15 ECTS credits
400 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 4012421ENW for working students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.
Under guidance of the promoter, the student realises the masterthesis. The student investigates a problem within the domain of Gerontology. The scientifically based findings of this research are described by the student in a masterthesis and presented during a public defence.The masterthesis has the following sections:
1. Title
2. Summary (in Dutch and English)
3. Acknowledgments (optional)
4. Table of contents
5. Introduction (critical and relevant overview of literature)
6. Problem description
7. Research design and methodology
8. Results
9. Discussion
10. General conclusions and recommendations
11. References (according to an international standard)
12. Appendices
Lay-out: format A4; line spacing 1.4.
Length: a maximum of 6000 words (for the whole of sections 5-10)
At the start of the masterthesis, the student must submit the subject, title and approval of the supervisor to the program council via an online form. The deadline for registration is communicated via the masterthesis regulations on Canvas.
The masterthesis must be submitted online via Canvas at the latest on the last working day before May 30 (August 18 for the second examination period). In addition, the document 'Permission for disclosure' must also be submitted.
Consult the masterthesis regulations on Canvas for a detailed description of this course.
The following learning objectives are pursued:
- being able to find, process and report on relevant scientific literature;
- being able to formulate a problem, hypothesis (es), and (a) research question(s);
- being able to obtain information in an empirical way;
- being able to report, treat and discuss research results and draw conclusions;
- being able to write a report in a concise, structured manner, in correct Dutch;
- being able to defend the thesis orally.
By writing the thesis, the student proves to control the selected domain of research and to possess the ability to apply scientific methods.
This course will contribute to the role of the gerontologist as a Scientist & Researcher, as an Expert, and as a Communicator.
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:
The master thesis is evaluated based on the student's learning process, attitude during collaboration with the supervisor and the report submitted by the student.
The coordinator of the direction organizes an oral defense of each submitted final thesis. Each student should present the thesis in a maximum of 10 minutes. The presentation should mainly involve the presentation and critical discussion of the research results. After this presentation, the student will be questioned by the commissioners (jury) for about ten minutes.
The submitted master's thesis, presentation and oral defense are evaluated by the supervisor and two commissioners, appointed by the program council because of their competence in the field covered by the master's thesis. The evaluation by the promoters and commissioners of the master's thesis follows immediately after the defense and is not public.
The final evaluation occurs as follows:
- Score of the supervisor on the written report and the work process: 20%
- Score of commissioner 1 on the written report: 20%
- Score of commissioner 2 on the written report: 20%
- Score of the jury on the performance: 20%
- Score of the jury on the defense: 20%
In accordance with the OER, the student has the obligation to be able to demonstrate the authenticity of the research material. All master's theses will be screened by the plagiarism software.
Please refer to the master's thesis regulations on Canvas for a detailed description of the grading information.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of Management, Care and Policy in Gerontology: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)