Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

This course introduces students to the Master’sThesis work by covering the fundamentals of the research process and requirements for a thesis. Upon successful completion of this course, you should:
• know what a good Master’s thesis is;
• be able to independently develop a research proposal in the area of your specialization;and
• be able to conduct independent scientific research under supervisionin a timely manner.

Credits: 6

Schedule: 09.01.2019 - 07.02.2019

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Saija Katila

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Virpi Outila

Contact information for the course (valid 14.12.2018-21.12.2112):

Instructor's contact information

Virpi Outila (virpi.outila@aalto.fi)

Office hours: By appointment

Assistant teacher: Max Dike

(marcellinus.dike@aalto.fi)

CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

 

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    The online MSc Thesis Seminar provides an overview of the thesis process through text, videos and assignments. The seminar explicates the criteria for good research questions and literature review and guides students on how to meet the criteria in practice. The seminar further discusses important ethical aspects in doing research. In the end of the seminar students will produce a professional research proposal. Note: Thesis supervisors will be allocated in the early phases of the seminar.


    While the seminar operates fully online, three voluntary tutoring meetings will be organized where you can discuss in a supportive atmosphere issues relevant to your thesis process.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    This course introduces students to the Master’s Thesis work by covering the fundamentals of the research process and requirements for a thesis. Upon successful completion of this course, you should:  

    • know what a good Master’s thesis is 
    • be able to independently develop a research proposal in the area of your specialization 
    • be able to conduct independent scientific research under supervision 


Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    100% assignments

  • Applies in this implementation:

    The seminar will be graded based on the following the assignments: 

    • Assignment #1: analysis and evaluation of existing thesis (20% of the final grade) 
    • Assignment #2: first draft of individual research proposal (20% of the final grade) 
    • Assignment #3: memo of supervisory meeting and steps to be taken (10% of the final grade) 
    • Assignment #4: final research proposal (50% of the final grade) 

    The final grade (0 to 5) is based on cutoff points below: 

    0-50 points = 0 

    50-59 points = 1 

    60-69 points = 2 

    70-79 points = 3 

    80-89 points = 4 

    90-100 points = 5 


    All assignments have to be completed and returned and all assignments need to be passed with a grade of 1/5 in order to get a final grade for the course. Attendance in the seminar lectures is mandatory. 

    Note that turning in class assignments is considered acknowledgement of guidelines on scholastic honesty and academic integrity. 

    Assignments:

    Assignment 1: 

    Analysis and evaluation of an existing thesis relevant to your topic/methods/interests/level of ambition. First describe briefly the study and how it relates to your research interests. Then evaluate it using the Master’s Thesis Evaluation Rubric as your evaluation tool. Assess 1) What was good? 2) What could be improved? 3) What did you learn from reading this (and other) theses? The rubric can be found in the materials folder. The length of the assignment is 1200-1300 words. 

    Assignment 2: 

    Development of an individual research proposal, which includes your research setting and problem/objective(s), research questions, conceptual definitions, and ideas concerning your theoretical framework, data collection and methodological choices. The length of the proposal is 1200-1500 words. 

    Assignment 3: 

    Contacting your supervisor and presenting the first draft of the research proposal to her/him. Then write a memo of 1) what was discussed, 2) what you learned, 3) what kind of steps you intend to do to improve your proposal and 4) what is the timeframe for the improvements. The length of the memo is 400-800 words. 

    Assignment 4: 

    Writing a full length research proposal based on the feedback from the supervisor and the course teacher. The length of the proposal is 4500-5000 words (i.e. approximately 15 pages). Instructions for writing the proposal can be found in the materials folder. Please return by (1) uploading to the MyCourses return box and (2) emailing to your supervisor. 

    Technical instructions for all the assignments 

    Please use 

    • Times New Roman 12 cpi 
    • line spacing 1,5 
    • margins 2,5 
    • Harvard referencing system http://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htm 

    Please provide the word count on the first page of your assignments 

    Kindly observe that course assignments 1-3 are to be written in English only, and assignment 4 in the language the thesis will be written i.e. in English (or in Finnish). 

    Assignments 1-3 will be graded by the course teacher and assignment 4 by the supervisor. 


Workload
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Total 160h (6 ECTS)

  • Applies in this implementation:

    Classroom hours 9 h

    Class preparation 9 h

    Assignments 142 h

    Total 160 h (6 op)

DETAILS

Study Material
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Set of materials provided by the lecturer.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    A master’s thesis approved at Aalto Biz for the assignment due for Seminar #2. Articles relevant for your topic. 


Prerequisites
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Only for students working / starting to work on their thesis.

Registration for Courses
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Compulsory registration via WebOodi one week before the start of the teaching period at latest.
    Please write following to the text box Further information when registering in WebOodi:

    1. Which Master s Program you are in: M&IB, Global Management, IDBM, Creative Sustainability, Strategy, Corporate Communication
    2. Thesis topic or the tentative thematic area of research
    3. Intended thesis schedule
    4. No idea for a supervisor / name of the supervisor you would like to have / name of the supervisor who is supervising/agreed to supervise you
    5. Other information you find relevant (e.g. commissioned work, supervisor from a company etc. note you always need a supervisor from the department)

     

  • Applies in this implementation:

    If you are not able to attend a session, to compensate you will have to write:

    • a one page summary each for 3 pre-selected articles on methodological aspects of doing academic research in Management Studies (i.e. 1 page for each article, see below)
    • Plus a page where you provide your reflections concerning why (or why not) and how the summarized articles can be useful for / applied to your own project
    • The assignment is evaluated as pass or fail –> You need to pass!

    Compulsory readings

    Eisenhardt, K. (1989). Building Theories from Case Study Research. Academy of Management Review, 14(4): 532-550

    Alvesson, M. Kärreman, D. (2007). Constructing Mystery: Empirical Matters in Theory Development. Academy of Management Review, 32(4): 1265-1281

    Plus one of the following:

    Gioia, D. Chittipeddi, K. (1991). Sensemaking and Sensegiving in Strategic Change Initiation. Strategic Management Journal, 12: 433- 448

      OR

    Mantere, S. Schildt, H. Sillince, J. (2012). Reversal of Strategic Change. Academy of ManagementJournal, 55(1): 172-196

      OR

    Welch, C., Piekkari, R., Plakoyiannaki, E., & Paavilainen-Mäntymäki, E. 2011. Theorising from case studies: towards a pluralist future for international business research. Journal of International Business Studies, 42: 740-762.


FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Compulsory registration via WebOodi one week before the start of the teaching period at latest.
    Please write following to the text box Further information when registering in WebOodi:

    1. Which Master s Program you are in: M&IB, Global Management, IDBM, Creative Sustainability, Strategy, Corporate Communication
    2. Thesis topic or the tentative thematic area of research
    3. Intended thesis schedule
    4. No idea for a supervisor / name of the supervisor you would like to have / name of the supervisor who is supervising/agreed to supervise you
    5. Other information you find relevant (e.g. commissioned work, supervisor from a company etc. note you always need a supervisor from the department)

  • Applies in this implementation:

    If you are not able to attend a session, to compensate you will have to write:

    • a one page summary each for 3 pre-selected articles on methodological aspects of doing academic research in Management Studies (i.e. 1 page for each article, see below)
    • Plus a page where you provide your reflections concerning why (or why not) and how the summarized articles can be useful for / applied to your own project
    • The assignment is evaluated as pass or fail –> You need to pass!

    Compulsory readings

    Eisenhardt, K. (1989). Building Theories from Case Study Research. Academy of Management Review, 14(4): 532-550

    Alvesson, M. Kärreman, D. (2007). Constructing Mystery: Empirical Matters in Theory Development. Academy of Management Review, 32(4): 1265-1281

    Plus one of the following:

    Gioia, D. Chittipeddi, K. (1991). Sensemaking and Sensegiving in Strategic Change Initiation. Strategic Management Journal, 12: 433- 448

      OR

    Mantere, S. Schildt, H. Sillince, J. (2012). Reversal of Strategic Change. Academy of ManagementJournal, 55(1): 172-196

      OR

    Welch, C., Piekkari, R., Plakoyiannaki, E., & Paavilainen-Mäntymäki, E. 2011. Theorising from case studies: towards a pluralist future for international business research. Journal of International Business Studies, 42: 740-762.


Details on the schedule
  • Applies in this implementation:

    Session

    Date

    Place

    Topic

    Assignment Due Date

    Seminar #1

    9.1.2019

    9:15-11:45

    E-127 Arkadia

    Introduction
    to thesis process, posing research questions

     

     

    Seminar #2

    16.1.2019

    9:15-11:45

    E-127 Arkadia

    Planning a
    research proposal

     

    Assignment 1

    15.1. at 23.00

    Seminar #3

    30.1.2019

    9:15-11:45

    E-127 Arkadia

    How to
    review literature and write

    Assignment 2

    29.1. at 23.00

     

     

     

     

    Assignment 3

    1.3. at 23.00

     

     

     

     

    Assignment 4

    15.3. at 23.00

    Seminar #4

    to be decided

    to be decided

    Progress seminar