Degree Thesis in Sexual, Reproductive and Perinatal Health (freestanding course)

The overall objective is that the student through an independent scientific approach can be able to manage and develop knowledge in sexual, reproductive and perinatal health with relevance to the midwifery profession and research field, and thus be able to work with evidence-based care.

After completing the course the student should be able to independently

• critically reflect on and analyze concepts, theories and perspectives in sexual, reproductive and perinatal health,
• identify and argue for a scientific problem statement and purpose based on current research knowledge in a defined area,
• search, critically evaluate and synthesize scientific publication and integrate theories and concepts within the chosen area with relevance to sexual, reproductive and perinatal health,
• conduct a research ethics risk/benefit analysis based on ethical principles,
• conduct a scientific investigation using relevant design, methodology and analysis, and argue for and critically reflect on the choices made in relation to the scientific aim,
• analyze and evaluate the results in relation to previous research and evaluate the clinical significance of the results,
• evaluate own contribution to the development of knowledge and give suggestions for further research,
• defend and communicate own scientific work and critically evaluate others‘ scientific work concerning degree of scientificity, content and structure,
• evaluate the usefulness and applicability of research-based knowledge in clinical contexts.

The course includes planning, implementing and compiling a scientific study in sexual, reproductive and perinatal health in accordance with the different parts of a research process. The course also includes defense of the thesis and critical review of another student‘s thesis.

Examinations are the PM, the thesis and the performed defense of them, as well as opponent skills in relation to another PM and thesis. The thesis is assessed as an independent work. If the thesis has more authors, each author‘s individual performance is assessed alone.

This is done by:

- interview of tutors and students individually,
- proof of the student‘s individual performance, as attested by all authors of the thesis.

The grading scale used for the final course grade is U–G.

Score are reported as:

• PM (0 credits)
• Thesis (15 credits)

Grades are reported as follows:

• PM - 0 Credits | U–G
• Degree thesis - 15 Credits | U–G