Course Information Master’s thesis, final research project UG

Ingmar van Meerkerk, Jan Fransen

1.        Define a clear research question
2.        Indicate its social and theoretical relevance
3.        Develop a clearly defined theoretical framework
4.        Operationalize concepts into reliable and valid indicators
5.        Choose and defend appropriate methods of data collection and to actually collect relevant and reliable data
6.        Choose and defend appropriate methods of data analysis and to analyze data systematically
7.        Reflect on the conclusion in terms of limitations, theoretical and/or practical implications, and the need for further research
8.        Clearly structure and fully reference a research report

The final thesis takes the form of an individual research project. The topic can be chosen by the student, but it needs to be related to one or more of the Urban Governance courses and topics. The thesis must have a recognizable governance topic as a research object and focused on analyzing this governance topic

Note that an internship is not part of the MGN program (but in special cases, it is possible to include this. But this always needs a positive decision of the supervisors of the master program). At the start of block 3, students will be matched with a supervisor, who will very often be one of the lecturers that taught the mandatory courses of this master program. This is coordinated by the MGN program directors and depends on the expertise and thesis-load of potential supervisors. After the manuscript has been approved by the supervisor, he or she will involve a second reader. When both approve the research project and all requirements of the MGN master have been satisfied, the thesis will be defended in front of the delegated examination board.