Bachelor's ThesisLaajuus (15 ECTS)

Objective

The student concentrates on working unsupervised and carries out a Final thesis work. The student deepens his/her knowledge of his/her professional expertise and learns to take responsibility for work projects.
During this process the student applies the data search methods relevant to his/her own field of study, adapts previously acquired information with new information and creates new solutions and interpretations.
The student knows how to write a written report on his/her work including description, analysis and clarifying examples of the process and the results of the work.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

1. Choice of the topic: The student is able to identify the development needs in his/her field of work. The topic is relevant to the professional competences and qualifications of the student. The topic develops the student’s competences, and he/she is able to justify this.
2. Theoretical basis: The student’s familiarity with the subject matter is limited. There is insufficient critical analysis of the literature. The theoretical basis is built on a narrow area of expertise. The source material is extensive but the student’s ability to make syntheses, analyses and definitions is limited.
3. Implementation: The student is able to identify the essential questions related to the topic/problem, but the definition of the problem is vague. The methods are traditional and their use follows the given model. Working on schedule in accordance with the implementation plan is difficult. The student has not utilised the available information in an efficient way. The implementation meets the formal requirements. The student, however, completes the thesis in accordance with the schedule.
4. Analysis of the results and reflection: The results of the thesis partly meet the objectives. The student is able to review the results critically and evaluate his/her own competences and expertise in relation to the objectives but his/her evaluation is superficial. The student is able to suggest further measures and make development proposals. The solutions of the development problems are sufficiently valid and reliable, and they meet the basic requirements of undergraduate research.
5. Reporting: The student has observed the reporting instructions. The report is structured well and written in a sufficiently appropriate style. The language is fairly fluent and correct. References are correctly cited and bibliographic information is listed in accordance with conventional methods.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

1. Choice of the topic:The topic meets the requirements of the degree programme. The student understands and is able to analyse the development needs in his/her field of work in his/her choice of the topic, and he/she is able to present them in a systematic way. The topic and its level of challenge develop the professional competences and qualifications of the student.
2. Theoretical basis:The way in which the student approaches the subject matter is professional. The definition and use of concepts is analytical and logical. The student has built an extensive theoretical basis on source material related to his/her field of work. The student is able to define the phenomenon in a critical and balanced way, opening new perspectives.
3. Implementation:The student is able to identify the essential questions related to the topic/problem and to define the problem in relation to the topic and the requirements of the bachelor’s thesis. The student uses appropriate research methods and shows methodological awareness. The student is able to work independently but he/she is also capable of constructive cooperation with the parties involved in the thesis process. The student is able to work on schedule and manage the work process. The student’s approach to work is reflective and he/she demonstrates initiative and development ability.
4. Analysis of the results and reflection: The student is able to apply an extensive theoretical basis to solving a problem related to his/her field of work. Based on the results, the student is able to present a model for a solution to the research question that he/she has defined in the thesis. The student is able to review the results and theories and the methods he/she has used in a critical way. The student is able to apply the results and propose further measures that are relevant. He/she is also able to identify issues requiring further development or research.
5. Reporting: The results and conclusions are well-founded, and they are presented in an analytical and clear way. The student is able to communicate the results clearly to non-specialists and demonstrates an ability to think critically and to develop his/her expertise. The report is well-structured and written in an appropriate style. The language is exact and clear. The use of references is supportive of claims and arguments advanced in the text.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

1. Choice of the topic: The topic develops the student’s field of work and is significant for it. The student is able to question and justify the development needs in his/her field of work in his/her choice of the topic. The topic is innovative in view of the professional competences and qualifications of the student, and it opens new perspectives for his/her field of work.
2. Theoretical basis:The student has built the theoretical basis on an extensive and balanced range of sources that are relevant to the phenomenon concerned and selected in a well-grounded way. He/she is able to draw conclusions and make syntheses in a systematic way. He/she defines and uses concepts in a versatile way and creates new theory for his/her field of work, or applies existing theory in a creative, original way.
3. Implementation: The student is able to identify the essential issues in the topic/problem creatively, and he/she is able to define the problem in a systematic and well-grounded way. The student is able to find methods – even unconventional - that suit the topic well and demonstrates strong methodological awareness. The student is able to evaluate his/her working process in an analytical way and demonstrates an ability to develop it.
4. Analysis of the results and reflection: The results show interesting expertise in view of the development of the student’s field of work. The student is able to apply the theoretical basis and analyse complex practical problems in a new way, and he/she is able to convert the results into applications that serve his/her field of expertise (new viewpoint, innovation, development of the field). The student is able to review the results and the methods he/she uses in a critical and analytical way. He/she is able to formulate a clear concept and model for the necessary further measures and development needs in his/her field of work, and he/she is able to justify them in a systematic way.
5. Reporting: The reporting demonstrates a command of the subject matter that demonstrates profound expertise with respect to both existing literature and issues of practice. The student’s use of language is excellent. The report conveys his/her thinking in an analytical, clear way. The report is written in an appropriate style, logically structured and clearly presented.