M30-EEG Master's Thesis
Credits (ECTS):30
Course responsible:Arild Angelsen
Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås
Teaching language:Engelsk, norsk
Course frequency:Annually
Nominal workload:750 hours
Teaching and exam period:Autum parallel or Spring parallel
About this course
Master students in Global Economy and Politics are required to write a master's thesis on a topic within the field of economics and/or political science approved by the student´s supervisor. The thesis is expected to be written in English, but it can alternatively be written in Norwegian in certain cases (e.g., a thesis that is part of a project funded by a government agency that requires the thesis be prepared in Norwegian). The student can choose from among a broad spectrum of theories and methods that are part of the master study programme. The master's thesis is a jointly produced academic work, or in some cases independent. The gathering and analysis of data (primary and/or secondary data) are key elements of the thesis. In some cases, students may also develop a survey questionnaire and collect primary data, and/or conduct fieldwork.
The student is supervised in developing a research proposal and follow-up advising is provided throughout the research, analysis and writing process. If the student is collecting own data and/or conducting fieldwork, the research proposal must be approved by the supervisor prior to the fieldwork.
The approximate length of the master thesis should be a minimum of 10 000 and a maximum of 25 000 words. Students may, after prior agreement with the supervisor, write their thesis in a chosen journal article format.
The students must arrange a work plan with the advisor regarding submission of drafts and for follow-up consultation sessions. The written thesis is to be structured according to an academic style agreed upon with the advisor. The composition of the thesis is typically comprised of several chapters (or sections) that include:
- Problem identification and specification of objectives (formulation of a hypothesis in some cases)
- Research, literature review and discussion of relevant theory
- Data collection, variable selection and model specification
- Analysis, reporting and interpreting the results, discussion of important insights of the findings
- Conclusions, limitations and suggestions for future work
- Bibliography: referencing and citations
The master's thesis is written by two students working jointly on the project or in some cases independently by one student. It is assumed that the efforts of the two co-authors are equally distributed. When an assignment is prepared by two authors, a more comprehensive final product is expected, compared with the output of a single author.
Finally, an oral defence of the written work is mandatory. For students writing jointly, the oral defence can be arranged in two formats: (1) The students give a joint presentation of the written work (no more than 20 minutes), followed by independent defences of the work, each lasting 20 minutes; or (2) the process is similar to that for a single authored thesis (an independent presentation and defence). The student who writes individually, provides a short presentation (ca. 10 minutes), followed by a ca. 20-minute question and answer session that serves as a defence of the written work.
Learning outcome
The master's thesis is the result of a comprehensive research process, involving problem definition, consideration of alternative relevant theories, collection of data to conduct quantitative analysis, and reporting and interpreting results. The thesis provides training in formal technical writing (to meet rigorous academic standards) and develops written communication and oral presentation skills.
The student will have gained experience in planning and implementing a project over a period of more than six months, and will have independently searched for and assessed various sources of data, theory and literature. Throughout this process, through supervision and independent work, the student will have gained specific knowledge, skills and competence related to the following:
(1) Identification of a researchable problem by specifying objectives, posing research questions that their study intends to answer, and/or formulating hypotheses that can be tested;
(2) Ability to conduct effective searches of various information and data sources, and to apply them in the relation to a specified issue within economics (and to the particular problem identified);
(3) Master the more advanced stages of a research process, including developing a methodological framework by which to analyze the problem and address ethical concerns that arise from their study;
(4) If the student has gathered primary data by surveys and/or fieldwork, practical experience will have been gained in formulating questionnaires, interviewing subjects, and collecting data in the field, in addition to the analysis and explanation of research results; and
(5) Capable of processing feedback and accepting criticism by which to critically reflect on the results of the analysis and recognize the limitations of the work and weaknesses in the approach.
Research involves problem definition, searches of information (on previous studies to relate economic theory to understand the problem), collection of data, quantitative analysis, reporting and interpretation of results, and presentation of conclusions. The thesis is the written outcome of this process. The process consists of both a written thesis, structured in a manner consistent with an academic style, and an oral defence (a presentation of the written work followed by questions related to all aspects of the work).
The student will apply theoretical knowledge of concepts presented in courses and analytical skills used in coursework exercises. The identification of a problem, specification of objectives, formulation of research questions and/or hypotheses to test is a first step in the research process. The research and writing process move in parallel to have the student review related literature and provide a theoretical context by which to develop a modelling framework that allows the student to analyze the problem and provide answers to research questions and insights relevant to policy makers or decision makers more broadly.
The student will develop formal writing techniques and presentation skills by communicating economic concepts and relationships, explaining their data and the methodological framework developed by which to analyze and interpret results and make recommendations to decision makers.
Preparatory courses: Students in the M-EEG programme have the choice between two methods packages: (1) AOS340 and AOS 341, or (2) ECN201 or ECN 301 (depending on background in econometrics). Students write a research proposal for their master's thesis, normally with advice from their prospective supervisor. The choice of topic in these courses is not binding but is an opportunity to get a head start on the writing of the thesis.
Dissemination of information: In connection with methods courses there are sessions where members of the two faculties are invited to introduce themselves and to present potential topics of interest for a master's thesis. In addition, the School of Economics and Business are asked to provide of list of topics over which they could supervise. The list of topics is posted on the M-ECON website. The process of selecting your master's thesis topic should start at least six months prior to the submission deadline.
The thesis is written under the supervision of at least one faculty member of the School of Economics and Business or Noragric, LANDSAM. The supervisor is appointed by the School of Economics and Business based on the candidate's topic of choice. The School reserves the right to reject topics that are not within its subject area, or which are of a form or extent that make it unrealistic for the student to come to terms within six months of full-time work. If the candidate does not propose an adequate topic for study, the School will submit topics from which the student can choose. It is expected that the candidate regularly communicates with his/her supervisor and actively participates in relevant seminars and meetings organized by the School.
Each student is entitled to 40 hours of supervision. Students sign a contract with the supervisor. The supervisory relationship is guided by the contract, as well as a common understanding of supervisory responsibilities. The student has a responsibility to stay in touch with the supervisor. The main supervisor must be a staff member at the School of Economics and Business or Noragric, LANDSAM. A co-supervisor from the School of Economics and Business or another department at NMBU or at another university/institution may be arranged and must be approved by the main supervisor.
Prior to the full-time research and writing of a master's thesis, the student shall have completed (or is in the process of completing) all course requirements related to the candidate's chosen specialization within the EEG programme. In general, the student must have satisfied the course requirements before a supervisor is assigned to work with the student. In exceptional cases, approval may be granted if and when the lacking credits are being earned in parallel with the work toward the master's thesis.
- It is recommended that students, who have not previously attended a writing course.
The master's thesis is evaluated and graded on a scale from A-F. Evaluation of the master thesis has two elements: The grade is mainly based on the written thesis which is evaluated by the advisor and an external examiner. In addition, there is an oral defence of the thesis. This includes the student preparing a presentation of the written work, followed by an individual discussion with the external examiner and advisor. The performance during the oral defence can result in a minor adjustment of the final grade for the thesis.
Master thesis with oral defence
Grading: Letter grades
Master thesis
Grading: Letter grades
- The supervisor and an external examiner read the written document and are present for the final oral defence. The examiners jointly assess the written work and agree tentatively to a grade. The presentation and the oral defence of the thesis can result in a marginal adjustment in the final grade.
Presentation at the thesis proposal conference. Students are expected to both present their proposed research and to comment on the proposals of their colleagues.
- The students have the responsibility to learn and deliver by adhering to all mandatory guidelines. These include the reporting, contracts, registration, deliveries and possible application for delayed submission (which requires documentation). Students are referred to the information at the homepage of Student information Centre (SiT) and advised to keep close contact with their supervisors.
- Master students at NMBU's master program