Informatics, Thesis, Second Cycle, 30 credits

Aims and objectives

General aims for second cycle education

Second-cycle courses and study programmes shall involve the acquisition of specialist knowledge, competence and skills in relation to first-cycle courses and study programmes, and in addition to the requirements for first-cycle courses and study programmes shall

• further develop the ability of students to integrate and make autonomous use of their knowledge
• develop the students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
• develop the students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable autonomy, or for research and development work.

(Higher Education Act, Chapter 1, Section 9)

Course objectives

1. Be able to analyse current research relevant to a particular research question
2. Be able to demonstrate a deep understanding of the field of study, i.e., identify a research gap and a contribution
3. Be able to choose and argue for relevant scientific methods given a scientific problem
4. Be able to apply relevant scientific methods for the chosen scientific problem
5. Be able to analyse and summarise results from the study
6. Be able to develop a scientific document
7. Be able to review a scientific document
8. Be able to respond to review comments in a scientific way
9. Have an ability to give a clear and well-balanced oral presentation of a scientific investigation.

Main content of the course

1. Identifying a scientific problem, formulate research questions and describe the anticipated contribution. During this module the students conduct a literature review and formulate the problem, research questions and anticipated contribution. The students also participate in a seminar where they present and discuss their ideas to the other groups. (Addresses goal 1 and 2)
2. Planning the study. During this module the students choose a relevant scientific method, formulate questions, choose a framework for analysis, and plan for how to perform the study. The students also participate in a seminar where they present and discuss their ideas with the other groups. (Addresses goal 3).
3. Conducting of the study. The students collect, analyse and summarize the data. The students also participate in a seminar where they present and discuss their ideas with the other groups. (Addresses goal 4 and 5).
4. Writing, presenting and defending a scientific study. This part concerns writing a well-structured scientific document based on the research conducted in the previous parts of the course. The students also orally present and defend their scientific study. (Addresses goal 6, 8 and 9)
5. Critically assess other students' scientific work. During a seminar the students critically assess other students' scientific documents. (Addresses goal 7).

Teaching methods

The employed teaching methods are anchored in flipped classroom and case-based learning. Flipped classroom means focusing on exploring topics in greater depth and creating meaningful learning opportunities in class time, while content delivery is made outside of the classroom.

In this course these teaching methods are implemented through in-class discussions (seminars), supervision, students’ presentations and readings of scientific documents.

Students who have been admitted to and registered on a course have the right to receive tuition and/or supervision for the duration of the time period specified for the particular course to which they were accepted (see, the university's admission regulations (in Swedish)). After that, the right to receive tuition and/or supervision expires.

Examination methods

Examination, 30 credits (Code: A001)
Written and oral examination: Prepering, presenting, defending and critically assessing a scientific study. (Addresses goals 1-9)

For students with a documented disability, the university may approve applications for adapted or other forms of examinations.

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on examination methods

The examination consists of 6 parts:
Part 1: Seminar. Identifying a scientific problem, formulate research questions and describe the anticipated contribution. The students provide a description of and present a literature review, formulated problem, research questions and anticipate the contribution.
Part 2: Seminar. Planning the study. The students provide a description of and present the chosen scientific method, questions, chosen framework for analysis, and plan how to perform the study.
Part 3: Seminar. Realization of the study. The students provide description of and present data collection, analysis and summary of the results.
Part 4. Written and oral examination: Presenting and defending a scientific study. The students must write a well-structured scientific document and orally present and defend their scientific study. Grades: Fail, Pass or Pass with distinction.
Part 5. Oral assignment, review a scientific document. The students have to orally assess another group’s thesis (written scientific document).
Part 6. Individual written assignment: Critically assess another students' scientific document. The students have to hand in a written review of another group’s written scientific document.

Grades

According to the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapter 6, Section 18, a grade is to be awarded on the completion of a course, unless otherwise prescribed by the university. The university may prescribe which grading system shall apply. The grade is to be determined by a teacher specifically appointed by the university (an examiner).

In accordance with university regulations regarding grading systems for first and second-cycle courses (Vice-Chancellor’s decision ORU 2018/00929), one of the following grades shall be used: Fail (U), Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG). For courses that are included in an international Master’s programme (60 or 120 credits) or offered to the university’s incoming exchange students, the grading scale of A-F shall be used. The vice-chancellor, or a person appointed by the vice-chancellor, may decide on exceptions from this provision for a specific course, if there are special grounds.

Grades used on course are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

Examination
Grades used are Fail (F), Sufficient (E), Satisfactory (D), Good (C), Very Good (B) or Excellent (A).

For further information, see the university's local examination regulations (in Swedish).

Comments on grades

For an approved final grade on the course, an approved result is required for all examinations. The letter grades A-E are weighted into a final grade based on the examinations of the entire course.

Detailed information on the requirements for each of the grade levels are given in the outlines at the start of the course.

Specific entry requirements

Informatics, Basic Course 30 Credits, 30 Credits at intermediate course level within Informatics and successful completion of at least 15 Credits at advanced course level within Informatics. Alternatively Business Administration, Basic Course, 30 Credits, Business Administration, Intermediate Course, 30 Credits and successful completion of at least 15 Credits at advanced course level within Business Administration. Alternatively 30 Credits within G1N in Computer Science and 45 Credits within G1F in Computer Science.

In addition, successful completion of Informatics, Qualitative Methods in Information Systems Research, Second Cycle, 7.5 Credits or Informatics, Quantitative Methods in Information Systems Research, Second Cycle, 7.5 Credits.

The applicant must also have qualifications corresponding to the course "English B" or "English 6" from the Swedish Upper Secondary School.

For further information, see the university's admission regulations (in Swedish).

Transfer of credits for previous studies

Students who have previously completed higher education or other activities are, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, entitled to have these credited towards the current programme, providing that the previous studies or activities meet certain criteria.

For further information, see the university's local credit transfer regulations (in Swedish).

Other provisions

Remaining tasks should be completed as soon as possible according to the teacher's instructions.

The course is offered in English and therefore all examinations will be conducted in English.

Reading list and other teaching materials

Required Reading

Lee, Allen S. (1995)
Reviewing a Manuscript for Publication
Journal of Operations Management, (13)1, 6 pages, [Report]

Peat, Jennifer; Elliot, Elizabeth; Baur, Louise & Victoria Keena (2002) (Possibly replaced)
Scientific Writing : Easy When You Know How
BMJ Books, ISBN/ISSN: 0-7279-1625-4, 292 pages

Sorensen, Carsten Working Paper No. 121
This is not an article: Just Some Thoughts on How to Write One
Department of Information Systems, The London School of Economics and Political Science, 16 pages, [Report]

Webster, Jane and Watson, Richard T. 2002.
ANALYZING THE PAST TO PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE: WRITING A LITERATURE REVIEW
MIS Quarterly, (26: 2)