VPLb1280 Thesis Methodology

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2023
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
PhDr. Markéta Horáková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Ondřej Hora, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Markéta Horáková, Ph.D.
Department of Social Policy and Social Work – Faculty of Social Studies
Supplier department: Department of Social Policy and Social Work – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Wed 20. 9. 10:00–11:40 bude_upresneno, Wed 27. 9. 10:00–11:40 M117, Wed 1. 11. 14:00–15:40 U43
Prerequisites
(SEMESTR(4) || SOUHLAS)
Students enrol in courses three semesters before the end of the standard study period (usually in the fourth semester of their studies). Teaching is arranged according to the planned schedule: There are two in-person meetings at the beginning of the semester (2 teaching lectures) and individualised consultations with teachers in the middle of the semester. Students choose the supervisor of their diploma theses with whom they consult the topic and goals of the theses. They complete the template for their projects, and then the supervisor formulates official instructions for the thesis in the information system.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The goal of the course is: 1) Introduce students to the process of writing diploma theses, including theoretical, methodological and formal requirements. 2) Support students in creating projects for their diploma theses.
Learning outcomes
The students will, after completion of the course: - have their thesis supervisor, - have formulated goals for their diploma theses, and thus they can enrol in a Conceptualisation course in the next semester, - understand the process of writing a diploma thesis, - understand critical components of the diploma thesis, - to know expectations concerning the contents and formal requirements of the diploma thesis.
Syllabus
  • There are two topics included: 1. Formal process of preparation of diploma thesis: courses, finding supervisor, cooperation with the supervisor, formulation of the thesis goals using the project template, 2. Characteristics of the diploma thesis: types of diploma theses, criteria for assessment of diploma theses, structure and design of diploma thesis, research ethics, avoiding plagiarism, formal requirements.
Literature
  • BABBIE, Earl R. The practice of social research. Fourteenth edition. Boston: Cengage Learning, 2016, xxiv, 566. ISBN 9781305104945. info
  • HENDL, Jan. Kvalitativní výzkum : základní teorie, metody a aplikace. 2., aktualiz. vyd. Praha: Portál, 2008, 407 s. ISBN 9788073674854. info
  • BRYMAN, Alan. Social research methods. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008, xiii, 748. ISBN 9780199202959. info
  • PUNCH, K. F. Úspěšný návrh výzkumu. 1. vyd. Praha: Portál, 2008, 230 pp. ISBN 978-80-7367-468-7. info
  • NEUMAN, W.L. Basics of Social Research. Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Boston: Pearson Education, 2006. ISBN 978-0-205-48437-9. info
  • ALSTON, Margaret and Wendy BOWLES. Research for social workers : an introduction to methods. 2nd ed. London: Routledge, 2003, ix, 334. ISBN 0415307236. info
  • PATTON, Michael Quinn. Qualitative research & evaluation methods. 3rd ed. Thousand Oaks: Sage Publications, 2002, xxiv, 598. ISBN 0761919716. info
  • Jak se vyrábí sociologická znalost :příručka pro uživatele. Edited by Miroslav Disman. 3. vyd. Praha: Karolinum, 2000, 374 s. ISBN 80-246-0139-7. info
Teaching methods
The course includes introductory lectures that introduce students to the process of creating diploma theses and the characteristics of diploma theses. There are individual consultations with teachers (in the middle of the semester) and thesis supervisors (as needed).
Assessment methods
The course is ended with credit. Students are expected to attend introductory lectures, consult their thesis intentions with the thesis supervisor, and complete projects of their diploma theses to the templates. Students formulate social or organisational problems, discuss the contemporary knowledge about the issue and formulate and defend the goals of their theses.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2019, Spring 2020, Autumn 2020, Spring 2021, Autumn 2021, Spring 2022, Autumn 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Autumn 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2023, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2023/VPLb1280