Master’s ThesisLaajuus (30 ECTS)

Objective

The master’s thesis of the Master of Culture and Arts is a research-based development work. The learning outcomes are defined in the Finnish law and decree on the master degree from a university of applied sciences (law 351/2003 and decree 352/2003, reformed law on higher educational institutions 1.1.2010), in addition to the EQF and the National Qualification Framework (NQF): "A master’s thesis is an applied research and development assignment, product, dissertation or work, that aims to strengthen the student’s expertise and plan, execute and evaluate development and/or research projects. The aim is to develop and indicate the student’s ability to apply research information and use selected methods to specify and solve problems in the job sector as well as their readiness for independent, demanding specialist work" (translated from the original).

Content

he master’s thesis of the Master of Culture and Arts is a research-based development work. The learning outcomes are defined in the Finnish law and decree on the master degree from a university of applied sciences (law 351/2003 and decree 352/2003, reformed law on higher educational institutions 1.1.2010), in addition to the EQF and the National Qualification Framework (NQF): "A master’s thesis is an applied research and development assignment, product, dissertation or work, that aims to strengthen the student’s expertise and plan, execute and evaluate development and/or research projects. The aim is to develop and indicate the student’s ability to apply research information and use selected methods to specify and solve problems in the job sector as well as their readiness for independent, demanding specialist work" (translated from the original).

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The significance of the work to the working life partner, professional field, and/or to the development of the area:
The goals of the project are defined in an understandable way and the goals are met, at least partially. The work will have substance to develop the activities related to the co-operating organization, professional field or the area.

Utilising of information sources and methodological skills:
The knowledge displayed will be partly disconnected from the development work and the reached conclusions. Crucial source information is missing. Research and development methods seem to be routinely applied.

Results and conclusions:
Conclusions are made based on the research material and both the results and the main points are presented. The work ponders on the applicability of the results, however, they remain cursory.

Mastering the research and development process:
The whole is well outlined but the work does not proceed according to goals. The independent development remains unsubstantial as well as the co-operation between the key operators. The process and the output are assessed in a rather limited manner.

Communication skills, language, presentation and form of the thesis:
The structure and language use are not perfect. The linguistic expression does not have great fluency.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

The significance of the work to the working life partner, professional field, and/or to the development of the area:
The goals are clearly defined. The final thesis will concretely develop the work of the partner organization and the work is interesting for the field and/ or the areal development. The work spans from defining the development needs to well-grounded suggestions that have value in their applicability.

Utilising of information sources and methodological skills:
The foundation for information is both relevant and versatile. The foundation for information directs the development of the action in a natural way. The chosen research and development methods are applicable to one’s work and they are used in a correct way.

Results and conclusions:
Well justified conclusions are drawn on the basis of the research material and the conclusions. They are also clearly presented. The applicability of the results into a wider context is also pondered on.

Mastering the research and development process:
The work process is developed in an organized manner. Development work is executed both independently as well as a research based manner in successful co-operation with others. The process and its result is assessed.

Communication skills, language, presentation and form of the thesis:
The language use is impeccable, appropriate for an expert text with a great organization. The layout is impeccable and the language use is fluent.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The significance of the work to the working life partner, professional field, and/or to the development of the area:
High goals are set for the work. The work successfully renews operations in the partner organization and it is important for the profession or the areal development. The work spans from defining the development needs to engaging in the development research process and finally to applying the results.

Utilising of information sources and methodological skills:
The database is relevant and versatile also includes international literature. The data base guides the development project in a natural way. The selected research and development methods are applied in an exceptionally successful manner.

Results and conclusions:
The conclusions based on the research material are deep and they are presented in an insightful manner. The work ponders on the applicability to a larger professional and work life context.

Mastering the research and development process:
Mastering the process related to planning and execution is reliable, constructive, and professional. Both the process and the output are critically assessed.

Communication skills, language, presentation and form of the thesis:
The work comprises a unified whole. The results are persuasively communicated to the key target groups. The language use in the thesis is both fluent and accurate. The layout is of high quality.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

In a failing grade:
- The goals of the work are not conveyed to the reader. There is no customer-oriented approach to be found in the thesis or a link to the organization nor development strategies in the professional field or in the area. The significance of the thesis remains low for the employer.
- The informative foundation is missing or the presented information is not linked to developing operations. The work does not reveal how research and development methods were applied, or alternatively the description is rational or application is illogical.
- There are no reported results. Areas where the results are applied cannot be found.
- The work is a description of the process, where methods, research material, and their concrete development processes are missing. Evaluating the process and the produced work is missing. The professional dialogue is not goal oriented.
- The final work does not meet the criteria set for expert communication in the field related to communication, language use and/or layout.

Further information

The whole process of writing the thesis and all relevant products are taken into account in the evaluation of the master’s thesis. Special attention is paid on the ability to obtain, process and independently apply information, to identify, specify and solve professional problems in practical situations and to develop one’s own professional field. In the evaluation on the written part of the thesis attention is paid on both the subject matter and the language and layout of the finished work.