Master thesis organization
The master thesis is the final assignment of the programme. The work is stretched over three quartiles: a preparation stage (Q2) when students follow the course Academic Research, an incubation stage (Q3) when students do course work, and a thesis work and defence stage (Q4).
- In the preparation stage students write an individual research proposal;
- In the incubation stage they prepare data collection and maintain contact with the host organization;
- In the thesis work stage they write and defend their individual master’s thesis.
Master thesis assessment
In all stages, students are supervised by two examiners. At least one of the supervisors is drawn from the Section of Public Administration. If students do an applied study for a host organization, they also have an external supervisor from that organization - that external supervisor plays no role in the assessment of the thesis. The first supervisor de facto supervises the thesis and is an expert on the subject. The second supervisor plays a highly limited role in the supervision. The main task of the second supervisor is that of a second assessor, as an outsider's check on the assessment, who assesses the thesis quality independently from the first supervisor. In the Academic Research course the research proposal for the master thesis is assessed by an independent lecturer.
Assessments of the thesis preparation and thesis work are both formative and summative:
- Formative feedback. In the Academic Research course an independent lecturer provides formative feedback on the proposal for the master thesis. The master thesis has a “green light” assessment moment: the two supervisors (examiners) independently assess whether the thesis has sufficient quality to enter the final stage of finishing. The oral thesis defence to an audience of experts and the general public is a formative assessment;
- Summative assessments. Only appointed examiners have the authority to grade theses. Independent evaluation of each of the assessments takes place on the basis of pre-set criteria, using separate scoring forms with room for additional comments. On the basis of independent assessments, the two examiners arrive at a common grade between 1 and 10 (either whole or half numbers, like a 7 or 7.5). The grade 6 is a pass. If there is more than one point difference on the 10-point scale, a third examiner is consulted;
- Procedure for repairs. At the master’s level, reparation for the thesis is very uncommon. Rather, a student would need to take more time to arrive at an acceptable thesis. If a student encounters significant challenges during the process, they may consider reaching an agreement to change supervisors, although such situations are highly uncommon.