Thesis European Communication Studies

Objectives

Through writing the thesis the student demonstrates that he/she:

• has adequate knowledge of the scientific literature in the domain of European Communication Studies and the relative importance and/or pertinence of that literature for the questions and issues addressed in the thesis
• can independently formulate a coherent argument and research design within one’s own field, from problem definition/hypothesis to desired results, and develop a substantiated own point of view
• can organise an empirical research set up
• can conduct information and data gathering and analysis
• can report on the results/findings in English in a coherent and reflexive way
• can evaluate the conclusions and choices made during the research and writing process

The thesis must reflect a thorough understanding of the theories relevant for the thesis topic, must be based on original empirical research.

Contents

The project is carried out under the supervision of two faculty members. The subject of the thesis is to be decided upon in consultation with your academic advisor. The thesis should be between 20,000 and 25,000 words, including references, appendices, etc. Longer is possible but is upon approval of the students 1st supervisor.

The thesis must reflect a thorough understanding of the theories relevant for the thesis topic and be based on original empirical research. It should show knowledge of the for the topic relevant theories and of the abilities to do research independently. The theory chapter of the thesis needs to give an overview and discussion of the for the topic relevant theories, ideally resulting in a theoretical framework which structures the research. The thesis should also contain original research, the method of which is up to the student in consultation with the supervisor; it can be quantitative or qualitative, interviews, survey, content, discourse or semiotic, document analysis, etc.

The thesis should consist of the following items:

• title page (title, name, UvA ID number, name of the programme, name of the supervisors, date and place of submission)
• table of contents (if applicable list of figures and list of tables)
• introduction (introduction to the topic and the problem formulation)
• outline of the research methodology used to gather the data analysed in the thesis
• body of the thesis (divided into chapters in which the theoretical framework is presented, the argument is elaborated upon, and if applicable the research results are presented)
• conclusion (where your theoretical and empirical findings come together)
• references (footnotes, endnotes or references in the text)
• bibliography
• annexes (if applicable)

For more information on how to write a thesis also download the Manual on How to Write a Thesis from the ISHSS website: http://www.ishss.uva.nl/current_students/manuals.htm

The thesis needs to be written in English, with a clear table of contents, typed with 1,5 spacing and APA (or Harvard In Text) style of referencing. For more information on how to quote, make correct annotations, make a bibliography and on how to avoid plagiarism also check the ISHSS website and download the ISHSS Guide on quoting and how to avoid plagiarism: http://www.ishss.uva.nl/current_students/manuals.htm

Registration at

Students at the ISHSS register for their thesis through a Thesis Proposal Form/Thesis Agreement that needs to be signed and approved upon by the two supervisors and the student. The thesis agreement should be around 10 to 15 pages and consist of:

• provisional title
• brief introduction to the topic
• problem formulation
• brief literature review
• brief outline of the way you expect to develop your argument
• method of gathering and analysis of the data
• short preliminary bibliography
• time frame (please also specify the planned date of finishing the thesis and a time frame for the number of hours and/or sessions of supervision)

The form of the Thesis Proposal Form/ Thesis Agreement can be downloaded from the ISHSS website: http://www.ishss.uva.nl/current_students/thesis_graduation.htm

The Thesis Proposal Form/Thesis Agreement should be handed in with the registrar of the ISHSS at least three months before the planned date of finishing the thesis.

Assessment

The supervisor and 2nd reader of the thesis decide upon the grade for a thesis.

Examination date

The ISHSS organises 5 graduation sessions per year. For more information on the graduation dates and the graduation procedures please check the ISHSS website: http://www.ishss.uva.nl/current_students/thesis_graduation.htm