The research thesis involves an integrated analysis of secondary and primary research material, based on a well-formulated research question. The precise definition and requirements of the type and amount of secondary scholarly sources (most importantly the existing academic literature in the student’s field) as well as of the primary material and/or data will depend on the criteria pertinent to a particular field or track. A research thesis in political philosophy will work with different primary data than a clinical psychologist.

 

Format
Students are able to choose between different thesis time formats (ie they can write their thesis over one or two semesters). All students hand in a Registration Form at mid-term in the semester preceding the semester(s) in which the actual research is carried out. Subsequently, the respective fellow assigns the student to a specific supervisor according to their area of interest. Students have to complete an initial research proposal of around 1000 words by the end of the pre-research semester.
Deadline for the report is one week after the last day of the semester.
 

Download the required forms from UCU's intranet: http://intranet.ucu.uu.nl/index.php?page=research-thesis

Requirements
The Research Thesis consists of two parts. Part I encompasses the development of the research question, the methodology, literature review and practical work, as well as the beginning of data collection. Part II encompasses finishing data collection, analysis of concepts and data, the integration of data and theorizing, (re)writing and conclusions.

Part I and Part II will be evaluated separately. During midterm, supervisors will provide feedback to the fellows about the progress on the theses. Subsequently, the fellows will inform the tutors about progress on the theses. The final grade for the Research Thesis is based on the combined results of Part I and II.

Prerequisites
As the Bachelor’s Thesis is intended as the final stage of the academic program, students should not start a research project before finishing their second year..

All SSC majors must complete UCACCMET11 plus a level 2 methodology course of their choice. The choice should be guided by existing course prerequisites for certain level 3 courses, and the thesis topic. The UCU fellows can also help you make an informed choice.

These are the required methodologies per field. Contact the fellow about exceptions. E.g. if an interdepartmental major student has already taken the SCI methodology course UCACCSTA21, discuss with the fellow if it can replace the courses below.
ANT - UCACCMET23 + module 2D or UCACCMET24
ECO - UCACCMET22 or UCACCMET23
PSY - UCACCMET22 or UCACCMET23
GEO - UCACCMET22 or UCACCMET23 or UCACCMET24
LAW - UCACCMET23 + module 2D or UCACCMET24 or UCACCMET25
POL - UCACCMET22 or UCACCMET23 or UCACCMET24 or UCACCMET25
SOC - UCACCMET22 or UCACCMET23 or UCACCMET24