By writing a scientific (final) thesis, you as a student should demonstrate that you are able to independently answer a relevant question using scientific methods.

In addition to developing interesting results in terms of content, it is also important to fulfil some formal requirements of academic work. A scientific approach, a meaningful line of argumentation (structure), but also the identification of adopted sources and content are particularly important in order to design the work in accordance with these requirements. Of course, correct spelling and an appealing design are also part of the preparation of a (good) scientific paper.

When planning a scientific (final) thesis, a special focus should be placed on the following four core aspects:

1. Formulating the field of action and the title of the thesis
2. Formulation of the research question
3. Selection or design of the research method suitable for answering the research question
4. Structure of the thesis

If you are interested in writing a thesis supervised by our chair, you should first develop some ideas against the background of these four core aspects, which we can take up and develop further during a planning meeting. On this basis, please prepare a one-page synopsis, which can be used for the detailed planning of your thesis.

A good scientific paper can be recognised by a suitable title that sums up the problem in a few words. The nouns used in the title are key words that define the framework of the work and should also be found later in the outline. In addition to the field of action and subject of the work, the title should also include a reference to the research method used. To prevent the title from becoming too long, it may be helpful to divide it into two parts according to the following pattern: "Field of action of the thesis - aim and research method of the thesis".

A core aspect of scientific work is the correct handling of the sources used. In particular, it should be shown which results have been achieved in the work itself and which findings have been taken from other people's previous work. Any content that is not attributable to your own work must therefore be labelled in accordance with the applicable citation rules. This includes both the literal citation and the analogous adoption of statements. An active approach to the available literature demonstrates both a good embedding of the results in the literature and a substantial contribution of one's own.

The template for written theses can be requested by email from birgit.petermeier(at)uni.paderborn.paderborn(dot)de after submitting the synopsis and registering the thesis.

Just send me some information

• Brief overview of notes
• Do you already have a rough idea of a topic or a key question (possibly from the chair's overview document)?
• Is there possibly a company that can/should be analysed in the thesis (optional)? Is there already contact?
• What data could be analysed (interviews, online observations, surveys) or should it be about software design?
• What is the rough schedule?
• Should it be written in English or German?

We can first discuss your topic roughly by e-mail (for example, I can suggest guiding questions to concretise a topic). Then, relatively shortly (approx. 2 weeks) before registration begins, we will hold a 30-minute preliminary meeting (only if there is a concrete intention to register) to discuss and conceptualise the research paper. After registration, there are recurring meetings by appointment, possibly at the same time as other students in the same process.

The processing time is six months for Master's theses and three months for Bachelor's theses. Master's theses should generally be approx. 80 pages long, Bachelor's theses approx. 40 pages, seminar papers and student research projects approx. 20-25 pages (in each case without outline, references and appendices). Unless otherwise agreed, a tolerance of +/- 10 per cent applies.

If your examination regulations provide for a second examiner, please contact your preferred second examiner in good time. The second examiner must be specified when registering the thesis.

Theses can be written in German or English. The spelling and grammar rules of the new spelling system apply. Please use the format template for theses provided by us.

For the formal submission of your thesis, please follow the news from the Examinations Office. The additional submission of theses to our chair can be made digitally by e-mail as a PDF or alternatively on a data carrier, preferably a USB stick, which contains all sources and other material as well as an electronic form of the thesis.

There are a number of software tools that support literature management, time management or structuring of the research process. The use of tools depends on your personal way of working. Please decide for yourself which tools are most suitable for you.

A. Literature management: Tools are available to support and organise the work with the sources used. Some of the tools also include functionalities for literature searches and project management.

B. Structuring the research process: Mind maps can be suitable for structuring the research process. In addition to commercial tools, there are also freely available tools.

C. Time management: Project planning tools can be used to plan, control and monitor milestones and progress up to submission.