SOCIAL SCIENCES

MASTER THESIS’ TEMPLATE* 

Title Page

• Title of the thesis
• Name of the author
• Degree for which the thesis is submitted
• Name of the institution
• Date of submission

Abstract

This section should provide a brief summary of the research problem, approach, results, and conclusions with approximately 200-300 words.

• Be clear and concise: An abstract should be brief and to the point. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that may not be familiar to readers who are not experts in your field. Instead, use clear and simple language to convey the main ideas of your research.
• State the main research question and objectives: Make sure to clearly state the main research question and objectives of your dissertation in the abstract, so that readers have a clear understanding of what your research is about.
• Summarize the main findings and conclusions: Summarize the main findings and conclusions of your research, and explain how they contribute to the existing knowledge in your field.
• Use active voice: Use active voice and strong verbs to make your abstract more engaging and effective.
• Tailor the abstract to your audience: Keep in mind who your target audience is and tailor your abstract accordingly. For example, if you are submitting your dissertation to a conference, the abstract should be written for a general audience and should highlight the main contributions and implications of your research.
• Proofreading and Editing: Review, proofread and edit your abstract several times to make sure that it is free of errors and is well-written.
• Be mindful of the word limit: Be mindful of the word limit for your abstract and try to convey as much information as possible within the allotted space.

The abstract is the first thing that most people will read from your dissertation, so it's important to make sure that it accurately reflects the main ideas and contributions of your research, and encourages them to read the full dissertation.

Introduction

It's also important to note that the introduction should be written in a clear and engaging manner, with a logical flow of ideas, and a logical connection to the literature review and methods. Additionally, in social science fields such as politics or global sciences, it is essential to consider the research's implications for policy, governance or decision making, and to highlight that in the introduction. Also, it is important to acknowledge and discuss any possible biases or limitations of the study, and how they might have affected the results of the research.

• Background: A review of the relevant literature and research in the field to provide context for the study. This should include a brief overview of the main theories, concepts, and studies that are relevant to the research topic, and how it is situated within the broader field of study.
• Problem statement: A clear and concise statement of the problem or research question that the thesis aims to address, highlighting the gaps existing in the literature. This should clearly state the main research question and objectives of the thesis, so that readers have a clear understanding of what the research is about.
• Research objectives: A statement of the specific goals or objectives that the research aims to achieve. This should clearly outline the specific questions or hypotheses that the research aims to address.
• Significance of the study: An explanation of why the research is important and how it contributes to the field. This should include a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications of the research, and how it will add to the existing knowledge in the field. Also, it should include a discussion of the current global or political context that the research is situated in, and how it relates to current events and policies.
• Research method: A brief overview of the research design, data collection and analysis methods that will be used in the study. This should include a general description of the research design, the data sources and methods used, and the techniques that will be used to analyze the data.
• Outline of the thesis: A summary of the structure and organization of the thesis, including the main chapters and their contents. This should provide a roadmap for the reader, outlining the main arguments and ideas that will be presented in the thesis.
• Definition of key terms: The definition of any technical terms or jargon that will be used throughout the thesis. This will ensure that readers have a clear

Background and context

This section should be able to provide the readers with a comprehensive understanding of the research topic, its significance and its relationship to existing knowledge in the field.

• Historical context: A brief overview of the historical events, developments, and trends that are relevant to the research topic. This can help to provide a broader understanding of the context in which the research is situated.
• Theoretical framework: An overview of the main theories, concepts, and frameworks that inform the research. This should include a discussion of the key literature and research that have been conducted in the field, and how they relate to the research question and objectives.
• Political and economic context: A discussion of the current political and economic context in which the research is situated. This should include an analysis of the political and economic factors that are relevant to the research topic, such as current policies, governance structures, or economic trends.
• Societal context: A discussion of the social, cultural, and demographic factors that are relevant to the research topic. This should include an analysis of the social and cultural factors that shape the research question and objectives, such as social norms, values, and beliefs.
• Literature review: A review of the relevant literature and research in the field to provide context for the study. This should include a thorough examination of the available literature on the topic of the research, including studies, articles, and other relevant sources. The literature review should cover previous research on the topic, including any findings, conclusions, and recommendations made by previous researchers.
• Research Gaps: Identification of gaps in the existing literature and research and how the current research will fill these gaps, this will help to establish the significance of the research and how it contributes to the field.

Research methods

This section should provide the readers with a comprehensive understanding of the research methods and the procedures used in the study, and how they relate to the research question and objectives. It should also be able to demonstrate the robustness and validity of the research methods used, and how they contribute to the overall credibility and trustworthiness of the research. This section should also demonstrate the researcher's familiarity with the existing literature in the field, and how the chosen methods align with best practices and standards for conducting research in the field. It should also describe any potential sources of bias or errors in the research, and explain how they were controlled or mitigated.

• Research design: A detailed description of the research design that was used in the study. This should include an explanation of the type of research (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods), the rationale for the chosen design, and how it relates to the research question and objectives.
• Data collection methods: A description of the methods used to collect data, including the type of data (e.g. primary or secondary), the sources of data (e.g. surveys, interviews, or observations), and the procedures used to collect the data.
• Sampling: A description of the sampling method used in the study, including the type of sampling (e.g. random, purposive, or stratified), the sample size, and the criteria for inclusion and exclusion.
• Data analysis: A detailed description of the methods used to analyze the data, including the statistical or qualitative techniques that were used, the software or tools that were used, and the procedures used to clean and organize the data.
• Validity and reliability: A discussion of the measures taken to ensure the validity and reliability of the research, such as triangulation, member checking, or pilot testing.
• Ethical considerations: A discussion of any ethical considerations that were taken into account during the research, such as informed consent, confidentiality, or protection of vulnerable groups.

Findings and Analysis

This section should be able to provide the readers with a comprehensive understanding of the research findings and how they relate to the research question and objectives. It should also be able to demonstrate the robustness and validity of the research methods used and how the research contributes to the existing knowledge in the field. Additionally, it is important to be transparent about any limitations or limitations of the research and how they might have affected the results. This section should be written in a way that is easily understandable for readers who are not experts in the field, and should make use of clear and simple language.

• Presentation of findings: A clear and organized presentation of the main findings from the research, using tables, figures, or other visual aids as necessary. This should include a summary of the key results, as well as any patterns, trends, or themes that emerged from the data.
• Analysis of findings: An in-depth analysis of the findings in relation to the research question and objectives, providing context and insight. This should include a discussion of how the findings relate to the existing literature and theory, as well as any implications or recommendations that can be drawn from the data.
• Use of evidence: The use of evidence from the data collection to support the analysis and conclusions drawn. This can include direct quotes from interviews, statistics from surveys, or other forms of data that support the analysis.
• Comparison of findings to existing literature: A comparison of the findings to the existing literature, highlighting similarities and differences, and how the research contributes to the field.
• Discussion of limitations: A discussion of the limitations of the research, including any potential sources of bias, limitations of the research design, or other factors that may have affected the results.
• Use of visual aids: The use of visual aids, such as tables, graphs, or images, to help present the findings in a clear and accessible way.

Conclusion and recommendations

This section should be able to provide the readers with a comprehensive understanding of the research findings and how they relate to the research question and objectives. It should also be able to demonstrate the robustness and validity of the research methods used and how the research contributes to the existing knowledge in the field. Additionally, it should be able to provide clear and actionable suggestions for future research and/or policy implications.

• Summary of main findings: A summary of the main findings and conclusions of the research, highlighting the key takeaways and implications of the study.
• Implications of the research: A discussion of the implications of the research for the field of social sciences, including how the research contributes to the existing knowledge, and any potential applications of the findings.
• Recommendations for further research: Suggestions for future research that builds on the current study, such as refining the research question, using different research methods, or studying the topic in a different context.
• Policy recommendations: Policy recommendations that can be derived from the research, highlighting how the findings can be applied to inform policy decisions.
• Conclusion: A final conclusion summarizing the key points of the thesis and highlighting the main contributions of the research.

References

• A list of references cited in the thesis, following a standard citation style (e.g., APA, MLA, etc)

Appendices

• Any additional material that supports the thesis but is not essential for the main text (e.g., interview transcripts, survey questions, data sets)

*This general template for the social science fields (political science, global sciences, etc.) has been created by AI Sweden using ChatGPT. Specific requirements may vary depending on the academic institution or field of research. You should always check with your supervisor and your institution if they have a different format and guidelines for the thesis that should be followed.

MASTER THESIS’ TEMPLATE  

Title Page

• Title of the thesis
• Name of the author
• Degree for which the thesis is submitted
• Name of the institution
• Date of submission

Abstract

This section should provide a brief summary of the research problem, approach, results, and conclusions with approximately 200-300 words.

• Be clear and concise: An abstract should be brief and to the point. Avoid using jargon or technical terms that may not be familiar to readers who are not experts in your field. Instead, use clear and simple language to convey the main ideas of your research.
• State the main research question and objectives: Make sure to clearly state the main research question and objectives of your dissertation in the abstract, so that readers have a clear understanding of what your research is about.
• Summarize the main findings and conclusions: Summarize the main findings and conclusions of your research, and explain how they contribute to the existing knowledge in your field.
• Use active voice: Use active voice and strong verbs to make your abstract more engaging and effective.
• Tailor the abstract to your audience: Keep in mind who your target audience is and tailor your abstract accordingly. For example, if you are submitting your dissertation to a conference, the abstract should be written for a general audience and should highlight the main contributions and implications of your research.
• Proofreading and Editing: Review, proofread and edit your abstract several times to make sure that it is free of errors and is well-written.
• Be mindful of the word limit: Be mindful of the word limit for your abstract and try to convey as much information as possible within the allotted space.

The abstract is the first thing that most people will read from your dissertation, so it's important to make sure that it accurately reflects the main ideas and contributions of your research, and encourages them to read the full dissertation.

Introduction

This section should be able to provide the readers an overview of what the research is about and why it is important.

• Background: A review of the relevant literature and research in the field to provide context for the study.
• Problem statement: A clear and concise statement of the problem or research question that the thesis aims to address, highlighting the gaps existing in the literature.
• Research objectives: A statement of the specific goals or objectives that the research aims to achieve.
• Significance of the study: An explanation of why the research is important and how it contributes to the field.
• Research method: A brief overview of the research design, data collection and analysis methods that will be used in the study.
• Outline of the thesis: A summary of the structure and organization of the thesis, including the main chapters and their contents.
• Definition of key terms: The definition of any technical terms or jargon that will be used throughout the thesis.

Literature Review

This section should provide a detailed review of the relevant literature in the field, including previous research on the topic, relevant theory, and existing methods.

In a literature review, the aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the existing research in a specific field. This section should include a thorough examination of the available literature on the topic of the research, including studies, articles, and other relevant sources. The literature review should cover previous research on the topic, including any findings, conclusions, and recommendations made by previous researchers. It should also provide an overview of the relevant theory that informs the research, including any key concepts, models, or frameworks that are used to understand the topic. Additionally, the literature review should describe the existing methods that have been used to study the topic, including any techniques or tools that have been used in previous research. This section should also identify any gaps in the literature and highlight any areas where further research is needed. Overall, the literature review is an important part of the research process as it helps to establish the context and background of the research, and to identify any potential limitations or areas of uncertainty. 

Ultimately, the literature review is necessary to guide the reader through the process of how the research question was identified, how your research is going to address that question and the future direction towards which your results are pointing.

Methodology

This section should be written in a clear and concise manner, and should be able to provide the readers an understanding of how the research was conducted and how the data was collected and analyzed. The methodology section should be detailed enough to allow others to replicate the study.

• Research design: A detailed description of the research design, including the type of research (e.g., experimental, observational, qualitative, quantitative), the sample size and selection, and the data collection methods.
• Participants or subjects: A description of the participants or subjects of the study, including the criteria used for their selection and any relevant characteristics.
• Data collection methods: A detailed explanation of the methods used to collect data, including any instruments or tools used (e.g., surveys, interviews, experiments) and the procedures followed.
• Data analysis methods: A description of the methods used to analyze the data, including any statistical techniques used and the software programs employed.
• Validity and reliability: A discussion of the measures taken to ensure the validity and reliability of the research, including any limitations or potential sources of bias.
• Ethical considerations: A description of any ethical considerations involved in the research, such as informed consent, confidentiality, and potential risks to participants.
• Summary: A summary of the research methodology, highlighting its strengths and limitations.

Results

This section should be written in a clear and concise manner, and should be able to provide the readers an understanding of what the research found out. The results should be presented in a logical order, and the data should be presented in a way that is easy to understand and interpret. The analysis of the data should provide support to the findings and the discussion should relate the results back to the research question or problem statement.

• Summary of findings: A summary of the main findings of the study, presented in a clear and concise manner.
• Data presentation: The presentation of the data collected, including tables, figures, and other visual aids as appropriate.
• Data analysis: The analysis of the data, including any statistical tests or calculations used to support the findings.
• Discussion of results: An interpretation of the findings in relation to the research question or problem statement, including any patterns, trends, or relationships observed in the data.
• Comparison to previous research: A comparison of the findings to previous research in the field, highlighting any similarities or differences.
• Limitations: A discussion of any limitations of the study, including any potential sources of bias or error.
• Implications: An explanation of the implications of the findings for the field and any recommendations for future research.

Discussion

This section should be written in a clear and concise manner, and should be able to provide the readers an understanding of what the research found out and its significance. The discussion should relate the results back to the research question or problem statement and the literature review, and should be able to show the importance of the findings in the broader context of the field. The discussion should also acknowledge the limitations of the study, and should suggest any future research directions.

• An interpretation of the findings in the context of the literature review and the research objectives, explaining how the results contribute to the understanding of the field.
• A comparison of the findings to previous research in the field, highlighting any similarities or differences.
• An explanation of the implications of the findings for the field and any recommendations for future research.
• Limitations: A discussion of the limitations of the study, including any potential sources of bias or error, and the impact they may have on the results.
• Conclusion: A concise statement summarizing the main findings and their significance, and any potential further research directions.

Note that oftentimes, the results and discussion session are joined because they share several bullet points and can be advantageous for the sake of the discussion flow not to dive them up.

Conclusion

The conclusion should provide a brief summary of the main findings of the study, and should be able to relate them back to the research question or problem statement, and the literature review. The conclusion should also explain the relevance and importance of the research in the field, and its potential contributions. Finally, the conclusion should suggest any future research directions that are needed to expand on the knowledge gained from the current research.

• A summary of the main findings and conclusions of the research
• A brief reflection on the research process and personal learning outcomes

References

This section should be able to provide the readers an understanding of what sources were used and cited throughout the thesis. The reference section should be consistent in formatting and style, and all sources should be listed in alphabetical order. The in-text citations should also be consistent and accurate, and should match the reference list. Proper referencing is important to give credit to other authors and to allow readers to find the sources used in the thesis.

• A list of references cited in the thesis, following a standard citation style

Appendices

The appendix should be used to provide additional information and data that are relevant to the research but not essential to the main text. The appendix should be labeled and numbered consecutively, and should be referred to in the main text when appropriate. The materials included in the appendix should be clearly labeled and described.

• Any additional material that supports the thesis but is not essential for the main text (e.g., raw data, detailed calculations, source code)