ENT5900 Master's thesis Course description

The master's thesis is a final independent, limited research project that shall be based on the knowledge, skills and competence the student has acquired during the programme. Preparations for work on the master's thesis should begin at an early stage of the programme but is attended to mostly in the fourth semester. The master's thesis is an independent project in groups of two-three students. Students may be allowed, on application, to write an individual thesis.

The master's thesis should be an analytical work with relevance to the subject areas in the programme. The students must choose a topic that will be highlighted through systematic use of qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies. The research question can be of either a theoretical or an empirical nature. The master's thesis is submitted in the form of a monograph.

Language of instruction is Norwegian and English.

All compulsory courses included in the master's degree and all three elective courses - total 90 ECTS - must be passed before the student may submit the master's thesis for assessment.

After completing the course, the student should have the following overall learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student has

• advanced knowledge of a specialised field in the area of entrepreneurship
• in-depth knowledge of theories relevant to the topic of the master's thesis
• in-depth insight into a topic or phenomenon seen from different perspectives
• in-depth knowledge, and application of academic requirements for analysis and written production

Skills

The student is capable of

• delimiting a larger topic or phenomenon and making it the subject of research
• selecting and using one or more methods to explore the problem of the master's thesis
• developing a design for an empirical study
• analysing a data material using theoretical perspectives and concepts
• carrying out a systematic and critical analysis, applying key research principles and providing a clear academic presentation of the results
• assessing research ethics issues related to their own project

General competence

The student can

• read research literature critically and reflectively
• assess issues related to research ethics
• disseminate knowledge and their own research results
• apply research-based knowledge and skills in the work on the master's thesis

Students must submit a project description for their master's thesis. Each group of students is then assigned an academic supervisor. However, it is not uncommon for students to have been in contact with one or more potential supervisor while preparing the project description in the third semester.

The following coursework requirements must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• Coursework 1: A project plan of 10 pages (+/- 10 per cent) must be approved before work on the master’s thesis begins in the fourth semester. The project plan must describe the literature, the research question and the plan for the thesis. It also forms the basis for the assignment of an academic supervisor.
• Coursework 2: Attending a first mandatory seminar in the beginning of the fourth semester.
• Coursework 3: Attending a second mandatory seminar later in fourth semester.

All required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam. If the project plan is not approved, the student will be given one opportunity to submit an improved version by the given deadline.

The exam in the course is a master's thesis.

The master's thesis is an independent project carried out in groups of two to three students. Students with compelling reasons, for example illness or the need to work individually on one's own business idea, may apply to write individually. Work alongside studies or place of residence is not considered a valid reason for completing the master's thesis individually. Students receive individual and/or group-based supervision for approximately ten hours. This supervision helps ensure that students acquire the necessary knowledge, provides essential quality assurance in the collection and processing of data, and ensures that these activities are conducted in accordance with research ethics guidelines.

The scope of a master's thesis is expected to be between 80-100 pages. For students who have been granted permission to write an individual thesis, the expected thesis is between 60-80 pages. The thesis must be written in Arial or Calibri, 12 points. Line spacing: 1.5. All references must follow APA guidelines. The scope is discussed and agreed in more detail with the supervisor. For theses with a large quantitative analysis component, the number of pages may be less important.

Students are allowed to submit a new or revised master’s thesis once if they are awarded a fail grade. Students who fail the ordinary exam may be given one hour of academic supervision subject to agreement with the supervisor.

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

Grade scale A - F

All thesis are assessed by one internal and one external examiner.