Study Guide

Objective

Research Clinics guide the student through the Master’s Thesis project through a path that considers the different elements of research criteria.

The Master’s Thesis in Industrial Management approaches an industry-relevant business problem. It recognizes the existing knowledge around the scoped area. The relevant theory represents current best practice for the issue in question. Based on the theory, a conceptual framework is built for the study. Relevant data collection is part of every Master’s Thesis. Relevant data is collected from the company and beyond to diagnose the current state (Current State Analysis - CSA) and to develop a solution to the problem. A variety of research techniques is utilized. Data analysis takes place in a transparent manner, thus making it necessary to document the data for analysis. The results of theory and data are merged into findings. The gist of the findings is crystallized into a model, plan or other construct. This proposal is further developed into a practical action plan or roadmap for the key stakeholders.

Content

Research Clinics consist of seven gates. A gate is understood as:

1) Teaching of R&D methodology,
2) Meeting with the main instructor and the process instructor
3) Assignment (presentation & feedback in research clinic).

The seven gates are the following:

GATE 1. Business challenge, objective and outcome.
GATE 2. Research design, Table of contents
GATE 3. Current state analysis
GATE 4. Conceptual framework
GATE 5. Building the proposal
GATE 6. Validation of the proposal
GATE 7. Final text

Prerequisites

Bachelor’s degree and min 3 years of work experience

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Assessment criteria, approved/not approved.

The coursework meets with more than three the six criteria below. The assignment shows satisfactory performance in three or more of the criteria.

The following criteria are used for assessing the IM Master’s coursework (lecture involvement, discussion, written assignments and discussion leaders).
•The student shows an understanding of the relevant course content in relation to the contents of the material, lectures and discussion.
•Student texts/presentations demonstrate an understanding of the article/lecture content and an ability to select, interpret and justify key messages in a grounded manner.
•The student shows interconnections between the proposed concepts and current business practice, showing abilities of reflection, evaluation and discussion.
•The student shows professional initiative, active participation and responsibility in both individual and team work.
• The student shows the ability to collect valid knowledge for his/her topic from outside the course sources by using scholarly search tools, by questioning current business practice and by practicing source critique.
•Student assignment is written in line with academic writing practice and instructions for Master’s Thesis, using the Harvard Referencing system, with references both in the text as well as reference list. The texts are written in coherent, fluent English.

Further information

Research clinics are integrated with Master’s Thesis, Applied Research Methodology and Thesis Writing Clinics.

Assessment criteria, approved/not approved.