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Theoretical and Methodological Background of Writing a Master's Thesis
Study Course Description
Course Description Statuss:Approved
Course Description Version:7.00
Study Course Accepted:26.02.2024 11:43:16
| Study Course Information | |||||||||
| Course Code: | VPUPK_301 | LQF level: | Level 7 | ||||||
| Credit Points: | 4.00 | ECTS: | 6.00 | ||||||
| Branch of Science: | Psychology | Target Audience: | Rehabilitation | ||||||
| Study Course Supervisor | |||||||||
| Course Supervisor: | Sanita Šuriņa | ||||||||
| Study Course Implementer | |||||||||
| Structural Unit: | Department of Health Psychology and Paedagogy | ||||||||
| The Head of Structural Unit: | |||||||||
| Contacts: | Riga, 5 J. Asara Street, vppk rsu[pnkts]lv, +37167061587 | ||||||||
| Study Course Planning | |||||||||
| Full-Time - Semester No.1 | |||||||||
| Lectures (count) | 6 | Lecture Length (academic hours) | 2 | Total Contact Hours of Lectures | 12 | ||||
| Classes (count) | 6 | Class Length (academic hours) | 2 | Total Contact Hours of Classes | 12 | ||||
| Total Contact Hours | 24 | ||||||||
| Full-Time - Semester No.2 | |||||||||
| Lectures (count) | 6 | Lecture Length (academic hours) | 2 | Total Contact Hours of Lectures | 12 | ||||
| Classes (count) | 6 | Class Length (academic hours) | 2 | Total Contact Hours of Classes | 12 | ||||
| Total Contact Hours | 24 | ||||||||
| Study course description | |||||||||
| Preliminary Knowledge: | Completed study course "Research Methodology" | ||||||||
| Objective: | To improve master students' understanding of research and the ability to conduct research within the framework of their master's thesis, to formulate the topicality of the research, the problem, and the purpose of the research; describe the theoretical basis and implementation process, the planned sample, data acquisition methods, procedures and data analysis methods; to evaluate the possible risks and threats of the planned research; describe the ethical aspects of the research. Gradually prepare master students for the development, implementation, design, presentation and defense of a research project in art therapy (in the chosen specialization), in accordance with the RSU Master's Thesis Regulations. | ||||||||
| Topic Layout (Full-Time) | |||||||||
| No. | Topic | Type of Implementation | Number | Venue | |||||
| 1 | Regulation on Writing a Master's Thesis of Rīga Stradiņš University. Stages of the Master's Thesis development. Selection of the subject and collaboration with the supervisor. Legal aspects of the Master's Thesis development. | Lectures | 2.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 2 | Formulation of the master's thesis topic according to the chosen design. Research planning. | Lectures | 4.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 3 | Master's thesis development stages planning. | Classes | 4.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 4 | Conditions for creating a literature review. | Classes | 2.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 5 | Formulation of the subject of Master's Thesis. | Classes | 2.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 6 | Ethical aspects of research | Classes | 2.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 7 | Substantiation of the topicality of the research, formulation of the problem, goal, research question / hypothesis. | Classes | 2.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 8 | Development of research method | Lectures | 2.00 | auditorium | |||||
| 9 | Data acquisition and data analysis methods | Lectures | 4.00 | auditorium | |||||
| Assessment | |||||||||
| Unaided Work: | Conduct the search, selection and analysis of the literature, which is appropriate for the study subject, and develop their study draft, including the substantiation of the study, the bibliography and detailed description of study methodology; evaluate the possible risks of the planned study; characterise the ethical aspects of the study; and present the project. Completed study course evaluation questionnaire. | ||||||||
| Assessment Criteria: | Semester test (pass/fail) at the end of the 3rd semester (1st semester of this study course). Development of research project and its presentation. Pass/fail, consisting of the following criteria: 1) Project presentation in 7 minutes according to the structure laid down below; discussion, 2) Visual and verbal aspect of the presentation, 3) Written version of the project, printed out and approved with signature by the supervisor of the project. Structure of the project to be handed in in written and to be presented: 1. Title page 2. Structure of the presentation 3. Topicality and problem 4. Goal and tasks 5. Research question(s)/hypotheses 6. Outline of the theoretical part of the thesis: definitions of the central concepts 7. Method: Sample 8. Method: Measurements 9. Method: Procedure 10. Method: Data analysis 11. Prognosticated results 12. Ethical assumptions 13. Risks and threats 14. Timeline 15. Bibliography Oral exam at the end of the 4th semester (2nd semester of this study course). Development of research project and its presentation. Pass/fail, consisting of the following criteria: 1) Project presentation in 7 minutes according to the structure laid down below; discussion, 2) Visual and verbal aspect of the presentation, 3) Written version of the project, printed out and approved with signature by the supervisor of the project. Structure of the project to be handed in in written and to be presented: 1. Title page 2. Structure of the presentation 3. Topicality and problem 4. Goal and tasks 5. Research question(s)/hypotheses 6. Theoretical part of the thesis 7. Method: Sample 8. Method: Measurements 9. Method: Procedure 10. Method: Data analysis 11. Prognosticated results 12. Ethical assumptions 13. Risks and threats 14. Bibliography According to RSU Study Regulations I 3.9. point, class attendance is mandatory and is recorded. | ||||||||
| Final Examination (Full-Time): | Exam (Oral) | ||||||||
| Final Examination (Part-Time): | |||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | |||||||||
| Knowledge: | Comprehend, compare and critically evaluate different theoretical dispositions and study results in relation to the study subject; comprehend the requirements of the development of Master's Thesis. | ||||||||
| Skills: | Formulate the problematic issues of the research; pursuant to the subject, select and critically evaluate the sources of literature; substantiate the topicality and problem of the study, formulate the aim and question(s)/ hypothesis (hypotheses) of the study; choose the methodology of the study that is suitable for the study aim pursuant to the ethical norms in the study; describe the planned data analysis methods; and evaluate the risks and hazards of the potential study. | ||||||||
| Competencies: | Independently plans research in art therapy (in the chosen specialization) in accordance with the basic principles and ethical norms of the research, according to the chosen topic, prepares the theoretical and methodological part of the research and presents it. | ||||||||
| Bibliography | |||||||||
| No. | Reference | ||||||||
| Required Reading | |||||||||
| 1 | Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.). (2021). Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra perspektīva. Rīga: RSU | ||||||||
| 2 | Mārtinsone, K., Šneidere, K. (2020). Metodiskie norādījumi maģistra darbu izstrādei RSU psiholoģijas, mākslu terapijas un supervīzijas studiju programmās. Rīga: RSU | ||||||||
| 3 | Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A. (red.). (2019). Zinātniskā rakstīšana un pētījumu rezultātu izplatīšana (otrais, papildinātais izdevums). Rīga: RSU | ||||||||
| Additional Reading | |||||||||
| 1 | Ansdell, G., Pavlicevic, M. (2001). Beginning Research in the Arts Therapies. London: Jessica Kingsley. | ||||||||
| 2 | Gilroy, A. (2006). Art Therapy, Research and Evidence Based Practice. London: SAGE | ||||||||
| 3 | Guest, G., Namely, E. E. & Mitchell, M. L. (2013) Collecting Qualitative Data: A Field Manual for Applied Research. Los Angeles: SAGE. | ||||||||
| 4 | Leech, Nancy L. IBM SPSS for intermediate statistics : use and interpretation / Nancy L. Leech, Karen C. Barrett, and George A. Morgan. 5th edition. New York, NY : Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2015 | ||||||||
| 5 | Kapitan, L. (2010). Introduction to Art Therapy Research. 2nd Edition. Routledge | ||||||||
| 6 | Mārtinsone K., Krevica E. (sast.). (2014) Mākslu terapijas dažādām kientu/ pacientu grupām. Rakstu krājums. Rīga: RSU. | ||||||||
| 7 | Mārtinsone, K. (2010). (Sast.). Pētījumi mākslu terapijā. Rīga: Drukātava. | ||||||||
| 8 | Raščevska M. (2005). Psiholoģisko testu un aptauju konstruēšana un adaptācija. Rīga: Raka. | ||||||||
| 9 | Мартинсоне К. (Ред.). (2014) Искусствотерапия. Пер. с латыш. А. Карповой. СПб. Речь. | ||||||||
| 10 | Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A., Kamerāde, D. (red.). 2016. Pētniecība: teorija un prakse. Rīga: RaKa. | ||||||||
| 11 | Kroplijs A., Raščevska M. (2010). Kvalitatīvās pētniecības metodes sociālajās zinātnēs. Rīga: Raka. | ||||||||
| 12 | Creswell, J. W. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. London: SAGE. | ||||||||
| Other Information Sources | |||||||||
| 1 | Datu bāzes: Clinical Key; Cochrane Library; DynaMed Plus; Ebrarye Books; EBSCO; OVID; ProQuest; PubMed; SAGE Publications; ScienceDirect; Scopus; Web of Science; Wiley Online Library; PsychInfo | ||||||||
| 2 | American Journal of Dance Therapy | ||||||||
| 3 | Art Therapy: Journal of the American Art Therapy Association | ||||||||
| 4 | Body, Movement and Dance in Psychotherapy | ||||||||
| 5 | Drama Review | ||||||||
| 6 | Drama therapy | ||||||||
| 7 | International Journal of Art Therapy | ||||||||
| 8 | International Journal of Arts Medicine | ||||||||
| 9 | Narrative Inquiry | ||||||||
| 10 | The Arts in Psychotherapy | ||||||||
| 11 | The Canadian Art Therapy Association Journal | ||||||||
