Joan Lofgren, Program Director BACHELOR’S THESIS 2018-2019 INFO SESSION 2 Joan Lofgren, Program Director AALTO UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Mikkeli Campus BScBA Degree Program October 16, 2018 Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

Agenda Purposes of the thesis & requirements Selecting a topic Key parts of the process Thesis grading rubric Academic Integrity Other issues Next sessions/key dates Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

1. Purposes of the thesis—to: Gain experience in academic research Plan and implement a research project Understand and apply theoretical approaches Strengthen academic writing skills Gain transferrable skills Ability to work independently Analytic and problem-solving skills Competence in field work Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

Worksheet tasks 1. Experience in academic research List examples of academic research that you have carried out here or in previous studies. 2. Transferrable skills List one or more jobs you would like to get in the future – how would you use research skills or project management skills in the work? Discuss with your neighbor/s Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

Essential Requirements Basic standards – the thesis must be written in: the field of international business English formal academic style Academic standards – it must: rely on academic literature have a theoretical foundation Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

Essential Requirements (cont.) Management of the thesis project—you are expected to: meet all deadlines (time management) maintain communication with your supervisor participate actively in the thesis meetings and workshops Personal ethical standards – it must: be your own work (no plagiarism or “outsourcing”) give appropriate credit for the work of other scholars Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

What is the research process? International Business research is often positivistic—we believe we can know something by observing it empirically. We often start with something that can be observed. So the research hourglass is helpful especially when working in a positivist paradigm. Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

The research hourglass https://explorable.com/what-is-research Oct. 16, 2018 Joan Lofgren

2. Selecting the Thesis Topic Current knowledge Where are you on the research hourglass at present? Are you familiar with the vocabulary/terminology around this topic? What will you need to do to specify the topic? Pair work activity: One person talks about his/her topic for one minute, then the other person in the pair does the same. What did you learn in this exercise? Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

Motivation & interest/s Personal interest Desire to develop your current expertise Future professional interest Interests of key stakeholders Individual worksheet activity 3: list some points on your personal motivation in the thesis process. Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

Resources Time – manageable in this time frame? Financial – need to do field work? Languages – enough sources available in the ones you read? Do a quick search. Overall: a suitable topic for you, now? Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

Research comfort zone Find a balance. . . Worksheet activity 4: Creativity versus pragmatism Ambition versus feasibility Stepping out of comfort zone vs. personal resources needed for the research Worksheet activity 4: Draw your research comfort zone/s in concentric circles List or draw 1-3 things that you could do in the thesis process that are outside your comfort zone. Discuss your diagram with a neighbor. Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

3. Key parts of the process Research plan – road map Thesis outline – evolves with your research Draft reference list – signposting where you are Literature review – key in undergrad research Methodology – driven by research questions Interpreting findings – humility and hedging Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

3a.Research Plan: The First Step Interest and relationship to thesis topic -- cf motivation/resources Research problem – trend, puzzle, something to follow up on Research question(s) – avoid either/or questions Research objectives – how you will address the questions Significance of the research – why should we care? Methodology – desk or field research? Literature to be used – diagnostic tool Critique of a journal article related to your topic – rusty skills? Action plan – use a Gantt chart! (see next slide) Deadline for first draft of Research Plan: December 3, 2018 Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

Sample Gantt Chart Source: http://slideplayer.com/slide/7687098/ Oct. 16, 2018 Joan Lofgren

3b. Thesis Outline Helps identify the flow of the thesis and indicates the direction and detail of the thesis to the supervisor. Should be updated constantly to match your actual research. Use this thesis outline to develop the table of contents of the thesis. The electronic form “model outline” is available on Into. Deadline for first draft of your thesis outline: Dec. 15, 2018 Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

3c. Reference List Purposes include: Digging deeper into the literature on your topic Diagnosing problems with your literature review Serving as a checklist for next steps in lit review work Deadline for draft reference list: January 9, 2019 Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

3d. Purposes of the Literature Review—to: Assess the situation Chart what is already known about the topic. Identify possible gaps in the current research. Facilitate problem definition Immerse yourself in the subject Become proficient in the language of this field. Transferrable skill for later studies/working life. Develop your own framework for analysis Conceptual frameworks developed by others Adapt? Develop a new one of your own? Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

Keep in mind re: the lit review What it is. . .a survey of scholarly books, articles and other sources relevant to a particular issue, area of research, theory or methodology What it is not. . . a list of article summaries (he said this, she said that, they said another thing) – you structure the discussion, the themes, the headings. More discussion of the lit review coming on Nov. 20. Deadline for first draft of Literature Review: February 3, 2019 Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

3e. Common methods used Case studies Survey Semi-structured interviews Questionnaire (using eg Webropol, SurveyMonkey) Structured/standardized—directly administered/online Closed vs. open-ended questions Questions must be approved by supervisor before administering Semi-structured interviews Experts – for background Small set for rich description, some generalization if clear pattern emerges Content analysis Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

3f. Interpreting findings Common pitfall: over-generalizing based on your findings Learn to use hedging language Listen to your supervisor if they alert you to problems in the interpretation. Your interpretation will be determined in part by your methods. Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

4. Thesis Grading Rubric Intended to promote consistency in assessment. Shows areas for improvement in final draft. Grade of 0 in one attribute results in failing grade for the thesis (at final stage). Note weighting. Project management is also essential. The rubric is available on Into: https://into.aalto.fi/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=1192709 Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

5. Academic Integrity Academic Integrity is a core value in any university. Dishonest academic work of any kind strictly forbidden and is subject to severe disciplinary action. Each student has the final responsibility for her/his learning and for knowing what is permitted and what is not permitted. The Academic Integrity Confirmation form you signed in your first year of studies is still in force. Oct. 16, 2018 Joan Lofgren

Turnitin We will again use Turnitin as a writing support tool, and to check for plagiarism in the thesis process. A high similarity percentage doesn’t automatically mean plagiarism has occurred – it could mean there is too much direct citation, not enough paraphrasing. More information on Turnitin will be provided in a later info session (Nov. 28, 2018). Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

6. Other issues Role of the thesis supervisor Meets with students to discuss their work, mainly individually but also as a group if the supervisor so wishes. Academic expert and mentor Provides advice on literature and methodology Provides feedback on work submitted Evaluator of thesis Reads and evaluates thesis Submits thesis grades for whole process. Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

Keep in mind. . . Your thesis supervisor has commitments at home (not the same as teaching here). Asking questions: First try to find out the answers yourself. Don’t expect instant answers to your questions. Ask questions early enough to allow time to discuss them. No answer yet? A polite reminder is ok after about a week or so (ask your supervisor about this when you first meet/Skype). Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

Initiative, taking opportunities Your performance matters! Non-starters must drop out of the process. Performance review by supervisor late Feb. Overall performance affects grade Information Specialist Jaana Santala available for info retrieval sessions. All relevant documents on Into. Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

Contacting the staff Mari Syväoja: contact about any general issues in the process. Joan Lofgren: contact about academic concerns or other issues not easily addressed by your supervisor or Mari. Mari or Joan: If you are considering dropping out of the process, please contact one of us immediately. Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

7. Next sessions Info Session 3: Monday, October 22, 16.00-18.00 Includes open-ended Q&A on topic selection Info Session 4: Wednesday, October 31, 12.00-13.00 Thesis groups and topics announced Info Session 5: Tuesday, Nov. 20, 16.00-18.00 Info on Literature Review workshops shared by Prof. Butt. Info Session 6: Wednesday, Nov. 28, 12.00-13.00 Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

Key Dates Full Draft of Thesis: March 18, 2019 Final thesis & related documents: April 8, 2019 Presentation slides: April 11, 2019 Thesis Presentation Seminar April 12, 2018 Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018

Good luck! Joan.Lofgren@aalto.fi Joan Lofgren Oct. 16, 2018