Master's Thesis (30op)

Osaamistavoitteet

After completion of the thesis the student is able to
- plan and implement independently scientific research: identify a research phenomenon, define a research subject, develop research questions, conduct a systematic literature review, develop a theoretical framework and make thoughtful methodological choices
- conduct the careful analysis and critical evaluation of empirical data
- develop research findings based on the data analysis
- conduct research that follows the ethical principles of good research practice
- develop and present research arguments
- write research reports according to the principles of academic writing.

Sisältö

Preparing a research plan, developing research arguments, reporting research results, familiarizing oneself with the research subject, theoretical discussions, methodology, data collection and analysis, research communication.

Esitietovaatimukset

Supplementary studies
Methodological studies
TourCIM studies (recommended)

Arviointikriteerit, tyydyttävä (1)

Fail: The thesis does not meet the minimum requirements set for the thesis.

Approbatur

The approbatur level thesis meets the minimum criteria for the approval of an academic thesis. The thesis has been designed and written independently and in adherence to the ethical norms of research. The thesis demonstrates mastery of at least one of its aspects, although it may contain even severe insufficiencies regarding some other aspects. The subject chosen for the thesis is unsuccessful or the author has not conducted the research in a successful manner. The purpose, objectives and concepts of the research may be missing or remain unclear. The research problems are poorly articulated, no sufficient research justification is provided for them, and the research problems addressed are not connected to the theoretical background of the study. The theoretical background of the thesis is insufficient. The source literature is of low relevance and quality. Methodological choices and data analysis demonstrate clear shortcomings. The data set is small or narrow in scope or it has not been utilized. The results are presented in a list-like manner without commentary or evaluation. Conclusions and discussion are almost completely missing or are extremely cursory. The language used is poor. There are shortcomings regarding the structure of the thesis, referencing and presenting bibliographic information.

Lubenter approbatur

Some aspects of the thesis clearly exceed the approbatur level, although there may be shortcomings regarding some other aspects of the work. The subject chosen for the thesis is unsuccessful or the author has not conducted the research in a successful manner. The purpose of the research at hand is discussed to some extent, but its connection to previous research on the subject remains unclear. The theories and studies referred to in the thesis remain unconnected with each other and are only loosely linked to the research problem at hand. The concepts have been defined in an insufficient and list-like manner. The research methods are inconsistently applied and no research justification for the selected methods has been provided. Data collection has been discussed to some extent, but discussion of analysis methods is cursory or missing. The data have not been completely analyzed and the reliability of the data is not discussed. Presentation of the results is insufficient or has inconsistencies. The conclusions consist of a summary of the research, i.e. the author merely repeats what has been done. Ethical issues pertaining to the research at hand are not sufficiently discussed. There is some structural deficiency in the thesis and the language used is not completely fluent.

Arviointikriteerit, hyvä (3)

Non sine laude approbatur

The research subject is conventional or widely researched in the field. Theories and results of previous research related to the subject at hand are discussed in the thesis, but they are presented in a list-like and mechanical manner. The scope of the relevant background information about the research subject may be too narrow/too wide, illogical, or poorly defined. The starting points and the research problems of the study at hand have been discussed and attempts have been made to link them with previous research, but without clear success. The sources cited are sufficient, but not all of them are relevant and some relevant sources are missing. The author demonstrates a rather good command of the research method, but methodological choices are discussed by merely summarizing the methodological research literature and not by linking them to the study at hand. The results are presented in a rather mechanical manner or their interpretation lacks depth, but the conclusions are, at least to some extent, appropriately placed in the context of previous research or practical needs. Establishing links between the results and the theoretical background or practical applications of the research, as well as critical evaluation or the results, remain to some extent insufficient. However, the conclusions include reference to possibilities of future research. Ethical issues pertaining to the research at hand are not sufficiently discussed. The language used in the thesis is clear, although some of the formal components of the work have inadequacies.

Cum laude approbatur

The research subject is rather conventional or common in the field, and the thesis demonstrates familiarity with previous research on the subject. The objectives of the research are defined, justified and linked to the theoretical background. The sources selected are relevant to the research problem at hand. The thesis demonstrates elements of independent and critical research and the author’s ability to conduct an empirical study. The methodological choices are justified. The reliability of the results and the research process is evaluated in an appropriate manner. The concluding discussion points out connections to the problem setting and theoretical background of the thesis. The research results are of both scientific and practical value. The results are evaluated and avenues for further research on the subject are proposed, or possibilities of application of the results are pointed out. Ethical issues pertaining to the research at hand have been taken into consideration. The formal components of the thesis are nearly impeccable and the language used is good.

Magna cum laude approbatur

The research subject is interesting and the thesis demonstrates the author’s familiarity with the scientific and public debate in the subject area. The objectives of the research are well defined, justified and linked to the theoretical background. The source literature is of central relevance to the subject at hand. The thesis demonstrates elements of independent and critical research and the author’s ability to conduct a demanding empirical study. The methodological choices and methods are well thought out and justified. The author’s interpretation of the results and the conclusions drawn are logical and well justified. The research results are of both scientific and practical value. The results are evaluated and avenues for further research on the subject are proposed, or possibilities of application of the results are pointed out. Ethical issues pertaining to the research at hand are discussed. The author demonstrates mastery of scientific conventions of academic thesis writing, and the work meets the formal, layout and language requirements set for a thesis.

Arviointikriteerit, kiitettävä (5)

Eximia cum laude approbatur

The research subject is demanding and the work demonstrates the author’s profound familiarity with the scientific and public debate in the subject area. Reorganization and synthesis of theory and existing research literature have been carried out in a manner that presents new perspectives into the research subject. The objectives of the research are well justified and defined and skillfully linked to the theoretical background of the thesis. The thesis demonstrates elements of independent, critical and innovative research and the author’s ability to organize and manage extensive theoretical and empirical sets of data and research problems as well as to conduct a demanding empirical study. The methodological choices and methods are well thought out and well justified. The data collection method and the analysis conducted demonstrate the author’s own insight. The research results are of both scientific and practical value. The results are evaluated and avenues for further research on the subject are proposed, or possibilities of application of the results are pointed out. The thesis is written in high-quality academic prose and meets the ethical requirements set for research.

Laudatur

The research subject is more demanding than the average thesis subject and the work demonstrates the author’s profound familiarity with the scientific and public debate in the subject area. The research is clearly linked with previous research on the subject, the selected research literature is highly relevant to the research subject, and the bibliography of the thesis is more substantial and extensive than that of the average thesis. The theoretical framework and the set of concepts used are skillfully defined and well justified. The research problem setting brings fresh and innovative perspectives into the subject and is of both theoretical and practical significance. Collection and analysis of empirical material have been carried out with great care and thoroughness. The selected analysis methods are relevant to the research problem at hand and the thesis demonstrates the author’s ability to further develop and evaluate the selected methods independently. The thesis demonstrates elements of critical research. The versatile discussion demonstrated by the thesis is indicative of the author’s ability to become thoroughly familiar with and to organize the subject matter, and to conduct and report scientific research. The research results are of both scientific and practical value. The results are evaluated and avenues for further research on the subject are proposed, or possibilities of application of the results are pointed out. The thesis is written in high-quality academic prose and meets the ethical requirements set for research.

Oppimateriaalit

Reading package and further information during the seminar.

Toteutustavat

Independent work and supervisory meetings with the thesis supervisor.

Suoritustavat

Writing a publication of the Master's thesis.

Accepted Master's thesis and maturity exam. In addition to the written exam, the maturity exam can be completed also in a form of a short article to be published or a public presentation of research results. These presentations should be accompanied by a short report.

Finnish students who have completed their Bachelor's degree abroad need to write a maturity exam in the Finnish language.