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Rehabilitation Teaching and Research Unit : Postgraduate Programmes
Master in Health Sciences (Rehabilitation)
General Information
The Masters programme is an option for students who wish to pursue
study at a higher academic level. Students completing the MHealSci
(Rehabilitation) degree will not only demonstrate evidence of
their ability to complete high level academic study, but also
possession of research skills to an internationally recognised
standard. The main objective of doing a research project at Masters
level is to demonstrate that you can tackle research in an appropriate
way, collect and manage data, interpret your findings and carry
out constructive criticism. It is not a requirement that the results
should necessarily represent a substantial contribution to knowledge
in the field.
There are two pathways to achieving the endorsed Masters. The
initial step for both is completing the 120 points comprising
the Diploma in Rehabilitation (including an approved post-graduate
research methods paper). The average grade attained over these
papers must be at least a 'B'. Thereafter you can go on to gain
your Masters by:
- Completing a thesis embodying the results of one year of full-time
or equivalent part-time supervised research
OR
- Completing two further approved papers (from the rehabilitation
syllabus or other programs that fit with the academic direction
you wish to pursue) and a dissertation embodying six months
full-time or equivalent part-time supervised research.
Two important points to note:
- Places within the Rehabilitation programme will be limited
in order to ensure students receive appropriate levels of supervision
when it comes to carrying out and writing up their research.
- Students who join the Masters program will be expected to
attend a Research Seminar once per year. These days will provide
invaluable opportunities for discussion and feedback at all
stages of your research.
Admission
The MHealSci (Rehabilitation) degree is formally overseen by
the Division of Health Sciences Board of Graduate Studies. This
board must formally approve the individual programme of study
for each student, including their thesis or dissertation topic.
In order to become an approved Masters student, students must
first gain the support of their home department (in this case
the Rehabilitation Teaching and Research Unit). Other requirements
include a minimum of a B average and an approved post-graduate
research methods paper (generally a 30 point paper or equivalent).
Students are normally expected to complete at least the first
year of the Diploma in Rehabilitation before being considered
for entry to the Masters programme, with places being limited
based on our ability to provide adequate and appropriate levels
of supervision for a student's chosen research topic.
Note: For advice regarding any of the application or administrative
procedures outlined below, you should contact the RTRU's Programme
Administrator, email: rtru@otago.ac.nz
Fees
The fees payable will vary according to the nature of the paper
being undertaken. A Masters thesis is considered to be a 120 point
paper, and is therefore likely to attract a fee similar to four
30 point papers, while a dissertation is a 60 point equivalent.
Thesis and Dissertation - General Information
Thesis
A Masters thesis is intended to represent a body of work that
could be expected of 12 months full-time (more commonly 24 months
part-time) study. It should contain the results of a piece of
independent research. In terms of length it should generally be
no more than 40,000 words. A Masters by thesis is a 'research'
degree and has some credibility internationally for those who
wish to pursue some aspect of research in their careers. Students
usually have one or more supervisors, at least one of whom is
a member of staff of the University. In general terms it is critical
that candidates and supervisors meet frequently, that each understands
how the other views the progress of the research and that there
is a mutually cooperative personal and academic partnership.
Dissertation
A Masters dissertation is also completed under supervision and
is intended to represent a body of work that could be expected
of six months full-time (more commonly 12 months part-time) study.
Of course, the format of each dissertation will depend on the
question chosen and the individual approach of the student. It
is important to understand that while a dissertation is necessarily
a shorter piece of work than a thesis, they are examined at the
same level. Thus in terms of quality, the expectations for theses
and dissertations are the same. A Masters which incorporates a
dissertation is considered to be a taught Masters (rather than
an research Masters). To that end we would suggest that it is
particularly appropriate for people who wish to gain a Masters
qualification and a greater understanding of research, but should
not necessarily be the first choice for those who wish to have
a research component to their career.
Objectives of the Thesis or Dissertation
- Develop a research proposal to explore a specific research
question
- Identify and access the resources necessary to undertake the
research
- Review and analyse relevant literature
- Choose appropriate research methodology to answer the research
question and apply that methodology rigorously
- Report the project, particularly its purpose, background,
methods, findings, conclusions and recommendations
- Interpret the findings and identify the wider implications
of the project.
Topic and protocol for Thesis or Dissertation
Having identified a possible topic area, students should approach
an appropriate supervisor for supervision. The Masters coordinator
is available to facilitate this process, but ultimately the agreement
is made between the student and the prospective supervisor. Before
starting the actual research project students are required to
submit a research proposal for approval by the Board of Graduate
Studies in Health Sciences.
The Masters Coordinator Will Taylor, email will.taylor@otago.ac.nz
or Postgraduate Liaison Officer, Trevor Williams,
email trevor.williams@otago.ac.nz
will be able to provide the appropriate form to accompany the
research proposal, which must include the thesis topic, names
and signatures of the supervisors.
Supervisor's role in Masters research
Research projects for Masters are intended to be self directed,
so the supervisor's role is to support you to complete a piece
of work you can be proud of, but it is your work and you are expected
to drive the process. A supervisor will help with things such
as identifying the limits you need to put on your project (data
collection cease, distracted from main line of enquiry), provide
advice on methodology and relevant literature and explore the
best way to write up your project. They will comment on drafts
and your final report. They are responsible and accountable to
some extent so they will be ensuring that the project is practicable
and ethical before allowing you to start data collection. They
can help students to stay on track by helping them to set priorities
and workable deadlines and offering appropriate support and criticism
when needed
Student role
The expectations of Masters' students are that they are self
directed and independent learners. It is important that students
meet or communicate with supervisors regularly and are honest
about reporting progress - enabling the supervisors to help in
the most constructive way. It would be usually expected that students
follow advice that is given but if there are specific concerns
they should be discussed openly and as soon as possible.
Note: For more detailed information on Thesis and Dissertation
guidelines prospective Masters students should also consult the
University's Handbook
for Masters' Degree
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