PUP n4598 Methodology of the thesis


Consultations will be held in person: there will be one or two introductory seminars, after the
students continue in individual consultations with the supervisor of the thesis.

Scope

0/2/0. 4 kr.

Teacher

prof. PhDr. Tomáš Sirovátka, CSc. (introduction to the course) and supervisor of the thesis)

Assumptions

The course is enrolled in the semester preceding Conceptualisation of the thesis.

Objectives

On successful completion of the course students will be able to formulate the problem in focus, the
research question and provide arguments for both.


Learning outcomes

Student will formulate the problem in focus, 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.


Programme

The course is devoted to the following:

1. Formulation of the problem and existing knowledge of it.

2. Elaboration of the research question and partial research questions, arguments supporting their
choice and formulation.



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 submitting short paper on the problem and research questions in focus of
the thesis to the thesis supervisor.

Supervisor of the thesis will assess the quality of the paper and deliver the credits.


The draft is assessed in terms of following abilities of the student: defining the problem,
elaborating as well as give theoretical and practical reasons to the main and partial research
questions.


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 their choice) with their suggestions, and
elaborate the objective of their thesis in detail with the assistance of the appointed superviser.

Students can also consult the list of topics suggested by teachers which is available in the
document server of the Department of Social Policy and Social Work.


Step 2

Students elaborate the problem and the research question, arguments (theoretical and practical) for
both.


Suggested structure of the output (about 5-6 pages):


1 Objectives

1a Formulate the problem you want to address, argue why it is a problem, related relevant questions

1b What is known about the problem and the relevant questions (based on exploration of the most
important studies on the problem in focus and literature review)?

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.



In the next semester, the thesis is elaborated further (theory section and methodology).