Master Project: Thesis (2235.YR.006534.1)

General information

Type:	TFP	Curs:	1	Period:	S semester
ECTS Credits:	7 ECTS

Teaching Staff:

Group	Teacher	Department	Language
Year 1	Rita Rueff Negrao Mendonça Lopes	Dirección de Personas y Organización	ENG

The Master Project is a key component of the MSc Programmes in Management and is the last academic requirement that the participants in the different MSc Programmes in Management in Esade have to fulfill before they are conferred their degree.

The Master Project can take three possible formats:
- A MSc Thesis, aimed at demonstrating the participant's research abilities
- A Business Plan, aimed to foster an entrepreneurial spirit
- An In-Company Business project, aimed to put theory into practice

The present guidelines are focused on the first track: the MSc Thesis.

The Master Project is a key component of the MSc Programmes in Management and is the last academic requirement that participants in the different MSc Programmes in Management in Esade have to fulfil before they are conferred their degree.

One strategic objective in writing your Master thesis is to demonstrate that you can analyze a research question using rigorous evidence and method.

More specifically, the learning objectives of this assignment are:

- To identify significant business questions and their implications
- To develop appropriate research strategies for answering such questions
- To collect and analyze relevant data in a rigorous and persuasive manner
- To use research findings to develop recommendations for managers and scholars
- To effectively communicate research in both written (thesis paper) and oral (defense) form
- To develop the discipline to work both independently and collaboratively with international colleagues

1. A Master Thesis is a major research paper aimed at demonstrating the participant's research abilities. Participants choose the subject of their thesis and develop an original and individual work, formulating research questions and applying research theories and methodologies to provide a contribution to Management Science. This contribution can be a new perspective on an existing theory, the application of a theory in a real case or the solving of a research question through fieldwork. The MSc thesis can have three different formats: - Theoretical: based on an extended literature review and an original synthesis or a new perspective on a topic - Empirical: based on original fieldwork conducted by participants using qualitative/quantitative methodologies - Research Case Study: based on studying in depth a certain theme or issue in a single organization (or small number of organizations)

A tutor appointed by Esade will supervise your MSc thesis. The main objective of the tutor will be to provide you with the necessary guidance and feedback to ensure that you produce the best possible quality paper. In particular your tutor will be a member of the Board of Examiners that will grade your final paper, and s/he will also give you feedback and grade your Research Proposal, your Work in Progress and your Final Thesis.

A set of materials has been prepared to provide you with tools and resources to successfully plan and write your MSc Thesis. In particular it will help you to:
- Choose a right research question
- Structuring a Research Based Case or a Teaching case
- Providing useful tips to improve academic writing with special emphasis in conceptual MSc thesis
- Helping you to perform a successful literature search using academic databases
- Knowing the main research methodologies (either quantitative or qualitative) that you may use to answer your research question.

ASSESSMENT BREAKDOWN

- Driscoll, D.L. (2011). Introduction to Primary Research: Observations, Surveys, and Interviews. in Writing Spaces: Readings on Writing, Vol 2 (p.153-174) ISBN 978-1-603235-184-4
- Boyle, R.A. & Ingham J. (2007). Suggestions on How to Conduct Empirical Research. Perspectives: Teaching Legal Research and Writing. Vol. 15, Nº3, p.176-179
- Baxter, M. & Jack, S. (2008). Qualitative Case Study Methodology: Study Design and Implementation for Novice Researchers. The Qualitative Report, Vol 13, Nº4, 544-559

Group	Teacher	Department
Year 1	Rita Rueff Negrao Mendonça Lopes	Dirección de Personas y Organización