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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 two Masters days 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 Rehabilitation Teaching and Research Unit's Administration Secretary Katherine Harris, email katherine.harris@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. As a guide, in 2007 the cost for the majority of 30 point papers was $1724.50.

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 Jean Hay-Smith, email jean.hay-smith@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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