6 ECTS credits
178 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 2012079BNW for working students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (B) Bachelor - 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
Enrollment Requirements
'Masterproef Gerontologie: systematische literatuurstudie en voorbereiding onderzoeksprotocol' opnemen, houdt in dat je gelijktijdig 'Onderzoeksmethodologie in de Gerontologie', ‘Kwantitatieve dataverwerking en analyse’ en ‘Kwalitatief onderzoek voor de gezondheidswetenschappen’ opneemt of dat je reeds geslaagd bent voor 'Onderzoeksmethodologie in de Gerontologie', ‘Kwantitatieve dataverwerking en analyse’ en ‘Kwalitatief onderzoek voor de gezondheidswetenschappen’.
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy
Department
Gerontology
Educational team
Ivan Bautmans (course titular)
Matthias Eggermont
Stijn De Baets
Activities and contact hours
26 contact hours Lecture
10 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
85 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

The aim of this course is to improve the knowledge, insights, skills and attitudes concerning the role of the gerontologist as a beginning researcher. This course is also a preparation for the Master Thesis.

The course is according to the principles of blended learning and consists of lectures (including flipped classrooms, knowledge clips,…), interactive lessons (response, Q&A, WPO, …) and independent work.

Lectures:
- Basic principles of systematic literature review, difference with narrative review
- Formulation of research questions using the PICO-method
- Principles, vocabularium and practical handling of PubMed, Web of Knowledge and PsychINFO
- Critically appraising scientific literature
- researchdesigns, data-analysis, implications for research proposal
- Setting up scientific research, ethical considerations, sample size calculation


Work sessions:
- workshops during which the students elaborate tasks in the context of a systematic literature review and research proposal.
- Students exchange their findings in literature research and the writing of a research proposal
- students learn to make a ppt-presentation concerning a literature review and a research proposal

Tasks for at home:
- Students elaborat a systematic literature review and a research proposal under supervidion of their promotor and the tutor
- Students prepare the lectures and work sessions using a self-study guideline available on the dedicated interface for this course on the online learning platform of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel

Additional info

Materials (text, templates, guidelines) will by available on the dedicated interface for this course on the online learning platform of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

The student is able to:
- determine a relevant gerontological/geriatric research problem or study goal and translate it into a research question;
- search for relevant scientific and international literature and make a critical appraisal of it;
- interprete the relevant literature from a gerontological/geriatric view and report on it;
- translate the objective into a concrete research proposal.

 

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Master Thesis determines 100% of the final mark.

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

  • Systematische Review with a relative weight of 50 which comprises 50% of the final mark.
  • Onderzoeksprotocol with a relative weight of 50 which comprises 50% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

At the beginning of the academic year, the themes for master's theses are presented by the supervisors. Ideally the student selects a theme from this list and gets in touch with the supervisor for substantive supervision.


Deadlines and assessment of the first examination period:

  • First week after the winter holidays (exact date see Canvas): submission of the preliminary version of the systematic literature research via the telelearning platform; this is provided of a score and feedback from the supervisor. The supervisor assesses the manuscript and the process. This assessment counts towards 1/8 of the final grade. If no manuscript is submitted, the asessment is automatically scored 0/20.
  • First week after the spring break (exact date see Canvas): submitting the preliminary version of the research protocol via the telelearning platform. This is provided of a score and feedback from the supervisor. This assessment counts for 1/8 of the final grade. If no manuscript is submitted the assessment is automatically scored 0/20.
  • First day of the pre-exam study week of the second examination period:
    • Submit final version of the systematic review, research protocol and a valid GCP certificate via the telelearning platform.
    • During the examination period, the student presents the systematic review and the research protocol by the means of a power-point presentation (max. 2 x 5 minutes). The presentation and final manuscripts are assessed by the lecturer or OAP, these assessments count for 3/4 of the final grade.
    • Formative assessment: submitting a valid GCP certificate (present/absent).

 

Deadlines and assessment of the second examination period:

  • First day of the start of the second examination period:
    • The student submits paper(s) regarding the systematic literature review and/or the research protocol. The supervisor assesses the manuscript and the process (cfr first examination period, this assessment counts for 1/8 of the final grade per part).
    • The student submits a valid GCP certificate.
    • If the student submits a revised manuscript in the second examination period, it must be accompanied by a clear overview in which point-by-point the changes made will be specified and motivated.
    • During the examination period, the student presents the systematic review and/or the research protocol by means of a power-point presentation (max. 2 x 5 minutes). The presentation and the manuscripts will be assessed by the lecturer or OAP, this assessment counts for 3/4 of the final grade.
    • Formative assessment: submitting a valid GCP certificate (present/absent).

 

Important information regarding both examination periods:
In order to pass this subject, the student must score sufficiently on both the systematic review (total score teacher + score supervisor = at least 10/20) and on the research protocol (total score teacher + score promoter = at least 10/20) individually. In case of an insufficient on either part, the final grade will be the lowest partial grade. Students can only pass if they meet both the summative and formative part.

 

 

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

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bridging Programme Master of Science in Management, Care and Policy in Gerontology: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Preparatory Programme Master of Science in Management, Care and Policy in Gerontology: Default track (only offered in Dutch)