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.

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.