Master thesis [EFAEM400]
- 23 credits
- quarter
Language of instruction: French / FrançaisTeacher: Van Dam Denise
Learning outcomes
The student will have learned to : - Building a research problem - Conduct a literature review (state of the art) on the chosen topic - Select and apply a data collection/simulation/modelling method - Conduct analysis of the data collected/simulation/modelling - Interpret the results of the analysis appropriately and with critical distance - Communicate clearly, in writing and orally, the process and results of the research.
Objectives
A Master thesis is conceived as the result of an original research work by which the student shows a real capacity to understand the reasoning in economics, as taught in the Master's courses, and its application to a specific subject. It is therefore a scientific work whose objective is to bring a precise management analysis to a given problem. This requires a systematic and rigorous approach.
Content
The Master thesis includes: • A motivational statement: why is it important to study the chosen topic? What to expect from such a study ? • A review of the literature on the chosen topic, directly related to the research question: this review should The presentation should be as complete as possible and should demonstrate the student's ability to understand scientific contributions, without necessarily having been taught about them. The aim is to present the arguments found in the literature in a structured and interesting way, according to the research question. A critical perspective, which presents the contributions and weaknesses of a branch of the literature, or analyses the relative importance of these contributions, is desirable. • A theoretical and/or empirical analysis of the problem studied: in particular, the theoretical foundations and methods used must be explained, and the choices of modelling, analysis method or empirical application must be justified in relation to the research question. • An adequate interpretation of the results obtained and, where appropriate, an outline of solutions • A discussion of the results, their limitations and the formulation of avenues for further research. The final thesis should not exceed 70 pages.
Teaching methods
There are different steps to follow in the production of the dissertation. Step 1: Choosing the subject of the dissertation • The professors provide the training advisor with a list of dissertation topics for early September • Students consult the list around mid-September and propose three choices with different teachers, in order of priority, by the end of September • The theme assignments are communicated in early October • This stage is coordinated by the educational advisor Stage 2: Progression of work The student organises a working meeting with his/her dissertation supervisor before the end of October. At this first meeting the research question and methodology are clarified and a schedule of work and meetings is drawn up. The precision of the research question and the research methodology are of paramount importance at the beginning of the thesis and will condition the good progress of the rest. It is therefore important to devote the necessary time to this. In order to make effective progress and to avoid going down the wrong path, it is important that the student meets very regularly with the supervisor. Before each meeting, the student provides a report of the previous meeting and the status of the dissertation. This stage is managed by the student, who contacts his or her dissertation director. In the event of any difficulty in making contact, the student will inform the training advisor as soon as possible. Stage 3: Completion of the final version of the brief The final drafting of the text represents a considerable effort, the extent of which is often underestimated at the outset. The pre-final version of the brief is submitted to the Director at least two months before the defence of the brief. Significant changes and corrections may have to be made as a result of this first reading. This may entail further research, which will require some time. In addition, the time needed for careful formatting of the final version, as well as for reproduction and assembly, should not be overlooked. Step 4: Submission of the final version • The student inserts the completed "Declaration of Non-Plagiarism" document into the dissertation, after having taken note of the risks associated with plagiarism. • The student submits two copies of the dissertation to the HD Eco-Management secretariat at the latest one week before the oral defense of the dissertation. He/she downloads the template of the cover page. • The student sends a copy of the dissertation to the supervisor. • The student sends an electronic version of his/her dissertation to the BUMP, via the link provided by the HD EcoManagement secretariat, at the latest one week before the oral defence (and at the same time as the two paper versions are submitted to the HD secretariat) • The student can only submit and defend his or her dissertation after the dissertation director has given a positive opinion. • If the dissertation is confidential, the student must inform the dissertation director and the secretariat. Stage 5: Oral defence • The oral defence takes place towards the end of June for the first session and towards the end of August for the second session. The exact dates are given in the timetable available on ADE. The oral defence can only take place after the submission of the thesis (paper and electronic versions), one week before. • The dissertation jury consists of the dissertation director, a rapporteur and a chairperson. They decide collectively on the grade. • The student presents the paper for 15 minutes. The director and the rapporteur then ask questions for 15 minutes. • The defence is public, except in cases of confidentiality. Thus, the student may invite persons of his/her choice to attend. An elaborate vademecum on how to write the thesis is available on Webcampus
Evaluations
The following criteria are used to assess the dissertation 1. Scientific approach: To what extent are the following conditions met? • the precision and relevance of the research question • the appropriateness of the research methodology (choice of techniques for data collection and analysis or case analysis) • the relevance of the literature review • the rigour of the analysis and the consistency of the interpretation • the ability to synthesise • critical distance from the concepts and techniques used • the originality of the approach followed 1. Form: Is the work written in a clear, concise and grammatically and spelling correct manner? Does the work not exceed 70 pages? 2. The student's autonomy and contact with the PT supervisor: How much autonomy did the student show? Did the student respect the schedule of contacts with the PT director? 3. The defence: Did the public defence change the assessment that could be made on the basis of the work alone (clarity of presentation, mastery of the subject)? Plagiarism, as defined in article 11 of the Study and Examination Regulations, is considered as fraud and gives rise to the application of article 11 of the Study and Examination Regulations (in practice, a mark of 0/20).
Language of instruction
French / FrançaisLocation for course
NAMUROrganizer
Faculté des sciences économiques, sociales et de gestionRue de Bruxelles, 61
5000 NAMUR
