Study Guide

Objectives

The aim of the final thesis is to plan, develop and implement a project which supports the business activities of the working organisation or company. The project may be the development of an innovative media concept, product or service or it may focus on developing the company?s skills or networks. In the development project, the students show they are capable carrying out an independent, long-term and target oriented project. The final thesis consists of description, reporting and visualization of the method selected according to set demands, the documents of the project and a personal description and evaluation of development.
The students find the topic for the development task themselves and the customer organisation names a contact person for the development task from their organisation.

Content

To support the development of the final thesis project, the students are offered an on-line material of methodologies, which introduce possible approaches to selecting a systematic method. In addition, the methods are discussed in class. The development task is done in close connection to advanced professional studies, which include their application in the development project. The final thesis also includes the description and evaluation of the students? own development. The final thesis includes a maturity test, which is carried out by writing a press release of the development project.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

The key concepts are defined in a biased manner.

The author is acquainted with the key references in the field in a biased and uncritical manner.

Plenty of outdated or second- hand references are used. The theoretical and conceptual starting points remain disconnected.

There are deficiencies in selection, use and application of research and development methods.

Cooperation with working life is professional and reciprocal but scarce.

The thesis barely demonstrates the author’s problem solving skills, ability to assess individuals’ or groups’ operation, and ability to lead working life development in accordance with the objectives.

The thesis process does not progress as planned and a lot of supervision is needed. The results do not fully meet the objectives.

The author considers ethical issues related to the thesis and thesis process in a biased manner and acts accordingly.

The thesis results meet the set objectives to some extent. They can be used in development of the organisation, field and its professional practices.

The author barely considers the thesis results in relation to the framework, operationalisation of the phenomenon and earlier research.

The author barely assesses the thesis implementation, results and reliability. The different parts of the thesis remain unconnected.

The thesis process phases, made decisions, results and conclusions are reported both orally and in written.

The student presents the diverse phases of the thesis in seminars and as agreed on with eg the working life cooperation partner.

The thesis report is not written fully in accordance with TAMK’s report guide.

The thesis report is checked and approved by a representative of the working life cooperation partner.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The key concepts are defined and their selection is justified.

The author is acquainted with the key national and international references in the field.

The used references are current, reliable and original. Reference information is analysed and synthesis made systematically and critically.

The theoretical and conceptual starting points form a logical entity.
Selection, use and application of research and development methods are appropriate and justified.

Cooperation with working life is professional and reciprocal, and the agreed schedule is followed.

The thesis demonstrates the author’s problem solving skills, ability to assess individuals’ or groups’ operation, and ability to lead working life development under supervision in accordance with the thesis objective.

The thesis process is fluent and the results meet the objectives.

The author considers ethical issues related to the thesis and thesis process and acts accordingly in the different thesis phases.
The thesis results meet the set objectives. They serve the organisation, field and its professional practices.

The results are realistic development measures for the organisation, field and its professional practices, a new version of a product, or a new product.

The author considers the thesis results in relation to the framework, operationalisation of the phenomenon and earlier research.

The author assesses the thesis implementation, results and reliability of the results critically.

The thesis development or research process and the thesis report form a consistent entity.

The thesis process phases, made decisions, results and conclusions are reported both orally and in written as a solid entity.

The student presents the diverse phases of the thesis in seminars and as agreed on with eg the working life cooperation partner by defending the made selections.

The thesis report is written in accordance with TAMK’s report guide.

The thesis report is checked and approved by a representative of the working life cooperation partner.

If need be, the student can intelligibly present the thesis in a foreign language.

If possible, the author disseminates the new information established in the thesis through an article written under supervision.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The key concepts and their relations are defined and their selection is justified.

The author is extensively acquainted with the key national and international references in the field.

The used references are current, reliable and original. Reference information is analysed and synthesis made systematically and critically creating new information.

The theoretical and conceptual starting points form a logical entity for the basis of thesis decisions and thesis implementation.
Selection, use and application of research and development methods are appropriate, justified and reproducible based on the description.

Cooperation with working life is professional, reciprocal, constructive and documented and the agreed schedule is followed.

The thesis demonstrates the author’s problem solving skills, ability to assess individuals’ or groups’ operation, and ability to lead working life development in a responsible and independent manner in accordance with the thesis objective.

The thesis process demonstrates the author’s innovativeness, creativity, self-direction and ability to progress according to the objectives.

The author considers ethical issues related to the thesis and thesis process in a diverse manner and acts accordingly in the different thesis phases.

The thesis results excellently meet the set objectives and concrete assignment.

The results are realistic and creative development measures for the organisation, field and its professional practices, a new version of a product, or a new product.

The author considers the thesis results widely in relation to the framework, operationalisation of the phenomenon and earlier research.

The author can analyse and assess the thesis implementation, results and reliability of the results critically and present justified development suggestions.
The thesis development or research process and the thesis report form a consistent and balanced entity.

The thesis process phases, made decisions, results and conclusions are reported both orally and in written as a justified and reliable entity.

The student presents the diverse phases of the thesis in seminars and as agreed on with eg the working life cooperation partner by defending the made selections and thus demonstrating expertise and professional maturity.

The thesis report is written in accordance with TAMK’s report guide.

The thesis report is checked and approved by a representative of the working life cooperation partner.

If need be, the student can intelligibly present the thesis in a foreign language.

If possible, the author disseminates the new information established in the thesis through eg an article written under supervision.

Assessment criteria, pass/fail

Fail when

The key concepts are not defined and thus the theoretical starting points remain deficient.

The author is not adequately acquainted with the references.

There are errors in selection, use and application of research and development methods.

Cooperation with working life is scarce or non-existent due to the author.

The thesis does not demonstrate the author’s problem solving skills, ability to assess individuals’ or groups’ operation, or ability to lead working life development.

Progress of the thesis process is dependent on supervision.

Consideration of ethical issues related to the thesis and related practice are deficient.

There is plagiarism in the thesis.

The thesis results fail to meet the set objectives. It is difficult to use them in development of the organisation, field and its professional practices.

The author assesses the thesis results and implementation unrealistically.

The thesis entity is deficient.

The thesis process does not progress in accordance with the guidelines.

TAMK’s report guide is not followed in the thesis report.

The thesis report is not checked or approved by a representative of the working life partner.