1.2 Master’s thesis

The thesis included as part of the master’s degree is a working-life development assignment. The objective of the master’s thesis is that you are capable of applying evidence-based research knowledge and using selected working life development and research methods to address working life development needs. In the thesis, you demonstrate a capability for independent and demanding specialist work. The master’s thesis is normally written alone.

Essential elements in the thesis are the combination of various types of information and experiential knowledge, assessment and application of information, as well as the deepening of professional expertise.

The essential thing is the development of shared expertise and the building of new competence in collaboration with different parties.

The recommended length of a master’s thesis is 60 to 90 pages, excluding appendices.

The scope of the master’s thesis is 30 ECTS credits, and the thesis project consists of the following courses:

  • Research-based Development (5 cr ) – YZ00CK87 (A course that includes basic studies and supports the thesis, after which a topic proposal is prepared and the thesis project starts.)
  • Master’s Thesis, Planning (7 cr) – YZ00BL94
  • Master’s Thesis, Research Writing (3 cr) – YZ00BL98 (A course offered by the Language Centre that is part of the thesis.)
  • Master’s Thesis, Implementation (10 cr) – YZ00BL95
  • Master’s Thesis, Reporting (10 cr) – YZ00BL96
  • Maturity Test, Master’s Degree (0 cr) – YZ00BB05

Progress of the Master’s Thesis Project

NB: If you have started your thesis before May 2021 and the thesis process is not in the Wihi service, discuss to your thesis tutor about taking your thesis to Wihi. It is not possible to archive the thesis outside of Wihi, so all theses must be in Wihi.

Copy to Wihi service the tasks of different phases of the project and do them.

  • Enrol in the course implementation that has been planned for your own group and complete a course that supports your thesis.

  • Update your PLP in Peppi: Add the thesis courses (4 units) and the maturity test course to the PLP. This concerns students starting their studies in the autumn 2021 and later.
  • Prepare a thesis topic proposal for Wihi: wihi.jamk.fi and submit it for approval. A coordinator will appoint a principal thesis tutor for your thesis in Wihi.

  • Create the phases and schedule the entire thesis process in Wihi. In Wihi, the phase names are: Project plan, Phase 1: One third of thesis completed, Phase 2: Two thirds of thesis completed and Phase 3: Thesis ready for assessment.
  • Agree on the first guidance meeting with your principal thesis tutor in accordance with the rules for your degree programme.

NB: throughout the thesis process, use Wihi comments field, not e-mail, for communicating with the principal thesis tutor. The tutor will be notified by e-mail of the message you sent in Wihi.

  • Review the reporting instructions and assessment criteria.
  • Read through the information on good scientific practice and ethical practices, data protection and copyright.
  • Draw up with the commissioner an agreement on the thesis, accompanied if necessary by a non-disclosure agreement for the attached source material.
  • Familiarise yourself with how to handle the research data. Draw up the data management plan.
  • Find out if you need a research permit and make an application if necessary.
  • Participate the Information Seeking for Thesis Writers course and related tasks in Moodle.
  • Draw up the thesis plan and its appendices and request comments from the thesis tutor in Wihi.
    • The principal thesis tutor then approves your thesis plan in Wihi.
  • Present your thesis plan in the thesis seminar or the small group arranged by your principal thesis tutor.
  • For the theory basis of the thesis, write 3–5 pages.
  • Select and register for ‘Research writing, Master’s degree’ (3 cr), choosing the course offered by the Language Centre that fits best with your thesis writing schedule.
  • Participate in the individual guidance.

  • Before participating in the course, you should familiarise yourself with your source material and write the 3–5 pages theory basis for your thesis.

  • Complete the theory basis for the thesis and the methodology description.
  • Present your methodology description in the seminar or the small group arranged by your principal thesis tutor.
  • Carry out the practical implementation of the thesis according to your plan.
  • If necessary, make an appointment with the Language Centre clinic for problems with the thesis writing.
  • Participate in the individual guidance.

  • Write up your thesis.
  • If necessary, check your thesis the text similarity in Moodle with a course called ‘Turnitin tarkastus – Turnitin check’.
  • Agree with your principal thesis tutor in Wihi on the preliminary examination of the first draft of your thesis.
    • A 2nd examiner will be selected for your thesis in Wihi.
  • If necessary, make an appointment from Language Centre for language maintenance of the description page.
  • Agree with the principal thesis tutor on writing the maturity test.
  • Return your completed thesis to Wihi in Plagiarism Check field for assessment. The field is connected to Turnitin plagiarism prevention service.
  • Present your thesis in accordance with the instructions for your degree programme.
  • Return the self-assessment and commissioner statement to Wihi.
    • The principal thesis tutor and 2nd examiner assess the thesis and approve the phase 3 once all tasks have been completed.
  • Publish your thesis in Theseus. Wait for permission from the thesis tutor!
  • Upload the thesis permanent link to Wihi.
    • After this, the tutor approves the thesis assessment phase in Wihi. You can then see the assessment.

NB: Even if your thesis has not yet been accepted into the Theseus collection at the time of saving, it does not prevent you from applying for a degree certificate.

Download the PDF file containing the progress of the master’s thesis project, you can find it in the Documents section.

Documents

Progress of the Master’s Thesis Project in Wihi (PDF)

As of 1 August 2023, these assessment criteria with weightings are used for all theses starting after 1 August 2023 and for all theses that have not progressed beyond the subject proposal or if the student and the principal thesis tutor agree on their use in the evaluation of the thesis.

On 1 January 2024, the assessment criteria with weightings will be used for all theses.

Thesis assessment criteria in the master’s degree with weightings (2023) (PDF)