Study Work (SW)

An SW serves to clarify the theoretical foundations of the Thesis or the Transfer Project. The central task of the SW is literature research in preparation for the Thesis. A research question must also be formulated for the SW and named in the introduction. Since a theoretical orientation is given for the Study Work, the formulation of the research question is also more predetermined than in the Thesis. The research question of a Study Work is typically formulated as follows:

• Which theories and models from the field of ABC can help to answer the research question of the Thesis?

Since the Thesis must also contain a theoretical part, a division of the theories and models considered can be made between the SW and the Thesis. Alternatively, theories and models that were discussed in the SW can also be further deepened in the Thesis where this is useful and helpful.

If appropriate, the SW may also include a scientific methodological part in addition to a theoretical consideration. For example, the literature research can lead to the development of an interview guide or a questionnaire, but students are not yet expected to conduct any interviews or collect any data at this point.

In this case, an additional research question can be included in the SW:

• Which empirical methods can help to answer the research question of the Thesis?

The SW is therefore to be understood as a work that contributes to answering the leading research question of the following thesis with the help of a literature search and, if necessary, methodological considerations. The insights gained in the SW should and must be summarized at the end of individual main chapters or at the end of the SW. This summary is also to be included in the thesis within the "Introduction" chapter. Since this achievement has already been assessed in the SW, it is not included in the evaluation of the thesis and is not counted towards the required scope of the thesis.

 The table below contains the formal requirements for the Study Work.