Preparing the dissertation: project design and research ethics

Duration

6h Th, 24h AUTR

Number of credits

Lecturer

Krystel Ciura, Collégialité

Language(s) of instruction

French 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

This course unit provides a space for integrating and applying the knowledge and skills developed in the other courses of the programme. It does not, on its own, teach how to develop a research problem, conduct a literature search or design a methodology. Rather, it enables students to draw on these resources, apply them to their master's thesis project and bring them together in a coherent scientific paper.

Based on an assigned master's thesis topic, students develop a preliminary research proposal comprising a research problem grounded in the scientific literature, a research question, and a coherent, justified and feasible methodological proposal. The course unit also introduces students to the Department's research areas and the topics proposed by thesis supervisors.

It supports students in understanding the requirements of the report and its assessment criteria, notably through a guidance meeting with their thesis supervisor, formative feedback on an interim version, and a comparative judgement exercise. Finally, it addresses the bodies, procedures and ethical issues involved in conducting research, as well as the requirements relating to scientific writing, APA standards and the responsible use of generative artificial intelligence.

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

By the end of the course unit, students will be able to:

• draw on and integrate into a preliminary master's thesis proposal the theoretical, methodological and scientific resources developed in the programme's other course units;
  
  
• define the scope of a research topic based on the assigned master's thesis topic;
  
  
• coherently articulate a research problem, a research question and a methodological proposal;
  
  
• justify their theoretical and methodological choices based on relevant scientific literature;
  
  
• propose a realistic and feasible research project within the framework of a master's thesis;
  
  
• identify the project's main ethical issues and the administrative procedures to be undertaken;
  
  
• explain and orally defend the choices presented in the report;
  
  
• comply with academic writing requirements, APA standards and the rules governing the use of generative artificial intelligence.
  
  

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

No specific prerequisites. This course unit draws on and integrates the theoretical, methodological and scientific knowledge and skills developed in the programme's other course units.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course unit runs throughout the academic year and combines group sessions, progressive independent work, an individual guidance meeting, and support from the thesis supervisor or the person supervising the work. It includes a series of compulsory activities:

• a session presenting the course structure, the report requirements and the assessment rubric - 18 September 2026, 4:30-6:30 p.m.; podcast available on eCampus (asynchronous online session);
  
  
• a session introducing the Department's research topics and areas - 16 October 2026, 4:30-7:30 p.m.;
  
  
• a session devoted to literature searching, APA standards and the analysis of common errors in scientific writing - 27 November 2026, 4:30-6:30 p.m.;
  
  
• an individual meeting with the thesis supervisor or the person supervising the work in order to define and refine the research focus;
  
  
• a session devoted to research ethics, including the relevant bodies, procedures and ethical issues - 18 February 2027, 2:00-4:00 p.m.;
  
  
• a comparative judgement exercise aimed at analysing and discussing written work in relation to the expected standards - 1 April 2027, 2:00-4:00 p.m.;
  
  
• the submission of an interim version of the report, on which formative feedback will be provided by the thesis supervisor or the person supervising the work.
  
  

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

Blended learning


Further information:

Blended learning organised throughout the academic year, combining face-to-face sessions, independent activities, resources available on eCampus, and individual guidance provided by the thesis supervisor and/or the person supervising the work.

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

Course materials, the style guide, the assessment rubric, report guidelines, documentary resources and organisational information are available on eCampus. Additional resources may be provided by the thesis supervisor or the person supervising the work.

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

oral exam

Written work / report


Further information:

The assessment consists of a written report and an oral examination.

The report presents:

• a research problem developed on the basis of scientific literature;
  
  
• a research question and, depending on the type of research, sub-questions or hypotheses;
  
  
• a coherent, well-argued, realistic methodological proposal suited to the research question;
  
  
• a reference list including five key sources validated as part of the supervision process;
  
  
• the required appendices, including the declaration form concerning the use of generative artificial intelligence.
  
  

• the quality and coherence of the research problem;
  
  
• the relevance of the research question;
  
  
• the justification and feasibility of the methodology;
  
  
• the overall coherence of the project;
  
  
• the rigour of the scientific approach;
  
  
• the student's command and ownership of the work during the oral examination;
  
  
• the quality of the academic writing and compliance with APA standards.
  
  

• First examination period: the report must be submitted to the thesis supervisor by Monday, 24 May 2027 at 10:00 a.m., followed by an oral examination held during the examination period.
  
  
• Second examination period: the report must be submitted to the thesis supervisor by Monday, 16 August 2027 at 10:00 a.m., followed by an oral examination held during the examination period.
  
  

Work placement(s)

Organisational remarks and main changes to the course

This course agreement, the information provided during the sessions, and the guidelines, course materials, deadlines, style guide and assessment rubric available on eCampus jointly constitute the framework governing this course unit. Students are required to read and comply with all of these documents and requirements.

Ethical requirements prior to data collection and use

Passing the "Master's Thesis Preparation" course unit does not, in itself, constitute authorisation to conduct the research or a favourable opinion from the Research Ethics Review Commission (CVE) or the Faculty Ethics Committee. No data collection may begin before the required approval has been obtained from the relevant body.

When a student is covered by the "umbrella" ethics approval number of an ongoing research project, they must comply with the protocol, conditions and limitations of the ethical approval granted. Participation in an existing research project entails collaboration with the lead researcher, under arrangements agreed with that person and the thesis supervisor. These arrangements relate in particular to the use of the data, tools and resources provided; communication regarding the progress of the work; and the sharing, within a reasonable period before submission, of the sections of the thesis based on the research concerned. The student must ensure that the lead researcher is able to verify that the data are used and presented in accordance with the protocol, the approvals obtained and the agreed conditions.

The use of an "umbrella" ethics approval number is conditional upon compliance with these collaborative arrangements. It does not constitute authorisation to use the research data or resources freely outside the agreed framework.

Contacts

Krystel Ciura - Krystel.ciura@uliege.be

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