• independently explore, review and systematize the academic literature on a topic of interest
• address the research question with appropriate and justified choices of theory and research design, demonstrating an awareness of alternative choices,
• conduct a literature search so as to locate the own research underpinning the paper substantively in relation to work that has been previously been undertaken 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 discuss offer persuasive implications, and
• present the entire analysis in a clear and coherent manner.

Supervision

Supervisors to be chosen by students from available faculty based upon the list posted on my.cbs.dk. Students are allotted 6 hours of supervision, including staff time for preparation and grading.

Literature

To be agreed between student and supervisor.

Requirements

There is not one standard template for a Free Paper in IBP. Students make their own choices – in consultation with their supervisors – on research design, the use of theory, methodology, and data.  All papers, however, must have a clear research question. 

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 an understanding of theories,

-  using theory to explain a real-life phenomenon, 

-  initiating a search for new ideas by carefully delineating a novel type of problem, or

-  discussing the theoretical implications of empirical findings,

Students are advised not to engage in large scale collection of primary data, and generally they should discuss the scope of the paper with their supervisors. If a study appears unfeasible for reasons of method, funding, time or any other structural constraint, then the student is advised to revisit the question(s) 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 the number 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. This is 500 pages and refers to the reading of material that is not part of the set curriculum for the IBP programme. This requirement is indicative and the way it is met is part of the assessment criteria.