Learning objectives & profile

The final project takes place in the second master phase (M2) and conclusion awards 30 EC. A final project must address topics in the area of the specialization. The final project must also have a scientific character. A final project normally concerns research, design (development) or a combination of both. Research in a final project has to be carried out according to a systematic approach and the results should be interpreted and verifiable. Design (development) has to be carried out according to systematic methods and techniques and should serve a scientific purpose. For example, prototypes that may be produced in a final project aim at either proving a method or some theory, but they should not be considered as the final goal of the project.

Learning objectives of the final project

For convenience we will first divide the main aim of the final project into four learning objectives, and then elaborate further those objectives:

After completing the final research project the student is capable of:

  1. identifying the research problem;
  2. performing a literature review & writing a theoretical/conceptual framework;
  3. researching the design or approach to the problem;
  4. collecting and analysing the data and/or designing and validating the design;
  5. drawing conclusions and giving recommendations.

As these objectives are still rather vague, we will elaborate on each objective below.

Objective 1: identifying the research problem

Objective 2: performing a literature review & writing a theoretical/conceptual framework

Objective 3: researching the design or approach to the problem

Objective 4: collecting and analysing the data and/or designing and validating the design

Objective 5: drawing conclusions and giving recommendations