STR402A Methodology for Master Thesis

• Topics

  The purpose of this course is to develop the methodological skills that are required for writing a master's thesis. Students learn to formulate research questions, make critical use of literature and theory, as well as how to collect and analyse data through qualitative and quantitative methods. The course consists of a series of assignments where the purpose is to introduce the students to the different steps in the research process.

  Topics

  • Introduction to the research process
  • Choice of topic and formulating a research question
  • Literature review
  • Key concepts, variables and theories
  • Research models
  • Different designs and methods
  • Data collection
  • Data analysis and interpretation
  • The writing process
  • Ethical questions

• Learning outcome

  Knowledge

  The candidate:

  • is able to formulate a research question
  • has advanced knowledge about research designs in social science
  • has thorough knowledge of the requirements of a master thesis

  Skills

  The candidate:

  • can analyse and deal critically with various sources of information relevant to the master thesis
  • can use relevant research strategies in different methodological approaches
  • is familiar with analysing qualitative and quantitative data

  General competence

  The candidate:

  • can apply his/her knowledge and skills to carry out a master thesis project
  • can communicate a plan for his/her master thesis project
  • is able to evaluate ethical issues at each step of the research process

• Teaching

  The teaching consists of a combination of lectures, assignments and student presentations.

• Credit reduction due to overlap

  STR402A is the equivalent to STR405 and students will not get credit for both courses.

• Compulsory Activity

  The students need approval of all course requirements (assignments and presentation in groups of 2-3 students) to hand in the project description (term-paper) and to take the written exam.

• Assessment

  Project description (60%). The project description has to be conducted in groups of 2-3 students. Students will work in groups throughout the entire semester on a semester project.

  Exam - Four (4) hour individual School exam, digital (40%).

  Retaking of the project description and exam:

  Project description: students wishing to submit a new project description must submit new course assignments.

  Exam: students can retake the exam without retaking the compulsory activities (work requirements).

  Language:

  The exam text is given in Norwegian, and the students may answer in Norwegian or English in the spring semester.

  The exam text is given in English, and the students have to answer in English in the autumn semester.

  The project description (term-paper) has to be written in English in the autumn semester.

• Grading Scale

  A - F

• Literature

  Saunders, M. N. K., Lewis, P, and Thornhill, A. (2023). Research Methods for Business Students, 9th ed. Pearson: UK.

• Permitted Support Material

  One bilingual dictionary (Category I)

  All in accordance with Supplementary provisions to the Regulations for Full-time Study Programmes at the Norwegian School of Economics Ch.4 Permitted support material https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/regulations/https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/regulations/and https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/examinations/examination-support-materials/https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/examinations/examination-support-materials/

  For the use of artificial intelligence, the same guidelines apply as for the master's thesis: https://www.nhh.no/en/for-students/masters-thesis/guidelines-for-use-of-ai-tools-in-the-work-on-master-theses/Guidelines for use of AI-tools in the work on master theses | NHH

  Dictionary: one bilingual dictionary permitted