Final thesis
We supervise literature-based as well as empirical theses with an analytical focus, with no thematic restrictions.
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Due to the international nature of the subject matter, the preferred language for theses (and concept papers) in this department is English. A thesis in German is only possible in exceptional cases and after consultation with the supervising professor. We would like to emphasize that students will not be disadvantaged in terms of grading due to the English language requirements compared to students who write in German.
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)
- Content
- Detailed information on each section of your Bachelor thesis, as well as formal requirements and assessment criteria, can be found in this info sheet (PDF, 640 KB).
We supervise both descriptive and causal research questions for bachelor theses. Furthermore, hypotheses to be tested and exploratory research questions can be empirically investigated. Replications of past studies can also be carried out.
3 - 5 minutes
The briefing serves as preparation for your concept paper and will not be graded. Here you will present your initial topic ideas and receive feedback from us.
You should prepare the following points:
- Research question
- Empirical approach
- Research design
Upload your slides as a PDF to Moodle before the briefing.
The concept paper is intended to help you address your chosen topic before beginning with writing. It is particularly helpful when planning your thesis: this is where you first write down your research idea and question in an organized manner, which will make the writing process easier.
Title page
- Name, LMU email address, submission date, degree program, semester
- Working title
1. Research question
- What: Question, problem, aim of your work
- Why: Relevance in the social sciences, motivation
2. Empirical approach
- Explanation of your empirical approach
- 1-4 hypotheses/research questions
3. Research design
- Data (source)
- How you intend to measure the theoretical concepts
- Which analysis method you intend to use
4. Bibliography
Your supervisor will use the concept paper to assess your plans and provide you with useful advice as you move forward. If necessary, a revision of the concept paper may be suggested during the initial briefing.
Detailed information on the contents of the concept paper can be found in the info sheet.
Registration of the thesis is only possible on the basis of an accepted concept paper.
Once we have assessed your concept paper as sufficient for registration, enter your details in the PAGS registration form it by email as a PDF to your supervisor.
The registration form will then be forwarded to PAGS with your supervisor's signature.
10–15 minutes
In the project module, you will be asked to present the interim results of your work. This presentation will not be graded, but serves to support the writing process.
You are free to choose the focus of the presentation, e.g.
- Structure of your work
- State of research
- Data collection
- Data analysis, etc.
You are welcome discuss your questions and problems to receive useful feedback for your work.
Upload your slides as a PDF to Moodle before the presentation.
You must submit two printed (double-sided) and bound copies of your Bachelor thesis, including a signed declaration of originality to PAGS by the official deadline. Please note the detailed instructions from PAGS regarding submissions. Please direct all organizational enquiries (including extensions) to PAGS.
In addition, your bachelor thesis must be submitted to your supervisor by email as a PDF. All related files (data, programming code, etc.) must also be submitted to your supervisor.
File names:
Surname_First name_Bachelor thesis.pdf
Surname_First name_Analyses1.R, etc.
If the files are too large for an email, agree on an alternative with your supervisor.
Assessments will be ready approximately 6 weeks after submission. Essential information from the report will be sent to you by 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)
- Content
- Detailed information on each section of your Bachelor thesis, as well as formal requirements and assessment criteria, can be found in this info sheet (PDF, 640 KB).
We supervise both descriptive and causal research questions for bachelor theses. Furthermore, hypotheses to be tested and exploratory research questions can be empirically investigated. Replications of past studies can also be carried out.
The concept paper is intended to help you address your chosen topic before beginning with writing. It is particularly helpful when planning your thesis: this is where you first write down your research idea and question in an organized manner, which will make the writing process easier.
Title page
- Name, LMU email address, submission date, degree program, semester
- Working title
1. Research question
- What: Question, problem, aim of your work
- Why: Relevance in the social sciences, motivation
2. Empirical approach
- Explanation of your empirical approach
- 1-4 hypotheses/research questions
3. Research design
- Data (source)
- How you intend to measure the theoretical concepts
- Which analysis method you intend to use
4. Bibliography
Your supervisor will use the concept paper to assess your plans and provide you with useful advice as you move forward. If necessary, a revision of the concept paper may be suggested during the initial briefing.
Detailed information on the contents of the concept paper can be found in the info sheet.
Registration of the thesis is only possible on the basis of an accepted concept paper.
Once we have assessed your concept paper as sufficient for registration, enter your details in the PAGS registration formand send it by email as a PDF to your supervisor.
The registration form will then be forwarded to PAGS with your supervisor's signature.
10 - 15 minutes
In the project module for your Master thesis, you will be asked to present your work. This presentation will not be graded, but serves to support the writing process.
You should address the following points:
- Research question
- Preliminary outline
- State of research
- Planned procedure for data collection and analysis
- Open questions and problems
Upload your slides as a PDF to Moodle before the presentation.
20 minutes
The oral exam refers to the state of research and the resulting research gap that your Master thesis intends to tackle. Three relevant studies from the state of research will be discussed with regard to their significance for your thesis.
The 3 studies must be briefly presented in an exposé for the oral examination (3-5 pages):
- Brief description of your thesis (approx. ½ page)
- Summary and discussion of 3 studies that are particularly relevant to your research question (max. 1 page each)
- Summary of these discussions and conclusions for your thesis (approx. ½ page)
You may bring the exposé to the oral examination (no other documents).
The examinerswill ask questions based on the exposé about your research question, the selected relevant studies, and the conclusions for your thesis.
More details can be found in the corresponding info sheet on Moodle.
10 - 15 minutes
In the project module for your Master thesis, you will be asked to present the results of your work. This presentation will not be graded, but serves to support you in the final stages of writing your thesis.
You should address the following points:
- Results of your work
- Limitations and identified research gaps
Upload your slides as a PDF to Moodle before the presentation.
You must submit two printed (double-sided) and bound copies of your Master thesis, including a signed declaration of originality to PAGS by the official deadline. Please note the detailed instructions from PAGS regarding submissions. Please direct all organizational enquiries (including extensions) to PAGS.
In addition, your thesis must be submitted to your supervisor by email as a PDF. All related files (data, programming code, etc.) must also be submitted to your supervisor.
File names:
Surname_First name_Master thesis.pdf
Surname_First name_Analyses1.R, etc.
If the files are too large for an email, agree on an alternative with your supervisor.
Assessments will be ready approximately 6 weeks after submission. Essential information from the report will be sent to you by email.
Supervision
Those submitting a final thesis at our chair will be invited to join a Moodle course for further organization and communication.