1. Writing a Master Thesis
Lisa Åkesson (Coordinator of the Master Thesis Course)

2. Content of lecture Structuring a master thesis
Why do master theses fail?
Some pieces of advice
Supervision
Novelty – mock seminar
Seminars
Questions and Answers

3. Structuring a master thesis
Introduction
Background
Aim and research questions
Delimitations
Relevance to global studies
Previous research
Theoretical framework and key concepts
Method
Results
Analysis and discussion
Conclusion (future research)
References

4. Introduction
Identify the main theme of the thesis and the problem you study
Highlight major debates behind the theme and the problem
Construct introduction as a funnel
Optional
Outline key arguments (and/or in the conclusion)
Define state /key terms

5. Aim and research questions
Usually a single sentence (or two)
Summerizes the objective of the thesis
Is a road map telling the reader what to expect from the rest of the thesis
Research questions:
Closely linked to the aim
Operationalisation of the aim that clearly defines the problems to be explored
Both empirical and theoretical / conceptual dimension should be included
Avoid yes/no questions
Rewrite and rewrite and rewrite!

6. Delimitations
Tell your reader what you are not going to do and why

7. Background
Facts, social / political / historical processes and discussions that are necessary for the reader to be familiar with in order to understand the rest of the thesis.
Keep the background relatively short.

8. Relevance for Global Studies
Go back to course literature from your earlier courses (esp Theories and Perspectives)
You can also bring up:
societal (empirical, policy) relevance.
scientific (theoretical) relevance
If the relevance for Global Studies is not explicitly clear, write a specific section that outlines the relevance

9. Previous research
The thesis shall include a section where you present and discuss previous research of relevance for your topic.
Identify key literature and position your study in relation to it (this is often done in the section on results)
Read up on previous research early in the process, before starting to collect empirical material

10. Theory and concepts
Most students use the theoretical framework as a lens for exploring their topic and answering their research questions. What theory can help you answer your research questions? Which is your perspective?
A theoretical framework can be based on one more general theoretical approach, or a combination of theoretical perspectives.
Some identify a gap or puzzle in relevant theory and test and develop theory. Others compare theories
Key concepts must be defined and related to theoretical framework!

11. Methods
Describe your choice of method for data collection (interviews, survey, literature study, etc.)
Describe how your empirical research was carried (e.g. if carrying out interviews discuss selection of interviewees, how you did the interviews, etc.)
Describe your methods for analysing your material

12. Results and discussion
How to present results ? Text, tables
Systematic (divide into different themes)
Introduce and conclude every theme
.Two models:
One chapter presenting the results, and the next chapter analyzing and discussing the results.
A joint chapter presenting results, discussion and analysis

13. Analysis and discussion
Return to your research questions
Link results and theory

14. Conclusion Return to your research questions Summarize and conclude
Present your main arguments (push them to higher level of abstraction / give them a new twist)
Nothing new
Future research

15. Form and style Title: Concise and exact
Style: Revise your English carefully
References, sources, and footnotes: Be consistent
Word count: words (excluding front page, acknowledgements, list of contents, references, notes and appendices)
Abstract (250 words, subject, research questions, main findings)

16. Why is a thesis graded “fail”? Examples:
Lack of coherence between aim/research questions, theory, material and analysis
Aim and research questions are not (or only partially) discussed in the thesis
Aim and research questions are unclear
No definition of central concepts
Unclear / lacking section on methods: Unclear how the research has been carried out
Empirical material is not analysed / not analysed in depth
No/weak presentation of erlier research
Unclear link between theory and the rest of the thesis
Weak conclusions – unclear what the thesis actually argues
No discussion of the relevance for Global Studies
Obscure English
Too many words (more than )
Formalities: many missing references, inconsistent editing with regard to table of content and headings

17. Two golden rules
Include all necessary parts
Make sure the thesis is coherent

18. Coherence
Present evidence in a logical manner to persuade the reader of the validity of the thesis
Lead the reader through the thesis
Try to distinguish between what is on your mind and what you have actually written
Each unity (paragraph, sub-section, section) shall deal with one, clear main idea – but on different levels of abstraction
Make sure that research questions, theory, method, material, discussions and conclusion are connected to each other.

19. Some additional test questions
Do I answer the questions I pose? 
Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? If not, you may just have summarized rather than argued something.
Are my aim and research questions specific enough? Research questions that are too vague are difficult to answer
Does the thesis pass the "So what?" test? If a reader's first response is, "So what?" then you need to clarify, or to connect to a larger issue.
Does my thesis pass the "how and why?" test? If a reader's first response is "how?" or "why?" your thesis may be too open-ended and lack guidance for the reader

20. Structure of supervision
Timeframe (i.e. when does the student intend to submit the thesis? dates and frequency of supervision?).
When is the supervisor available (with regard to travel and vacations, this is especially important if the student plans to submit the thesis in September or January)?
How to conduct supervision (i.e. through , skype, or meetings?) Supervision through (or Skype) for the whole thesis-writing period is not recommended. If the student intends to leave Gothenburg he/she should make sure to meet the supervisor face-to- face at the initial stage of the thesis course.
What will the supervision focus on (i.e. what are the different stages of the writing process? what feed-back and input will be given during the different stages?).

21. EXAMPLE OF TIME PLAN
Time-frame
Supervision
Focus and topic
January (or before)
Discuss the PM and the focus of the thesis
Plan the work/supervision
Structure the thesis work (how? when? what?)
Previous research
Theoretical perspectives
Plan for data collection (e.g. interview guide)
January / February
Discuss / comment written
drafts and data collection plan
Data collection
February / March
Data analysis
March/April
Discuss/comment on data analysis
Write
Comment written text
Finalize
Beginning May
Comment full draft
Final Submission
May 18
Green light to submission of thesis to course coordinator

22. Novelty - Student led mock seminars
Date May 2
Sign up on GUL April 25 (see instructions on GUL)
Use the opposition template

23. Seminars
When to hand in? (two weeks before seminar, abstract three weeks)
Whose decision?
Green light from supervisor (time to read final manuscript, comments, revision)
If not - supervisor informs coordinator who informs examiners
The seminar always takes place face to face at SGS (not via Skype etc.)
Fellow student acts as opponent
Four times a year (June, September, November, February)
Attend seminars during the semester! February (schedule posted on GUL)