from idea to bachelor thesis five lessons

From Idea to Bachelor thesisFive lessons

Bjarne Rerup Schlichter, PhD Aarhus University

Plan for the five lessonsLesson Who? Content

1Week 12

Full group Welcome, Introduction, plan for the sessionsWhat is a Bachelor Thesis? StructureElements of thesis: Theory, Method and DataExercise (Elements) + homework

2Week 12

Full group Formal requirements and unfolded structureFrom ideas to stated problem: The pentagon modelExercise (Problem formulation)

3Week 13

Half group Work with template of thesisExercise (Student presentations)

4Week 14

Full group Resources, Tools and PitfallsReferencesExercise (References and net)

5Week 48

Full group Follow up, discussion of students concrete actions

Week 12 Monday Tuesday Wednedsday Thursday Friday08:00-09:20

09:35-10:55

Munid-32 ¤34Lesson 2 /10

11:10-12:30

Mun ¤34Lesson 1

Mun ¤33Lesson 2

12:50-14:10

Munid -31 ¤31Lesson 1

Munid -31 ¤15Lesson 2

14:25-15:45

16:00-17:20

Munid -32 ¤26Lesson 1 /10

Week 13 Monday Tuesday Wednedsday Thursday Friday08:00-09:20

Research Seminar

09:35-10:55

Munid-32-BA-group other activity

11:10-12:30

Mun-AB-group other activity

Mun-BA-group other activity

12:50-14:10

Munid -31-AB-group other activity

Munid -31-BA-group other activity

14:25-15:45

16:00-17:20

Munid -32-AB-group other activity

Week 14 Monday Tuesday Wednedsday Thursday Friday08:00-09:20 <girls here>

09:35-10:55

Munid-32

11:10-12:30

MunLesson 4

Mun

12:50-14:10

Munid -31Lesson 4

Munid -31

14:25-15:45

16:00-17:20

Munid -32Lesson 4

From Idea to Bachelor thesis

Lesson OneElements of Thesis

What is a bachelor thesis ?

• Longer type of written work¨(+25pages)• Scientific in nature• Gives a contribution (What is this ?)• Establishes an argument based on connective writing• Follows a structure defined by the community (Why ?)• It is your “master piece” of work !• Practical implications – to be a business economist

The purpose of a bachelor projectThe purpose of the bachelor project is to document your abilities to identify, formulate and clarify a specific problem within business administration.

It involves a working form where, by preparing a specific subject field, you work more profoundly with a relevant practical problem, than it has been possible for you to do during your bachelor studies.

Thus, the study form is primarily to serve the following purposes:•To further develop the ability to give an independent, systematic and clear treatment of a certain topic.•To train the ability to independently identify and analyze relevant problems, including making theoretic and empiric analyses.•To solve a practical problem by a systematic use of an appropriate choice of theory and methodologies.•To train the ability to independently acquire and handle academic knowledge through independent studies of relevant literature, and to cultivate the ability to evaluate and briefly account for the central elements in a large literature base.

Elements of a thesis

• Problem (how to identify: next lesson)• Theory• Method• Empiricism• Conclusion

Problem• A problem is some thing missing an answer or

solution in a given context• What, How, Why, Who• Do you investigate a problem or just a subject? • Let us hear some examples of problems• Can the problem be investigated?• Is it well-defined and delimited?• Is it relevant?• You have to be able to defend your choice of

problem(including pros- and cons)

Theory• A theory is a system of rules (or assumptions) in

the context of a scientific field• It can describe, explain or predict the fields

phenomena and constructs a framework(s) for the field

• REMEMBER: Is it relevant? Alternatives? Limitations? Connections?

• Let us hear some examples of theories• You have to be able to defend your choice of

theories (including pros- and cons)

Method

• A method is a description of the tool, you are using to answer your research question.

• REMEMBER: A method is not same as a table of content

• Let us hear some examples of methods/tools.• You have to be able to defend your choice of

method (including pros- and cons)

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Empiricism

• Material on which an investigation is done• Can be referred to• Observations. Data. Statements. From the

‘field’• What can empiricism tell you? Are you

critical? Limitations? Alternatives?

Conclusion

• Presentation of findings

Structure (in princip)

• Introduction. RQ and method• Theory (Concepts and models)• Method (Collection of data and use of sources)• Presentation of case (Fact about empiricism)• Analysis (theory and results, interpretations and

solving of problems)• Discussion• Conclusion• Possibly: Perspectives

Choice of topicYou choose the topic yourself for your bachelor project; however, it has to be within the academic frames of the chosen department.

When determining the topic, it might be a help:•To let yourself be inspired by something you find interesting•To look for potential challenges and conflicts•To look at changes (before/now)•Or perhaps to make comparisons

It might be a help to discuss ideas for topic(s) with a possible supervisor for your project. Before the deadline for the project announcement, you are to formulate a title, which is typically only a draft of the problem and does not have to be the final problem statement. Your supervisor is responsible for approval of your problem statement later in the process.

Homework

Write down at least 2 suggestions for a topic that could be the base of bachelor thesis. Use 5-10 lines for each. Be prepared to present and defend you choice at class.


Lesson twoFrom Ideas to stated problem

From lecture 1

• Components of a thesis• Problems/Topics for a thesis

Structure (in princip)

• Introduction. RQ and method• Theory (Concepts and models)• Method (Collection of data and use of sources)• Presentation of case (Fact about empiricism)• Analysis (theory and results, interpretations and

solving of problems)• Discussion• Conclusion• Possibly: Perspectives

Structure of the UDF-thesis

25 pages (Excluding refs, annexes and statements)Structure:•Title page•Table of content•Introduction•Parts (Methodology, theory, arguments, analysis)•Conclusions•References•Annexes•Statement of plagiarism

The good thesis…….We place great emphasis on the assignment work being based on a well-defined and well-structured problem statement. Also, it is important that relevant theories, methodologies, concepts and data form the basis of both the phase of problem statement and problem treatment, and that a reason is given for choice of model and methodologies compared to the specific problem. The purpose of the bachelor project is to give students an opportunity – by working in-depth with a limited subject area – to independently demonstrate their ability to formulate a business administration issue, select relevant literature, process data, conduct analyses, apply methodologies, make critical assessments, and present solution proposals.

The bachelor project is assessed by the an external examiner based on the report.

In the evaluation of the extent to which the student meets the objectives of the bachelor project, emphasis is placed on the student’s ability to:•Identify and describe the issue of the project•Select theories, methodologies and source material that are appropriate for treating the issue•Argue in favour of and account for the solution proposals of the project•Write a well-structured project in clear and correct language

Excellent or just passed?Excellent is given for an outstanding performance which demonstrates the complete fulfillment of the objectives of the bachelor project with no or only a few unimportant deficiencies. The performance demonstrates the ability to confidently select and apply theories, methodologies and sources appropriate to the issue described, and to analyze, argue and conclude on a well-substantiated basis. The project report is of high quality in terms of both linguistic communication and structure.

Satisfactory is given for a satisfactory performance that demonstrates the minimum acceptable degree of fulfilment of the objectives of the bachelor project.The performance demonstrates the ability to treat a problem by using relevant theories and source material and some degree of systematic approach. However, there are a number of methodological weaknesses, and the student does not take a sufficiently critical or in-depth approach to the source material, and as a consequence the problem appears inadequately substantiated. The project report meets the basic requirements for academic reports but is not tightly structured, and the writing skills lack confidence.

The Pentagon Model

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1.What do you ask about?The research question

5.How do you ask?The method of investigation

3.What do you investigate?Data, phenomenon, empiricism

2.Why do you ask?The professional purposeMotivation

4. What do you ask with?The tools of the investigationTheory, concepts, models

The first part of a report….

• Subject

• Problem

• Problem context

• Problem formulation

• Method

2) Why do you ask ? (Motivation)

3) To what do you ask? (Empirical base, data)

3) Set of problems

1) What do you ask about ?

4) What are used when asking ? (Theory, models)

5) How do you ask ?

Subject

• A limited area of concern• Sets the scene of the investigation

26

Subject (Example)

The company has long time had problems to manage a growing a mount of information. For this reason the management would like to procure and implement an integrated information system to assist solving the problem.

But to harvest the benefits the new system must be fully implemented as soon as possible.

27

Problem

• A problem is something missing an answer or a solution in a given area of concern

28

Problem (Example)

• Some of the middle managers of the company are concerned on how to fully implement the new system technically as well as in the organization.

29

Problem context

• A problem context is a description of the context in which the problem is a part.

• There can be many problems in a give problem context.

30

Problem context (Example)

• It seems that the technical implementation is quite simple, but many employees feels un-comfortable to change their way of work. It is of especially concern that different departments having the same task performing these in different ways to day, Also it has been observed that the these working procedures are not documented and includes a lot of overhead.

31

Problem formulation (Research Question)

• A problem formulation is a formulation of one or more concrete questions belonging to a problem context, that you would like to be answered.

• The problem formulation is an investigation about a professional problem– Investigate, means to analyze, interpret, discus, evaluate,

argue for or against– A, means: that more problems only can be treated in the same

report if they can be placed under the same hat.– Professional; means: that the problem formulation must be in

the curriculum of the subject– Problem, means: that some thing still is un-solved, not solved

enough or solved wrongly.• It is important with only ONE theme and ONE problem.

32

Problem formulation• Your problem formulation must be able to be

formulated short and precise• Some good reflective questions:– What problem must be solved ?– What do you wonder about?– Why is that a problem ?– Why do you wonder?

• A problem formulation is precise and limited• Remember that you only have limited resources (time,

pages, data, funding)• How can the research question be solved? Do you

need to have sub-questions?

33

Problem formulation

Who are the stakeholders: (why do we need to know that ?)The author of the reportThe client (a company, the University)The unit beeing investigated (the organisation)

34

Problem formulation (Example)

• When taking into consideration the issues mentioned above the purpose of this report/assignment is to investigate how the company should plan the implementation of the new information system.

• This purpose materializes into four sub-questions:– How is the company organized to day ?– What is the purpose of the implementation?– How should the implementation be planned?– What activities should be included and when?

35

Some good advise

• The process of problem formulation is not a linear process, but rather iterative

• We are often to ambitious - we would like to cover every thing

• It is an eternal challenge to limit the problem formulation in a way it can fit into the resources and boarders we have

• It is an indispensable tool for managing our work

36

Homework

• Work with your group of 2-4 student to re-formulate your problem formulations.

• Populate the full Pentagon model, including methods

• Prepare a 5 min presentation to the lecture next week

37


Lesson threeThesis template

Agenda

• From last lecture– The pentagon model– The template

• Standard phrases• Prepare YOUR OWN template– The best way to begin is ---- just to begin, and

then narrowing down. Just begin to write


Lesson fourResources, Tools and Pitfalls

The final test……

• YES !• FUN !• 20 minutes for the test

• Remember– No talking– No phones– No pc’s– No copying of the

classmates answers (also: They could be wrong! )

Formal requirementsStructure and format

Size of the paper•Maximum 25 pages (excluding references, annexes and plagiarism statement) Structure of the paper:•Title page•Table of Contents•Introduction•Parts (presenting methodology, theory, arguments, analysis)•Conclusions•References•Annexes (if applicable)•Statement on Plagiarism

Page Format1.Standard A4;2.Margins – left –3, right - 1,5 cm, top/bottom - 2cm;3.Format – 1.5 spacing;4.Font – 12 pt Times New Roman; 5.Text alignment – justify;6.Paragraphs – no blank lines between paragraphs;7.Footnotes 10 pt Times New Roman;8.Graphics – included in the body of the paper;9.Page Numbers – at bottom right.

Format (Sample) and contentTABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction .............................................................2 1. PART 1. TITLE.....................................................31.1. Subtitle...............................................................31.1.1. Subtitle......................................................................51.1.2. Subtitle............................................................6etc. 2. PART 2. TITLE ...................................................122.1. subtitle..............................................................122.1.1. Subtitle...........................................................142.1.2. Subtitle..........................................................16etc. Next parts (Optional)Conclusions ............................................................20 References..............................................................21

IntroductionThe length of Introduction is 1-2 pages. It should comprise the following points:•a brief explanation of the problem•research question including sub-questions•objective of the paperPart 1 should include•Literature review•Data and methodology describing the data and their sources as well as the methodology used in the paper. The next parts should include•Problem analysis•Data analysis•Findings including a comparison with other authors’ findings•What does the paper add to existing knowledge?•Does the research lead to recommendations or predictions? ConclusionThe length of last chapter with Conclusions is 1-2 pages.

Writing Style

References• Why?• Style:

Please refer to the Bachelor Thesis Guidelines. • The List of References should include a list of

works cited in the text, arranged alphabetically by author's last names. The title of the book or journal should be italicized. Journal articles and book chapters should be put in quotation marks. Non-academic references should be avoided unless they are absolutely necessary.

Plagiarism

• What is it?• Why is it a problem?• How to avoid?


Lesson FiveFollow Up

from idea to bachelor thesis five lessons

Documents

mun 4mun12

bachelor studies

specific problem

bachelor projectthe

relevant practical problem

practical implications

structureelements of

written work