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Thesis Preparation Seminar

Niveau

first cycle, Master

Learning outcomes of the courses/module

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 for the course

not applicable

Course content

- 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 specialist literature

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

German

Number of ECTS credits awarded

4

Share of e-learning in %

20

Semester hours per week

2.0

Planned teaching and learning method

integrated course

Semester/trimester in which the course/module is offered

3

Name of lecturer

Team SCEM

Academic year

Key figure of the course/module

bb.PT.4

Type of course/module

seminar-degree

Type of course

Compulsory

Internship(s)

not applicable