2.7 Diary-form thesis

The objective of the thesis is to develop and demonstrate the students’ ability to apply their knowledge and skills in a practical expert role related to professional studies. It is typical for a diary-form thesis that the data is collected as the work progresses. The implementation method is particularly well-suited for students who are already strongly engaged in expert duties in their work. In terms of research approach, a diary-form thesis represents autoethnographic research, as does a portfolio-form thesis.

The reporting period is about 15 to 20 weeks.

Example structure (to serve as a template for the table of contents)

1. Introduction
   a. Explains why the matter is of current interest in general, to the commissioner and to you.
   b. General description of the objectives, survey of the initial situation, action plan, delineation.
2. Operating environment
   a. A brief description of the environment for the sector (stakeholders, resources, team, etc.).
3. Knowledge base
   a. The definition of concepts is important in order to achieve the objectives of and to delineate the thesis.
   b. Key concepts, a broader summary presentation of, e.g., types of programmable logic, phenomena and concepts with references.
4. Diary chapter
   a. Actual versus planned, objectives, diary entries, analysis: what new knowledge was obtained this week.
   b. Also including experiential new knowledge.
   c. The analysis should constantly reveal new knowledge and the progress made in the the-sis.
   d. An analysis once a week. A weekly presentation in the table of contents. For example, testing according to the testing plan will be included in the diary.
   e. Results to be discussed later in the summary of results section.
5. Summary of the results
6. Conclusions and discussion

References
Appendices