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2020/2021  KAN-CDASO4010U  Master's Thesis

English Title
Master's Thesis

Course information

Language English
Course ECTS 30 ECTS
Type Mandatory
Level Full Degree Master
Duration One Semester
Start time of the course Spring
Timetable Course schedule will be posted at calendar.cbs.dk
Study board
Study Board for BSc/MSc in Business Administration and Information Systems, MSc
Course coordinator
  • Abid Hussain - Department of Digitalisation
Main academic disciplines
  • Information technology
Teaching methods
  • Face-to-face teaching
Last updated on 29-06-2020

Relevant links

Learning objectives
  • 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.
  • 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.
Examination
Master's Thesis:
Exam ECTS 30
Examination form Oral exam based on written product

In order to participate in the oral exam, the written product must be handed in before the oral exam; by the set deadline. The grade is based on an overall assessment of the written product and the individual oral performance.
Individual or group exam Oral group exam based on written group product
Number of people in the group 2-3
Size of written product Max. 120 pages
The Master's Thesis should be written in groups of two or three students.
The Master's thesis may also be written individually without the need for a dispensation (individual contract).
- If the thesis is written by one student, the length is max. 80 pages.
- If the thesis is written by two students, the length is max. 120 pages.
- If the thesis is written by three students, the length is max. 160 pages.
The abstract is always max. 1 page.
Assignment type Master's thesis
Duration
Written product to be submitted on specified date and time.
75 min. per group, including examiners' discussion of grade, and informing plus explaining the grade
Grading scale 7-point grading scale

The student’s spelling and writing skills are taken into consideration in the overall assessment of the examination performance, but the academic content is given the highest weight.
Regulations regarding the summary The summary is in English and is a part of the assessment.

For rules regarding individual exams, see your programme regulations and my.cbs.dk.
.
Examiner(s) Internal examiner and external examiner
Exam period Summer
Make-up exam/re-exam
Same examination form as the ordinary exam
If the student has submitted their thesis, but is ill at the oral defense, a new defense will be arranged as soon as possible based on the thesis already submitted.
If the student receives a non-passing grade at the regular exam, they have used an exam attempt. It is then a requirement that the Master’s Thesis contract is renewed, i.e. the student must further clarify their original topic delimitation, which must then be approved by the thesis coordinator.
Description of the exam procedure

The exam form is an oral group exam.

Students may request to defend their thesis individually, even if they have written in a group, by writing to the master thesis office no later than 6 weeks before the submission deadline. 

The examination time includes time for the examiner to discuss and inform the student about their grades and it depends on the number of students:

- If the thesis is written by one student, the oral exam is 45 minutes.
- If the thesis is written by two students, the oral exam is 75 minutes. 
- If the thesis is written by three students, the oral exam is 90 minutes. 
Students are expected to bring their thesis to the exam. Also, they are allowed to bring notes and presentation material to the exam.

The exam begins with a presentation by the students (max. 10 minutes for one student, 15 minutes for two students, 20 minutes for three students) followed by a discussion between the students and the examiners.

The grade awarded will reflect a holistic assessment of the academic content of the thesis, formal aspects (e.g., correct spelling and referencing), and the oral performance. Emphasis will be placed on the academic content of the thesis (see learning objectives).

Course content, structure and pedagogical approach

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

Through the thesis project, the student should develop the ability to

  • Independently produce a qualified piece of research applying relevant methods and theories
  • Document in-depth knowledge of the subject of the thesis and the 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 theory/method/algorithms used to answer the research question
  • Explain and evaluate the choice of methodology 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 Data science perspective.
Description of the teaching methods
An introductory workshop will be held in September - October.
The supervision process is described in the supervision plan, which is agreed between the student(s) and the supervisor prior to commencement of the thesis project.
Feedback during the teaching period
The students receive feedback from the supervisor at the supervisor meetings. The frequency of meetings and their content are agreed upon between the students and the supervisor.
Student workload
Supervision, literature review, data collection, report writing 800 hours
Exam preparation and exam 24 hours
Further Information

Main Category of the Course:

  • Information Systems
  • Business economics
  • Organizational theory
  • Communication
  • Management of Information and Knowledge Management
Last updated on 29-06-2020