Study Guide

Learning outcomes

The student is able to
- present justified suggestions for development in relation to working life
- conceptualize phenomena related to working life based on research results
- use proper research and development methods in order to produce new knowledge
- act in development projects cooperatively and in a responsible manner with working life and other partners
- evaluate their own activities and solutions critically
- understand concepts in an extensive scale and present topics logically and based on arguments

Teaching methods

The first steps in thesis preparation are the selection and analysis of the topic. Read more about the process on the Thesis page on LINK. The thesis preparation includes acting as an opponent to another student’s thesis, presenting one’s own work, evaluation discussion and completing the maturity test.

Step-by-step instructions for Safety, Security and Risk Management students are available in Canvas workspace.

“The maturity test, which is part of the thesis, is taken by the student in Finnish or Swedish, in accordance with the Decree on Universities of Applied Sciences. Students who have received their formal education outside of Finland or in a language other than Finnish or Swedish take the maturity test in either Finnish or English.” (Laurea degree regulations.)

Location and time

[This field is not used at Laurea.]

Learning materials and recommended literature

General instructions for thesis as well as referencing guidelines are available in LINK:
https://laureauas.sharepoint.com/sites/linken/studypath/thesis/Pages/default.aspx

A thesis template is available on LINK: see Document templates (or Thesis)
The Urkund program is used to detect plagiarism (unauthorised quoting of other authors’ text). The Urkund user instructions for students and the guidelines for handling plagiarism cases at Laurea are provided on page Study progress > Plagiarism on LINK.

Alternative completion methods of implementation

When applying for accreditation of prior learning,you should contact the Head of Student Affairs or the thesis coordinator (if the campus has one).

Please see LINK for further information: Study Path > Thesis

Co-operation with working life and/or RDI

The thesis is expected to demonstrate a clear connection to workplace development. For example, the goal may be to develop a service, action models or a new work culture. The thesis may be part of the research and development activities of the University of Applied Sciences.

Important dates

Every semester will begin with a session to provide necessary information for the Thesis process.
All other contact sessions during the semester will be Thesis plan and final Thesis presentation seminars.
Otherwise completion of the Thesis will be scheduled by the student, in cooperation with the Thesis supervisor.

If you are graduating, please note the important dates concerning the submission of the thesis.

The actual implementation schedule is directly visible to students in Pakki as calendar reservations, so this information does not need to be repeated in this field.

Students workload

One credit equals approximately 26.7 hours of work performed by the student.

Further information for students

The study unit corresponds to the requirements of Bachelor's level education.

Grading scale

H-5

Evaluation methods and criteria

The thesis evaluation guidelines are provided on LINK (Study path > Evaluations and Retakes). The evaluation criteria are included in Laurea’s thesis guidelines.

All staff and students of Laurea are expected to adhere to good scientific practices, which includes appropriate referencing. Familiarise yourself with the practices and, if needed, ask for more information. All study assignments are to be done as individual work unless otherwise instructed. Urkund is used when assignments are checked.

Evaluation criteria, fail (0)

Requirements of grade 1 are not met.

Evaluation criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

Workplace development

Collaboration:
There has been some collaboration with the workplace during the thesisproject.
Development:
The thesis project aims to develop an area designated by the workplace or one that has been recognised together with the student.

Innovativeness and creativity
Novelty: The thesis project demonstrates little effort to produce new information and expertise.

Research-oriented approach and implementation

Guidance:Research-oriented approach and implementation

Guidance: The student has made minimal use of guidance.
Process: The thesis project has partly proceeded in a logical manner.
Reporting: An effort has been made to write the report in a coherent manner.
Theoretical framework: The theoretical framework utilises some literature that is applicable to the subject.
Use of methods: The methods used in the thesis project have been described.

Evaluation criteria, good (3-4)

Workplace development

Collaboration:
The different stages of the thesis project have been carried out in collaboration with the workplace.
Development:
The thesis project has succeeded in developing an area designated by the workplace or one that has been recognised together with the student.
Workplace assessment of usefulness:
The workplace has determined that the process and its results are useful.

Innovativeness and creativity
Novelty: During the thesis project an effort has been made to produce new information and expertise that the workplace did not expect.

Research-oriented approach and implementation

Guidance: The student has taken the initiative to seek and utilise guidance during the thesis project.
Process: The thesis project has mostly proceeded in logical manner.
Reporting: The report is clear.
Theoretical framework: The report demonstrates knowledge of the essential literature on the subject.This has been utilised to justify the outcomes of the project.
Use of methods: The methods used in the thesis project were applied appropriately to the subject.

Evaluation criteria, excellent (5)

Workplace development

Collaboration
The different stages of the thesis project have been carried out in close collaboration with the workplace.Changes and problems were discussed with the thesis supervisor and the workplace representatives.
Development
The thesis project has succeeded in significantly developing an area designated by the workplace or one that has bee nrecognised together with the student.
Workplace assessment of usefulness:
The workplace has determined that the process and its results arev very useful.

Innovativeness and creativity
Novelty: During the thesis project new information and expertise,have been produced which the workplace did not expect. The results can be utilised beyond the context of the thesisproject.

Research-oriented approach and implementation

Guidance: The student has taken the initiative to seek guidance during the thesis project in a goal-oriented manner.The student has demonstrated the ability to act independently.
Process: The thesis project has proceeded in a logical manner.
Reporting: There port is well-structured and convincing.
Theoretical framework: The report demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the essential literature applicable to the subject of the thesis.This has been utilised extensively to justify the outcomes of the project.
Use of methods: The methodological choices have been justified extensively and applied extremely well.