How to do ... Master thesis!

From finding a topic to checking for plagiarism - the process of writing a master's thesis begins way before the last semester and is often complicated as well as tedious. Here's a little "how to do" ... Master thesis!

Finding a topic

The topic of the master's thesis has to be chosen well - after all, you deal with it extensively and intensively over a longer period of time.

It is important to note that the topic of a Master's thesis must be narrowed down to such an extent that it can be worked on within the statutory period of six months (Statutes of the University of Vienna, §14(1)) This period does not include finding a topic and agreeing on a supervisor!

Tip:

It is therefore recommended to look for topics suitable for a master's thesis in the courses as early as in the first semesters. Seminar papers not only offer the opportunity to perfect your scientific work. After a (usually very limited) examination of a topic, new research gaps or perspectives often open up, which can be deepened and pursued further in a master's thesis.

By participating in research projects of the institute, it is also possible to find suitable topics for which one has already collected empirical material or gained knowledge. The elective module 16 "Wissenschaftspraktikum" also offers a framework in which this process can be reflected upon and accompanied. Information on current research projects can be found on the homepage of the institute (in work).

If you already have a focus in mind, but are unsure which supervisor might be the best fit, it is a good idea to filter u:thesis in the "advanced search" for master's theses that were supervised by specific supervisors.

 

 

Supervision agreement

You can find the list of authorized supervisors here.

It is not possible to arrange supervision with an external person (e.g. from another institute, another university).

The list of persons authorized to supervise also includes professors who have no teaching duties at the Department of Education, but who are nevertheless assigned to it. This applies in particular to professors who are assigned to the Center for Teaching and Learning (ZLB) or to Gender Studies (SPL 20 Cultural and Social Anthropology).

It is therefore not possible to complete a course with each of the supervisors listed. However, all of them offer a consultation hour in which the topic can be presented or adapted together for supervision. It may also be that the supervisors wish to have a short synopsis in order to have the necessary information whether they can supervise the topic or not.

Whether the topic or even a specific methodological approach falls within the scope of the respective supervisor can also be shown by looking at their publications! Publications can also be easily searched through u:cris.

It is generally the student's responsibility to organize a supervisor. If you need assistance with this or do not know exactly how to adapt your topic in order to arrange suitable supervision, our study coordination team will be happy to help you.

 

 

Core focus of the master thesis

The master thesis is written either in the

a) compulsory module group providing basic knowledge or

b) selected compulsory module group (I-IV)

written.

The indication of the focus of the thesis also means the content of the first examination subject of the Master's examination.

Registration of the master thesis topic

The topic of the Master's thesis must be registered and approved by the head of the study program.

For this purpose, the supervisor must already be established as well as the focus in which the thesis will be written.

The following forms are necessary for the registration of the master thesis topic:

  • Application for registration of the topic (incl. synopsis and time schedule).
  • Rules of good scientific practice

Here are minimum requirements for the exposé, which have been set by the study program management and should serve as orientation.

Master thesis - accompanying seminar

The accompanying seminar for the master's thesis (M17a) is a mandatory module and must be completed in the master's program.

It is not possible to offer an accompanying seminar, that is oriented towards the content of the respective compulsory module group (focal points I-IV), every semester. Therefore, these seminars are usually kept open in terms of content and are rather oriented towards the methodological approach.

The seminars are also usually held so that one can participate at any point in the work process.

Attention! The completion of an accompanying seminar does not mean that the master thesis will be supervised by the respective course lecturer! However, it is advisable to enroll in the accompanying seminar of the supervisor, if the supervisor offers one.

Even if it is a work in progress, which is difficult to assess, a grade must be entered for the seminar. Since this is an examination-immanent course, there are partial assignments which should support the writing of the master thesis (drafting/writing of the exposé, presentation of the master thesis topic, etc.).

Finished? - Submit master thesis

Documents required for the submission of the master's thesis:

  • Master's thesis - twice hard ( like a book), bound on both sides (see form requirements in the bulletin)
  • Form "Ansuchen um Beurteilung der Masterarbeit" (request for evaluation of the master thesis)
  • Upload confirmation (see steps 4-5) for scientific work at the University of Vienna.
  • Letter of admission - if the BA program was not Educational Science at the University of Vienna (note: fulfillment of possible requirements)

 

The submission of the master thesis is done both digitally (pdf) and in bound form. The following steps are to be followed:

  1. The topic of the master thesis must be approved by the SPL (s. Anmeldung des Masterarbeitsthemas)
  2. IMPORTANT: Checking the personal data on u:space (name change, recording of academic degrees, ...)
  3. The master's thesis must meet the specified formal requirements for the submission of scientific work (s. Mitteilungsblatt).
  4. Before printing, the master thesis will be uploaded as pdf. for plagiarism check.
  5. The positive upload is documented by a confirmation page, the printout of which (= upload confirmation) has to be signed and must be submitted when handing in the bound work.
  6. The plagiarism check report will be forwarded to the SPL, who will then release the paper for evaluation.
    • The print version must be identical in content to the uploaded electronic version of the work. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to use the uploaded electronic
    • version for the print version.
  8. The printing of the work must also be done according to the specified standards (Mitteilungsblatt - Bulletin, III. Appendix).
  9. The printed master's thesis must be handed in at the SSC in duplicate (information on handing in outside opening hours). After the plagiarism check has determined that the master's thesis is unobjectionable, the SSC forwards it to the supervisor (= reviewer) for evaluation.