Structure of the MT
Contents
3. Structure of the MT¶
The workload for the complete Master’s Thesis is approximate 500 hours. This is based on 20 ECTS whereas 1 ECTS refers to 25 hours of work.
The length of the Master’s Thesis is between 80 – 120 pages. Please follow the formatting and style aspects of this guideline.
The thesis should be structured as follows:
Title page
Acknowledgements
Abstract (including keywords)
Kurzfassung (German)
Table of contents
1 Introduction
2 State of the art review
3 Methods
4 Empirical part
5 Results
6 Summary and outlook
List of references
List of figures
List of tables
List of acronyms
List of symbols
Appendix (optional)
Statutory Declaration
3.1. Title page¶
The title page contains the following elements:
Title of the Master’s Thesis
Author
Company name
“Submitted to the Master’s Degree Program”
“Engineering and Production Management”
“FH JOANNEUM Gesellschaft mbH Graz”
“University of Applied Sciences”
Head of degree program:
Academic advisor:
Company supervisor:
Date
3.2. Acknowledgements¶
This is the place to thank all those who have helped with the Master’s Thesis. Careful thought needs to be given concerning those whose help should be acknowledged and in what order. The general advice is to express your appreciation in a concise manner and to avoid strong emotive language.
Personal pronouns (e.g. I, my, me) are used to express the acknowledgements. In the rest of the work, personal pronouns are to be avoided.
3.3. Abstract¶
An abstract allows readers to gain insight about the most essential parts of a thesis or paper without having to read the full-length text. Abstracts are different than summaries in that they are used for scientific or academic papers in order to highlight certain parts of the given work. They focus on the work itself and not, for instance, how a thesis is divided (e.g. into a theoretical and practical part). Because the abstract provides the highlights of the paper, it should be written after the first draft of the paper is complete.
The length of the abstract should range between two-thirds to three-fourth of a page. It is to be written as one continuous paragraph. If the abstract exceeds one page this suggested length, be sure that not too much space was devoted to background information on the topic.
The legal name of the company should be included in the abstract, ideally towards the beginning. If the name of the company is long, a shortened version of the name should be used and placed in brackets upon subsequent mentioning. Alternatively, the word “company” can also be used instead of the name.
The sciences typically use informative abstracts covering the following areas:
3.3.1. Background¶
It is common to begin the abstract by establishing why work was needed at the company on the thesis topic. This is also where background information can be given if more information is required to understand the topic.
3.3.2. Aims¶
The aims should be clearly stated in terms of the research questions the thesis sought to answer.
3.3.3. Methods¶
This part of the abstract deals with the approaches used to answer the research questions.
3.3.4. Results¶
Here the key results stemming from the research questions are summarized. Be sure to provide concrete details so these results can be understood rather than broad statements that give little insight.
3.3.5. Conclusion¶
The conclusion elaborates on implications or the significance of the results or research.
Note
The past simple tense is normally used for much of an abstract, e.g. “The methods used include…”. However, when writing about facts or general statements, the present tense can be used, e.g. “To ensure that the legal limits of emissions are met, it is necessary to select the right process to clean exhaust gases emitted by industry.”
Important
References to sources, figures, tables, or equations are not included in an abstract. Abbreviated forms of phrases should only be provided in this section if the acronyms are used more than once within the abstract. If not, write out all phrases in full.
3.3.6. Keywords¶
Underneath the abstract, at least three keywords are to be given that those looking to find the thesis would use. These keywords should be related to elements that are specific to the thesis, so avoid using general terms such as common nouns and verbs. These keywords should also be found in the abstract, as an abstract, by its very nature, focuses on key elements of the work.
Important
On the line with the keywords, the company’s legal name is to be given. This, too, allows others to more easily find theses done on behalf of a company.
3.4. Kurzfassung¶
A translation of the abstract in German, under the heading “Kurzfassung”, is also to be provided. This, too, should be written as one continuous paragraph and provide the company’s legal name plus the keywords in German. The order of the keywords should be the same order as in the English version.
3.5. Introduction¶
The introduction briefly describes the content of the work on a high level and presents the most important aspects of the thesis. It is advisable to use the same terminology from the introduction throughout the whole document.
The Introduction presents the research questions following by a short description on the methods used to solve the problem.
There should be one paragraph for every chapter that describes the content of each of the chapters very briefly. Cross-references to each chapter should be included to guide the reader through the work.
A brief description of the company is also necessary to define the industry for which the thesis is written.
3.6. State of the art review¶
This very important part of the document defines the theoretical baseline from where the thesis work proceeds. It reflects the systematic research on the existing theories in the field of the thesis. There should be a clear focus only on relevant theories used in the later empirical part of the work to answer the research questions.
The state of the art ensures that the student is capable of abstracting a problem and subdividing into relevant theoretical core elements that describe the problem. This chapter further builds up the specific knowledge that helps the reader to understand the theoretical basics of the empirical work.
3.7. Methods¶
Here, the methods used to answer the research questions are described briefly. While the state of the art places its focus on theoretical aspects, the research methods define how the theories are applied to solve the problem presented by the thesis. In principle there are three methods to solve a theoretical problem:
analytical methods (e.g. mathematical equations)
empirical methods (e.g. tests, surveys)
numerical methods (e.g. simulations, optimizations)
3.8. Experimental part¶
The previously described theories are applied to the specific problem of the thesis and solved by the research methods. This chapter reflects the actual work of the students at the partner company and will be of utmost importance for the company. All the specific data, information and processes that feed the used methods are documented according to Standards of Good Scientific Practice such as reproducibility, transparency, honesty and responsibility. The results are captured and validated but not evaluated and reflected. This is done in the chapter “Results”.
3.9. Results¶
This chapter presents the valid results, such as images, graphs and data in a consistent, complete and high-quality manner. Here the results are evaluated and reflected upon. The research questions must also be answered in this chapter.
3.10. Summary and outlook¶
This chapter starts with a brief summary of the main outcomes, followed by a description of possible further work
to enhance the quality of the results,
to use the results as a baseline for further research and/or
to use the results and methods for the solution of similar problems.
3.11. Appendix¶
All information, data and descriptions that are important for the problem but do not fit into the body of the thesis are presented here.
3.12. Statutory Declaration¶
It is necessary to include a statutory declaration regarding academic integrity and adherence to the standards of good scientific practice and research integritiy at FH JOANNEUM:
I hereby confirm and declare that the present Bachelor’s thesis/Master’s thesis was composed by myself without any help from others and that the work contained herein is my own and that I have only used the specified sources and aids. The uploaded version is identical to any printed version submitted.
I also confirm that I have prepared this thesis in compliance with the principles of the FH JOANNEUM Guideline for Good Scientific Practice and Prevention of Research Misconduct.
I declare in particular that I have marked all content taken verbatim or in substance from third party works or my own works according to the rules of good scientific practice and that I have included clear references to all sources.
The present original thesis has not been submitted to another university in Austria or abroad for the award of an academic degree in this form.
I understand that the provision of incorrect information in this signed declaration may have legal consequences.