Writing a Master Thesis Lisa Åkesson (Coordinator of the Master Thesis Course) lisa.akesson@gu.se

Content of lecture Structuring a master thesis Why do master theses fail? Some pieces of advice Supervision Novelty – mock seminar Seminars Questions and Answers

Structuring a master thesis Introduction Background Aim and research questions Delimitations Relevance to global studies Previous research Theoretical framework and key concepts Method Results Analysis and discussion Conclusion (future research) References

Introduction Identify the main theme of the thesis and the problem you study Highlight major debates behind the theme and the problem Construct introduction as a funnel Optional Outline key arguments (and/or in the conclusion) Define state /key terms

Aim and research questions Usually a single sentence (or two) Summerizes the objective of the thesis Is a road map telling the reader what to expect from the rest of the thesis Research questions: Closely linked to the aim Operationalisation of the aim that clearly defines the problems to be explored Both empirical and theoretical / conceptual dimension should be included Avoid yes/no questions Rewrite and rewrite and rewrite!

Delimitations Tell your reader what you are not going to do and why

Background Facts, social / political / historical processes and discussions that are necessary for the reader to be familiar with in order to understand the rest of the thesis. Keep the background relatively short.

Relevance for Global Studies Go back to course literature from your earlier courses (esp Theories and Perspectives) You can also bring up: societal (empirical, policy) relevance. scientific (theoretical) relevance If the relevance for Global Studies is not explicitly clear, write a specific section that outlines the relevance

Previous research The thesis shall include a section where you present and discuss previous research of relevance for your topic. Identify key literature and position your study in relation to it (this is often done in the section on results) Read up on previous research early in the process, before starting to collect empirical material

Theory and concepts Most students use the theoretical framework as a lens for exploring their topic and answering their research questions. What theory can help you answer your research questions? Which is your perspective? A theoretical framework can be based on one more general theoretical approach, or a combination of theoretical perspectives. Some identify a gap or puzzle in relevant theory and test and develop theory. Others compare theories Key concepts must be defined and related to theoretical framework!

Methods Describe your choice of method for data collection (interviews, survey, literature study, etc.) Describe how your empirical research was carried (e.g. if carrying out interviews discuss selection of interviewees, how you did the interviews, etc.) Describe your methods for analysing your material

Results and discussion How to present results ? Text, tables Systematic (divide into different themes) Introduce and conclude every theme .Two models: One chapter presenting the results, and the next chapter analyzing and discussing the results. A joint chapter presenting results, discussion and analysis

Analysis and discussion Return to your research questions Link results and theory

Conclusion Return to your research questions Summarize and conclude Present your main arguments (push them to higher level of abstraction / give them a new twist) Nothing new Future research

Form and style Title: Concise and exact Style: Revise your English carefully References, sources, and footnotes: Be consistent Word count: 15.000-20.000 words (excluding front page, acknowledgements, list of contents, references, notes and appendices) Abstract (250 words, subject, research questions, main findings)

Why is a thesis graded “fail”? Examples: Lack of coherence between aim/research questions, theory, material and analysis Aim and research questions are not (or only partially) discussed in the thesis Aim and research questions are unclear No definition of central concepts Unclear / lacking section on methods: Unclear how the research has been carried out Empirical material is not analysed / not analysed in depth No/weak presentation of erlier research Unclear link between theory and the rest of the thesis Weak conclusions – unclear what the thesis actually argues No discussion of the relevance for Global Studies Obscure English Too many words (more than 20.000) Formalities: many missing references, inconsistent editing with regard to table of content and headings

Two golden rules Include all necessary parts Make sure the thesis is coherent

Coherence Present evidence in a logical manner to persuade the reader of the validity of the thesis Lead the reader through the thesis Try to distinguish between what is on your mind and what you have actually written Each unity (paragraph, sub-section, section) shall deal with one, clear main idea – but on different levels of abstraction Make sure that research questions, theory, method, material, discussions and conclusion are connected to each other.

Some additional test questions Do I answer the questions I pose?  Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? If not, you may just have summarized rather than argued something. Are my aim and research questions specific enough? Research questions that are too vague are difficult to answer Does the thesis pass the "So what?" test? If a reader's first response is, "So what?" then you need to clarify, or to connect to a larger issue. Does my thesis pass the "how and why?" test? If a reader's first response is "how?" or "why?" your thesis may be too open-ended and lack guidance for the reader

Structure of supervision Timeframe (i.e. when does the student intend to submit the thesis? dates and frequency of supervision?). When is the supervisor available (with regard to travel and vacations, this is especially important if the student plans to submit the thesis in September or January)? How to conduct supervision (i.e. through e-mail, skype, or meetings?) Supervision through email (or Skype) for the whole thesis-writing period is not recommended. If the student intends to leave Gothenburg he/she should make sure to meet the supervisor face-to- face at the initial stage of the thesis course. What will the supervision focus on (i.e. what are the different stages of the writing process? what feed-back and input will be given during the different stages?).

EXAMPLE OF TIME PLAN Time-frame Supervision Focus and topic January (or before) Discuss the PM and the focus of the thesis Plan the work/supervision Structure the thesis work (how? when? what?) Previous research Theoretical perspectives Plan for data collection (e.g. interview guide) January / February Discuss / comment written drafts and data collection plan Data collection February / March Data analysis March/April Discuss/comment on data analysis Write Comment written text Finalize Beginning May Comment full draft Final Submission May 18 Green light to submission of thesis to course coordinator

Novelty - Student led mock seminars Date May 2 Sign up on GUL April 25 (see instructions on GUL) Use the opposition template

Seminars When to hand in? (two weeks before seminar, abstract three weeks) Whose decision? Green light from supervisor (time to read final manuscript, comments, revision) If not - supervisor informs coordinator who informs examiners The seminar always takes place face to face at SGS (not via Skype etc.) Fellow student acts as opponent Four times a year (June, September, November, February) Attend seminars during the semester! February 13-14 (schedule posted on GUL)