Syllabus

Title
2212 Thesis Seminar: How to Write a Thesis
Instructors
Univ.Prof. Dr. Anne d'Arcy, Ass.Prof. Dr. Otto Janschek
Type
AG
Weekly hours
2
Language of instruction
Englisch
Registration
09/16/21 to 09/23/21
Registration via LPIS
Notes to the course
Subject(s) Master Programs
Dates
Day Date Time Room
Thursday 10/07/21 06:00 PM - 07:00 PM TC.0.02 Red Bull
Thursday 10/14/21 01:00 PM - 09:00 PM TC.0.02 Red Bull
Wednesday 11/03/21 03:00 PM - 08:00 PM D5.0.002
Monday 12/20/21 09:00 AM - 02:30 PM Online-Einheit
Tuesday 12/21/21 09:00 AM - 02:30 PM Online-Einheit
Contents

Pre-course assignment

Read Bryman/Bell (2015), Ch 1-6. We expect you to be familiar with the core concepts from these chapters (quiz in the first unit).

Part 1:

Input lectures and discussion

- What is research?

- The importance of scientific analysis

- What is a research question and how is it identified?

- The research process

- The scientific discourse: presentation & publication of new ideas, research ethics

Part 2:

Methods and data: Elaborate the main methods used in empirical research, develop a master thesis proposal that uses that method (assignment 1, group presentations)

Part 3:

Assignment 2: Learn from examples: Choose a paper and reflect on it, develop a master thesis proposal that builds on this paper (individual assignment)

 

 

Learning outcomes
  • Students get a first rough idea of what is scientific research
  • Students understand the concept of a research question and how and why different research designs are used to answer certain research questions
  • Students can identify major steps in assessing a scientific paper and can develop a master thesis topic and proposal research based on prior research 
Attendance requirements

≥ 80 % Attendance Requirement

Teaching/learning method(s)

Input presentations by instructors, individual assignments, group work.

Compulsory attendance for input lectures (part 1), for group presentations (part 2) and individual presentations (part 3).  One to one consultation for the individual assignment (part 3) will be individually scheduled with the lecturers.

 

Assessment

Pre-course-assignment/multiple-choice quiz: 10% Attention: For all four masters thesis courses, the quiz will take place Online on October 7.

Group Assignment “Part 2”: 30%

Individual Assignment “Part 3”: 60%

For this course, only one of two grades (pass/fail) will be awarded.

A "pass" grade requires a minimum score of 50% for each assignment and 75% in total.

Prerequisites for participation and waiting lists
  • Writing skills
Recommended previous knowledge and skills
Availability of lecturer(s)
Last edited: 2021-05-14



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