220083 SE SE Master Seminar (2016W)

This course should help and accompany you with the composition of your master thesis concept. We'll cover all parts of a research concept from research question, choosing the "correct" theoretical frame and methodological approach, handling and research literature on a state-of-the-art level of research and last but not least structure and design of research and communicating it. There is no topic limitation on your MASE.

As you can see this seminar isn't about a fixed working program you have to fulfill. The course units should be on one hand a refresher course on the skills you learned during your study: Doing a communication research of your own. On the other hand it should help you:
To focus on a research topic.
To acquire state-of-the-art knowledge on this topic.
To identify a research gap on this topic.
To design a research design, narrow enough to be done in about 6 months.
To write this proposal down, so you can acquire a supervisor for further steps.

In order to provide students with assistance for their master thesis concept, the following topics will be discussed in class:
Choosing a Research Topic / Research Resources & Reference Software
Finding the Research Gap
Theory Building - Creativity - Theoretical Frames
"Correct" Methods (qualitative vs. quantitative)
Academic Language / Presenting at Conferences