PUP581 Conceptualisation of the thesis Poznačit si hvězdičkou


Scope

0/2/0. 8 kr.

Teacher

prof. PhDr. Tomáš Sirovátka, CSc. (přednášející)

Assumptions

The course is enrolled in that semester when subject of final work is submitted.

Objectives

On successful completion of the course students will be able to give theoretical reasons to their
partial research questions which consist with the research question.

Learning outcomes

Student will provide the objective of the thesis in terms of new knowledge and application of the
knowledge in practice, the research question and partial research questions that correspond to the
objective of the thesis, and the theoretical arguments behind them.


Programme

·        The course is devoted to the following topics and issues:

·        1. Identifying concepts used in designing the basic research question.

·        2. Defining concepts consistent with the intended meaning of the basic research question

·        3. Defining partial research questions and elaborating theoretical arguments supporting
their design.

Literature

 Bryman, A. Social Research Methods. Oxford University Press, 2012. 4th edition.

Teaching methods

The learning outcome of the course will be attained by means of following teaching methods: 1.
elaborating and giving theoretical reasons to partial research questions by student, 2. individual
consultation by thesis supervisor.

Assessment methods

The course is completed by credit which is preconditioned by handing in the first draft of
theoretical part of the final work to the thesis supervisor. The draft is assessed in terms of
following abilities of the student: 1. defining key theoretical concepts of the final work in
accordance with the sense of research question, 2. elaborating as well as give theoretical reasons
to partial research questions consistent with research question.



Programme in detail:


Step 1

Students are encouraged to suggest their own topic, problem and research question for their MA
thesis. They address teachers (depending on the topic and thein choice) with their suggestions, and
elaborate the objective of their thesis in detail with the assistance of the appointed superviser.


Step 2

Students elaborate the theoretical part of the thesis and grounds of the metodology.


Suggested structure of the theoretical part:


1 Objectives

1a Formulate the problem you want to address, argue why i tis a problem, releated relevant
questions

1b What is known about the problem and the relevant questions

1c How you want to contribute to the existing knowledge (gaps in knowledge) and why

1d How this knowledge can help to solve the problem

1e Main research question and partial research questions, hypotheses


2 Theoretical background

2a Theoretical  concepts related to the research questions and the relevant theories

2b State of art: overview of the existing knowledge related to the research question

2c Considerations/hypotheses how these theories, concepts and findings may be used in the thesis


3 Methodology (preliminary)

3a Specification of partial research questions and their operationalisation

3b Methods of data collection and data analysis