6 ECTS credits
168 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 4014988ENR for all students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (E) Master - advanced level.

Semester
1st and 2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Taught in
English
Faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences & SolvayBusinessSchool
Department
Applied economics
Educational team
Ilse Scheerlinck
Leo Van Hove (course titular)
Filip Van Droogenbroeck
Ronny Verbraecken
Promotor .
Activities and contact hours

6 contact hours Lecture
2 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
160 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

The main task for students is to write a paper in preparation of their Master thesis.  The paper is written under the direction of the future promoter of the Master thesis.

The paper should contain:

  • a reasoned description of the scope of the topic;
  • a critical literature review (guideline: 5,000 words and 10 peer-reviewed articles);
  • clear research questions that are derived from the existing literature;
  • a detailed explanation (and justification) of the selected research method(s);
  • a provisional structure of the master thesis, with justification;
  • a list of references drafted according to a generally accepted referencing system (depending on the preferences of the promoter: APA or another system).

The promoter can always give additional instructions.

A number of introductory sessions will be given by the holder of the course. These sessions will (1) explain the goals of the paper and the Master thesis, (2) give an overview of the electronic databases that are available, (3) explain how students should draft a list of references and refer to the literature consulted, and (4) give tips on writing a paper and a dissertation.

Course material
Handbook (Recommended) : The student’s guide to writing economics, Neugeboren, Robert H, Routledge, 9780415701235, 2005
Additional info

A brochure entitled 'Introduction to writing a master thesis' is available via Canvas.

If you still have questions, this is a booklet that I like: Neugeboren, Robert H., The student’s guide to writing economics, Routledge, 2005 (ISBN 0-415-70123-6)

Teaching Methods

- Lecture: collective contact-dependent moments during which the lecturer engages with learning materials
- Seminar, Exercises or Practicals (Practical): collective or individual contact-dependent moments during which the students are guided to actively engage with learning materials
- Independent or External Form of Study (Self): independent study

This description of the teaching methods is indicative, in order to assess the expected study load.

Lecture: 6 hours (3 x 2 hours)

Practical: 2 hours

  • feedbackmoments with promotor, in person or via e-mail

Self: 160 hours

  • participate at Masterthesis fair, domain research, reading content, writing paper: 160 hours (20 days of 8 hours)A brochure entitled ' Introduction to writing a master thesis' is available via Pointcarré.
Learning Outcomes

Algemene competenties

At the end of this course, students should be able to look up relevant (scientific) economic literature in bibliographic databases such as the Web of Science. They should also be able to write an adequately documented research proposal for their master thesis, containing: a critical literature review, clear research questions, a detailed explanation (and justification) of the research method(s), a provisional structure of the master thesis, and a list of references drafted according to a generally accepted system.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Practical Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Practical Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Research Paper with a relative weight of 100 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

There is no exam as such. Students are quoted on their paper. In the first session the due date for the paper is the last Monday before the start of the studying period. In the second session the due date is the Monday of the week preceding the start of the session.  Students should submit their paper at the secretariat of the research groups, after having uploaded an electronic copy on Turnitin. The promoter grades the paper, and, in doing so, reviews both the content as well as the references and the list of references.

 

 

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Master of International Business: Standaard traject
Master of Business Engineering: Business and Technology: Standaard traject