It is binding for students commencing their studies from the academic year 2016/2017.
PROCEDURE OF THESIS DEFENCE AND PREPARATION OF TOPIC ELABORATION IN THE MA PSYCHOLOGY PROGRAMME
Beginning with the academic year 2016/2017, the MA thesis is divided in two parts:
1. Research part
2. Applied Psychology part
The Research part of the thesis should be submitted for defence to the Student Affairs and Registrar’s Office by November 20th/ April 20th. (Topics should be submitted until 15th May and 15th October of the academic year preceding the year of defence.)
The Applied Psychology part should be submitted to the Student Affairs and Registrar’s Office by December 15th/May 15th. (Topics should be submitted in the semester of the defence by the second Friday in term time. Delay cannot be more than 2 weeks.
The reviewers have to do their evaluations 2 weeks before the defence date. The Research part will be evaluated by two evaluators, whereas the Applied part by one evaluator.
Proposal for formulating final exam questions during the evaluation of the research part
In addition to the evaluation, reviewers of the Research part will formulate 2-2 topics which are given to the candidate so that they are able to prepare from all the 4 topics.
Topic elaboration means that the candidate elaborates one of the 2-2 topics related to the thesis determined by the reviewers and chosen on the defence date by the Final Exam Committee.
The 2-2 topics should relate to the thesis topic (research part), however, they are neither questions expounding nor clarifying the empirical study introduced in the thesis. The graduating candidate is required to outline the acquired theoretical knowledge, conceptions, models, paradigms, etc. connected to the topic of the research part of the thesis. When preparing for the topic elaboration, the candidate should rather focus on giving an overview and summary of the knowledge acquired in the BA and MA programme in psychology reflected in the research part of their thesis.
In the evaluation of the Applied Psychology part, reviewers may formulate questions concerning the presented topic and its background.
Proposal for scenario of defence
Graduating students present both parts of their thesis and elaborate the topic in about 30 minutes.
1. Defence of the Research Part
PowerPoint or Prezi is recommended for presenting the research part of the thesis. (8-10 minutes)
The essence of the research part of the thesis should be introduced briefly, professionally, and accurately:
summarising the essential part of the analysed topic and presenting how the thesis contributes to the formerly accomplished researches
self-reflection related to the accomplished work taking into account the evaluations given by the reviewers about the thesis (by the supervisor and the second reader)
presentation of the strengths and weaknesses of the thesis
The Committee might have further questions about the thesis (5 minutes).
15 minutes Good to know:
In case of failing the defence of the research part, the student cannot go on with the topic elaboration. Instead, the student may repeat the defence and the topic elaboration in the following final examination period. The retake must be taken within two calendar years. Additionally, the student will have the right to be given further consultation by their supervisor.
After a failing defence of the research part the applied part can still be defended and graded, this way only the defence of the failed part needs to be retaken.
2. Topic elaboration
In case the defence of the research part is evaluated at least with the grade
‘pass’, the candidate can go on with the topic elaboration. No additional material is allowed to be used in the elaboration of topics given by the reviewers, which means that no previously prepared draft version, summary or description can be used.
5 minutes
3. Defence of the Applied part
PowerPoint or Prezi is recommended for presenting the applied psychology part of the thesis, however, it can also be presented without using any tools.
The essence of the applied psychology part of the thesis should be introduced briefly, professionally, and accurately:
summarising the essential part of the analysed topic and presenting how the thesis contributes to the formerly accomplished researches
self-reflection related to the accomplished work taking into account the evaluations given by the reviewers about the thesis (by the supervisor and the second reader)
presentation of the strengths and weaknesses of the thesis
5-6 minutes
4. Evaluation and the results
5 minutes
Relevant documents and sources:
Requirements of the research part and the applied psychology part of the thesis for MA psychology programme (MA Thesis Manuals)
Guidelines for the Construction of Scientific Publications
Academic Regulations of ELTE, for Students
