Thesis Preparation Seminar
level of course unit
first cycle, Master
Learning outcomes of course unit
Students are able to:
- describe the key features of a research proposal.
- independently plan and develop empirical research projects at Master level.
- evaluate existing scientific literature based on criteria from research practice.
- reflect ethical and practical aspects in their research question.
- choose their most suitable method(s) for their research design and to justify their methodological decisions.
- recognize and analyze theoretical and methodological problems of their master thesis and to find suitable solutions.
prerequisites and co-requisites
not applicable
course contents
- Structure, content and function of research proposals
- Phrasing and contextualizing research questions
- Interdisciplinarity as opportunity and challenge
- Establishing the current state of knowledge and systematically evaluating the literature
- Closing and contextualizing the research gap
- Managing information and knowledge
- Choosing and justifying appropriate research methods
- Quality criteria of empirical research in social sciences
- Research ethics and data protection
- Academic writing
recommended or required reading
Brunner, H., Knitel, D., Resinger, P. J., Mader, R. (2015) Leitfaden zur Bachelor- und Masterarbeit: Einführung in wissenschaftliches Arbeiten und berufsfeldbezogenes Forschen an Hochschulen und Universitäten. 3. Auflage. Tectum Wissenschaftsverlag.
Bryman, A. (2012). Social research methods (4. ed.). Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press.
Creswell, J. W. and Creswell, J.D. (2018). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Sage Publications Ltd. Heesen, B. (2020). Academic writing in APA Style: Writing Academic Papers and Theses in APA style 7th edition. Canada, Prescient.
Turabian, K. L. (2013). A manual for writers of research papers, theses, and dissertations: Chicago style for students and researchers. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press.
assessment methods and criteria
academic paper
language of instruction
German
number of ECTS credits allocated
4
eLearning quota in percent
20
course-hours-per-week (chw)
2
planned learning activities and teaching methods
integrated course
semester/trimester when the course unit is delivered
3
name of lecturer(s)
Team SCEM
recommended optional program components
none
course unit code
bb.PT.4
type of course unit
seminar-degree
mode of delivery
Compulsory
work placement(s)
not applicable