of the programme).
GJ 321-1: Preparing a research proposal
The student is introduced to the preparation and writing of a research proposal, with a particular view on the MA thesis proposal. The students will work both in groups and individually with their proposals. Each student will meet with a preliminary advisor during the process. An important part of the research proposal process is to arrive at an appropriate method for the project, thus drawing directly on the material covered in GJ 303 Research Methodology. A submission date will be given for the final proposal to be handed in at the end of the course.
GJ 321-2: Working with theory in a research project
This part of the course focuses on how theory becomes an integrated part of a research project, both at the planning stage, fieldwork stage, and writing stage. Students are urged to use knowledge from this part of the course when preparing their research proposal. Material covered in all previous courses in the programme is potentially applicable as theoretical points of departure for the project.
GJ 321-3: How to do field research
This is a practically oriented part of the course advising students how to prepare and carry out field research. Various methods from GJ 303 are revisited from a practical point of view, discussing items such as to how to conduct fieldwork interviews, how to get in touch with respondents, how to obtain a research certificate, and how to save the project when everything seems to fall apart. Particular attention is paid to the many troubles which may occur when crossing cultural and national boundaries, which are inherent to many research projects in Global Journalism. Instructors will draw from their own research experience in this part of the course.
GJ 321-4: Writing an MA thesis
This part of the course focuses on how to write a research report, with a particular view on the MA thesis. Items covered are organization of the thesis, style, argumentation, clarity of speech, plagiarism, working with statistics, and more. Instruction of how to use the analytics software SPSS will be offered for students who intend to use it in their project.
GJ 321-5: Research ethics
This part of the course covers theoretical and practical issues in research ethics. Particular attention is paid to ethical considerations that are characteristic to journalism research.
Knowledge
The student:
- has knowledge of the basic design of a research project
- is aware of the elements involved in the preparation of a small-scale research project
Skills
The student:
- can write a proposal for a small-scale research project
- can assess and make preliminary judgments of potential ethical dilemmas expected to arise with a planned small-scale research project
General competence
The student:
- is able to prepare a small-scale research project, practically and theoretically
GJ 321-1: Preparing a research proposal
Reading:
- No particular reading is presented for this part of the course, but the students will be acquainted with the standard format for writing an MA research proposal in the Global Journalism programme. Examples of research proposals will be used in the instruction.
GJ 321-2: Working with theory in a research project
Reading:
- No particular reading is presented for this part of the course, but a series of examples will be used from the existing scholarship.
GJ 321-3: How to do field research
Reading:
- Skjerdal, Terje (2013) Competing loyalties: Journalism culture in the Ethiopian state media. PhD dissertation, University of Oslo. Pp. 75-98.
GJ 303- 4: Writing an MA thesis
Reading:
- Nygaard, Lynn P. (2008) Writing for scholars: A practical guide to making sense and being heard. Oslo: Universitetsforlaget. (182 pp.)
Alternatively:
- Berry, Ralph (2013) The research project: How to write it (6th ed.). New York: Taylor & Francis. (136 pp.)
GJ 303- 5: Research ethics
Reading:
- Oliver, Paul (2010) The student¿s guide to research ethics (2nd ed.). Maidenhead: Open University Press. (178 pp.)
Compulsory components
All lectures in GJ 321 are compulsory, although 25 % absence is allowed in cases of illness and other extraordinary circumstances. The requirement of attendance is set to avoid excessive resources spent on individual follow-up at the subsequent stage when the actual MA thesis project begins. Consultation with a preliminary advisor is compulsory as well (cf. GJ 321¿1), as is the submission of an MA research proposal within the announced due date towards the end of the course.
Assessment
The assessment of GJ 321 comprises of one compulsory item:
- Submission of MA research proposal (pass or failure)
The submission date is final. The proposal will be assessed by the programme¿s Academic Committee and be given a pass or failure grade. In the case of failure, the student will be given a report outlining what needs to be improved in order to bring the proposal up to an acceptable standard. Two resubmissions are allowed. The proposal must obtain a passing grade before the student is assigned an advisor for the MA project (GJ 322/323). The proposal must follow the directions outlined in the Manual for MA Thesis Proposal for NLA¿s MA Programme in Global Journalism. The proposal must be written in either English, Norwegian, Swedish or Danish.
- 3GJ303 Research Methodology
- In addition, as the main rule, 60 ECTS credits must be completed (i.e. the first year of the programme).
GJ 321-1: Preparing a research proposal
The student is introduced to the preparation and writing of a research proposal, with a particular view on the MA thesis proposal. The students will work both in groups and individually with their proposals. Each student will meet with a preliminary advisor during the process. An important part of the research proposal process is to arrive at an appropriate method for the project, thus drawing directly on the material covered in GJ 303 Research Methodology. A submission date will be given for the final proposal to be handed in at the end of the course.
GJ 321-2: Working with theory in a research project
This part of the course focuses on how theory becomes an integrated part of a research project, both at the planning stage, fieldwork stage, and writing stage. Students are urged to use knowledge from this part of the course when preparing their research proposal. Material covered in all previous courses in the programme is potentially applicable as theoretical points of departure for the project.
GJ 321-3: How to do field research
This is a practically oriented part of the course advising students how to prepare and carry out field research. Various methods from GJ 303 are revisited from a practical point of view, discussing items such as to how to conduct fieldwork interviews, how to get in touch with respondents, how to obtain a research certificate, and how to save the project when everything seems to fall apart. Particular attention is paid to the many troubles which may occur when crossing cultural and national boundaries, which are inherent to many research projects in Global Journalism. Instructors will draw from their own research experience in this part of the course.
GJ 321-4: Writing an MA thesis
This part of the course focuses on how to write a research report, with a particular view on the MA thesis. Items covered are organization of the thesis, style, argumentation, clarity of speech, plagiarism, working with statistics, and more. Instruction of how to use the analytics software SPSS will be offered for students who intend to use it in their project.
GJ 321-5: Research ethics
This part of the course covers theoretical and practical issues in research ethics. Particular attention is paid to ethical considerations that are characteristic to journalism research.
Knowledge
The student:
- has knowledge of the basic design of a research project
- is aware of the elements involved in the preparation of a small-scale research project
Skills
The student:
- can write a proposal for a small-scale research project
- can assess and make preliminary judgments of potential ethical dilemmas expected to arise with a planned small-scale research project
General competence
The student:
- is able to prepare a small-scale research project, practically and theoretically
GJ 321-1: Preparing a research proposal
Reading:
- No particular reading is presented for this part of the course, but the students will be acquainted with the standard format for writing an MA research proposal in the Global Journalism programme. Examples of research proposals will be used in the instruction.
GJ 321-2: Working with theory in a research project
Reading:
- No particular reading is presented for this part of the course, but a series of examples will be used from the existing scholarship.
GJ 321-3: How to do field research
Reading:
- Skjerdal, Terje (2013) Competing loyalties: Journalism culture in the Ethiopian state media. PhD dissertation, University of Oslo. Pp. 75-98.
GJ 303- 4: Writing an MA thesis
Reading:
- Nygaard, Lynn P. (2008) Writing for scholars: A practical guide to making sense and being heard. Oslo: Universitetsforlaget. (182 pp.)
Alternatively:
- Berry, Ralph (2013) The research project: How to write it (6th ed.). New York: Taylor & Francis. (136 pp.)
GJ 303- 5: Research ethics
Reading:
- Oliver, Paul (2010) The student¿s guide to research ethics (2nd ed.). Maidenhead: Open University Press. (178 pp.)