The main objective of this course is to show students the process and procedures in scientific academic research. The main emphasis involve the research process, developing research topics, ethical standards in sourcing and citation format,  and how to develop/write an academic paper.

The course focuses on three key aspects including the following topics:

1. An introductory reflection on scientific work:

e.g. everyday language vs. language of science,overview of the philosophy of science / the social dimension of science

2. Organizing an academic work

Developing a bachelor thesis: e.g.typology of thesis, particular steps from the idea of the research project (subject) to the scientific research question (exposé), composition and conditions of a bachelor thesis

Working in a structured/organized manner:e.g. research, use and preparation of literature, quoting, formal requirements,time management

3. Scientific writing

e.g. visualisation of complex contents, writinga specific text, writing blockades, drafts and final versions

4. Ethical decisions in developing a research paper with regards to plagiarism and the usage of AI software

Once they have completed the course, students should be capable of:

· Distinguishing and comparing the different types of scientific research

· Understanding the research and development process of the academic projects

· Developing a proper, ethical concept and structure for a research project such as a Bachelor Thesis, Seminar Research  project or Business Case

· Undertaking a scientific literature research

. Evaluating accredited sources and proper citation of such sources

· Maintaining appropriate ethical standards in scientific writing and research

. Writing a seminar paper, research proposal or expose

Please note that the first and last sessions are mandatory.  Sessions with a guest lecturer are likewise obligatory.   If you do not attend the first session, you will be de-registered from the course. In order to obtain a grade for the course, students must submit the final requirement of the course and attend at least 80% of the course. An absence of 2 hours (1 session) is permitted unless it is an obligatory session (coaching session/ guest speaker).

During the course, essential aspects of academic working will be taught and discussed with the students on the basis of specific examples and in-class activities. Students will have to work in teams and/or individual work assignments. Submission dates are pre-arranged with the class on the first day of the seminar. Individual coaching sessions are arranged with student/teams to work on specific project assignments.

The students will be assessed based on the following criteria as listed below:

· 20 % Participation in class / Team work on creating brain maps with potential topics

· 35 %  Topic outline (Team or Individual) / Outline development/ Coaching & Critical assessments of work-in-progress research projects

· 45 % Individual or team final seminar paper (ca. 8 -10 pages after the end of course) taking into account plagiarism and AI review rating

This course is for those students who have completed the CBK and are interested to learn how to develop an English based academic paper such as a Business Case,Seminar paper for a class and the Bachelor Thesis.  For students who have completed their 4th semester and are in the process of developing their Bachelor Thesis, this is course will provide with the proper tool kits and tips that will be important for the completion of your thesis.

Please log in with your WU account to use all functionalities of read!t. For off-campus access to our licensed electronic resources, remember to activate your VPN connection connection. In case you encounter any technical problems or have questions regarding read!t, please feel free to contact the library at readinglists@wu.ac.at.

Participants in this course should have completed the basic CBK and are familiar with the research offerings of the WU library.  Students should have English language oral and written skills. 

Student Consultation and Feedback during the seminar period is pre-arranged during class sessions.  Specific consultation is by appointment on a face to face meeting or video conference.   Please write gina.villanueva-weinzierl@wu.ac.at or contact the IMM administrator Pamela Taylor. 

Students, who are fluent in German, may refer to the book “Grundlage wissenchaftlichen Arbeitens” published by Prof. G. Jost and L.Richter.