Master's Thesis Seminar

mlsmm2201  2023-2024  Mons

Master's Thesis Seminar
2.00 credits
30.0 h + 30.0 h
Q1 and Q2
Teacher(s)
Hermans Julie;
Language
French
Main themes
This seminar is intended to help students to carry out their dissertation in better conditions. For this, it aims to give keys to
  1. define their subject of memory
  2. carry out a bibliographic research at scientific level
  3. deepen some methods specific to the field of management
  4. learn to self-correct their writing style
  5. master their oral expression in front of an audience
Learning outcomes

At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to :

1 Competencies
Given the « competencies referential » linked to the LSM Master in Management and in Business Engineering, this course mainly develops the following competencies:
  • 2.3 Articulate the acquired knowledge from different areas of management.
  • 2.4 Activate and apply the acquired knowledge accordingly to solve a problem.
  • 2.5 Contribute to the development and advancement of the management field.
  • 3. Analyze and resolve problems in multidisciplinary and complex management situations using a scientific and systematic approach
  • 3.1 Conduct a clear, structured, analytical reasoning by applying, and eventually adapting, scientifically based conceptual frameworks and models, to define and analyze a problem.3.2 Collect, select and analyze relevant information using rigorous, advanced and appropriate methods.
  • 3.3 Consider problems using a systemic and holistic approach: recognize the different aspects of the situation and their interactions in a dynamic process.
  • 3.4 Perceptively synthesize the essential elements of a situation, demonstrating a certain conceptual distance, to diagnose and identify pertinent conclusions.
  • 3.5 Produce, through analysis and diagnosis, implementable solutions in context and identify priorities for action.
  • 7. Define and manage a project to completion, taking into account the objectives, resources and constraints that characterize the project environment.
  • 7.1 Analyse a project within its environment and define the expected outcomes: identify what is at stake, the required outcomes and the environmental constraints; clearly define the project objectives and associate the performance indicators.
  • 7.2 Organize, manage and control the process: structure and schedule the tasks, identify and allocate human and material resources, coordinate, delegate and supervise the tasks; take into account the anticipated constraints and risks.
  • 7.3 Make decisions and take responsibility for them in an uncertain world: take initiatives and act, anticipate and be proactive, show discernment and good judgment and be prepared to make quick decisions, taking into account multiple factors and uncertainties; accept the risks and consequences of decisions.
  • 8. Communicate, converse effectively and convincingly with the stakeholders.
  • 8.1 Express a clear and structured message, both orally and in writing in their mother tongue, in English and ideally, in a third language, adapted to the audience and using context specific communication standards.
  • 8.2 Interact and discuss effectively and respectfully with diverse stakeholders (supervisors, peers, colleagues, clients... ) in face-to­face and group contexts, using both verbal and nonverbal communication skills: demonstrate the ability to listen, empathize, be assertive, provide and accept constructive criticism.
  • 9. Display self-knowledge and independence, able to adapt quickly to new situations and involve positively.
  • 9.1 Independent self-starter: set priorities, anticipate and plan work activities within time constraints, rigorous, structured and thorough, even in changing, uncertain environments or crisis.
  • 9.2 Self-awareness and self-control: be aware of and manage their own emotions, able to be objective about their work and behaviour, and recognize their own strengths and weaknesses, accept them and use them in a professional manner.
  • 9.3 Self-motivation: be capable of creating a project in line with their own values and aspirations, confident and motivated in managing the implementation of the project, and persevere in difficult situations.
  • 9.4 Quick study, lifelong learner: quickly and independently assimilate new information and skills needed to evolve in their professional environment, learn from successes and errors in the spirit of lifelong learning.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of this learning unit, the student is able to:
  1. Think about his project
  2. Document himself
  3. Develop his action plan
  4. Write
  5. Present
 
Content
Defining the project (defining a problem, a research question, a hypothesis, an info to collect; detecting the type of research (exploratory / descriptive / explanatory); ...)
Collecting Information (using secondary data; conducting a literature review; referencing ...)
Planning the research (identifying its epistemological position; choosing adequate information collection methodology (observation / experimentation / ...); mastering data analysis methods (quali / quanti / ...)
Writing (writing in a scholarly way, ...)
Presenting (creating a visual support; presenting ...)
Teaching methods
For French speaking students

(a) Self-learning via the Moodle platform (videos and readings followed by tests)

(b) Some face-to-face seminar sessions can be added
 
For students who speak only English, the seminar on Moodle is replaced by an individual work of

(a) reading a methodology textbook

(b) writing a report on main personal learnings
Evaluation methods
The seminar contains "mandatory" lessons and tests and "optional" lessons and tests.
For French-speaking students: the assessment is based solely on the compulsory tests (20-30) following each compulsory lesson (video, readings, etc.). These tests are opened progressively starting at the beginning of their 2nd Master year (and then the next ones every two weeks) and close after six weeks: students must therefore actively follow the rhythm of the chapters. Compulsory courses, optional courses and optional tests remain open for two years to provide access to useful information throughout the writing of the dissertation.
For English-speaking students: the assessment is based on the work written during the first weeks of their 2nd Master year (deadline: around October).
There is no re-sit during the summer (single evaluation in seminar mode). Although scheduled in their 2nd Master year, this course opens earlier so as to give an early access to certain topics and remains accessible until the end of the second year.
Other information
An information session on this seminar is given during the briefing of the annual master's thesis 1 of the master (induction week)
The Moodle platform will contain all the necessary information for self-learning
The seminar is given in French, but students who speak only English are allowed to replace it, by reading independently a textbook methodology of the thesis
This course is similar to "LLSMD2094 - Seminar d'accompagnement du mémoire" for students located in the LLN teaching site
Online resources
Moodle : https://moodle.uclouvain.be > code MLSMM2201 (Objectif 2024)
Bibliography
CRESWELL, John W. (2012). Educational Research. Planning, Conducting, Quantitative and Qualitative Research. 4th Edition, Pearson.
GAVARD-PERRET, Marie-Laure, GOTTELAND, David, HAON, Christophe, & JOLIBERT, Alain (2012). Méthodologie de la Recherche - Réussir son mémoire ou sa thèse en sciences gestion. 2° édition. Pearson.
SAUNDERS, Mark N.K., LEWIS, Philip, & THORNHILL, Adrian (2015). Research Methods for Business Students, 7th Edition, Prentice Hall.
THIÉTARD, Raymond-Alain (2014). Méthode de recherche en management. 4° Ed. Dunod.
Faculty or entity
CLSM


Programmes / formations proposant cette unité d'enseignement (UE)

Title of the programme
Sigle
Credits
Prerequisites
Learning outcomes
Master [120] in Management

Master [120] : Business Engineering

Master [120] in Management (with work-linked-training)