• Demonstrate ability to independently produce a qualified piece of research applying relevant methods and theories
• Document in-depth knowledge of the subject of the thesis, including the corporate, societal and cultural conditions and circumstances in which it is embedded
• Formulate a research question that steers and structures the research process
• Explain and evaluate the choice of methodology used to answer the research question
• Explain and evaluate the choice of theory used to answer the research question
• Select and process primary and secondary sources used as documentation in the analysis
• Discuss the quality of these sources, including their appropriateness in terms of providing answers to the research question
• Explain and evaluate the overall correlations between: the research question, the selection and use of theory, the collection and character of empirical data, the analysis, the conclusion, and the generalizability of the findings
• Discuss the findings of the thesis in the overall perspective of a theoretical science perspective.

The subject of the thesis must be within the programme profile’s particular academic identity and theoretical field(s).

The grade awarded will reflect a holistic assessment of the thesis (including the abstract), the oral defence, and the student’s spelling and style – although more emphasis will be placed on the academic content.  
 
The grade 12 is awarded in cases where the Master’s thesis meets the following requirements to an excellent degree, i.e. with no or only few deficiencies:

• the thesis is governed by a student-developed problem statement which is relevant to the particular programme profile;
• the thesis is delimited to the effect that its analyses and discussions are relevant, necessary and adequate to answer the problem;
• the problem statement, delimitation, outline, analysis and conclusion to the effect that the answer is logical in relation to the problem statement;
• the thesis contains a discussion of and reason for the choice and omissions with respect to subject delimitation, theories, methodology and empirics (if empirics are included);
• the thesis provides critical reflection on the selected theories, methodology and empirics (if empirics are included) and assesses their applicability in answering the problem statement;
• the thesis is consistent to the effect that the choice and application of theories and empirics interact and complement the production of knowledge (applies to empirical theses);
• allegations made in the analysis and conclusion are documented and/or argued;
• the analysis includes deliberations on the degree to which the results of the thesis resemble and/or deviate from other similar surveys in the field;
• the analysis focuses on a delimited problem, i.e. provides an in-depth analysis and creates a synthesis on the basis of theories and empirics, where relevant;
• the thesis discusses the premises of the theories and the impact of those premises on the knowledge that can be created (applies “especially” or “only” for theoretical theses);
• the thesis contributes to a new perspective, e.g. by applying a known theory on previously unexamined empirics or new (combinations of) theories applied on a known problem.
• At the assessment, the student’s spelling and style will be taken into account.
• The assessment will include an abstract containing the main points of the thesis.

Main Category of the Course:

• Information Systems
• Business economics
• Organizational theory
• Communication
• Management of Information and Knowledge Management