• independently develop and justify a clear research question within the area of the students’ MSc.Soc. program
• address the research question with appropriate and justified choices of theory and research, design, demonstrating awareness of alternative choices,
• conduct literature search to locate own research substantively in relation to what has been previously done by identifying what is already known and providing new insights into where the own research may contribute (indicative literature requirements are presented below
• arrive at a clear and well substantiated conclusion and offer persuasive implications
• present the entire analysis in a clear and coherent manner

Literature: 900 pages (7,5 ECTS) to be agreed between student and
supervisor.

There is not one standard template for a Free Paper on the MSc.Soc.Sc. programs. Students
make their own choices – in consultation with their supervisors – on research design, use of theory, methodology, and data.
All papers, however, must have a clear research question. Furthermore, all students are
expected to

• reflect upon their research design, i.e. how they suggest building a scientific argument
to arrive at justified answers to the research question,

• demonstrate awareness of alternative choices, and,

• towards the end of the paper, explicitly and persuasively present implications of their
work.

Papers can be theory-driven as well as evidence-driven, and the methodology can be deductive
as well as inductive. However, a theoretical element is required. Thus, papers should support or
challenge existing theory or practice.
Students may achieve this objective by

• contributing to understanding of extant theories,
• using theory to explain a real-life phenomenon,
• initiating a search for new ideas by carefully delineating a novel type of problem,
• identifying new angles to a well-researched area, synthesizing recent advances and
ideas into theoretical frameworks,
• initiating a search for new ideas by carefully delineating a novel type of problem, or
• discussing the theoretical implications of empirical findings, all driven by the
multidisciplinary nature of the MSc.Soc.Sc. programs.

Students are advised not to engage in large- scale collection of primary data, and
generally they should discuss with their supervisors the scope of the paper. If a study
appears unfeasible for reasons of method, funding, time or any other structural constraint,
the student is advised to revisit the questions that have been posed in an effort to ensure a close fit between the method and the focus of the study.
Papers must meet the paper length requirements specified in the table below. Note that thenumber of pages refers to the standard CBS definition that includes an STU (standard
typographical unit) or taps count and some further specifications. There is also a requirement for independent reading specified in the table below. This refers
to the reading of material that is not part of the fixed curriculum in the students’ MSc.Soc.Sc.program. This requirement is indicative and the way it is met is part of the assessment criteria.