Studieguide

Lärandemål

The thesis is a research-based development project that showcases the ability to apply research data and develop innovative solutions for a variety of organisations.
Government Decree (423/2005, §7):

"The objective of the master’s thesis is to develop and demonstrate the student’s ability to apply research data and use chosen methods to analyse and solve problems arising in professional work. It also demonstrates the student’s readiness and ability for independent, demanding expert work."

Innehåll

• Creating a Topic Proposal and Writing a Thesis Plan
• Conducting an Independent Development Task
• Participating in Group and/or Individual Advising
• Attending Workshops and Seminars
• Reporting and Presenting the Thesis
• Demonstrating Maturity

At the first stage the students shall create a thesis plan and structure of the theoretical framework.

Vitsordsskala

H-5

Bedömningskriterier, tillfredsställande-synnerligen tillfredsställande (1-2)

The grade of the thesis is the average of the following six assessment items, each evaluated from 0 to 5.

1. Topic and Objective
o The topic is ordinary and its significance from the perspective of the organization and/or working life is described thinly.
o The objective and delimitation are described but lack depth.

2. Theoretical Framework
o Sources are scarce or not relevant to the work.
o Sources have been used incidentally with little dialogue between them.
o Key concepts are poorly defined or not defined at all.
o The theoretical framework is poorly described.

3. Methodology
o Methodological choices are poorly justified.
o The methods are partly ill-suited to the thesis.
o The implementation and description of the research and development process are incomplete and illogical.

4. Outcomes
o The outcomes are poorly presented.
o The relationship between the outcomes and the goal is narrowly structured.
o The usefulness and value of the outcomes are insufficiently substantiated.
o Their connection to the theoretical framework has not been demonstrated.

5. Reporting
o The structure of the report is partly inconsistent.
o The content is partly structured in an illogical order.
o Comprehensibility and readability are partially poor.
o Reporting guidelines have been poorly followed.

6. Thesis Project Management
o The student’s contribution to independent work has been partly weak.
o The work has not progressed according to schedule.

Arviointikriteerit, goda-synnerligen goda (3-4)

The grade of the thesis is the average of the following six assessment items, each evaluated from 0 to 5. Outcomes have double weight.

1. Topic and Objective
o The topic is current, and its significance is well justified from the perspective of the organization and/or working life.
o The objective and delimitation are described largely clearly from the point of view of the organization and/or working life.

2. Theoretical Framework
o Peer-reviewed and international sources are used.
o The sources are used principally appropriately and partly critically.
o There is some dialogue between the sources.
o Key concepts have been identified and defined.
o The theoretical framework supports the objective of the work.

3. Methodology:
o Methodological choices are described largely well, but their justification is incomplete.
o The methods are suitable for the thesis.
o The research and development process is mainly implemented and described clearly, and its significance in relation to the goal is considered.

4. Outcomes
o The correspondence of the outcomes to the objectives can be seen.
o The usefulness and value of the outcomes are justified.
o Their connection to the theoretical framework is demonstrated.

5. Reporting
o The structure of the report is somewhat consistent, and the content is logically structured.
o Comprehensibility and readability are at a good level.
o Reporting guidelines have been followed.
o The illustrations and tables are made in accordance with the instructions and are related to the subject matter.

6. Thesis Project Management
o The student has been able to receive guidance and demonstrated the ability to work independently.
o The work is almost on schedule.

Arviointikriteerit, berömliga (5)

The grade of the thesis is the average of the following six assessment items, each evaluated from 0 to 5.

1. Topic and Objective
o The topic has innovative perspectives.
o Its significance is justified more generally than only from the perspective of the organization and/or working life.
o The objective is described very clearly.
o The delimitation is justified and described precisely in a way that guides the content and structure of the work.

2. Theoretical Framework
o Relevant, peer-reviewed, and international sources are used appropriately, critically, and justified in terms of objectives.
o There is a rich dialogue between the sources.
o The use of concepts is accurate and justified.
o The theoretical framework shows knowledge of different views and provides excellent support for the objective.

3. Methodology
o Methodological choices are well justified and described in detail and critically.
o The methods are excellent for the thesis.
o The whole research and development work, its stages, and progress are excellently implemented and described.

4. Outcomes
o The outcomes fit the objectives in an excellent manner.
o The value of the outcomes is well considered and justified.
o The generalisability is considered, and some of the outcomes have wider use.
o The outcomes have been evaluated commendably in relation to the theoretical framework.

5. Reporting
o The report forms a balanced whole, in which the importance of the parts is well justified.
o The report proceeds from step to step in a consistent manner.
o Comprehensibility and readability are at an excellent level.
o The reporting guidelines have been followed perfectly.
o The illustrations and tables are made in accordance with the instructions, they are informative and add value to the report.

6. Thesis Project Management
o The student has demonstrated the ability to adapt to unexpected challenges during the process as well as demanding, independent expert work.
o The work has progressed according to schedule.

Förkunskapskrav

Applied Research and Development Design