layout: true background-image: url(figs/tcb-logo.png) background-position: bottom right background-attachment: fixed; background-origin: content-box; background-size: 10% --- class: title-slide .row[ .col-7[ .title[ # BA Thesis Seminar ] .subtitle[ ] .author[ ### Dennis A.V. Dittrich ] .affiliation[ ] ] .col-5[ ] ] --- # Contact... E-Mail: dennis.dittrich@touroberlin.de ### Appointments: for my office hours (on campus): http://economicscience.net/content/book-appointment Off-campus and **online** meetings: https://www.vyte.in/davdittrich --- ## At the end of today's session you should know * Thesis requirements * What to do for the next sessions of BA thesis seminar * (How to find) Your topic * How to write your proposal --- ## Idea behind the BA Thesis .center[ <img src="everythesis.png" width="80%" /> ] .row[ The BA thesis is intended to demonstrate mastery of the contents and methods of your field of study. .col-6[ * Literature review * Meta-analysis (statistical or non-statistical) ] .col-6[ * Re-analyze existing data -- secondary analysis * Collect own data -- primary analysis ]] --- # Formal thesis requirements .col-7[ * The thesis should not be longer than 16000 words `\(\approx\)` 40 pages. * The thesis must include * a title page, * a table of contents, * a list of sources and references, and * an affirmation that you wrote your thesis yourself and did not use anything that is not listed among the sources and references. ] --- # Who will grade the thesis? .col-7[ * Course grade is based 100% on your thesis and thesis defense * You need to pass both of these grading components * If you miss the submission deadline of your written (final) thesis, or if you miss your thesis defense you will fail the thesis * Your final grade will be the average grade awarded (for your written thesis and your thesis defense) by your first (your supervisor) and second reader (most likely I), and – if their assessment differs substantially – a third reader ] --- # Finding a supervisor .col-7[ * Main requirement: Your supervisor should be related to your desired thesis topic. * Apart from this: * Co-supervision with external faculty is possible (e.g. professors from other universities) * Co-supervision with external practitioners is possible (e.g. from business, research institutes) * Your supervisor will assign you your thesis topic - you can make suggestions ] --- <img src="beeasyonyoursuvervisor.png" width="85%" /> .col-7[ * Consult with your supervisor on time. * Be clear what you need. * When handing in work for your supervisor to read, make sure it's as good as it can be. Perfect spelling and grammar are essential to make it easier to read. * Try to make life as easy as possible for him / her. ] --- ## What do you have to do for the BA thesis seminar course? .col-7[ * Attend all seminar sessions this semester * Submit name of supervisor, peer reviewers, and provisional title * Submit your thesis form to the examination board / registrar * Submit a proposal, prepare a proposal presentation, submit a first draft * Provide feedback on two other students' research proposals and first drafts * And submit your thesis on time, of course! ] --- # Seminar syllabus and due dates Meetings (mostly) via zoom, Friday 11am. Defense sessions may be scheduled differently * Session 1: Intro * Session 2: submit working title, supervisor and 2 peer reviewer names * submit thesis proposal * Session 3: Proposal presentation and peer reviewer comments * submit revised thesis proposal * Session 4: **Proposal Defense** and comments from faculty * submit thesis draft until noon * Session 5: Discussion of drafts and peer reviewer comments * submit printed and electronic version of thesis until noon * Session 6: Thesis Defense see the syllabus at https://economicscience.net/teaching/ for the dates --- # Due date for final thesis is final! .col-7[ * Extensions are not possible unless medical excuse is available and instructor is informed **beforehand** * A failure to submit the thesis on time means a fail of the BA thesis course and thus being unable to graduate * if you do not show-up for your thesis defense (unexcused) you fail your defense and the BA thesis course ] --- # Topics and research questions #### Topics * Are usually very broad * And comprise several research questions #### Whereas research questions * Are more specific * And should be answerable A good research question is a key to a good paper and smooth process. #### Frequent pitfalls * Research question is too big (broad or ambitious) * Research question is too vague, more of a topic * Project is too descriptive, does not really tell you anything new The purpose of the thesis proposal and proposal defense is to avoid these pitfalls. --- ## Finding a topic and research question * Topic should be one that interests you. * It shouldn't be too narrow or too broad. * ...possible to cover the topic in the set time and with the resources available to you. * If you do not yet have a topic... These might help you: * A course, a field, an article that you have found interesting * Something from your own life experience * Something in the news * Career-related subjects * Country- or region-specific issues * A professor's research areas * Talking to your friends * Just browsing in a newspaper, the IRC or on the web * After you have found a topic narrow it down to a **research question**. * A research question should be as specific as possible --- # How to write a proposal? .col-7[ The proposal needs to state clearly the aims of your thesis and how you intend to achieve them. It serves to inform others about your project and it is also the road map you will use to conduct and complete your project successfully. ] The proposal should be about 3 pages long and include: 1. Author and Title [MANDATORY] 2. Supervisor [MANDATORY] 3. Background/Motivation 4. Research Question/Specific Focus 5. Methodological Approach 6. Expected Results/Main Hypotheses/Main Contribution 7. Structure/Outline (with page estimates for each thesis chapter) 8. Time Plan (for the whole project) 9. Preliminary Bibliography Get feedback from your supervisor and student reviewers while writing your proposal! --- .center[ <img src="outline-phdcomics.png" width="85%" /> ] --- # Outlining #### A topic based outline consists of nouns or noun phrases: 1. Introduction: Computers in the class room 2. Uses of Computers 1. Labs 2. Class room instruction 3. ... #### BETTER: A point based outline (you want to make a point, don't you?) 1. Introduction: Values of classroom computers uncertain 2. Different uses of different effects 1. Networked computer labs allow student interaction 2. Classroom computers do not enhance learning 3. ... .footnote[cf. Section IV: PLANNING, DRAFTING, AND REVISING in Booth et al (2016): The Craft of Research. 4th edition. University of Chicago Press.] --- .center[ <img src="visual-book-notes-how-to-read-a-book.png" width="82%" /> ] If you know how to read well you are likely to get the idea how to write well, too. --- ## A well written thesis ## makes it easy for the reader to answer... .col-7[ * What is the whole text about? * What are the major parts of the text (the points the author wants to make) and their relation? * Which problem or problems does the author want to solve? * So what? Why is it important to know these things? ] .footnote[cf. Adler, M.J., and van Doren, C. (1972): How to Read a Book. Simon & Schuster] --- # Research proposal presentation #### 5 min presentation of proposal by each student = 5 slides max! .col-7[ * 1 slide your name, thesis title, supervisor name * 1 slide for introduction / motivation * 1 slide aim/hypotheses\\ (what do you expect to find, what do you want to focus on?) * 1-2 slides methods (participants; data collection; search strategy forrelevant literature; statistical analysis) ] #### 2 min discussion/oral feedback from each reviewer: .col-7[ * comment on strengths * comment on weaknesses * suggestions ] --- # Student (peer) feedback It is important to get feedback from more than one source .col-7[ * Can be written in long form * Can be in bullet points * Comment on strengths * Comment on weaknesses * Add any other suggestions * Send it to the student you evaluate and bring it with you to class when we discuss proposals and thesis draft ] --- # Student (peer) feedback As a reviewer of your peers' proposals, pay special attention to the following: .col-7[ * Does the title convey clearly what the project is about? * Is the topic relevant and justified? * Is the research question specific enough or still very vague? * Does the suggested method / format match the aims of the thesis? * Can you follow the logic behind the suggested structure/outline? * Is the time plan realistic? ] --- # Thesis Proposal Defense #### up to 10 min presentation of proposal by each student plus discussion .col-7[ * 1 slide your name, thesis title, supervisor name * 1 or more slides for introduction / motivation * 1 or more slides aim/hypotheses\\ (what do you expect to find, what do you want to focus on?) * 2 or more slides methods and first results (participants; data collection; search strategy for relevant literature; statistical analysis) * 1 slide preliminary discussion ] --- # Faculty feedback .row[ .col-7[ * Ask your supervisor and give them enough time to comment on your work! ]] .row[.col-7[ * Academic writing is all about rejection, negative comments, and constant revisions to achieve a high quality final product * You will get requests for clarifications, suggestions on how to improve your work * critical feedback does not mean your work is poor; it serves to improve your writing ]] --- # Discussion of drafts .col-7[ Free format = oral discussion with your reviewers and supervisor to clarify the feedback comments * Email your draft to your peer reviewers to get some comments * I will provide overall comments on strengths and weaknesses and individual feedback * Ask your supervisor for feedback, make an appointment with him / her. ] --- # Now: ## What is your topic & research question? .col-7[ Meet as soon as possible with your preferred thesis supervisor to see whether they are available to supervise you! Clarify the following essential questions: * How do you want to approach your topic and answer your research question? * What will you need to be able to do so? * How can your supervisor and course instructor help you? ] --- # General Advice: ## Literature on Research Writing #### On the process of research writing: Outlining, Drafting, Editing .col-7[ Booth et al (2016): The Craft of Research. 4th edition. University of Chicago Press. * Highly recommended! Rand, A. and Schwartz, P. (2001): The Art of Nonfiction: A Guide for Writers and Readers. Penguin Group. * Rand's philosophy and political views are not for everyone, her writing advice is sound. ] #### Rhetoric / Arguments .col-7[ Williams, J.M., and Colomb, G.G. (2006): The Craft of Argument. 3rd edition. Pearson Longman. * The textbook on (planing, drafting, and revising) written arguments. ] --- # General Advice: ## Literature on Writing with Style .col-7[ Williams, J.M. (2007): Style -- Lessons in Clarity and Grace. 9th edition. Pearson Longman. * Textbook McCloskey, D.N. (2000): Economical Writing. 2nd edition. Waveland Press. * Brief. Practical Advice. Sword, H. (2012): Stylish Academic Writing. Havard University Press. * Meta-perspective. Good academic writing is personal, creative, and vivid -- stylish. ] --- # Share your secrets for success: ## What tools / software do you use? * for writing? * managing your references? * You do know how to look for literature, don't you? * The library staff is prepared to provide assistance * managing your tasks? * managing your notes? * making backups? --- # General Advice: ## Software Tools I Use .row[ .col-6[ #### Back-up your data! * Free online storage space: [pCloud](https://my.pcloud.com/#page=register&invite=FSb6ZHzF68X) or Dropbox automatically syncs a folder on (all) your computer(s) #### Use a reference manager! * [JabRef](http://jabref.sourceforge.net), free, intended for use with LaTeX, supports also MS Word and LibreOffice * [Paperpile](https://paperpile.com), subscription service, for use with google docs & Chrome * [Zotero](https://www.zotero.org/), free, available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. ] .col-6[ #### Take notes (and organize them well)! * [Evernote](https:/goo.gl/fgKcmB/), free, for easy note taking on your mobile and when you surf the web #### Keep track of your tasks! * Project management and (collaborative) To-Do lists: Trello https://trello.com/davdittrich/recommend, free, web & mobile apps * Personal to-do lists: http://Any.do, free, app for mobile and for Chrome ]] --- # General Advice: ## Software Tools I Use .row[ .col-7[ #### Create a distraction free writing environment. ]] .row[ .col-6[ * while writing do not care about formatting: Google docs in full-screen mode, or Draft https://draftin.com offer a clean interface for writing * I often use a simple text editor like [vim](https://www.vim.org/) and write in markdown, a lightweight markup language with plain-text-formatting syntax * For quantitative analyses, I use R and RStudio, and write in R markdown. ] .col-6[ * Even better, use a typesetting software that takes care of all the formatting for you --- including your references --- like, e.g., [overleaf](https://www.overleaf.com?r=fddd31c0&rm=d&rs=b) or [Authorea](https://www.authorea.com/). ]] --- ## Topics and research questions I would supervise .row[ .col-7[ * Any research question that requires quantitative data analytics IF you passed econometrics or were at least in top 10% of your statistics course * Measuring ordinal heterogeneity * Data visualization as a decision making support tool * Trust * Reciprocity * Procedural Fairness * Responsibility Alleviation * Gender or Age Discrimination * Bounded rationality * Satisficing * Luck and Success * Managerial overconfidence in corporate finance ] .col-5[ I recommend against writing a thesis that relies on the analysis of quantitative data if you lack the corresponding skills / knowledge ] ]