Syllabus
Registration via LPIS
The topic of this seminar is humanitarian and sustainable logistics/supply chain management. Detailed information on the topics is provided in the first session, assignment of topics will take place in the first/second session.
After passing this seminar, students should be able to
- define, structure and solve research problems in the field of humanitarian and sustainable logistics.
- define a research question for this purpose.
- prepare, present and discuss a research proposal including structure and research design.
- identify, classify and use references appropriately to answer the research question.
- select the appropriate research and analysis methodology.
- write, present and argue the indepently written scientific paper including research results.
Additionally, students should gain the following capabilities:
- Social competence, communication with lecturers and other students
- Ability to decide independently based on acquired knowledge
- Presentation skill in front of a professional audience
- Time management, organisation skills and goal-orientation
- Assess the quality of scientific papers in a structured way
Lectures start punctually. Attendance in the first lecture is mandatory for the participation in the course. If an absence cannot be avoided inform the lecturers at lydia.novoszel@wu.ac.at / suparna.saha@wu.ac.at before class and provide some form of proof for the absence (e.g. medical confirmation) in the next session. In total, a minimum requirement for attendance of 80% is required to pass the course.
The course will take place on campus.
Common requirements for attendance: Attendance in the first lecture is mandatory for participation in the course. If an absence cannot be avoided inform the lecturer before class and provide some form of proof for the absence (e.g. medical confirmation) in the next session.
In total, a minimum requirement for attendance of 80% is required to pass the course. See further information at: https://www.wu.ac.at/fileadmin/wu/h/students/Pruefungsorganisation/Gesetzesgrundlagen/Pruefungsordnung_03.12.2014.pdf
If the attendance falls below 80% for students receiving partial credit, students are graded with 5 (Nicht genügend). See further: https://www.wu.ac.at/fileadmin/wu/h/structure/servicecenters/hr/Mitteilungsblatt/Dezember_2017/PO_05.12.17_final_MB.pdf
In the first session the kick-off meeting takes place, in which the lecturers present recent, relevant research areas. These can be used as starting point for seminar papers or bachelor theses. In the second session, the topics are distributed to the interested students. After this, individual coordination meetings with the respective lecturer are recommended to define specific research approaches.
In the third session the research proposal is presented, including the structure and method of the research. The deadline for submission is announced in the first session.
Additional coordination meetings are advisable.
One week before the fourth session (date announced in first class), the seminar paper/bachelor thesis work in progress paper is submitted. Then the paper is assessed both by the lecturers and peers. The papers are assigned so that each student has to review one paper according to the provided peer review template. This student is also required to initiate and lead the discussion of the reviewed paper in the fourth session's presentation.
In the fourth session students present their research results, corresponding to the work-in-progress status of the bachelor thesis or the final seminar paper.
The work-in progress status report has to be a finished scientific work in itself with opportunities for extensions, but including all characteristics of a "regular" scientific paper.
Bachelor theses should be finished in the following semester.
Criteria for grading for students writing a seminar paper (see gradebook):
- Two check-ins with supervisor 5%
- Peer Review of final paper 10%
- Leading discussion in final presentation of reviewed paper 5%
- Written Research Proposal 15%
- Seminar paper (positive grade prerequisite for passing the course) 45%
- Presentation of the proposal and final paper 20%
Cooperation with other students is encouraged. However, the final write-up must be done individually. ‘Duplicate’ submissions are unacceptable and will receive a score of zero.
WU plagiarism (incl. AI content generation) is checked and evaluated, including texts that might have been used for "GWA/scientific writing" (self-plagiarism).
Students should take the corresponding course 4 in Sustainable/Humanitarian Logistics. It is advisable to take this course 4 in the same semester as course 5.
The course "Grundlagen wissenschaftlichen Arbeitens" should have been passed before taking part in this course. A scientifc work conduct is required and will be influencing the grading.
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