Postgraduate diploma thesis – MasterThesis

Course Outline

The purpose of the postgraduate diploma thesis is to deepen the critical thinking of the postgraduate students, through the development of studies and applied research, on issues that have a direct relationship with the subject of the Administration and Management of Health and Social Care Services. The master’s thesis is the culmination of the completion of the Master’s Program and documents the scientific specialization of the master’s students.

Individual goals are the continuation of the improvement of skills and abilities in order the postgraduate students to have the possibility of develop extensively studies with modern methodological research models: a) with the methodology of research and preparation of assignments and b) with the delimitation of the content of cognitive fields, in order for the scientific works to contribute to the development of new organizational administrative and management methods and techniques in the fields of health, social care, social protection.

In particular, the elaboration of the post-graduate diploma thesis aims at) the specialization of the post-graduate student in the knowledge field where he conducts the research, b) his/her deepening in research thinking and methodology and c) the application of the knowledge acquired during the courses of the Postgraduate Diploma. This means that the postgraduate student, having consolidated the theoretical knowledge related to the subject of Administration and Management of Health and Social Care Services, sets as the purpose of his diploma thesis: the rigorous investigation of a situation or a problem, the overview of existing knowledge, the creation of innovation and intervention with his research, the interpretation of an existing or new event or phenomenon.

Upon successful completion of the thesis, postgraduate students will have not only the opportunity to conduct basic and applied research but also, they will have the ability to develop and promote knowledge in matters related to the administration-management of health and social care services. The successful completion of the thesis demonstrates that the graduate student can: a) possess a deeply understanding of the subject, b) provide the evidence of the originality of thought, c) demonstrate the perfection in the use of theoretical models, methodologies, practices, tools, etc., for the analysis and synthesis of the topic, d) show excellent clarity, focus and persuasiveness in communication.

Specifically, after the completion of the thesis, the postgraduate student will be able:

• To expose and thoroughly analyze a problem / issue in the health, social care, social protection services.
• To choose and plan the approach (theoretical and practical / research) based on which he will analyze and deal with this problem / issue.
• To thoroughly use the appropriate bibliography and articles that refer to the problem / issue.
• To synthesize the findings of the literature with the actual conditions of occurrence of the problem / issue and interpret them in the framework of these.
• To judge and evaluate the interpretations and compose a new framework for dealing with the problem / issue.
• To create and formulate correct conclusions and substantiated proposals for dealing with the problem / issue.
• To manage facts / data and formulate proposals / make decisions in conditions of uncertainty.
• To assess the development of relevant research in the field of interest and to create corresponding frameworks, each time adapting them to the particular requirements in his workplace.
• To have the learning skills that allow him to continue his studies in a self-sufficient or autonomous way.