Master's Thesis Neuropsychology

Course goals

• Formulate a clear and researchable question based on a critical review of the literature and develop falsifiable hypotheses.
• Design, conduct, and analyze an empirical study following the full empirical cycle.
• Critically evaluate and synthesize scientific information and structure it into a coherent academic argument.
• Write in an appropriate academic style, demonstrating clarity, precision, and correct use of sources.
• Plan and manage a research project, including scheduling and testing participants according to ethical standards.
• Interpret and report study findings in academic writing and communicate results clearly to both expert and non-expert audiences.
• Apply scientific methods and academic reasoning in the context of neuropsychological research and demonstrate professional conduct throughout the research process.

Content

Neuropsychology is concerned with the relation between the brain and behaviour. A major aspect of neuropsychological research involves developing and testing models of the human brain and its many functions, such as memory, language, perception, motor control, attention, emotion and intelligence. Another important domain entails determining the consequences of neurological or psychiatric disorders for cognitive functioning and developing methods of treatment.

The student will develop and carry out neuropsychological research as well as report it as part of the Neuropsychology thesis. Research methods may involve assessment of patients, experimental research with healthy individuals and literature based research such as meta-analyses. The precise format of the research for the thesis will be decided upon in consultation with the supervisor. Below is a list of examples of topics (listed for each member of staff) that are available for thesis research:

Prof. dr. A. Postma: spatial cognition, memory
Prof. dr. C. Dijkerman: visual and tactile perception, motor control, body representations
Prof. M. van Zandvoort: cognitive disorders after CVA and other neurological deficits, cognitive rehabilitation
Prof. S. van der Stigchel: visual perception and attention, visual deficits after brain damage, eye movements
Prof. T. Nijboer: multisensory integration, (cross-modal) attention, synesthesia, hemispatial neglect, (cognitive) rehabilitation


Other topics at Utrecht University or external institutes can be found on Brightspace.

To discuss thesis topic and procedures, students should contact the coordinator of the programme. It is a prerequisite that a supervisor from the department as well as the departmental coordinator approve the topic the student wishes to study.

After completion of the thesis the student is able to independently conduct simple (neuro)psychological research. In addition, the student will have acquired basic skills to write a scientific report in a format that is commonly used in the field.

Aspects of academic development
Communication skills: Interpret, report and communicate findings of a neuropsychological study
Organisational skills: Planning a project, scheduling and testing participants
Academic skills: Critically evaluating, analysing and structuring information
Academic abilities: Analysing and evaluating research reports, generating falsifiable hypotheses
Preparing and conducting research: Collecting and analysing data, reporting results of a study
Professional skills: Academic thinking and working as a neuropsychologist, being able to use scientific research methods in the context of neuropsychological research



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