Preparation of a thesis proposal/preliminary thesis research. Normally taken by students in the papers year for a Master’s degree by papers and thesis.
A master's degree in Psychology prepares students for careers in research or policy. A postgraduate degree, such as a master's in Psychology, is also an essential step in becoming a registered psychologist, which would require additional professional training. PSYC 495 forms the foundation for the two-year master's programme by establishing basic skills in critically analysing the research literature and conducting psychological research. PSYC 495 also entails presenting a research design and writing a research proposal.
| Paper title | Master's Thesis Preparation |
|---|---|
| Paper code | PSYC495 |
| Subject | Psychology |
| EFTS | 0.3333 |
| Points | 40 points |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1
(On campus)
Semester 2 (On campus) Full Year (On campus) 1st Non standard period (10 July 2023 - 19 June 2024) (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $3,309.34 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Limited to
- MA, MSc
- Notes
- Admission requires an average grade of at least B+ in 300-level PSYC papers and satisfactory performance in PSYC311.
- Eligibility
- Entry into Psychology 400-level normally requires a major in Psychology, a B+ average or higher in Psychology 300-level papers, and a pass in PSYC 311 Quantitative Methods. We highly recommend that students have completed PSYC 310. Students from other universities must show evidence of an equivalent level of competence.
- Contact
PSYC 495 Co-ordinator: Associate Professor Richard Linscott - richard.linscott@otago.ac.nz
- More information link
- View more information on the Department of Psychology's website
- Teaching staff
PSYC 495 Co-ordinator: Associate Professor Richard Linscott
- Paper Structure
The primary objective of this paper is to help students get started on their master's thesis, which students complete in the second year of the course. By the end of the first semester of the first year, students decide on a topic and a basic design for their research with the help of their supervisor. By the end of the second semester of the first year, students complete a comprehensive literature review for their topic and write a research proposal. There are two assessment components in this paper. Near the end of the first semester, students present their topic and preliminary research design to the rest of the students enrolled in PSYC 495 (20% of mark). At the end of the second semester, students submit a research proposal on their thesis project to their supervisor and to the PSYC 495 co-ordinator. The supervisor and a second examiner mark students' proposals independently, and these marks are averaged to obtain the final assessment (80% of mark).
- Teaching Arrangements
Individual meetings with research supervisor.
- Textbooks
- Textbooks are not required for this paper.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Ethics, Information
literacy, Research, Self-motivation, Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete the paper will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of a research area
- Demonstrate understanding of psychological methods and analysis
- Apply psychological knowledge to larger issues
- Communicate results in oral and written forms
