master thesis plan template

What’s Included: The Dissertation Template

If you’re preparing to write your dissertation, thesis or research project, our free dissertation template is the perfect starting point. In the template, we cover every section step by step, with clear, straightforward explanations and examples .

The template’s structure is based on the tried and trusted best-practice format for formal academic research projects such as dissertations and theses. The template structure reflects the overall research process, ensuring your dissertation or thesis will have a smooth, logical flow from chapter to chapter.

The dissertation template covers the following core sections:

• The title page/cover page
• Abstract (sometimes also called the executive summary)
• Table of contents
• List of figures /list of tables
• Chapter 1: Introduction  (also available: in-depth introduction template )
• Chapter 2: Literature review  (also available: in-depth LR template )
• Chapter 3: Methodology (also available: in-depth methodology template )
• Chapter 4: Research findings /results (also available: results template )
• Chapter 5: Discussion /analysis of findings (also available: discussion template )
• Chapter 6: Conclusion (also available: in-depth conclusion template )
• Reference list

Each section is explained in plain, straightforward language , followed by an overview of the key elements that you need to cover within each section. We’ve also included practical examples to help you understand exactly what’s required in each section.

The cleanly-formatted Google Doc can be downloaded as a fully editable MS Word Document (DOCX format), so you can use it as-is or convert it to LaTeX.

FAQs: Dissertation Template

What format is the template (doc, pdf, ppt, etc.).

The dissertation template is provided as a Google Doc. You can download it in MS Word format or make a copy to your Google Drive. You’re also welcome to convert it to whatever format works best for you, such as LaTeX or PDF.

What types of dissertations/theses can this template be used for?

The template follows the standard best-practice structure for formal academic research projects such as dissertations or theses, so it is suitable for the vast majority of degrees, particularly those within the sciences.

Some universities may have some additional requirements, but these are typically minor, with the core structure remaining the same. Therefore, it’s always a good idea to double-check your university’s requirements before you finalise your structure.

Will this work for a research paper?

A research paper follows a similar format, but there are a few differences. You can find our research paper template here .

Is this template for an undergrad, Masters or PhD-level thesis?

This template can be used for a dissertation, thesis or research project at any level of study. It may be slight overkill for an undergraduate-level study, but it certainly won’t be missing anything.

How long should my dissertation/thesis be?

This depends entirely on your university’s specific requirements, so it’s best to check with them. As a general ballpark, Masters-level projects are usually 15,000 – 20,000 words in length, while Doctoral-level projects are often in excess of 60,000 words.

What about the research proposal?

If you’re still working on your research proposal, we’ve got a template for that here .

We’ve also got loads of proposal-related guides and videos over on the Grad Coach blog .

How do I write a literature review?

We have a wealth of free resources on the Grad Coach Blog that unpack how to write a literature review from scratch. You can check out the literature review section of the blog here.

How do I create a research methodology?

We have a wealth of free resources on the Grad Coach Blog that unpack research methodology, both qualitative and quantitative. You can check out the methodology section of the blog here.

Can I share this dissertation template with my friends/colleagues?

Yes, you’re welcome to share this template. If you want to post about it on your blog or social media, all we ask is that you reference this page as your source.

Can Grad Coach help me with my dissertation/thesis?

Within the template, you’ll find plain-language explanations of each section, which should give you a fair amount of guidance. However, you’re also welcome to consider our dissertation and thesis coaching services .

• Graduate School

How to Write a Master's Thesis Proposal

How to write a master’s thesis proposal is one of the most-asked questions by graduate students. A master's thesis proposal involves a copious amount of data collection, particular presentation ethics, and most importantly, it will become the roadmap to your full thesis. Remember, you must convince your committee that your idea is strong and unique, and that you have done enough legwork to begin with the first few drafts of your final thesis. Your proposal should serve as a foundational blueprint on which you will later build your entire project. To have the perfect thesis proposal, you need to have original ideas, solid information, and proper presentation. While it is a good idea to take assistance from thesis writing services , you still need to personally understand the elements that contribute to a master’s thesis proposal worthy of approval. In this blog, we will discuss the process of writing your master’s thesis proposal and give you tips for making your proposal strong. Stay tuned!

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 8 min read

How to decide the goals for your master's thesis.

If you are pursuing a master’s or a PhD , you will be undertaking a major research paper or a thesis. Thus, writing a thesis proposal becomes inevitable. Your major objective for pursuing a master’s degree is to improve your knowledge in your field of study. When you start your degree, you delve deeper into different concepts in your discipline and try to search for answers to all kinds of questions. If you come across a question that no one can answer, you can select that question as your research thesis topic.

A master's thesis proposal will have multiple sections depending on your decided layout. These sections will continuously support your argument and try to convince the reader of your core argument. The structure will also help you arrange the various parts of the paper to have a greater impact on the readers. A paper should always begin with you giving a brief summary of the topic and how you have come across it. The introduction is particularly important because it will give the readers a brief idea about the topic of discussion and win their interest in the matter.

After the summary has been given, slowly you need to progress into the body of the thesis proposal which would explain your argument, research methodology, literary texts that have a relation to the topic, and the conclusion of your study. It would be similar to an essay or a literary review consisting of 3 or 4 parts. The bibliography will be placed at the end of the paper so that people can cross-check your sources.

Let's take a look at the sections most master's thesis proposals should cover. Please note that each university has its own guidelines for how to structure and what to include in a master’s thesis proposal. The outline we provide below is general, so please make sure to follow the exact guidelines provided by your school:

Restate your primary argument and give us a glimpse of what you will include in the main master\u2019s thesis. Leave the reader wanting more. Your research proposal should talk about what research chapters you are trying to undertake in your final thesis. You can also mention the proposed time in which you will complete these chapters.  ","label":"Conclusion and proposed chapters","title":"Conclusion and proposed chapters"}]" code="tab1" template="BlogArticle">

A thesis proposal needs to be convincing enough to get approval. If the information is not enough to satisfy the evaluation committee, it would require revision. Hence, you need to select and follow the right methodology to make your argument convincing. When a research proposal is presented, the reader will determine the validity of your argument by judging the strength of your evidence and conclusions. Therefore, even writige:ng a proposal will require extensive research on your part. You should start writing your thesis proposal by working through the following steps.

Interested in a summary of the points covered below? Check out this infographic:

Exploring your topic in detail

You need to delve deeper into your chosen topic to see if your idea is original. In the process of this exploration, you will find tons of materials that will be supportive of your argument. When choosing your research topic and the problem you want to explore, you should always consider your primary research interest (yes, the one which you had mentioned in your research interest statement during grad school applications) for a better master’s thesis. You have a high probability of performing better in an area that you have always liked as compared to any other research area or topic.

Reviewing the literature

You have to include all the sources from where you have formed your argument and mention them in the thesis proposal. If you neglect to mention important source texts, the reader may consider it to be plagiarism. Furthermore, you want to keep track of all your research because it will be easier to provide references if you know the exact source of each piece of information.

Finding opposing arguments for your study

You should also mention any texts that would counter your argument and try to disprove their claims in the thesis. Make sure to use evidence if you try to disprove the counterarguments you face.

Emphasizing the importance of your research

At the end of the thesis proposal, you need to convince the reader why your proposal is important to your chosen field of study, which would ultimately help you in getting your topic approved. Thus, it is essential to outline the importance of your research thoroughly.

Drafting your proposal

After doing proper research, you should go ahead and draft your proposal. Remember you will not get it right in just one draft, it will take at least 50 attempts to come up with a satisfactory proposal. You should proofread your draft several times and even have a fellow student review it for you before sending it further to your research supervisor.

Getting your proposal evaluated by your supervisor

After you have written sufficient drafts, you need to get your proposal evaluated by your research supervisor. This is necessary to meet the graduate research requirements. It will ensure the clarity and correctness of your proposal. For your supervisor to evaluate your proposal, you should complete the research methodology part along with sufficient proposed work.

Since your supervisor will play a crucial role in your master's research thesis, you must choose a supervisor who can be your ultimate guide in writing your master's thesis. They will be your partner and support system during your study and will help you in eliminating obstacles to achieving your goal.

Choosing the ideal supervisor is a pretty daunting task. Here’s how you can go about the process:

You should approach your professor with an open mind and discuss the potential goals of your research. You should hear what they think and then if you both mutually agree, you can choose them as your supervisor for your master\u2019s thesis. "}]">

Length of a Master’s Thesis Proposal

The length of a master’s thesis proposal differs from university to university and depends on the discipline of research as well. Usually, you have to include all the above-mentioned sections, and the length is around 8 pages and can go up to 12-15 pages for subjects such as the liberal arts. Universities might also define the number of words in the guidelines for your master’s thesis proposal and you have to adhere to that word limit.

Are you debating between pursuing a Masters or a PhD? This video has details that can help you decide which is best for you:

How to Format a Research Thesis Proposal Correctly?

Now that you know how to write a thesis proposal, you must make it presentable. Although your school might give your specific instructions, you can keep in mind some of the general advice:

• You can use some basic font like Times New Roman and keep the font size to 10 or 12 points.
• The left margin should be 1.5 inches and all other margins should be 1 inch each.
• You should follow double-spacing for your content.
• The first line of paragraphs should be indented 0.5 inches and the paragraphs should be left or center aligned.

Tips to Write a Strong Master's Thesis Proposal

When you are writing your master’s thesis proposal, you should keep these tips in mind to write an excellent master’s thesis proposal with all the correct elements to get approval from the evaluating committee:

Select your research objectives wisely

You should be clear on what you wish to learn from your research. Your learning objectives should stem from your research interests. If you are unsure, refer to your grad school career goals statement to review what you wanted out of grad school in the first place. Then, choose your objectives around it.

Write a clear title

The title of your research proposal should be concise and written in a language that can be understood easily by others. The title should be able to give the reader an idea of your intended research and should be interesting.

Jot down your thoughts, arguments, and evidence

You should always start with a rough outline of your arguments because you will not miss any point in this way. Brainstorm what you want to include in the proposal and then expand those points to complete your proposal. You can decide the major headings with the help of the guidelines provided to you.

Focus on the feasibility and importance

You should consider whether your research is feasible with the available resources. Additionally, your proposal should clearly convey the significance of your research in your field.

Use simple language

Since the evaluation committee can have researchers from different subject areas, it is best to write your proposal in a simple language that is understandable by all.

Stick to the guidelines

Your university will be providing the guidelines for writing your research proposal. You should adhere to those guidelines strictly since your proposal will be primarily evaluated on the basis of those.

Have an impactful opening section

It is a no-brainer that the opening statement of your proposal should be powerful enough to grasp the attention of the readers and get them interested in your research topic. You should be able to convey your interest and enthusiasm in the introductory section.

Peer review prior to submission

Apart from working with your research supervisor, it is essential that you ask some classmates and friends to review your proposal. The comments and suggestions that they give will be valuable in helping you to make the language of your proposal clearer.

You have worked hard to get into grad school and even harder on searching your research topic. Thus, you must be careful while building your thesis proposal so that you have maximum chances of acceptance.

If you're curious how your graduate school education will differ from your undergraduate education, take a look at this video so you know what to expect:

Writing the perfect research proposal might be challenging, but keeping to the basics might make your task easier. In a nutshell, you need to be thorough in your study question. You should conduct sufficient research to gather all relevant materials required to support your argument. After collecting all data, make sure to present it systematically to give a clearer understanding and convince the evaluators to approve your proposal. Lastly, remember to submit your proposal well within the deadline set by your university. Your performance at grad school is essential, especially if you need a graduate degree to gain admission to med school and your thesis contributes to that performance. Thus, start with a suitable research problem, draft a strong proposal, and then begin with your thesis after your proposal is approved.

In your master’s thesis proposal, you should include your research topic and the problem statement being addressed in your research, along with a proposed solution. The proposal should explain the importance and limitations of your research.

The length of a master’s thesis proposal is outlined by the university in the instructions for preparing your master’s thesis proposal.

The time taken to write a master’s thesis proposal depends upon the study which you are undertaking and your discipline of research. It will take a minimum time of three months. The ideal time can be around six months. 

You should begin your master’s thesis proposal by writing an introduction to your research topic. You should state your topic clearly and provide some background. Keep notes and rough drafts of your proposal so you can always refer to them when you write the first real draft.

The basic sections that your master’s thesis proposal should cover are the problem statement, research methodology, proposed activities, importance, and the limitations of your research.

A master’s thesis proposal which clearly defines the problem in a straightforward and explains the research methodology in simple words is considered a good thesis proposal.

You can use any classic font for your master’s thesis proposal such as Times New Roman. If you are recommended a specific font in the proposal guidelines by your institution, it would be advisable to stick to that.

The ideal font size for your master’s thesis proposal will be 10 or 12 points.

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• Dissertation
• Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates

Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates

Published on 8 June 2022 by Tegan George .

A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical early steps in your writing process . It helps you to lay out and organise your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.

Generally, an outline contains information on the different sections included in your thesis or dissertation, such as:

• Your anticipated title
• Your abstract
• Your chapters (sometimes subdivided into further topics like literature review, research methods, avenues for future research, etc.)

In the final product, you can also provide a chapter outline for your readers. This is a short paragraph at the end of your introduction to inform readers about the organisational structure of your thesis or dissertation . This chapter outline is also known as a reading guide or summary outline.

Table of contents

How to outline your thesis or dissertation, dissertation and thesis outline templates, chapter outline example, sample sentences for your chapter outline, sample verbs for variation in your chapter outline, frequently asked questions about outlines.

While there are some inter-institutional differences, many outlines proceed in a fairly similar fashion.

• Working Title
• ‘Elevator pitch’ of your work (often written last).
• Introduce your area of study, sharing details about your research question, problem statement , and hypotheses . Situate your research within an existing paradigm or conceptual or theoretical framework .
• Subdivide as you see fit into main topics and sub-topics.
• Describe your research methods (e.g., your scope, population , and data collection ).
• Present your research findings and share about your data analysis methods.
• Answer the research question in a concise way.
• Interpret your findings, discuss potential limitations of your own research and speculate about future implications or related opportunities.

To help you get started, we’ve created a full thesis or dissertation template in Word or Google Docs format. It’s easy adapt it to your own requirements.

 Download Word template    Download Google Docs template

It can be easy to fall into a pattern of overusing the same words or sentence constructions, which can make your work monotonous and repetitive for your readers. Consider utilising some of the alternative constructions presented below.

Example 1: Passive construction

The passive voice is a common choice for outlines and overviews because the context makes it clear who is carrying out the action (e.g., you are conducting the research ). However, overuse of the passive voice can make your text vague and imprecise.

Example 2: IS-AV construction

You can also present your information using the ‘IS-AV’ (inanimate subject with an active verb) construction.

A chapter is an inanimate object, so it is not capable of taking an action itself (e.g., presenting or discussing). However, the meaning of the sentence is still easily understandable, so the IS-AV construction can be a good way to add variety to your text.

Example 3: The I construction

Another option is to use the ‘I’ construction, which is often recommended by style manuals (e.g., APA Style and Chicago style ). However, depending on your field of study, this construction is not always considered professional or academic. Ask your supervisor if you’re not sure.

Example 4: Mix-and-match

To truly make the most of these options, consider mixing and matching the passive voice , IS-AV construction , and ‘I’ construction .This can help the flow of your argument and improve the readability of your text.

As you draft the chapter outline, you may also find yourself frequently repeating the same words, such as ‘discuss’, ‘present’, ‘prove’, or ‘show’. Consider branching out to add richness and nuance to your writing. Here are some examples of synonyms you can use.

A thesis or dissertation outline is one of the most critical first steps in your writing process. It helps you to lay out and organise your ideas and can provide you with a roadmap for deciding what kind of research you’d like to undertake.

When you mention different chapters within your text, it’s considered best to use Roman numerals for most citation styles. However, the most important thing here is to remain consistent whenever using numbers in your dissertation .

All level 1 and 2 headings should be included in your table of contents . That means the titles of your chapters and the main sections within them.

The contents should also include all appendices and the lists of tables and figures, if applicable, as well as your reference list .

Do not include the acknowledgements or abstract   in the table of contents.

Cite this Scribbr article

If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.

George, T. (2022, June 08). Dissertation & Thesis Outline | Example & Free Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved 1 April 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/thesis-dissertation/outline-thesis-dissertation/

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Other students also liked, dissertation table of contents in word | instructions & examples, how to write a dissertation proposal | a step-by-step guide, thesis & dissertation acknowledgements | tips & examples.

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• Dissertation & Thesis Template

As a resource for graduate students, sample Word templates are available to assist with the initial formatting of doctoral dissertations and master's theses. Students are expected to fully format their dissertation/thesis according to the   " Preparation and Submission Manual for Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses ".

• This template is a starting point and students may have to add or remove sections/text to accurately reflect their document and adhere to all requirements in the manual.
• Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) does not provide technical support for any of the templates below.
• If using these templates, students must still refer to the formatting manual for full instructions.

The below templates are in Word. If you prefer to use LaTeX, here is a recommended unofficial template . We are not able to provide technical support for LaTeX.

Note: opening the Word template in Google Docs may cause auto-formatting features to be lost or auto-formatting features may appear differently.

A sample template of a co-author permission letter and cover letter from the committee chair can be found here . For complete information on submission of permission letters, please see this page and/or refer to the full Manual . 

Master’s Degree Thesis

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Doctoral Degree Dissertation

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• Dissertation & Thesis Manual

Master Thesis Proposal

Thesis proposal is considered as the most important proposal when it comes to the academic system. Your thesis proposal becomes a guide to which your academic and career usually depends. The more it is being planned well, the more you will get good results or findings. One of the hardest part is when you start writing for a thesis proposal to decide for an appropriate topic. Writing thesis proposal is quite not easy but it surely prepares you to become worthy professionals someday. In this article, you will be able to know more about making a master thesis proposal.

10+ Master Thesis Proposal Examples

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11. Computer Science Master Thesis Proposal

What is a Master Thesis Proposal?

Every school year for every graduating student, the goal is to complete a thesis which allows you to identify a research topic, formulate hypothesis, provide a background or rationale about your study, look for appropriate methods and collect data to get a result.

The purpose of thesis proposal is to present a topic that you think is essential in addressing a particular problem, plan in an organized manner regarding ways on how to collect and gather data to look for a possible solution and to decide what method is best for the data. You may also consider having thesis proposals to train you on how to improve your proposal writing because any degree program would really require you to do one.

Usually, most individuals or professionals are interested in the process on how the thesis proposal is being structured. All you need to do is to present a clear data and idea to relate your thesis idea into another existing study, justify its importance, describe how it is being investigated and to carry out a good conclusion.

Structure of Thesis Proposal

You master thesis proposal should have the following elements:

Title Page – this contains the descriptive title, name of the author, educational institution, department, name of your mentor and his or her institution and the date of delivery.

Abstract – abstract writing involves this is a short summary which contains up to a minimum of two hundred (200) words. It introduces an issue and would let you make a statement about it. It also contains your implication of your work.

Table of Contents – this is where you can see heading and subheadings incorporated with page numbers.

Introduction – this usually play the role in trying to catch you readers’ attention. In this area, you will be going to provide an explanation of the rationale. It should usually begin by discussing from the general perspective down to the specific ones until you reach to the research questions. This should be understandable to the readers.

Thesis Statement – state your thesis statement only in short sentences. This can be in a form of a question, statement or hypothesis. It should be able to capture the essence of your entire study.

Approach/Method used – this describes the approach and materials used and procedures. You should be able to include techniques, graphs and calculations, limitations and assumptions. Do not discuss yet your findings in the section.

Results and Discussion – present the information about your results and how are they going to fit in your theoretical framework.

Plan and Time Table – describe what are your plans until you are able to complete your entire thesis. List down your projects and their respective deadlines and the challenges that you have to overcome.

Implications – write down the list of knowledge that you think your audience still do not know anything about.

Reference – include a reference list on the last part of your proposal. This should include the citations of your concepts, text and data that you do not own. As much as possible, do not use footnotes and your references should be listed in alphabetical order.

How long is a thesis proposal?

It is approximately eight (8) pages long.

Does a thesis proposal requires a statement of the significance of the project?

Every type of research study requires a statement or a paragraph that consists of the study’s significance.

Does a thesis proposal requires a review of the related literature?

Yes. The review of related literature are the existing studies that you must incorporate in your thesis to show accuracy and support.

Generally, students really give serious consideration and effort when they begin writing a thesis. It should be made originally which helps in enhancing the skills good for every students’ expertise. Thesis proposal is your guide to writing an effective and well-written thesis  or research study.

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Thesis / dissertation formatting manual (2024).

• Filing Fees and Student Status
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• Formatting Overview
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• Preliminary Pages Overview
• Copyright Page
• Dedication Page
• Table of Contents
• List of Figures (etc.)
• Acknowledgements
• Text and References Overview
• Figures and Illustrations
• Using Your Own Previously Published Materials
• Using Copyrighted Materials by Another Author
• Open Access and Embargoes
• Copyright and Creative Commons
• Ordering Print (Bound) Copies
• Tutorials and Assistance
• FAQ This link opens in a new window

UCI Libraries maintains the following  templates to assist in formatting your graduate manuscript. If you are formatting your manuscript in Microsoft Word, feel free to download and use the template. If you would like to see what your manuscript should look like, PDFs have been provided. If you are formatting your manuscript using LaTex, UCI maintains a template on OverLeaf.

• Annotated Template (Dissertation) 2024 PDF of a template with annotations of what to look out for
• Word: Thesis Template 2024 Editable template of the Master's thesis formatting.
• PDF Thesis Template 2024
• Word: Dissertation Template 2024 Editable template of the PhD Dissertation formatting.
• PDF: Dissertation Template 2024
• Overleaf (LaTex) Template
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The scope of work should include the following sections: (1) introduction, (2) statement of objectives, (3) materials and methods, (4) expected results/format of report, and (5) literature citations. Your submitted scope of work should include the following:

1. The Cover Sheet . The cover sheet must include the tentative title, date, author(s), and MP advisor(s). The cover sheet must also include the author(s) and advisor(s) signature(s) to demonstrate faculty approval (Visit #1 on the Final Report page for more information on Cover Sheets or download the template ). 2. Introduction . Describe the problem you will be working on and why it is important. Include a concise literature review to relate your problem to previous work and set the stage for the approach you will take. If applicable, describe the client involved and their interest in the project. [2-4 pages] 3. Objectives . State the research questions your MP will answer or the hypotheses you will test. Be specific and succinct. You should be able to list your questions or hypotheses as a series of no more than 3 or 4 concrete bullet points. While you may fine-tune these questions after you begin your work, the initial description of your methods and expected results should follow directly from these objectives. [<1 page] 4. Methods and Sources of Support . Describe the methods/approach you plan to use including, as appropriate, your research approach, data or means of data collection, and plans for data analysis. Be specific and identify significant subtasks related to each part of your project. State any research support needed in terms of supplies, space, equipment and money. If needed, identify source(s) of financial support (e.g., case study funds, research project of professor, school support, grant, etc.). Note whether you will require Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval for data collection involving human subjects, or whether you will operate under a nondisclosure agreement . [2-3 pages] 5. Expected Results and Format of Report . Identify the expected results of the project and/or the deliverables to be produced (e.g., management plan, geospatial tool, scientific publication, policy recommendations, computer model, etc.). State the format of the final product and its intended audience. If appropriate, identify likely journals for publication of your research. [1-2 pages] 6. Literary Citations . Include full, standard citations for any references referred to in the text of your proposal. The Nicholas School does not require MPs to adhere to one specific citation style as long as citations are formatted consistently throughout the final document. Choose the appropriate manual of style for your project (for guidance, see Duke Libraries citation resources ). 7. Faculty . List all faculty who have agreed to serve as advisors or cooperators in your project, along with their affiliations (e.g., school or department). Indicate the primary adviser(s) responsible for evaluating the project.

Part II: Project Timeline

Part two should contain the timeline with anticipated deliverables, and may be attached as a separate document, if using Excel or other project management formats. Timeline of Tasks, Deliverables, and Events . Outline the various steps of project completion from start to finish. Include all significant milestones and recurring meetings with your teammates (if applicable) and MP advisor. For example, this could include completion of your literature review and other background research, as well as intermediate steps related to your data collection and planned analysis. It is highly recommended that you use a Gantt chart or an equivalent Excel spreadsheet (e.g. with individual tasks and milestones as rows and dates in columns), with ongoing tasks specified at a biweekly resolution. Your timeline should also include standing client meetings, if relevant.

Part III: Team Charter

The team charter should outline roles and responsibilities of the team and advisor. All students, including those completing an individual MPs, must include a team charter in the final Work Plan. If you are participating in an individual project, you and your MP advisor are considered a “team”.

Your team charter should include the following: 1. Team Roles and Responsibilities . Assign each team member a role and associated responsibilities to be fulfilled during completion of the MP. 2. Regular Meeting Schedule. Outline how often, in what way, and with whom your MP team will meet. This includes regular team meetings, as well as standing meetings with your advisor and, if relevant, client. Frequency and content of the meetings is up to the collective discretion of the team. 3. Team Expectations . Describe any additional agreements your MP team comes up with. (e.g., how to handle potential conflicts, preferred means of communication, data sharing and storage, etc.) 4. Team Purpose and Mission . Describe the top priorities and goals of each individual team member during the course of the project. 5. Team Cohesion and Conflict Resolution. Include a brief description that addresses these questions: How will your team resolve conflict? How can you most effectively handle scenarios in which team members are not pulling their weight or not living up to the expectations outlined in this charter? How will you have difficult conversations? What steps will you take to understand and know each other better? How do you want to promote ongoing integration and camaraderie within the team?

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Master Thesis Presentation Template

A master thesis is crucial to rounding out your time and knowledge learned in your upper-level education courses. And now you can create an A-worthy thesis in half the time with Beautiful.ai’s master thesis template. 

Our customizable template has all the basics to help you sum up your comprehensive knowledge on the course and prove your skills in the field. Slides like literature review, research methodology, and a strong thesis conclusion will help you stand out to the panel or faculty members. A thoughtful master thesis presentation can help students wrap up their time in the program and apply their findings to their careers. 

Our master thesis template can also help you:

• Customize your idea or statement for different audiences
• Organize your argument in a thoughtful way
• Provide a guide for the panel to read and follow along with

Use our template to create an effective master thesis presentation

A master thesis presentation is crucial to the success of your master’s program – one that requires a concise format, clear layout, and seamless flow. That’s why our template includes everything you need to create an effective presentation. Whether you need to organize your argument in a meaningful way or showcase more resources, you can quickly bring your visions to life with these slides::

Tips to create an impactful master thesis presentation

As you use this template to craft your master thesis presentation, keep these do’s and don’ts in mind:

Condensing hours and hours of research can be daunting. Build an outline or table of contents first, then simply stick to that structure as you create your presentation.

It can be easy to get caught up in your research and findings, but don’t forget to answer critical questions like, ‘Why is this important?’ and ‘What results have you achieved?’

Remember: You aren’t recreating your entire thesis into a visual presentation. Limit the amount of content and data you add to each slide.

Your master thesis presentation is your chance to share all of your hard work. Don’t be afraid to showcase bits of your personality throughout.

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Master's Thesis Plan Form

Master’s Thesis Plan Information

Students completing a written thesis as part of their Master’s degree program must submit this form so that their record can accurately reflect their plan and associated requirements. Students pursuing a thesis plan will also register for Master’s thesis hours as appropriate and complete a thesis defense. Work closely with your department to determine the minimum and maximum thesis credit hour requirement for your degree.

The form should be submitted as early as possible in a student’s career, and at the latest should submit it by the deadline to apply to graduate for the semester in which the student plans to earn the degree.  Deadlines  and  thesis information  can be found on the Graduate School’s website. 

Note that students completing an art practices MFA creative thesis, music thesis project, or dance MFA project do not submit a written thesis and need not complete this form.

Endorsements Needed

The graduate program must endorse the form.

Information Needed 

Students will provide their name, CU e-mail address, student ID, and select their program on the landing page.  On the form, the student should read and sign the form indicating that their master’s degree will include the submission of a written thesis.

Submission & Routing Information

Students will receive notification upon submission, and the Master’s thesis plan form will be sent to the graduate program for endorsement.  After review by the Graduate School, the student and program will receive notification. 

Additional instructions here .

Student Information

Thesis Project Plan Template

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Embarking on a thesis project can be an exciting yet daunting journey for graduate students. To ensure your research is well-organized and on track, a comprehensive project plan is essential. ClickUp's Thesis Project Plan Template is here to ease your stress and help you excel in your academic pursuits.

With ClickUp's template, you can:

• Clearly define your project's scope, objectives, and research questions
• Break down your thesis into manageable tasks and set realistic deadlines
• Allocate resources and track progress to ensure timely completion
• Collaborate with advisors and team members for valuable feedback and guidance

Take control of your thesis project and achieve academic success with ClickUp's Thesis Project Plan Template. Get started today and pave the way for groundbreaking research!

Thesis Project Plan Template Benefits

The Thesis Project Plan Template in ClickUp offers numerous benefits for graduate students working on their thesis projects:

• Streamlines the planning process by providing a structured framework to outline the scope, objectives, and tasks of the project
• Helps ensure that all necessary research components are considered and accounted for
• Facilitates effective time management by setting clear deadlines for each milestone of the project
• Enables easy collaboration and communication with advisors and fellow researchers
• Provides a centralized location to store and organize research materials and resources
• Allows for easy tracking of progress and identification of potential bottlenecks
• Enhances productivity by providing a visual overview of the entire project timeline
• Promotes accountability and helps students stay on track towards completing their thesis on time and within budget.

Main Elements of Thesis Project Plan Template

When it comes to managing your thesis project, ClickUp's Thesis Project Plan template has got you covered with its comprehensive features:

• Custom Statuses: Keep track of your progress with three different statuses - Complete, In Progress, and To Do, allowing you to easily identify which tasks need your attention.
• Custom Fields: Utilize custom fields to capture important information such as objectives, deadlines, resources, and any other details specific to your thesis project.
• Doc View : Create and edit your thesis project plan as a document, allowing you to include all necessary information and collaborate with others.
• Board View : Visualize your tasks and progress using a Kanban-style board, enabling you to drag and drop tasks as they move through different stages.
• List View : Get a detailed overview of your tasks and their status, making it easy to prioritize and plan your work effectively.

With ClickUp's Thesis Project Plan template, you'll have all the tools you need to stay organized, meet deadlines, and successfully complete your research project.

How To Use Thesis Project Plan Template

If you're embarking on a thesis project, the Thesis Project Plan template in ClickUp can help you stay organized and on track. Follow these three steps to effectively use the template:

1. Define your research question and objectives

Before diving into your thesis project, it's crucial to clearly define your research question and objectives. What is the problem you're trying to solve or the knowledge gap you're addressing? By establishing these parameters, you'll have a solid foundation for your project.

Use the Goals feature in ClickUp to set specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives for your thesis project.

2. Break down your project into manageable tasks

To ensure that your thesis project progresses smoothly, break it down into smaller, manageable tasks. Start by identifying the major milestones you need to achieve, such as literature review, data collection, analysis, and writing the final thesis. Then, further break down these milestones into actionable tasks.

Use the Gantt chart view in ClickUp to visualize your project timeline and dependencies. This will help you allocate time and resources effectively.

3. Set deadlines and allocate resources

Assign deadlines to each task to create a timeline for your thesis project. Be realistic and consider factors such as the availability of research materials, data collection time, and the complexity of analysis. Additionally, allocate resources such as research materials, equipment, and software needed for each task.

Use the Calendar view in ClickUp to schedule tasks and set reminders for important deadlines and milestones. This will help you stay on top of your project and ensure timely completion.

By following these steps and utilizing the features of ClickUp's Thesis Project Plan template, you'll be able to stay organized, track your progress, and successfully complete your thesis project. Good luck!

Get Started with ClickUp’s Thesis Project Plan Template

Graduate students undertaking thesis projects can use the Thesis Project Plan Template in ClickUp to effectively manage their research and stay organized throughout the process.

First, hit “Add Template” to sign up for ClickUp and add the template to your Workspace. Make sure you designate which Space or location in your Workspace you’d like this template applied.

Next, invite relevant members or guests to your Workspace to start collaborating.

Now you can take advantage of the full potential of this template to plan and execute your thesis project:

• Use the Doc View to create a comprehensive document outlining your research objectives, methodology, and timeline
• The Board View will help you visualize your tasks and progress using columns and cards
• The List View allows you to see all your tasks in a simple, organized list format
• Customize the template by adding custom fields to capture specific information relevant to your research, such as literature review status or data collection methods
• Organize tasks into three different statuses: Complete, In Progress, To Do, to track your progress
• Update statuses as you complete tasks to keep track of your progress and stay on schedule
• Monitor and analyze tasks to ensure you're meeting your milestones and deadlines
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• Knowledge Base
• How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples

Published on January 11, 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on August 15, 2023 by Eoghan Ryan.

A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . It usually comes near the end of your introduction .

Your thesis will look a bit different depending on the type of essay you’re writing. But the thesis statement should always clearly state the main idea you want to get across. Everything else in your essay should relate back to this idea.

You can write your thesis statement by following four simple steps:

• Start with a question
• Write your initial answer
• Develop your answer
• Refine your thesis statement

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Table of contents

What is a thesis statement, placement of the thesis statement, step 1: start with a question, step 2: write your initial answer, step 3: develop your answer, step 4: refine your thesis statement, types of thesis statements, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about thesis statements.

A thesis statement summarizes the central points of your essay. It is a signpost telling the reader what the essay will argue and why.

The best thesis statements are:

• Concise: A good thesis statement is short and sweet—don’t use more words than necessary. State your point clearly and directly in one or two sentences.
• Contentious: Your thesis shouldn’t be a simple statement of fact that everyone already knows. A good thesis statement is a claim that requires further evidence or analysis to back it up.
• Coherent: Everything mentioned in your thesis statement must be supported and explained in the rest of your paper.

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The thesis statement generally appears at the end of your essay introduction or research paper introduction .

The spread of the internet has had a world-changing effect, not least on the world of education. The use of the internet in academic contexts and among young people more generally is hotly debated. For many who did not grow up with this technology, its effects seem alarming and potentially harmful. This concern, while understandable, is misguided. The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education: the internet facilitates easier access to information, exposure to different perspectives, and a flexible learning environment for both students and teachers.

You should come up with an initial thesis, sometimes called a working thesis , early in the writing process . As soon as you’ve decided on your essay topic , you need to work out what you want to say about it—a clear thesis will give your essay direction and structure.

You might already have a question in your assignment, but if not, try to come up with your own. What would you like to find out or decide about your topic?

For example, you might ask:

After some initial research, you can formulate a tentative answer to this question. At this stage it can be simple, and it should guide the research process and writing process .

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Now you need to consider why this is your answer and how you will convince your reader to agree with you. As you read more about your topic and begin writing, your answer should get more detailed.

In your essay about the internet and education, the thesis states your position and sketches out the key arguments you’ll use to support it.

The negatives of internet use are outweighed by its many benefits for education because it facilitates easier access to information.

In your essay about braille, the thesis statement summarizes the key historical development that you’ll explain.

The invention of braille in the 19th century transformed the lives of blind people, allowing them to participate more actively in public life.

A strong thesis statement should tell the reader:

• Why you hold this position
• What they’ll learn from your essay
• The key points of your argument or narrative

The final thesis statement doesn’t just state your position, but summarizes your overall argument or the entire topic you’re going to explain. To strengthen a weak thesis statement, it can help to consider the broader context of your topic.

These examples are more specific and show that you’ll explore your topic in depth.

Your thesis statement should match the goals of your essay, which vary depending on the type of essay you’re writing:

• In an argumentative essay , your thesis statement should take a strong position. Your aim in the essay is to convince your reader of this thesis based on evidence and logical reasoning.
• In an expository essay , you’ll aim to explain the facts of a topic or process. Your thesis statement doesn’t have to include a strong opinion in this case, but it should clearly state the central point you want to make, and mention the key elements you’ll explain.

If you want to know more about AI tools , college essays , or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!

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A thesis statement is a sentence that sums up the central point of your paper or essay . Everything else you write should relate to this key idea.

The thesis statement is essential in any academic essay or research paper for two main reasons:

• It gives your writing direction and focus.
• It gives the reader a concise summary of your main point.

Without a clear thesis statement, an essay can end up rambling and unfocused, leaving your reader unsure of exactly what you want to say.

Follow these four steps to come up with a thesis statement :

• Ask a question about your topic .
• Write your initial answer.
• Develop your answer by including reasons.
• Refine your answer, adding more detail and nuance.

The thesis statement should be placed at the end of your essay introduction .

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McCombes, S. (2023, August 15). How to Write a Thesis Statement | 4 Steps & Examples. Scribbr. Retrieved April 1, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/academic-essay/thesis-statement/

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Thesis, Master's Degree

Lead paragraph

Starting a thesis can seem challenging, even if the topic and the development of own professional competence are motivating and inspiring. However, it is not worth to make the start become an obstacle to the progress of studies.

On these pages we have compiled a description of the stages, requirements and goals of doing the thesis. It is worth reading the materials well in advance and carefully, as they provide the answer to many things. However, this is not the only support when doing a thesis.

The community of orientation, ie. studies, other students and Master seminars (prev. orientation evenings), as well as the head of specialisation support the progress from start to finish. Significant support is also provided by the advisor of the thesis.

The Master's thesis is a 30-credit research and development task (approximately 800 hours of student work). Its purpose is defined in law as follows: "The aim of the Master's thesis is to develop and demonstrate the ability to apply research data and use selected methods for the analysis and solution of problems in working life and readiness for independent demanding expert work" (Government Decree 423/2005, § 7a).  

The thesis can be started immediately at the beginning of the studies. First, the student comes up with an idea suitable for the specialisation and sends a topic proposal to the specialisation head. In addition, the student enrols in the Applied Design Research course. NB: You don't enrol for thesis via PSP.

In the 90-credit Master's degree programme, the student starts the thesis at the beginning of the second academic year at the latest, so that the student can graduate within the target time.

Specialisation activities (studies and joint Master seminars, prev. specialisation evenings) provide support for the ideation and launching of a thesis.

1. Thesis stage 1: Planning

The thesis project begins with the choice of the topic. The student makes a topic proposal either before or at the beginning of the Applied Design Research course. Once the student has defined the topic, he/she prepares and processes the topic proposal in the manner instructed by the specialisation head. The specialisation head approves the topic proposal, and after that the student saves it in Wihi. Please ensure that the type of thesis is a Master's Thesis in Wihi. The head of specialisation appoints an advisor for the student’s thesis project. The supervision of the thesis can be individual or group supervision.

In the Applied Design Research course, the student prepares a thesis plan based on the topic proposal. The student saves the thesis plan in Wihi, after which the guidance process starts with the advisor. At the beginning of the guidance process, the student and the advisor go through the guidance contract together.

A thorough plan is a good starting point for the implementation of the thesis. The main features of the plan are as follows:

•  Introduction: The topic of the work (problem or need) and a compact introduction of the target organisation.
• Objectives: The expected results for the organisation.
• Research questions: Which questions does the thesis answer?
• Theoretical framework: What are the previous research, theories, concepts, literature and other possible material that are essential for the work?
• Methodology: Data, methods and tools which are used in the research and development project, and data management plan, which describes how the collected data will be processed and stored.
• Organisation: The business unit, function or project in the organisation which is the focus of the student’s research and development (in case the thesis is commissioned by an organisation).
• Schedule: Phasing and scheduling the tasks.
• Risk assessment: Anticipation and preparedness for problem situations.

In defining the objectives and schedule, the preparation of the plan is also supported by discussions with a representative of the organisation, ie. the commissioning party. In particular, the commissioning party can help define the goals and schedule of the thesis.

If possible, the student makes a commissioning contract with the representative of the target organisation. A contract is recommended especially when the organisation is other than the student's employer. In addition, a possible research permit must be agreed with the organisation.

Research authorization

When Haaga-Helia is the commissioning party, the contract is always made. If Haaga-Helia is the subject of the thesis or the research is conducted for Haaga-Helia students, staff or alumni, the research must be approved in accordance with research authorization guidelines. The research authorization application will be sent to the following expert  [email protected] .

When making the thesis plan, the student also familiarizes herself with research ethics (see 5. Research ethics).

Thesis topic proposal, Master's Thesis

Thesis plan, Master's Thesis

Commissioning contract, Master's Thesis

Template for Consent Form, Master's Thesis

Template for Research Announcement, Master's Thesis

Instructions:

Instructions for handling trade secrets and confidential information in Master Theses

2. Thesis stage 2: Implementation

After the thesis plan is accepted the student will start writing the thesis: he/she will read up on literature, plan and carry out the research and development project and write the thesis according to the reporting instructions. The writing of the thesis starts at the beginning of the work so that observations and causes and backgrounds for various choices will get noted. The student and the advisor use Wihi to track the progressing of different versions of the work. The student will participate in a Master seminar (prev. specialisation’s evening) at least two times and will present the thesis in a way agreed with the advisor.

The writing of a thesis is mainly independent work but there are several forms of support available for the student:

Thesis advisor will read different versions written by the student, comments them and gives feedback and by doing so promotes the completing of the work. The advisor and student will agree on meetings. When changes are made to the plan they have to be agreed with the advisor.

When the student is doing his/her thesis in a group the group itself offers support as well.

Master seminars (prev. spesialisation’s evenings) and specialisation’s community (including Teams platform or Moodle) offer possibility to discuss the topic and doing of the thesis with the specialization head and other students. At Master seminars topical issues are addressed and theses are presented. The student will agree about presenting of thesis at a Master seminar or by using a video recording with the advisor.  

This web page includes all the common instructions for a Master thesis.

Master thesis workshops are workshops intended for students to support the students’ use of methods and writing skills. The content and schedule of thesis workshops can be found at this thesis web page.

Library and information services (online library HH Finna ) offer guidance for information search and managing your references with Mendeley reference management program. Haaga-Helia’s LibGuides offer a lot of information and support for writing a thesis. It is recommended that the student familiarises him/herself with How to search for information guide and Referencing help at LibGuides. At LibGuide web pages you can also find tips for academic writing and research method literature.

Discussions with the commissioner at the target organisation can also support especially the writing of the practical part of the thesis.

Reporting template, Master's Thesis

Guidelines for Master's Thesis

3. Thesis stage 3: Finalising

The student agrees on the schedule of completing the thesis with the advisor so that there is enough time left for the assessment. The following tasks belong to the finalising of the thesis:

• Presentation of the thesis
• Maturity test
• Thesis plagiarism review
• Publishing the thesis

Presentation of the thesis: The student agrees on presenting the thesis with the thesis advisor and/or the teacher responsible for specialisation. For example, the student can present the thesis in the Master's seminar of the specialisation or by making video recording of it for the specialisation's platform.

Maturity test: The student writes the maturity test in the field of his/her study in his/her school language (Finnish or Swedish, otherwise English). Starting from September 1, 2023, an abstract written for the thesis will serve as the maturity test. The maturity test is evaluated on a pass/fail scale. (See instructions .) Plagiarism review: The student sends the public version of the thesis via Wihi to Ouriginal-review. Confidential parts of the thesis are not sent to Ouriginal.

Publishing the thesis: The student publishes the thesis after he/she has submitted the thesis to Wihi for evaluation, and the advisor gives a permission to publish the thesis.

If in a thesis that started before August 1, 2022, the student has agreed on the confidentiality of the material with the commissioning organisation, the student will receive instructions from the advisor to complete the work. The student publishes his/her thesis in the open collection of the national Theseus online repository of Universities of Applied Sciences. If the commissioning party does not want the thesis to be published in an open collection, the thesis will be stored in the restricted collection of Theseus. In Theseus' open collection, the thesis is available online in full pdf format. The thesis saved in the restricted collection can be read in Haaga-Helia's intranet. Thesis metadata and abstract are openly available in both Theseus collections. However, the thesis is always a public document, so anyone has the right to request that it be read. This also applies to a thesis stored in the restricted collection. You can find more information on the restricted collection on the submission page of Theseus .  As the thesis is public, make sure that the published thesis, its abstract or other metadata does not contain information that is subject to trade secret, privacy or other confidential information. NOTE! If the thesis commissioning agreement has been drawn up before 1.1.2022 and the commissioning party has refused to save the thesis in the open collection of Theseus, the student must assure the commissioning organisation that the thesis can be saved in the restricted collection of Theseus instead of previous restricted colletion HHthesis. Unlike HHthesis, the metadata and summary of theses stored in Theseus' restricted collection are openly available online. In case of doubt, you should contact the library [email protected] . Theseus downloading page Theseus instructions on how to upload thesis Theseus search page for publications Please note that the publication link is activated only when the library staff has approved the thesis and published it in Theseus. This can take 1-2 work days. More information on Theseus can be obtained from Haaga-Helia libraries. If your thesis has not been published within a couple of days in Theseus, please check the email you have given when you downloaded your thesis. You might have received a notification on failure with downloading.

If you have problems with publishing your thesis, you can contact Haaga-Helia library ( [email protected] ). If you need personal guidance with the publishing, library's specialists would be happy to help you also in a Teams meeting. Please tell in your message, if you wish to get guidance via Teams.

Open UAS students can't submit their thesis to Theseus. They can contact library staff, who will take care of the submission:  [email protected]

Your feedback on the thesis process

Feedback on the thesis process is included in the AVOP feedback at the end of the studies.

4. Thesis evaluation

Assessment of the thesis begins after the advisor has approved the Ouriginal analysis and the student has saved the finalised thesis to Wihi.

The thesis is assessed on a scale of 0-5, and the assessment is conducted by two assessors, the advisor together with another person appointed by Haaga-Helia (Section 13 of the Degree Regulations). The grade is determined on the basis of a joint assessment by the advisor and the second examiner. More detailed assessment criteria can be found in the file below.

The assessment of Master's Theses will change from August 1, 2022, so that the weighting factor for the results of theses will be removed. Theses started before August 1, 2022 will be assessed with an emphasis on results until July 31, 2023. After that, all theses are assessed without a weighting factor.

The evaluation statement is a public document that can be viewed by anyone in Haaga-Helia's library.

To assessment, the student requests also feedback from the possible commissioning party.

Rectifying procedure

The approved grade of the thesis cannot be raised by improving the thesis after the assessment. However, a correction request can be made for the assessment of the thesis (see Norms to be observed and appeal proceedings ).

If you feel that the assessment criteria have been incorrectly applied in the assessment of your thesis, you have the possibility to request a third assessor. In this procedure, a third assessor will re-assess your thesis. You will then still have the opportunity to request a correction from the examination board, which will not re-evaluate your thesis, but will examine whether the assessment process and criteria have been followed.

Assessment form, Master's Thesis

Evaluation criteria, Master's Thesis

Commissioner's feedback form Master's Thesis

5. Research ethics

In accordance with Haaga-Helia's values, we take responsibility into account in all our operations. We are committed to good scientific practice and to conducting research and development in accordance with the principles of research ethics (see Responsible Conduct of Research by the Finnish National Board on Research Integrity TENK ). In addition, we follow the ethical guidelines of The Rectors’ Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences Arene .

The following are the functions and processes related to Haaga-Helia's research ethics principles, especially from the students' point of view.

The Finnish National Board on Research Integrity divides research misconduct into four subcategories, namely, plagiarism, fabrication, falsification and misappropriation:

• Unacknowledged borrowing, that is, plagiarism , refers to presenting material produced by someone else as one’s own.
• Fabrication refers to presenting invented observations or results.
• Falsification refers to the modification of original observations in such a way that the results are distorted, or that essential information is omitted.
• Misappropriation means that results, an idea or a plan by someone else is presented as one’s own.

Ouriginal, plagiarism tracking program

All theses are reviewed with the Ouriginal application. The use of Ouriginal increases the awareness of plagiarism and its prevention. Its introduction indicates that plagiarism is not acceptable and that our university has both the desire and the means to address the issue.

The Ouriginal review of the thesis is done through Wihi. The thesis advisor approves the Ouriginal report in Wihi if there is no indication of plagiarism in the report, and the thesis can proceed to evaluation. If there is reason to suspect plagiarism, a preliminary investigation will be started, in which the student will also be heard.

The program can be used to find out if there is possible plagiarism in thesis or other learning assignments. The program compares the content of the document to three different source types:

• Material published on the internet
• Publisher material (eg. e-books and e-magazines)
• Student-generated materials previously stored in the Ouriginal database.

The result of the comparison is an analysis report, which shows the similarities found. Based on this report, the advisor can determine if there is a suspicion of plagiarism.

The student's report is stored in a database, which will reveal possible plagiarism of the student's work in the future. If the student does not want the work to be the source material for plagiarism comparisons with other Ouriginal users, he / she should click on the link at the end of the confirmation message: "Follow this link if you want to prohibit the use of your document as described above."

Thesis Ethics Committee

Suspicions of plagiarism in theses are reviewed by Haaga-Helia’s Thesis Ethics Committee.

Haaga-Helia’s Degree Regulations 27 §, Personal Conduct at Haaga-Helia: “Cheating in examinations and plagiarism of assignments, thesis reports or other existing materials are strictly forbidden. If a student is found guilty of cheating, he or she is will be removed from the exam session or learning assignment and the course exam or other performance is failed. Plagiarism will result in failure of the course in question. Proved cheating will be entered into the study register. The punitive measures for the above-mentioned violations are governed by Section 38 of the Polytechnics Act (932/2014).”

6. Master seminars and thesis workshops

Students get support for their thesis work either in the specialisation’s Master seminars or the general thesis workshops. In the seminars, topics for theses are brainstormed, and in addition, the graduating students present their thesis.

Master seminars take place on the following Mondays in the spring:

• February 5th in English
• March 25th in Finnish
• April 22nd in English from 17.00 to 19.30.

The teachers responsible for specialisations inform the students separately about the seminar agenda and place.

Thesis workshops

The thesis workshops support the planning and implementation of the Master's thesis and are intended for all Master's students. Participating in the workshops is voluntary and does not accumulate study points, but according to the feedback, they are useful at every stage of the thesis.

Monday's theme workshops and Tuesday's method workshops are organised online. For Monday's theme workshop, one must enrol no later than the previous Sunday evening, in order to receive a link to the Haaga-Helia email address before the workshop starts. Kindly notify master(at)haaga-helia.fi if you cancel your enrolment. 

Enrol for spring 2024 thesis workshops in Webropol.

Master seminars and theme workshops on Mondays from 17.00 to 19.00

• 22.1. Mindfulness opinnäytetyössä
• 5.2. Master seminar (in English)
• 12.2. Opinnäytetyön rakenne ja rajaaminen
• 'Framing and structuring the thesis' workshop will not be held in the spring. You can find the recording here .
• 26.2. Työkaluja ja innostusta kirjoittamiseen
• 26.2. Thesis writing workshop: practices and tools for writing Huom! Sama päivä – opiskelija valitsee kielen ilmoittautuessaan. NB! Same day, student chooses language version when enrolling to the workshop
• 4.3. Tiedonhaku ja vinkit hyvien lähteiden äärelle
• 11.3. Information search and tips for finding relevant sources
• 25.3. Master-seminaari (suomeksi)
• 8.4. Kriittinen kirjoittaminen ja teoreettisen viitekehyksen rakentaminen
• 8.4. Critical writing and building of theoretical framework Huom! Sama päivä – opiskelija valitsee kielen ilmoittautuessaan. NB! Same day, student chooses language version when enrolling to the workshop
• 15.4. Tiedon havainnollistaminen
• Data visualisation workshop will not be held in the spring. You can find the materials here: Thesis framing and structuring , Thesis data visualisation
• 22.4. Master seminar (in English)
• 6.5. Opinnäytetyön viimeistely / Final steps of the thesis process (in Finnish & in English)

Method workshops on Tuesdays from 18.00 to 20.30

For Tuesday’s method workshops, one must book a personal meeting time by email no later than the night before. The email addresses are in the following form: [email protected]

• Quantitative methods (e.g. surveys) > Principal Lecturer Pirjo Saaranen
• Qualitative methods (e.g. interviews, content analysis) > Principal Lecturer Juha Lindstedt

Extra method evenings on 6.2. and 27.2. from 18.00 to 20.30

Extra method evenings will be held in English in the spring.

• 6.2. Interviews and content analysis. Assessing reliability and validity, Principal Lecturer Juha Lindstedt Click here to join the meeting Everybody who is interested in the topic can join!
• 27.2. Questionnaire design and use of Webropol for collecting data. Analysing and presenting quantitative data ,  Principal Lecturer Pirjo Saaranen

Assessment form Master's Thesis

Types of thesis

The research and development objectives, results and outputs can be very different. Respectively, working on the thesis can proceed in many different ways, and therefore, one general model cannot be given. However, theses have always in common that the student gets acquainted with previous research, collects and analyses one's own data or plans and implements one's own development project, and finally, describes and evaluates the results.

The master's thesis always begins with the definition of the objectives of research and development. The whole process is described in a thesis report and there can also be other outputs depending on the nature of the thesis. The progress of the work between these start and end points can then take different directions. The following orientations serve as examples.

The development-oriented thesis progresses from getting acquainted with previous research on the topic to the analysis of the current situation of the target organization and to the planned development and evaluation of the validity of the results. In addition to the thesis report, other outputs can be, for example, a new operating model, an operating manual for the organisation or operating instructions for an ICT system. In a development-oriented thesis, a separate output can also be developed and implemented, which can be, for example, a concept plan, product, a new service or piece of work.

Another common form of thesis is a research-oriented thesis , which also meets the development needs of the organisation. In this case, the thesis progresses from getting acquainted with previous research to collecting and analysing one's own research data, which serves as the basis for development proposals. Development proposals based on research must also be validated, for example, with feedback from the experts of the target organisation.

A research-oriented thesis can also focus on a current topic or challenge in working life or business. The student may not have an organisation or company as a commissioning party. Haaga-Helia, for example, can act as a client on the basis of its RDI needs. Even then, the thesis progresses from getting acquainted with previous research to collecting and analysing one's own research data. The result can be, for example, development suggestions, a new operating model for business, a blueprint or other recommendations.