Masterthesis

9 ECTS credits
270 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4022334ENR for all students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.

Semester

1st and 2nd semester

Enrollment based on exam contract

Impossible

Grading method

Grading (scale from 0 to 20)

Can retake in second session

Yes

Taught in

Dutch

Faculty

Multidisciplinary Institute for Teacher Education

Department

Multidisciplinary Institute for Teacher Education

Educational team

Iris Stiers
Inge Bogaert
Vicky Willegems
Promotor . (course titular)

Activities and contact hours

12 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
258 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study

Course Content

Purpose

In the educational master of 60 credits, the focus is on improving the quality of the school en classroom practice by developing inquiry as a stance. Previous acquired research competences are deployed and transferred to the educational context and complimented by relevant educational research competences.

If possible, collaborative practitioner research is carried out in a partnerschool or partner organisation where the student is part of inquiry based team. Thematically, broad educational or didactical research can be included.

With some partner schools this collaboration implies that the student participates in the collaborative structure set up in the design of ‘Onderzoekende School’. The student takes an active role in the research team during the design, execution and reporting (and communication) of the research. Several students can be part of the same research team.

Guidance

The student is supported throughout the research process by a supervisor. A concrete planning for the supervision is worked out together with the supervisor. Research seminars are set up with a focus on supporting the different steps in educational research, shaping the research plan and supporting academic writing.

Thesis

A manual with additional information can be found in the course room of this course unit.

Valorization in the educational practice

The student presents the relevant aspects of his research at a conference to external parties. Modalities of the presentation are communicated through specific guidelines in the manual.

Course material

Digital course material (Required) : Beschikbaar via Canvas
Handbook (Recommended) : Academisch schrijven tijdens de hogere opleiding, De pen is machtiger dan het zwaard, Cornelis, G., Pelckmans Pro., 9789463370608, 2017
Handbook (Recommended) : Praktijkonderzoek, Motor voor verandering van organisaties, Verdonschot, S. & Smit, M., Bohn Stafleu van Loghum, 9789031382385, 2010
Handbook (Recommended) : Praktijkonderzoek in de school, Ven der Donk, C. & Van Lanen, K, 4de druk, Coutinho, 9789046907320, 2020
Handbook (Recommended) : Bouwstenen voor onderzoek in onderwijs en opleiding, Stokking, K., Maklu, 9789044133424, 2016

Additional info

Students are expected to attend the research seminars and the coaching sessions within this module in order to prepare themselves as much as possible for practice.

Learning Outcomes

General competences

Programme specific learning outcomes

9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 20

Learning outcomes

The student develops inquiry as a stance towards school and classroom practice, and can deal constructively with feedback throughout the research process.
The student conducts high-quality (practitioner) research, preferably in a collaborative setting, contributing to the needs of the educational practice.
The student is able to reflect with others on quality guidelines and ethical principles and can apply them during the research process.
In consultation with others, the student is able to take responsibility for the entire research process and independently formulate proposals for each step of the research process (such as a targeted international literature review, an educational relevant practical question, specific research questions, best fitting methodology including a followable description of data collection and -analysis, clear reporting of results and discussion with feedback to previous research, critical reflection on own research and possible recommendations for policy and practice in education)
The student uses an attractive style of writing with respect for correct language usage (grammar, spelling...), formatting rules (structure, volume, reference style) and the rules regarding scientific integrity (no plagiarism, respect for privacy rules, rules regarding the collection and storage of data).
The student is able to collect, interpret and synthesize results of the conducted research or other related materials and make it accessible for the inquiry based team and other external partners in the educational practice with respect for the input of various stakeholders.
The student is able to manage the research process and apply appropriate communication skills (in meetings) and planning techniques during this process.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 20% of the final mark.
Other Exam determines 10% of the final mark.
Master Thesis determines 70% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Presentation with a relative weight of 20 which comprises 20% of the final mark.

Note: The student presents the relevant aspects from his research on a study day to external parties (research team, schoolteam, target audience, etc.). Modalities of the presentation will be communicated through specific guidelines.

The promotor and a supervisor from MILO determine the final score on the basis of an assessment form.

Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Permanent evaluation with a relative weight of 10 which comprises 10% of the final mark.

Note: The promotor evaluates the student's research process and provides a formative interim evaluation

Within the Master Thesis category, the following assignments need to be completed:

Masterthesis with a relative weight of 70 which comprises 70% of the final mark.

Note: The master thesis is written in the form of a popular scientific article addressed to professionals from the field.

A manual with additional information (deadlines, form of submission, assessment…) can be found in the course area (CANVAS) of this course unit.

The jury determines the final score. The jury consists of the promoter (and, if necessary, a co-supervisor) and an additional member (ZAP/OAP/external, familiar with research domain/field). The final score is the average of each judge's scores. In the event that the difference between the highest and lowest proposed rating remains more than 4/20 (20% of the rating scale), even after a discussion, an additional assessor will be appointed.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The student must obtain at least 10/20 for the Master thesis part in order to succeed for the course unit.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark

The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context