General provisions

The course may be a part of Master's Programme in Business and Management, Master's Programme in Accounting, Auditing and Analysis, Master's Programme in Management, Communication and IT, Master's Programme in Auditing, Master's Programme in Sustainable Business and Management, Master's Programme in Social Analysis of Economy and Organisation (Business Management track) and in externally funded Master Programmes (EEA). The course syllabus was approved by the board of the Department of Business Studies on delegation from the Faculty of Social Sciences.

Entry requirements

A Bachelor's degree, equivalent to a Swedish degree of at least 180 credits with at least 90 credits in Business Studies including an independently written academic work of at least 10 credits.

For students within the Master Programme in Auditing the following also applies: To be eligible students are required to have participated in all previous courses within the programme and have obtained at least 15 credits within the programme at the point of registration.

For students within Master Programme in Business and Management, Master Programme in Accounting, Auditing and Analysis, Master Programme in Sustainable Business and Management and Master Programme in Social Analysis of Economy and Organisation (Business Management track) and externally funded Master programmes (EEA) the following also applies: To be eligible students are required to have participated in all previous courses within the programme and have obtained at least 7.5 credits within the programme at the point of registration.

Learning outcomes

After completion of the course, the student is expected to have

• developed the capacity to understand and discuss different methodological and scientific starting points
• developed the insight in various approaches to research design, data collection and data analysis
• increased skills in analysis and discussion of different empirical and theoretical phenomena
• developed experience in identifying research problems and in analysing these problems based on various theoretical and methodological perspectives
• developed the capacity to carry out scientific research/investigations
• developed the skills in communicating the results of research/investigations in speech and writing
• developed the insight in the consequences of the choices one makes when formulating research question, and collecting and analysing data

Content

Within the framework of the thesis, you will explore different ways of finding information, defining the scope of a project and doing research, as well as different ways of communicating the results. The thesis includes defining a problem, discussing method and theoretical approach, collecting information and data, presenting your thesis in speech and writing, as well as rewriting your thesis.

Instruction

The course consists mainly of independent work with the thesis (done in pairs). Instruction also consists of compulsory seminars and tutoring, and occasional lectures.

Assessment

Grades will be given in accordance with the Swedish grading system. The following grades will be used: Pass with distinction (VG), Pass (G) or Fail (U). The grading will be given mainly on basis of the final thesis, but class participation and thesis defence are also taken into account. In order to pass the course, students need to complete all mandatory course elements and to hand in an approved thesis within the prescribed time limit. The grade VG can only be rewarded to theses that have been duly discussed at the final seminar, and that have been submitted within the prescribed time limit. All tutoring ends after the final seminar.

Uppsala University does not accept cheating and plagiarism. Suspected incidents of cheating or plagiarism are reported to the Disciplinary Committee of the University, which may issue a formal warning to the student or suspend the student from studies for a certain period.

NOTE: Only completed courses can count toward a degree.