Main Content

Information on the preparation of a Master's thesis

We are delighted that you would like to write your master thesis at the Research Group of Technology and Innovation Management. On this page you will find all important information regarding your master thesis.

Basic requirements

There are many things to consider when writing your master thesis. You will find information on the elements of a master thesis as well as on the content and formal requirements that you should consider in our guidelines guidelines for a master thesis and in our formal criteria guidelines.

Requirements

As an obligatory requirement for the acceptance of the master thesis, at least 12 credits must be earned in the advanced modules in the field of Technology and Innovation Management. Alternatively, students may participate in a project phase (18ECTS) in cooperation with the working group. The prior participation in a (master) seminar of the research group is highly recommended. It serves to inform students about the scientific standards of the research group and the requirements for scientific work at a master thesis level. In the case of quantitative empirical work, we also require a sound knowledge of econometrics and multivariate quantitative empirical methods.

Important: In addition, please consider the requirements of the examination regulations of your respective degree program with regard to the credit points achieved and the compulsory amount of  completed modules required for admission to the final thesis!

Application procedure

The application form for final theses can be found here.

An exposé (see below) and a copy of your current transcript of records must accompany the application. Applications will not be considered without these documents. The number of accepted applications depends on the capacity of the research group. After the confirmation of supervision has been granted (download and complete the application for admission to final theses on the examination office´s website), the final thesis can be registered on the agreed upon date.

Please send your application in due time by e-mail to .

Requirements for the exposé

Please attach a short Exposé (1-2 pages) to your application, from which the following points should emerge centrally:

  1. Topic definition as well as (empirical) relevance of the question within the subject area
  2. Concretization of the research question(s) (formulated as question(s) or thesis(es))
  3. Planned content-related and methodological approach (Which theory(s) do you want to draw on? Which data do you want to use? Which interlocutors/companies do you want to involve? If applicable, first considerations on the research or study design)

Important: The exposé should show that you have already (scientifically) dealt with the chosen topic. The principles of scientific work must be considered during the preparation of the exposé. In particular, this implies that concepts, phrases, orand ideas taken from other sources (e.g. the existing literature) must be labelled with appropriate citations and referenced correctly. Please also refer to Section 9. “Citation technique” of the guidelines for the formal design of scientific papers.

The exposé serves as a basis for further topic consultation. A promise of supervision does not mean that the final research question will be similar to the one drafted in the exposé. The final determination of the research question and procedure takes place after the confirmation of supervision has been given by the supervisor.

Submission of the Master thesis

Two copies of your Master thesis must be submitted to the Examination Office in time and in accordance with the requirements of the examination regulations applicable to you. In addition, a digital version as a Word and/or PDF document must be sent to your supervisor.