Directive No. EkF_SME_12_002 of the Dean of the Faculty of Economics VŠB-TU Ostrava on Guidelines for Graduate Theses

Transcription

1 EkF VŠB-TU Ostrava Directive of the Dean of the Faculty of Economics VŠB-TU Ostrava Guarantor of the Document:100 - Vice-Dean for Studies EkF_SME_12_002 Version: F Efficiency of this document started on: Directive No. EkF_SME_12_002 of the Dean of the Faculty of Economics VŠB-TU Ostrava Controlled copy No.: Stamp: If the title page of this document does not have an original stamp on page one of the Document Storage Manager, it is not a controlled document. 1/13

2 I. Introduction The purpose of the Directive is to establish the requirements and describe the essentials of graduate theses (Bachelor thesis, Diploma thesis). A thesis is a bachelor thesis for a bachelor degree and a diploma thesis for a master degree. The thesis has to be developed individually as evidenced by a statement which forms an integral part of the thesis. The Directive establishes particularly the following requirements for thesis: purpose and contents, referencing, quotations and literature citations, formal requirements, submission and requirements. II. Purpose and Contents of the Theses 1. The purpose of developing a graduate theses is to demonstrate the ability to address an assigned specialized topic and verify the knowledge and skills corresponding to the appropriate degree. The student orally defends used approach, procedure, findings and conclusions before an examination board. 2. The student must be able to accurately describe the issues, correctly formulate assertions and present relevant arguments. Given assertions must be supported by quotations and references to literature and used data sources. The student must express himself/herself in a clear and grammatically correct manner and use appropriate specialized terminology. The thesis conclusions have to be based on the arguments provided in the thesis. 3. The graduate thesis has to be problem-oriented, it should not be merely descriptive. The topic of the thesis should be assigned and formulated narrowly so that it possible to draw clear conclusions. The structure and logic of the thesis should conform to its objective. The title of the thesis should characterize the orientation and specific content of thesis as well as possible. 4. The thesis has to be structured in accordance with the objective of the thesis to form a coherent logical whole including continuity of chapters and sub-chapters, and consistent terminology used. 5. Essential assumption and prerequisite of a defensible thesis is an explicit and clear formulation of the thesis objective. The stated objective of the thesis must be strictly adhered to, otherwise the thesis cannot be recommended for defence. 6. The thesis consists of an introduction, individual chapters and a conclusion. Objectively, it should contain two basic parts, a theoretical-methodological part and an application-verification part. 7. The introduction should include mainly the importance of the topic, the explicit formulation of the thesis objective (preferably in a separate paragraph in one sentence), the logical and methodological procedure, the basic structure outline, and the brief description of individual chapters. 8. The chapters should reflect the logical solution procedure and the hierarchical structure of the thesis with possible partial conclusions. The subject of the theoretical-methodological part is usually the definition of the general framework and theoretical concepts. It is followed by characterization and description of the approaches, methods, and means to address the issues. The purpose of the application-verification part is to apply methodological assumptions and not a controlled document. 2/13

3 approaches to specific conditions of economic reality. That is to analyse the issues using the actual data, verify selected procedures and methods including criterion evaluation. 9. A clear description of the methodology used including a description of applied scientific methods of work have to form an integral part of the thesis. In case of the diploma thesis usually in the form of a formalised (mathematical) notation. The input data used including their sources have to be specified as well. All calculations have to be clearly arranged in detail so that any expert is able to check their correctness. The text has to include references to all figures, tables, charts and annexes. The text should include all necessary data, i.e. tables and figures which form a necessary part of the interpretation. Input and calculated detailed data, tables, diagrams, charts, questionnaires, and larger drawings, etc. should be all presented in annexes. 10. The conclusion should briefly describe the procedure and summarize the findings and conclusions arising from the thesis with regard to the objective specified in the introduction. It may also include suggestions for further follow-up works. 11. The diploma thesis must be characterised by difficulty an complexity of the topic handling, use of more demanding and exact methodology, higher degree of development and its extent is at least 50 pages (approximately 18,000 words). The topic and processing method of the diploma thesis has to be different from the topic and processing of the bachelor thesis. 12. The bachelor thesis should be focused on a partial and simpler topic, a less demanding methodology can be used, and its extent should be at least 40 pages (approximately 15,000 words). 13. The thesis can be written in the English language. III. Referencing, Quotations and Literature Citations 1. Referencing, quotations and literature citations are necessary preconditions and features of serious expert works, it also applies to graduate thesis. While working on the thesis, it is necessary to draw upon not only Czech but also foreign (English in particular) literature. The number of pages is written in the language of the bibliographic quotation, if the whole work is quoted, the number of pages may be omitted. 2. It is also necessary to draw upon information and literature that have undergone a credible review process. Most of publications where reviewers are listed meet this requirement. These include books (monograph, university course book) identified via the ISBN code, journals with ISSN codes and proceedings with ISBN or ISSN codes. Publications without ISBN or ISSN code can be considered credible in case of documents and reports of reputable institutions such as CNB, UNESCO or IMF. These sources should be referenced and quoted. Other sources have to be understood and used as auxiliary and complementary sources. 3. Literature which forms the basis and is used only indirectly should be referenced (indirectly quoted). The so-called Harvard Method is the most effective one. For example, Kotler (2014) argues that communication can be characterised as the process of sharing certain information. Alternatively Spoken, however, does not imply heard (Cateora, 2011). Names of authors must not be declined and used in nominatives to avoid mangling of the names. You can also refer to the number of the publication from the List of Publications or by reference in a footnote. The selected method of referencing must be applied uniformly in thesis. 4. If the text of an assertion is adopted verbatim, then it has to be in quotes and so-called direct quote has to be used. The procedure is similar to referencing but it also indicates the page, for example, As argued by Choudhry (2012, p. 25). not a controlled document. 3/13

4 5. The bibliography is included at the end of the thesis and it has to be compiled in accordance with the ČSN ISO 690 ( ) standard effective as of 1 April According to this standard, the data are written in the language in which they are listed in the quoted document. There are examples of correct literature citations in the following part. Examples of bibliographic quotations of other literary source types are governed by an interpretation of the ČSN ISO 690 standard, classification mark Literature is arranged according to credibility and listed in this classification: a book, an article in a journal or in proceedings, electronic documents, and others. The type and credibility of the publication is the criterion for inclusion in the class, not its form. If the publication has ISBN or ISSN code and is also in electronic form, it is classified as a book or journal. a) Professional book (a monograph, university course book, etc.) One author MISHKIN, Frederic S. The Economics of Money, Banking, and Financial Markets. 8th ed. Boston: Pearson Addison-Wesley, ISBN Two authors DONELLY, H. James and Paul, J. PETER. Marketing Management: Knowledge and Skills. 11th ed. London: McGraw Hill, ISBN Three authors CATEORA, P., J. GRAHAM and M. GILLY. International Marketing. New York: McGraw- Hill/Irwin, ISBN b) An article in a journal (periodical) or in proceedings An article in a journal (periodical) ČAPEK, Jan. Comparing the fit of New Keynesian DSGE models. Central European Review of Economic Issues Ekonomická revue. 2010, No. 4, p ISSN HUNTER, Karen. Electronic journal publishing: observations from inside. D-Lib Magazine [online]. 1998, July/August [cit ]. Available on: ISSN A contribution in proceedings BAXA, Jaromír. What the Data Say about the Effects of Fiscal Policy in the Czech Republic. In: Mathematical Methods in Economics 2010: 28th International Conference. České Budějovice: University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, 2010, p. 24. ISBN c) Electronic documents and others Reports and documents by domestic and international renowned institutions (ČNB, government, OECD, MMF, IBRD, FED etc.) ČESKÁ NÁRODNÍ. BANKA. ČNB: Záznam z jednání bankovní rady ČNB ze dne 25. března 2010 [online]. ČNB [ ]. Available on not a controlled document. 4/13

5 Diploma thesis DEPTOVÁ, Z. Marketing Analysis of SEO for a Hotel Browser. Ostrava, VŠB-TUO, Faculty of Economics, Department of Marketing and Business. An act Act No. 111 of 12 April 1998 on Higher Education Institutions and on Amendments and Supplements to Some Other Acts (The Higher Education Act). In: Sbírka zákonů České republiky. 1998, Section 39, p Available on ISSN A standard ČSN ISO 690. Informace a dokumentace Pravidla pro bibliografické odkazy a citace informačních zdrojů. Prague: Czech Office for Standards, Metrology and Testing, p. Classification symbol IV. Formal Requirements 1. Whereas, the graduate thesis is the type of exact, logical, and graduate thesis it should be written in the passive voice or in the first person plural. The thesis should not be written in the first person singular. 2. It is not appropriate and/or permissible to personify inanimate phenomena and facts such as: The model solves..., a better wording would be Use of the model helps to solve.... An example of an inappropriate wording can be The thesis aims to..., a better wording would be The objective of the work is All statements have to be written as sentences. For example, The economic situation of the company is defined by three aspects: Performance; Stability; Competitiveness. Using colons, full stops, etc. after headings is not recommended. 4. Individual chapters are numbered including chapters Introduction and Conclusion. A consistent hierarchical structure of the thesis should be developed and strictly used so that the numbering and labelling systems represent the continuity of individual parts. For example, 1 Chapter 1.1 Sub-chapter Sub-subchapter a) Sub-section of the chapter Enumeration of factors in the sub-section, etc. It is not acceptable and/or rational to use different identification of the same level since it may cause reduction of logic and clarity of the thesis. Titles of chapters have to describe their content as accurately as possible. not a controlled document. 5/13

6 5. For writing formulas Equation or MATHTYPE equation editors are required. An asterisk (*) cannot be used as a mathematical symbol for multiplication in this type of thesis since it is not a correct mathematical symbol for multiplication; the correct sign in the equation is a dot (.). 6. Figures, tables and charts in the text are identified and numbered successively according to the chapter and succession within the chapter, e.g. Tab. 1.1 or Fig If the thesis contains sizeable number of formulas that are referred, they are similarly indicated by the number of the chapter and succession within the chapter and are indicated in parentheses on the right hand side in the line with the formula, e.g. (1.6). Footnotes are indicated at the bottom of each page, at the end of a chapter, or at the end of the thesis. Tables, figures and formulas should also be referenced in the text, e.g. see Tab. 1.1, see Fig. 1.1, according to an equation (1.6). A sources of the formulas, factors, and practical values have to reference. 7. The thesis can be written double-sided or one-sided on pare of A4 paper with 1.5 line spacing. One page has usually 35 lines. The pages have to be numbered continuously. The pages of the graduate thesis are numbered from the contents, i.e. page three (3), to the List of Abbreviations inclusive. Annexes are numbered separately, always from page Page set-up in a word processor Word is as follows: A4 page, margins approximately 2.5 cm from all sides, font type Times New Roman CE or Arial CE, font size 12 points, 1.5 line spacing, and full justification and indent. 9. Highlighting the headings and some expressions is permissible; different sizes, types and typefaces (italic, bold) can be used according to the word processor options, underlining is not an appropriate style. 10. The text and annexes of the thesis have to meet the formal requirements (i.e. have to be free of typos, grammatical, stylistic and printing errors). Deficiencies of this type can significantly reduce the classification of otherwise quality content thesis. V. Submission and Requirements for Thesis 1. The thesis has to be submitted in two (2) copies where one copy has to be bound in book a hard cover and the other one can be bound in semi-hard covers. The covers layout has to comply with the Annex The text of the graduate thesis has to also be submitted electronically in pdf/a format by uploading in IS EDISON in accordance with the deadline for submission of graduate thesis according to the study schedule. The student is required to indicate the Keywords and Abstract items and upload the entire text of the thesis including the assignment of the thesis and the declaration in IS EDISON using MENU/ STUDIES/ FINAL THESIS/ RESULTS. Electronically submitted graduate thesis is archived in the university library, and in the National Register of Thesis for follow-up check of possible plagiarism. 3. The student has to provide a statement that he/she has elaborated the thesis himself/herself which forms a part of the diploma (bachelor) thesis. The declaration is worded: I hereby declare that I have elaborated the entire thesis including annexes myself. Where the student uses documents which are only supplemented, he/she will further state: I have supplemented the provided annexes No.... myself. Any attempt at fraud in this matter will be prosecuted in accordance with the relevant legislation. 4. The Declaration of Utilisation of Results from the Diploma (Bachelor) Thesis, see Annex 3, has to form a part of the thesis. not a controlled document. 6/13

7 5. The pages of the submitted graduate thesis have to be arranged as follows: a) Blank white page; b) Title page (see Annex 2); c) Diploma (bachelor) Thesis Assignment (see Annexes 4 and 5), d) Declaration of Independent Elaboration of a Diploma (Bachelor) Thesis, which must be written on a separate sheet of paper in its bottom half and signed in a student s own hand, stating the date of delivery of a diploma (bachelor) thesis, e) Contents (with all chapters); f) Introduction; g) Distribution of a diploma (bachelor) task in chapters; h) Conclusion; i) Bibliography (in alphabetical order by authors); j) List of abbreviations (in alphabetical order while generally known abbreviations such as etc. are not listed); k) Declaration of Utilisation of Results from the Diploma (Bachelor) Thesis (see Annex 3), l) List of annexes; m) Annexes. prof. Dr. Ing. Zdeněk Zmeškal Dean of the Faculty of Economics not a controlled document. 7/13

8 Annex 1: Cover of a Diploma (Bachelor) Thesis VSB TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF OSTRAVA FACULTY OF ECONOMICS DIPLOMA THESIS (BACHELOR THESIS) 2018 Jan Novák not a controlled document. 8/13

9 on Guidelines for Graduate of Thesis Guarantor of the Document: Vice-dean for Studies EkF_SME_12_002 Version: E Annex 2: Title Page of a Diploma (Bachelor) Thesis VSB TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF OSTRAVA FACULTY OF ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT Zhodnocení ekonomické výkonnosti podniku z odvětví strojírenství Evaluation of Economic Performance of Machinery Sector Company Student: Jan Novák Supervisor of the diploma (bachelor) thesis: prof. Ing. Karel Nový, CSc. Ostrava 2018 Should no original seal be affixed on the initial page of a copy of this document by the administrator, the document is not a controlled document 9/13

10 on Guidelines for Graduate of Thesis Guarantor of the Document: Vice-dean for Studies EkF_SME_12_002 Version: E Annex 3: Declaration of Utilisation of Results from the Diploma (Bachelor) Thesis Herewith I declare that I am informed that Act No. 121/2000 Coll. the Copyright Act, in particular, Section 35 Utilisation of the Work as a Part of Civil and Religious Ceremonies, as a Part of School Performances and the Utilisation of a School Work and Section 60 School Work, fully applies to my diploma (bachelor) thesis; I take account of the VSB Technical University of Ostrava (hereinafter as VSB-TUO) having the right to utilize the diploma (bachelor) thesis (under Section 35(3)) unprofitably and for own use ; I agree that the diploma (bachelor) thesis shall be archived in the electronic form in VSB-TUO s Central Library and one copy shall be kept by the supervisor of the diploma (bachelor) thesis. I agree that the bibliographic information about the diploma (bachelor) thesis shall be published in VSB-TUO s information system; It was agreed that, in case of VSB-TUO s interest, I shall enter into a license agreement with VSB-TUO, granting the authorization to utilize the work in the scope of Section 12(4) of the Copyright Act; It was agreed that I may utilize my work, the diploma (bachelor) thesis or provide a license to utilize it only with the consent of VSB-TUO, which is entitled, in such a case, to claim an adequate contribution from me to cover the cost expended by VSB-TUO for producing the work (up to its real amount). Ostrava dated... Student s name and surname Should no original seal be affixed on the initial page of a copy of this document by the administrator, the document is not a controlled document 10/13

11 on Guidelines for Graduate of Thesis Document guarantor: 100 Vice Dean for Study EkF_SME_12_002 version: E Annex 4: Bachelor Thesis Assignment VSB-Technical University of Ostrava Faculty of Economics Department of... Bachelor Thesis Assignment Student: Study Programme: Study Branch: Title: The thesis language: English Description: 1. Introduction Conclusion Bibliography List of Abbreviations Declaration of Utilisation of Results from the Bachelor Thesis List of Annexes Annexes References: Extent and terms of a thesis are specified in directions for its elaboration that are opened to the public on the web sites of the faculty. Supervisor: Date of issue: Date of submission: Head of Department prof. Dr. Ing. Zdeněk Zmeškal Dean of Faculty Should no original seal be affixed on the initial page of a copy of this document by the administrator, the document is not a controlled document 11/13

12 on Guidelines for Graduate of Thesis Document guarantor: 100 Vice Dean for Study EkF_SME_12_002 version: E Annex 5: Diploma Thesis Assignment VSB-Technical University of Ostrava Faculty of Economics Department of... Diploma Thesis Assignment Student: Study Programme: Study Branch: Title: The thesis language: English Description: 1. Introduction Conclusion Bibliography List of Abbreviations Declaration of Utilisation of Results from the Diploma Thesis List of Annexes Annexes References: Extent and terms of a thesis are specified in directions for its elaboration that are opened to the public on the web sites of the faculty. Supervisor: Date of issue: Date of submission: Head of Department prof. Dr. Ing. Zdeněk Zmeškal Dean of Faculty Should no original seal be affixed on the initial page of a copy of this document by the administrator, the document is not a controlled document 12/13

13 on Guidelines for Graduate of Thesis Document guarantor: 100 Vice Dean for Study EkF_SME_12_002 version: E List of Changes and Revisions of the Controlled Document Effective as of: A new version 12 Oct 2012 A A new document Amendment/Revision Signature of the owner 18 Apr 2013 Revised without comments 21 Oct 2013 B Document upgraded 30 Apr 2014 Revised without comments 30 Sep 2014 C Updated version in section III, par Apr 2015 Revised without comments 21 Oct 2015 D Updated version in section III/5 and IV/7 13 Oct 2016 E Updated version in section III/3 13 Oct 2017 F Updated version Should no original seal be affixed on the initial page of a copy of this document by the administrator, the document is not a controlled document 13/13