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2026-2027 / GEST7105-1

Scientific Methods in Management

Methods for Rigorous Research in Management and Economics

Master Thesis and Internship : Regulations and Procedures

Duration

Methods for Rigorous Research in Management and Economics : 24h Th
Master Thesis and Internship : Regulations and Procedures : 6h Th

Number of credits

 Master in law, professional focus in economic and social law (Droit économique et social, mineure gestion)5 crédits 
 Master in management, teaching focus (Réinscription uniquement, pas de nouvelle inscription)5 crédits 
 Master in management, professional focus in Banking and Asset Management5 crédits 
 Master in business engineering, professional focus in digital business5 crédits 
 Master in management, professional focus in law3 crédits 
 Master in business engineering, professional focus in Financial Engineering5 crédits 
 Master in management, professional focus in Financial Analysis and Audit5 crédits 
 Master in management, professional focus in global supply chain management5 crédits 
 Master in management, professional focus in Intrapreneurship and Management of Innovation Projects5 crédits 
 Master in business engineering, professional focus in Intrapreneurship and Management of Innovation Projects5 crédits 
 Master in management, professional focus in international strategic marketing5 crédits 
 Master in management, professional focus in social and sustainable enterprise management (Réinscription uniquement, pas de nouvelle inscription)5 crédits 
 Master in management, professional focus in Management of Organisations and Social Dynamics5 crédits 
 Master in management, professional focus in strategy and human resource management (Réinscription uniquement, pas de nouvelle inscription)5 crédits 
 Master in business engineering, professional focus in sustainable performance management5 crédits 
 Master in business engineering, professional focus in Supply Chain Management and Business Analytics5 crédits 
 Master in management, professional focus in Social Enterprise Management and Transition5 crédits 
 Master in business engineering, professional focus in science and technology5 crédits 
 Master: business analyst (work and study)5 crédits 

Lecturer

Methods for Rigorous Research in Management and Economics : Frédéric Dufays, Jérome Schoenmaeckers
Master Thesis and Internship : Regulations and Procedures : Frédéric Dufays, Jérome Schoenmaeckers

Coordinator

Célia Brevery

Language(s) of instruction

English language

Organisation and examination

All year long, with partial in January

If a student fails an examination during the first term:

  • They are permitted to resit the assessed subject during the second term (May-June);

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Methods for Rigorous Research in Management and Economics

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practices of the scientific method as a systematic approach to knowledge production. Emphasis is placed on the formulation of research questions, search and review of literature, research design, qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, and the interpretation of empirical findings. Students will critically examine the criteria that distinguish scientific inquiry from other modes of thought, as well as the epistemological and ethical foundations of research. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the basic conceptual and methodological tools necessary to evaluate scientific claims and to apply rigorous reasoning within diverse academic and professional contexts.

Master Thesis and Internship : Regulations and Procedures

The content covered as part of this one-credit course will familiarize you with the rules and requirements governing the master's thesis and internship.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Methods for Rigorous Research in Management and Economics

At the end of the course, the student will be able to:

  • develop a research question and/or problem situation,
  • find appropriate scientific literature,
  • articulate a literature review,
  • choose and justify research methods to answer the research question,
  • navigate through the basic legal and ethical requirements to ensure scientific integrity (including an appropriate use of AI tools).
Furthermore, the student will understand:

  • how to write a research or project thesis at HEC Liège,
  • how to apply for and conduct an internship in the framework of their curriculum at HEC Liège.

Master Thesis and Internship : Regulations and Procedures

Administrative requirements relating to the master's thesis and internships, guidance on how to prepare a CV, and various opportunities to meet potential employers and internship providers

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Methods for Rigorous Research in Management and Economics

This course is taught in English and includes interaction moments. Therefore, a good command of English is required.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Methods for Rigorous Research in Management and Economics

Mixed method:

- face-to-face (introduction, qualitative/quantitative methods, etc.)

- flipped classroom with video clips and question-and-answer sessions

Master Thesis and Internship : Regulations and Procedures

This will consist of an in-person session during which the Vice-Dean for Academic Affairs will present the requirements for master's theses (both project-based and research-based) and internships. The Alumni team will also be present to provide advice on finding an internship.

In addition to this in-person session, activities organized by Campus Recruitment will be available, and you will be required to participate in at least one of them.

Other optional activities include:

  • Trip to Luxembourg - A one-day visit to two or three companies in Luxembourg, including meetings with recruiters and business professionals, presentations of career opportunities and company premises, and activities related to corporate values. Participants may potentially receive an internship or job offer following the event.
  • EY Company of the Year - Presentation of the Company of the Year in Brussels. We generally invite students who are members of an OIC or actively involved in the School to meet participating companies during the evening. This provides an initial networking opportunity.
  • Rallye Ostbelgien - TBC - Visits to companies located in Belgium's German-speaking Community, generally followed by drinks and a networking evening. This activity is particularly suitable for students who are comfortable speaking German and wish to find an internship and develop their professional network in the region.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Methods for Rigorous Research in Management and Economics

Blended learning

Master Thesis and Internship : Regulations and Procedures

Face-to-face course

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Methods for Rigorous Research in Management and Economics

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus

Master Thesis and Internship : Regulations and Procedures

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus

Methods for Rigorous Research in Management and Economics

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam

Continuous assessment


Further information:

Written work / report

Continuous assessment


Further information:

The final evaluation is composed of two elements:

1. Submission of 2-page literature review, based on min. 10 peer-reviewed references

2. Open-book written examination.

More details on the expectations for these documents are available on eCampus.

 
Throughout the course, some quizzes are provided on eCampus. These quizzes have a formative aim and do not count for the final grade. Deadlines to take these quizzes are indicative to help students keeping a right pace in their learning. But delay to take them has no impact at all.

Master Thesis and Internship : Regulations and Procedures

Continuous assessment


Further information:

To earn the five credits, students must attend at least one event organized by Campus Recruitment and submit their master's thesis topic and supervisor's name via myThIn. These are mandatory requirements for receiving a grade in the Scientific Methods course.

Work placement(s)

Methods for Rigorous Research in Management and Economics

None

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

Methods for Rigorous Research in Management and Economics

This course is taught jointly with ECON2137 Scientific Methods in Economics.

Successful completion of this course is a prerequisite for registering the Master thesis in one's learning programme for the following academic year.

All classes will be recorded but only the classes during the Fall semester (Q1) will be made available online directly. The classes of the Spring semester (Q2) will be made available during the summer, after the June exam session. The whole course will remain available on eCampus until the end of the following academic year as a toolbox to help you in the process of writing your master thesis.

Contacts

Methods for Rigorous Research in Management and Economics

Frédéric Dufays, frederic.dufays@uliege.be

Jérôme Schoenmaecekrs, jerome.schoenmaeckers@uliege.be

Master Thesis and Internship : Regulations and Procedures

Professor Jérôme Schoenmaeckers: jerome.schoenmaeckers@uliege.be

Célia Brevery, Celia.Brevery@uliege.be, +32 4 2327313

Association of one or more MOOCs