Inhalt

[ 986CAINRS4S19 ] SE (*)RS4: Master's thesis seminar II

Versionsauswahl
(*) Leider ist diese Information in Deutsch nicht verfügbar.
Workload Ausbildungslevel Studienfachbereich VerantwortlicheR Semesterstunden Anbietende Uni
1 ECTS M1 - Master 1. Jahr Betriebswirtschaftslehre Robert Bauer 1 SSt Johannes Kepler Universität Linz
Detailinformationen
Anmeldevoraussetzungen (*)SE BC2: Induction: Team development UND SE BC1: Foundations of management UND KS BC3: Foundations of management science
Quellcurriculum Masterstudium Leadership and Innovation in Organizations 2024W
Ziele (*)This seminar aims to support the development of the master thesis, stimulate discussion, clarify the basics of scientific writing, address open questions, highlight new perspectives, and provide critical reflection for working on the thesis. Students are expected to prepare short presentations of the current state of the master thesis at least twice (i.e., at least one presentation while preparing the concept of their thesis, and at least one presentation of a complete proposal as agreed upon with the supervisor) and defend their thesis.

During the course, the student will learn to

  • Conduct autonomous research.
  • Use research methods proficiently.
  • Think critically about the ethical implications of organizational choices
  • Create frameworks to comprehend and diagnose current managerial, organizational, or institutional problems or scenarios
  • Come up with creative solutions to conduct original research

On successful completion of this course/seminar, the students will be able to:

  • LO1: Conduct autonomous research.
  • LO2: Use research methods proficiently.
  • LO3: Evaluate critically the ethical implications of organizational choices
  • LO4: Create frameworks to comprehend and diagnose current managerial, organizational, or institutional problems or scenarios
  • LO5: Create and apply creative solutions to conduct original research
Lehrinhalte (*)This course is part of the JKU Master Program Leadership and Innovation in Organizations. It requires 1 weekly hour of presence in class per semester; its estimated workload is equivalent to 1 ECTS/semester. The seminar has to be completed at least twice, once in each main term of the LIO program. You can participate more frequently if the completion of the thesis takes longer and you wish to get intermediary feedback along the way. You will complete the second master thesis seminar with a formal thesis defense.

Course Philosophy The offering that particularly sets universities apart from other educational institutions is the intimate link between research and teaching. The master thesis should be an independent research work of scientific ambition using theoretical frameworks, addressing current theoretical debates and, ideally, conducting own empirical research.

Goal

Students hereby develop their research skills – as well as the “meta-skill” of understanding research articles better and being able to assess their quality.
Beurteilungskriterien (*)In addition to participating in all classes of the master thesis seminars offered over two terms, LIO students make a minimum of three presentations in the context of the master thesis seminar. The first presentation takes place in the context of the first master thesis seminar, and the second one in the second master thesis seminar. You will conclude the master thesis seminar with a formal thesis defense (3rd presentation) which can only be conducted after you have handed in your thesis. This may mean that students defend their thesis in the context of a third master thesis seminar.

The second intermediary presentation can be repeated several times voluntarily depending on the student’s progress, again in the context of additional seminars. To register for an additional intermediary presentation, please inquire about the course dates in the respective term and register your presentation by emailing the program managers at lio@jku.at before the start of each term (i.e. in September or in February, respectively). The first and second presentations are accompanied by a written document, as detailed below.

  • First presentation: an oral idea pitch of your master’s thesis concept (10 minutes, no more than 5 slides) specifying your topic (What do I want to study? Why is this important?), (intended) supervisor, suitable theoretical angles (What do we already know about the problem? Which literature can I draw on? What are my key references?), possible methodological approach as well as expected insights.
    • This presentation is followed by a written summary of your idea pitch and the discussion points raised to be handed in until the end of April of your main study year. Which suggestions did you receive, and how will you follow up on these suggestions? Why/why not are you (not) picking up on a particular idea?
    • You should start looking for a supervisor at the latest in March/April of the main study year.
  • Second presentation: a presentation of the state of your master thesis (15 minutes) once you have agreed on a topic and supervisor, summarizing your research question (What am I studying? Why is this important?), your theoretical framework (What do we already know about the problem? Which literature can I draw on? What are my key references?), your research design (What am I studying and why? Which methods of data collection and analysis am I using?), your preliminary propositions or results, the timeline you agreed with the supervisor as well as a reflection on "What do I need to finish my master thesis and from whom?".
    • This presentation is followed by a written summary of the main points of your thesis, the main discussion points raised during the presentation as well has how you are responding to them to be handed in at the end of the summer term of your main study year (July at the latest). Which suggestions did you receive, and how will you follow up on these suggestions? Why/why not are you (not) picking up on a particular idea? This summary needs to be shared with your supervisor.
  • Defense: a presentation of your final master thesis (15 minutes) after it has been handed in. Formal clearance by the supervisor is required. The defense can only be done after the 2nd presentation has been completed. Defense can be done virtually if you are no longer in Linz.

A combined grade will be given (1-5 range). In the first seminar, the grade consists of

  • 60% content of 1st presentation and written document [LO1-LO5]
  • 20% formalities of presentation/written document [LO1-LO5]
  • 20% keeping to schedule, with the first written document handed in by April of the respective LIO main year at the latest [LO1-LO5]

In the second seminar, the grade consists of

  • 30% content of 2nd presentation and written document [LO1-LO5]
  • 30% contents and formalities of the defense [LO1-LO5]
  • 20% keeping to schedule, with the second written document handed in by July of the respective LIO main year at the latest and the thesis defense having taken place by December in the year of your 2nd master thesis seminar. [LO1-LO5]
Lehrmethoden (*)To achieve the Learning Objectives, the teaching methods will be varied and tailored to these goals.

Discussing presentations and current challenges of master thesis students is at the core of the course.
Thus, teaching methods will be designed to address students’ doubts and open up about their problems while working on the concept of their thesis. Additionally, the course introduces the basics of the scientific process through short lectures.
Discussions in small groups as well as exercises for reflection facilitate experience-based learning. Exchange across cohorts is encouraged so that students can learn from each other.

Abhaltungssprache Englisch
Literatur (*)This course is mainly focused on developing the master thesis. There are no core readings, but several suggested readings, which you can draw on to learn more about the research process.

Supportive Readings

  • Easterby-Smith, M., Thorpe, R., & Jackson, P. R. (2015). Management and Business Research. Sage. [a current handbook on various aspects of the research process; if you just take a look at one book, then this one]
  • Thietart, R. A. (2001). Doing Management Research: A Comprehensive Guide. Sage. [an older, yet very comprehensive textbook]
  • Alvesson, M., & Sköldberg, K. (2017). Reflexive Methodology: New Vistas for Qualitative Research. Sage. [for those interested in a “critical”/interpretivist research approach]
  • Van de Ven, A. H. (2007). Engaged Scholarship: A Guide for Organizational and Social Research. Oxford University Press on Demand. [a guide for participative forms of research for complex social problems]
Lehrinhalte wechselnd? Nein
Sonstige Informationen (*)The course’s timeline will be provided on Moodle
Präsenzlehrveranstaltung
Teilungsziffer 10
Zuteilungsverfahren Direktzuteilung