SDMM12005U Master's Thesis, Disaster Management

Volume 2022/2023
Education
Content

The Master thesis is a research written report submitted at the end of the Master of Disaster Management. 

Your Masters thesis should demonstrate that you are able to formulate, analyze and process  problems/issues within the field of disaster risk  management, which demands the integration of empirical data, theory and scientific research methods. 

The thesis may be based on primary or secondary data and material.  

The master’s thesis must be completed individually and must be completed in accordance with the MDMa Thesis Guidelines and submitted on or before the approved MDMa Thesis submission dates.

The thesis comprises the equivalent of 30-35 A4 pages (1 page = approximately 2400 characters including spaces).

The thesis process

1. Synopsis
2. Research proposal
3. Data collection
4. Participation in thesis seminar
5. Thesis

Learning Outcome

On completion of the thesis, students should be able to:

Knowledge

  • Demonstrate insights into the research process from identifying the nature of a research problem, formulating research questions and translating these into research objectives.
  • Understand the value of the choice of appropriate research methods.

 

Skills

  • Collect necessary data/information and critically analyse, review and interpret own research in the context of existing literature.
  • As part of the thesis writing process give a short thesis presentation, highlighting research problems and questions, research objectives, methods and main findings, conclusion and possible recommendations - as well as discussing critical questions and remarks regarding the findings and conclusions.

Competences

  • Develop and present well-argued and referenced recommendations as to future practice(s) in a given field.
  • Where relevant, include proper communication with and feedback to study objects and local authorities on research results including practical policy implications (if research is based on local data) with a view to contribute to improvements at the local level.
  • Provide critical and constructive feedback to fellow students on their theses.
Research Design or Research Methodology & Ethics
Supervision according to thesis guidelines
Only available for students enrolled in the entire programme.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Preparation
  • 28
  • Project work
  • 480
  • Seminar
  • 12
  • Guidance
  • 30
  • Total
  • 550
Written
Individual
Feedback by final exam (In addition to the grade)

Examiners provide individual written  feedback on the thesis via Digital Exam.

Credit
20 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Type of assessment details
Participation in oral presentation of thesis project plan (Thesis Seminar)
Master's Thesis (30-35 pages) according to thesis guidelines
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Exam period

See the MDMa Exam Schedule

Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the student shall be able to:

 

Knowledge

  • Demonstrate insights into the interdisciplinary field of disaster risk management (DRM)
  • Have a thorough understanding of research processes from identifying the nature of a research problem, formulating research questions and translating these into research objectives in a DRM context
  • Understand and relate critically to state-of-the art knowledge in the chosen research area   
  • Understand the value of an appropriate choice and use of specific research methods

 

 Skills

  • Demonstrate proper use of selected research methods
  • Identify and collect necessary data/information and critically analyse, review and interpret own research in the context of existing literature in the research field.
  • Communicate research findings and conclusions clearly, correctly and concisely according to academic standards.

 

Competences

  • Develop and present well-argued and referenced recommendations as to future practice(s) in the field of DRM field.
  • Where relevant in the research process, participate professionally in interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral collaboration with a view to enhance knowledge and practices in the field of DRM.