About this course

The course consists of four lectures, a workshop, and independent work on developing a research idea, research question, and plan for data collection. The course culminates in the submission of a project proposal for the master’s thesis, which is normally written in the following semester.

The master’s thesis is an independent scientific research project in which students examine a research question in depth. It is therefore important to start early with the process of finding a thesis partner, identifying a topic for the thesis, and, where relevant, establishing collaboration with a company or organization.

The course covers the following topics: guidelines for writing a master’s thesis, formulation of a research question, preparation of a project proposal, research data management, privacy and research ethics, as well as referencing, citation, and plagiarism. Together, these elements provide a solid foundation for planning a master’s thesis in accordance with research ethics standards.

After submitting a preliminary project outline in early October, students will be assigned a supervisor for their master’s thesis.

Learning outcome

Upon successful completion of the course, the student will have the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

  • The student has knowledge of the guidelines for writing a master’s thesis at NMBU.
  • The student has knowledge of research data management, privacy and research ethics, as well as referencing, citation, and plagiarism.

Skills

  • The student can develop a project proposal for an analytical or investigative study.
  • The student can identify and use relevant scientific articles and previous master’s theses.

General competence

  • The student can identify relevant research questions within their field of study.
  • The student can plan a social science research or investigation project.

  • Learning activities

    The course runs over one semester. In the autumn semester, the course consists of lectures, a seminar where students present potential research questions, assignment of a supervisor, meetings with the supervisor, and work on the project proposal.

    For students who plan to write their master’s thesis in the autumn semester and who have not already completed the course, a self-study version of the course will be offered in the spring semester.

    The master’s thesis is normally written jointly by two students. Exceptions must be approved by the course coordinator. The project proposal submitted in this course will be written by the same two students.

  • Teaching support

    Lectures will be held once a week during the first half of the semester. The lectures will not be recorded. A workshop will be organized in late September where students present their plan for the research question and data collection. Supervisors for the master’s thesis will be assigned in the first half of October. In the second half of the semester, students are recommended to have two meetings with their assigned supervisor.

    Exchange students will be invited to an online seminar in late September to follow up on their plan for the research question and data collection. Exchange students are expected to follow the same timeline as other students.

  • Syllabus

    Recommended literature: 

    Forskningsmetode for økonomisk-administrative fag (2020) by Asbjørn Johannessen, Line Christoffersen and Per Arne Tufte (or equivalent book in the social science method).

    Masteroppgaven - hvordan begynne - og fullføre (2020) and Inger Furseth og Euris Larry Everett (or equivalent book on writing a master's thesis).

  • Assessment method

    Pass/fail based on the project description, which is assessed according to the project description template.

    Project description Karakterregel: Passed / Not Passed Project description Karakterregel: Passed / Not Passed

  • About use of AI

    Full use of AI is allowed, but must comply with NMBU's AI guidelines.

    Descriptions of AI-category codes.

  • Examiner scheme

    The project description will be assessed by the course coordinator and the assigned supervisor.

  • Mandatory activity

    Participation in a workshop where students present their master’s thesis ideas is compulsory. For exchange students, digital meetings will be arranged.

    The compulsory activity is valid for one semester only. Students who wish to retake the course must complete the compulsory activity again. The compulsory activity must be approved in order to be eligible for assessment.

  • Notes

    Submission of a signed master's contract to the supervisor and study administration at the Norwegian School of Management.

    A signed contract between student and supervisor is submitted to the faculty by post-hh@nmbu.no by 1 December for the master's thesis in the spring.

    Exceptionally, students can choose to write a master's thesis in the autumn. Then the signed contract between student and supervisor must be submitted to the faculty by post-hh@nmbu.no by 1 May.

  • Teaching hours

    Four lectures a 2 hours and one workshop during September - October.

  • Admission requirements

    Master students at NMBU's master program in Business Administration, Bioeconomy and Entrepreneurship and innovation.