Study Guide

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- plan, carry out and evaluate a health care development project within a given timeframe by applying appropriate methods
- manage and transform work contexts that are complex, unpredictable and require new strategic approaches
- identify and formulate problems and solutions critically, independently and creatively
- use the specialised problem solving skills required in research and innovation in order to develop new procedures and knowledge and to integrate knowledge from different fields
- take responsibility for contributing to professional practice and knowledge
- carry out and manage project tasks, take initiatives, adopt a developmental approach to work and initiate and implement change processes

Teaching methods

Thesis guidance takes place in workshops and seminars which facilitates students’ learning. Online tasks, e-tivities, support the thesis process. Workshops and seminars are key methods and settings, in which professional development is realized. High quality thesis process requires active participation and involvement in workshops and seminars, as well as implementation of evidence. During the thesis process, the student demonstrates extensive understanding and implementation of ethical and legal guidelines and regulations. Before publication of the thesis report, the originality of the thesis will be analyzed by using the originality check in accordance with the Laurea UAS quality guidelines.

Location and time

Thesis workshops:
20th Jan -22 9-16.30 online thesis kick-off and start of research methods study unit by introduction and data search work shop by MSc Monika Chech 2:00 - 4:30 P.M.
22th Jan -22 9-16.30: SPSS-workshop on Tikkurila Campus
9th Feb -22 at 14-18 online;
9th March -22 at 14 -18 online;
6th April -22 at 14 -18: Possible presentations of thesis plans online;
12th May -22 at 9-16.30: Possible presentations of thesis plans online

Autumn workshop times will be informed in January 2022.

Grading scale

H-5

Evaluation methods and criteria

Thesis evaluation criteria

The quality requirements of the University of Applied Sciences Master’s degree thesis comply with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and the European Qualifications Framework (EQF). The thesis is evaluated from the perspective of three dimensions: workplace development, research-orientated approach, as well as independence and creativity:

Workplace development:
• workplace orientation
• cooperation with workplaces
• management of the development process and methods
• applicability of the results to workplaces

Research orientated approach:
• research-orientated settings
• knowledge basis of the thesis
• application of research methods
• reporting

Independence and creativity:
• independence and responsibility of the thesis process
• creativity and problem-solving preparedness
• independent thinking
• innovative or expanded transferability of the thesis results.

The thesis is evaluated by the supervisor and another teacher. A workplace representative may also assess the applicability of the thesis. The student receives a written opinion on their thesis, prepared jointly by the teachers who evaluated the thesis.

Evaluation criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Satisfactory (1–2): Workplace development:

1) Workplace orientation: The objective of the thesis promotes workplace development..
Workplace cooperation: The workplace has been involved in the thesis process.
Development process and method management: Documentation of the development work describes the progress made in the development activities.
Usability of the results in the workplace: The objective of the thesis promotes workplace development. The thesis presents development proposals.

2) Research orientated approach
Research orientated setting: Research oriented settings that support development have been used in the thesis.
Theoretical framework:The thesis has a theoretical framework that provides background for the research and development activity. The thesis uses essential literature on the topic.
Use of research methods: Methodological choices are justified and compatible with the topic. The author has a command of the methods used.
Reporting: The thesis is a comprehensive whole. The report complies with Lau- rea guidelines and has been written in appropriate style.

3) Independence and creativity:
Level of independence and responsibility in the thesis process: The thesis is a work that is produced independently by the student.
Creativity and problem-solving preparedness: The thesis shows a command of problem solving skills required in practical development work as well as an ability to work in versatile and unanticipated development environments that may require new strategic approaches.
Independent thinking: The results and their importance have been discussed in light of existing research data.
Newness or more extensive transferability of the results: The thesis discusses the transferability of the results.

Evaluation criteria, good (3-4)

Workplace development: The objective of the thesis promotes workplace development.

Workplace orientation:


Workplace cooperation



Development process and method management

Usability of the results in the workplace

Usability of the results in the workplace

Evaluation criteria, excellent (5)

Workplace orientation: The objective of the thesis substantially promotes workplace development with a focus on the future; the thesis’ premise is a clear vision of developing the workplace in a way that relates to the topic of the thesis.
Workplace development
Workplace cooperation: Cooperation with the workplace and other actors has been close and interactive throughout the process.

Workpace cooperation: Cooperation with the workplace and other actors has been close and interactive throughout the process.

Development process and method management: The development process has been structured by using theoretical principles and appropriate development methods have been employed in the development activities; the progress of development activity is presented in documentation in a structured manner.

Usability of the results in the workplace: New information and new methods have been developed in the thesis. The re- sults of the thesis are directly usable by the workplace. The workplace/commissioning party has assessed that the thesis’ results are extremely useful.

Research orientated approach

Research orientated setting: The research oriented settings (importance of data production as a part of development activity, research questions, the relationship between questions and methods) are clear, logical and justified.

Theoretical framework: The thesis shows that the student has highly specialised knowledge that matches, in part, top-level expertise in the field. The thesis’ theoretical frame- work is consistent with the thesis as a whole, and sources have been used in a versatile and critical manner. International research results that are topical and relevant have been used in the thesis. The thesis includes a conceptual analysis of the development target.

Use of research methods: Methodological choices are justified using methodology literature. The use of research methods has been controlled, analyses are versatile and in-depth, and reporting is transparent.

Reporting: The thesis report is a structurally and conceptually clear and consistently pro- gressing text that justifies the choices made. The report’s layout is polished as
well as informative, and has been written in appropriate, analytical style.

Independence and creativity

Level of independence and responsibility in the thesis process: Solutions made in the thesis are independent, unique and new, and they show the student's responsibility in advancing the process.

Creativity and problem-solving preparedness: The thesis shows that the student has a command of the problem solving skills that are required to develop new information and methods, and in combining information from different fields. The thesis shows that the student is able to work as a developer in versatile and unanticipated development tasks that may
require new strategic approaches.

Independent thinking: The discussion on the results and their importance is versatile, creative and critical. The discussion makes use of information from versatile sources, which has led to a creative synthesis. The thesis shows a critical understanding of the core questions of the field and the interfaces between different fields.

Newness or more extensive transferability of the results: The results of the thesis are new and more extensively transferable to targets outside the thesis’ actual target. The thesis includes a discrete analysis of the possibilities and conditions of a wider application of the results.