Final thesis
We supervise empirical (quantitative and qualitative) and literature-based theses. Topics should be within our research focus areas.
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To ensure that you are familiar with the requirements of our chair, you should have completed at least one exercise course, seminar, or research course at Chair 02. Please also note the general information on final theses on the department homepage.
Bachelor thesis
In a Bachelor thesis (final module, 12 ECTS), students should work on a specific sociological problem. Writing a thesis documents the ability to work independently on a sociological problem using scientific methods and to present the results obtained in a professional manner.
The project module (6 ECTS) consists of an accompanying exercise course in which students are introduced to writing a longer academic paper. In addition, the current status of students' theses is presented and discussed.
- Time allowance
- 10 weeks
- Length
- 80,000 characters (approx. 40 pages)
Students should contact us early on - ideally during the semester before their planned Bachelor thesis. When submitting your request, please indicate a topic area and a preliminary research question. Once you have received a positive response, you can schedule an appointment to discuss your topic and planned approach.
Students should develop the topic and research question for their Bachelor thesis independently. It is important to choose a precise and workable research question.
In addition to literature-based theses, we also supervise quantitative empirical theses (i.e., an analysis of secondary data) and, less frequently, qualitative empirical theses (i.e., the collection and analysis of primary data).
To develop a research question, we recommend the book “Seven Rules for Social Research” by Glenn Firebaugh.
The exposé should be approximately 2-3 pages long and present the central elements of the planned project (no bullet points). It should contain the following points (if already available):
- Provisional title
- Brief thematic introduction, including sociological relevance
- Clearly formulated research question
- Brief description of the state of research
- Brief description of important theoretical concepts
- Brief description of the chosen methodological approach
The contents of the exposé are not binding and can be further developed or adapted during the course of the editing process.
Please send your exposé in PDF format to your supervisor via email.
Registration for Bachelor theses takes place in the week before the 10 weeks working time begins.
Enter your details in the PAGS registration form and send it by email as a PDF to your supervisor, or bring it with you to an in-person consultation.
The registration form will then be forwarded to PAGS with your supervisor's signature.
Your Bachelor thesis should demonstrate that you are able to independently address a sociological issue using theoretical and methodological expertise. We expect the following:
- A clearly formulated, theoretically sound research question
- A systematic review of relevant literature
- A comprehensible research design
- An empirical or literature-based analysis
- A clear presentation and classification of the results
- A precise conclusion with reference to the research question
A presentation of the Bachelor thesis is required as part of the final project module (6 ECTS).
max. 20 minutes with 10 minutes for discussion
The presentation is not included in the grading of the Bachelor thesis, but is assessed as “pass” or “fail.” Its primary purpose is to obtain feedback on the current status of your work and to discuss open questions together.
The following points should be addressed:
- Research question
- Theory
- State of research
- Methodological approach (if available: initial results)
- Open questions and problems
Students are required to submit two bound copies of their Bachelor thesis (printed double-sided) including a signed declaration of originality by the submission deadline to PAGS. Please note the detailed instructions from PAGS regarding submission, and direct all organizational inquiries (including extensions) to PAGS.
In addition, Bachelor theses must be submitted to the supervisor as a PDF via email. Please also submit analysis scripts as separate files.
File names:
Last name_First name_Bachelor thesis.pdf
etc.
Assessments will be completed approximately 6 weeks after submission. Essential information from the report will be sent to you via email.
Master thesis
In a Master thesis (final module, 24 ECTS), students should develop a sociological question based on the relevant state of research, present it precisely, and use methodological tools and methods.
The project module (6 ECTS) consists of an accompanying exercise course in which students present and discuss the current status of their Master thesis.
- Time allowance
- 18 weeks
- Length
- 140,000 characters (approx. 80 pages)
Students should contact us early on - ideally during the semester before their planned Master thesis. When submitting your request, please indicate a topic area and a preliminary research question. Once you have received a positive response, you can schedule an appointment to discuss your topic and planned approach.
The supervisor will provide information about individual requirements (e.g., exposé).
Students should develop the topic and research question for their Bachelor thesis independently. It is important to choose a precise and workable research question.
We typically expect a quantitative secondary analysis within the research focus areas of tour chair. Qualitative or literature-based work is also possible by arrangement.
To develop a research question, we recommend the book “Seven Rules for Social Research” by Glenn Firebaugh.
Registration for Master theses takes place in the week before the working time begins.
Enter your details in the PAGS registration form and send it by email as a PDF to your supervisor, or bring it with you to an in-person consultation.
The registration form will then be forwarded to PAGS with your supervisor's signature.
Your Master thesis should demonstrate that you are able to independently address a sociological issue using theoretical and methodological expertise. We expect the following:
- A clearly formulated, theoretically sound research question
- A systematic review of relevant literature
- A comprehensible research design
- An empirical or literature-based analysis
- A clear presentation and classification of the results
- A precise conclusion with reference to the research question
Two presentations of the Master thesis and one oral examination are required as part of the final project module (6 ECTS).
The presentations are not included in the grading of the Master thesis, but is assessed as “pass” or “fail.” Its primary purpose is to obtain feedback on the current status of your work and to discuss open questions together.
Presentation I
max. 20 minutes with 10 minutes for discussion
The following points should be addressed:
- Research question
- Theory
- State of research
- Methodological approach (if available: initial results)
- Open questions and problems
Oral examination
20 minutes
The following points should be addressed:
- Structured presentation of the research project
- Discussion and questions
Presentation II
Max. 15 minutes with 45 minutes for discussion
The following points should be addressed:
- Presentation of results
- Feedback for the final writing phase
Students are required to submit two bound copies of their Master thesis (printed double-sided) including a signed declaration of originality by the submission deadline to PAGS. Please note the detailed instructions from PAGS regarding submission, and direct all organizational inquiries (including extensions) to PAGS.
In addition, Master theses must be submitted to the supervisor as a PDF via email. Please also submit analysis scripts as separate files.
File names:
Last name_First name_Master thesis.pdf
etc.
Assessments will be completed approximately 6 weeks after submission. Essential information from the report will be sent to you via email.
