Thesis Defence of Psychology MA Students
Procedure of MA Thesis Defence and Preparation of Topic Elaboration
From the academic year 2016/2017, the MA thesis is divided in two parts: 1. Research part; 2. Applied psychology part.
The research part of the thesis should be uploaded for defence in the Neptun by November 20th/ April 20th. Topics should be uploaded between 10th June and 10th December of the academic year preceding the defence. The applied psychology part of the thesis should be uploaded in the Neptun by December 15th /May 15th. Topics should be uploaded in the semester of the defence, by the end of the second week of the term time on Friday. Once the thesis is complete, reviewers will receive the thesis and know the presentation date. Following this, reviewers have to do their evaluations 2 weeks before the defence date. Both parts of the thesis (i.e., the research part and the applied psychology part) will be evaluated by two evaluators.
Proposal for formulating final exam questions during the preparation of the evaluation of the research part
Besides evaluation, reviewers formulate 2-2 topics which are given to the candidate to be able to prepare from all the 4 topics. Topic elaboration means that the candidate elaborates one of the 2-2 topics related to the thesis determined by the reviewers and chosen on the defence date by the Final Exam Committee.
The 2-2 topics should relate to the thesis, however, they are not questions for expounding the empirical study presented in the thesis nor for clarifying. These topics require from the graduating candidate to draw up the acquired theoretical knowledge, conceptions, models, paradigms, etc., which are lined up behind the emerging issues in the thesis. Therefore, preparation for topic elaboration requires more focused overview and summary in terms of the thesis; this should concern all knowledge acquired in BA and MA programme in psychology.
In the evaluation of the applied psychology part, reviewers may formulate questions concerning the presented topic and its background.
Proposal for scenario to be followed in the defence
Graduating students are presenting both parts of their thesis and elaborating the topic in 30 minutes.
1. PowerPoint or Prezi is recommended to present the research part of the thesis. It is recommended to give the presentation in 8-10 minutes.
2. The Committee might draw up further questions concerning the thesis during or after the presentation.
It is recommended to fix the reflection, provide self-reflection on evaluations, and formulate further questions in 5 minutes. This will result in at least 15 minutes for presentations, reflections on evaluations, and answers to any questions.
In case of failing the defence, students cannot do topic elaboration. Instead, students may repeat the defence and the topic elaboration in the following final examination period. Moreover, students have the right to be given further consultation by their supervisor.
3. In case of the defence is evaluated at least with the grade pass, students can do topic elaboration. The use of auxiliary materials is not permitted during the elaboration of topics given by the reviewers, which means that previously prepared draft version, summary, or description cannot be used in front of the committee.
It is recommended to fix the topic elaboration in 5 minutes.
4. PowerPoint or Prezi is recommended to use to present the applied psychology part of the thesis, however, it can be presented without using tools as well.
It is recommended to fix the presentation in 5-6 minutes.
The essence of the research part and applied psychology part of the thesis should be presented shortly, professionally, and accurately:
- Summary of the essential part of the analysed topic and presentation of how the thesis contributes to the previously accomplished researches
- Self-reflection related to the accomplished work taking into account the evaluations given by the reviewers about the thesis (by the supervisor and the second reader)
- Presentation of the strengths and weaknesses of the thesis
5. In the last 5 minutes students need to be informed about the evaluation and the result.
The defence can be evaluated according to the following criteria:
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RESEARCH PART |
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1. Style and language of the presentation: the style and language of the presentation is clear, the use of professional terminology is adequate. |
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2. Structure, organisation, timing of the presentation: well-structured content, the presentation reflects the structure of the contents. Each segment is of an appropriate length. The figures, diagrams, and tables support the text/understanding the text /illustrate the results well. Keeping time constraints and allocating time is achieved and optimal. |
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3. The content and academic quality of the presentation: Conceptualisation of the constructs used in the questions and hypotheses researched, as well as the research goals are clear. Research hypotheses, questions/the central topics are precisely defined. Research design, sampling, selection of the tools and methods and their presentation are up to scientific standards. The most important results and the manner in which the thesis furthers prior research in the area are highlighted. Presents the strengths and weaknesses of the thesis. |
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4. Debate skills of the presenter: The student reflects on the factors, questions, comments posed in the critiques in a professional manner. Engages in self-reflection of the research taking into account the reviews by the topic supervisor and the second reviewer. |
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APPLIED PART |
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1. Style and language of the presentation: the style and language of the presentation is clear, the use of professional terminology is adequate. |
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2. Structure, organisation, timing of the presentation: well-structured content, the presentation reflects the structure of the contents. Each segment is of an appropriate length. Keeping time constraints and allocating time are achieved and are optimal. |
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3. The content and academic quality of the presentation: Presents the problem at the heart of the case in an appropriate manner, briefly presents the relevant background. Briefly presents the methods of problem analysis. Presents a summary analysis based on the data yielded by the analyses, posing, in certain cases, further questions and presenting further research plans. Highlights how the paper furthers prior research in the area. Presents the strengths and weaknesses of the thesis. |
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4. Debate skills of the presenter: The student reflects on the factors, questions, comments posed in the critiques in a professional manner. Engages in self-reflection of the research taking into account the review by the topic supervisor. |
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THEORETICAL TOPIC |
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1. Theoretical contextualisation of the topic: outlines the models, paradigms, etc. learned in the programme that are relevant in the context of the topic, details the topic in this broader context. |
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2. Style and language of the presentation: the language of the presentation is clear and succinct, the use of relevant terminology is adequate, the student uses these in a knowledgeable and appropriate manner. |
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3. Structure, organisation, timing of the presentation: the theoretical answer is well-structured and logically sound. Keeping time constraints and allocating time are achieved and are optimal. |
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4. Overall impressions of the answers: the committee evaluates the extent to which the answers given are genuine, crisp, and academically sound. |
MA diploma grade is the average of the following results rounded:
- grade point average: your grade average for all courses of your studies counts equally;
- average of the research part and the applied psychology part of the thesis: the grade given by the 2-2 reviewers and the average of the two parts of the defence. Defence grade: developed on the presentation and the answers given on the sub-questions. Final grade is based on the following 4 grades:
- Grade given by the first and the second evaluator of the research part
- Grade of defence of the research part
- Grade given by the evaluator of the applied psychology part
- Grade of defence of the applied psychology part
- topic elaboration: elaborating one of the 2-2 topics related to the research part of the thesis determined by the reviewers, chosen by the Final Exam Committee on the final exam.
Relevant documents and sources:
https://pszi.ppk.elte.hu/en/content/thesis.t.6086?m=2713
Final exam dates:
Counselling and Educational Psychology - 21 June 2023
Clinical and Health Psychology - 21, 22, 23 June 2023
Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience - 26, 27 June 2023