Course Topics
The final list of topics will depend on the specific requirements of the enrolled students, but the core topics include: - Outline and structure of an academic thesis; - Development of a research plan; - Identifying a topic; - Defining a problem and formulating research questions; - Methods of data collection; - Information and literature research; - Text structuring; - Citation rules and plagiarism; - Presentation of results; - Creating a bibliography.

Propaedeutic courses
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Teaching format
Lectures, exercises in individual, partner and group work, plenary discussions, and mutual feedback.

Educational objectives
Students learn how to develop a research plan, formulate a scientific question, write a literature review, divide all information into sections/chapters and learn aspects of scientific language. In particular, they will develop scientific writing skills that they can then use for their Master's thesis. Knowledge and understanding The students - know the essential steps of an empirical study; - know methods and techniques of empirical research; - know instruments and criteria for developing the methodological approach for a research project. Applying knowledge and understanding Students - can use appropriate research methods; - can reflect on their own working and writing processes. Judgement Students - can assess the quality of studies; - can assess basic techniques for academic writing. Communication The students - are able to present research results orally and in writing; - can present and defend their own smaller research projects. Learning strategies The students - develop their own experience in academic writing; - develop their skills for factual correctness in scientific work.

Additional educational objectives and learning outcomes
Educational Objectives: - Encourage a reflective approach to using scholarly sources. - Develop individual writing styles while adhering to academic standards. Students... - are able to justify and reflect on their writing decisions, - can identify academic discourses and critically incorporate them into their own work, - are capable of formulating and defending a personal position on a topic based on scholarly evidence.

Assessment
Internal course: Portfolio with assignments completed during the course. Summative: Oral examination in which selected written work is discussed.

Evaluation criteria
Assignment of a single final grade. Assessment criteria include: cohesion and accuracy of grammar and vocabulary, clear argumentation, ability to conduct critical analysis and reflection.

Required readings

Course materials will be made available throughout the duration of the course.

Supplementary readings

Eco, U. (2010). Wie man eine wissenschaftliche Abschlußarbeit schreibt. 14. Aufl. Wien: facultas.

Hug, T. & Niedermair, K. (2011). Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten. Handreichung. 3., ergänzte und überarbeitete Auflage. Innsbruck: STUDIA Universitätsverlag.

Moll, M. & Thielmann, W. (2017). Wissenschaftliches Deutsch. Wie es geht und worauf es dabei ankommt. Konstanz: UVK. 

Further information
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