GUIDELINES FOR DRAFTING AND WRITING BACHELOR S AND MASTER'S THESES AT THE FACULTY OF ADMINISTRATION

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1 GUIDELINES FOR DRAFTING AND WRITING BACHELOR S AND MASTER'S THESES AT THE FACULTY OF ADMINISTRATION In the text, the term thesis is used for both Bachelor s and Master s theses, with the exception in cases where it is necessary to separately consider the theses. The term candidate, written in grammatical male form, is used as neutral and applies equally to both genders. 1 THESIS ELABORATION 1.1 The basic purpose of the thesis and its successful defence is the acquisition of a professional or scientific title. 1.2 The writing of the Bachelor s thesis involves a basic level of research complexity, while the Master s thesis involves complexity at the level of applicative and developmental research. The results of the research presented by the Master s thesis must provide new facts, new information, and new insights into the progress of the profession. 1.3 With thesis elaboration, the candidate is to demonstrate the ability to apply theoretical and research knowledge in the independent processing of the topical professional subject, whereby, as a rule, the Master s thesis involves a yet undiscussed topic. 1.4 In addition, it involves (the Bachelor s thesis at the elementary level, the Master s thesis at the higher level), the candidate s ability to use scientific research methodologies, the ability to use foreign relevant knowledge, positions, scientific facts, theories, etc. the ability to formulate and present the results of research and own findings, obtained during the research work, and the ability to write scholarly work texts. 1.5 In thesis elaboration, the candidate must be familiar with and take into account the general characteristics of the work, the defined purpose and objectives of the work, the structure, the documentation basis of the work (quotations, notes, illustrations), and the technical processing of the work. 1.6 In text formatting, citing and the list of literature and sources elaboration, the candidate must follow the Guidelines for writing scholarly and scientific works at the Faculty of Administration. 1

2 2 GENERAL 2.1 Binding: Bachelor s thesis must be bound in a dark red canvas or similar material (hard binding). Master s thesis must be bound in a dark blue canvas or similar material (hard binding). The inscriptions on the outside cover must be embossed in gold-plated letters. 2.2 Scope of the text: Bachelor s thesis: the core of the text from 32 typed double-spaced pages (60,000 characters or 10,000 words, approximately 32 pages) to 56 typed doublespaced pages (105,000 characters or 17,500 words, approximately 56 pages). Master s thesis: the core of the text from 80 typed double-spaced pages (150,000 characters or 25,000 words, approximately 80 pages) to 128 typed double-spaced pages (240,000 characters or 40,000 words, approximately, 128 pages). The headings, tables of contents, statements, lists of acronyms and abbreviations, the Slovenian dictionary of translated foreign terms, possible appendices, etc. are not to be included in the text quota. 3 THESIS STRUCTURE 3.1 The thesis structure is broken down into the following parts: Title on the cover; Inner title page (odd page); Authorship statement and indication of the proof-reader (odd page); Summary and key words in the Slovene language (odd page); Thesis title, summary, and key words in the English language; Table(s) of contents (odd page); List of illustrations separately by marks (chart, figure, table, etc.) (new page, even or odd); Introduction (odd page); Topic discussion (main part); Conclusion; Literature and sources (new page, even or odd); List of acronyms and abbreviations (if applicable) (new page, even or odd); Slovenian dictionary of translated foreign terms (if applicable); Appendices (if any). 2

3 3.2 Words of thanks are included only exceptionally on a separate sheet (odd page) immediately after the inner title page, in Calibri font, 11 pt, italic. The title of the words of thanks is designed like second level titles, but without numbering and italicised. 4 LANGUAGE 4.1 The thesis must be linguistically correct. Certain rules apply for a scholarly text other than a literary text, e.g. the text must be unequivocal and understandable; it is recommended to use shorter sentences containing as few subordinate clauses as possible; the same content, phenomenon, or thing should always be named equally. 4.2 Writing of scholarly texts influences the development of Slovene terminology. Therefore, the candidate should take into account already established Slovene terms / translations of technical terms. In the event that it involves new technical terms that appear in foreign languages, the candidate must try to find appropriate Slovene translations. 4.3 For English text, British English is used, except where reference is made to literature or a term that originally uses American English. 5 CHARACTERISTICS OF THESIS PARTS 5.1 The title page on the cover (Appendix 1). The text is centrally aligned, bold, the title of the work 20 pt, the rest of the text 14 pt. UNIVERZA V LJUBLJANI is indicated above in capital letters, and FAKULTETA ZA UPRAVO below. In the middle of the page, the type of work is indicated in lowercase letters (Bachelor s thesis or Master s thesis), which is followed by a blank line, and the TITLE OF THESIS in capitals. This is followed by a blank line, and the name and surname of the candidate in lowercase letters. At the bottom, Ljubljana is written in lowercase letters, followed by a comma and the month, written out in letters, and year of thesis submission. 5.2 Inner title page (Appendix 2). The text is centrally aligned. UNIVERZA V LJUBLJANI is indicated above in capital letters and FAKULTETA ZA UPRAVO in the new line, which is followed by 200 pt spacing, and the type of thesis (Bachelor s or Master s thesis). This is followed by a blank line, and the TITLE OF THESIS in capital letters, bold, 16 pt, indent of 250 pt. In the lower part, the candidate s data is written in lower case letters, left-aligned, with no space between paragraphs, each in its line: Kandidat:, Vpisna številka: and Študijski program:, followed by a blank line and Mentor: with the name of the mentor and the abbreviation for the habilitation and academic 3

4 title (e.g. Assoc. Prof. PhD., Assist. Prof. PhD.). The text with data is indented 4 cm from the left margin, which is follow by two blank lines and Ljubljana, and the month, written out in letters, and year of thesis submission for the defence in central alignment. 5.3 Authorship statement (Appendix 3). The authorship statement and indication of the proof-reader is to be provided on the odd page (new sheet). The text and format of the statement must be in accordance with the model text in the appendices, adapted to the candidate s data. The statement must include the candidate s handwritten signature. 5.4 Summary (Appendix 4). A summary with the keywords is to be on the next odd page (new sheet). The summary is to be written in Slovenian and English (the following (even) page). It should contain a maximum of 250 words and 5 to 7 keywords. On the page in the English language, the title of the work in capital letters, 14 pt, is first listed in the row under SUMMARY (bold, 16 pt), followed by a summary and keywords in the normal font. The Ključne beside and Keywords are to be written in bold. The summary should contain: Research challenge and purpose (approximately 50 words): broader problem framework, justification of the purpose of the work, and the reasons for writing the thesis or reasons for the research; Methodology / research approach (approximately 50 words): how the objectives were achieved, which methods have been used; Findings (approximately 50 words): what was determined within the analysis, what are the results; Applicability (approximately 50 words): a contribution is given according to the field of study or type of contribution: scientific (changes in science and scientific approaches, established limitations of research work and proposals for further work); practical (significance of results for public sector practice and wider, what is the application and economic effect); contribution to social environment (effect of the work on the sociological environment, how it affects the public, environment, industry, who benefits from it). 5.5 Table of Contents (Appendix 5). On the next odd page (new sheet), Table of Contents is displayed showing all chapters headings, namely the decimal units with the corresponding headings, from the introduction to including Appendices, which is followed by the List of Illustrations (List of Tables, List of Figures, etc.). 5.6 Introduction. Introduction is a mandatory element and covers approx. 5% of the thesis (at least one page). The introduction presents the reader with the subject 4

5 matter. It contains specific indications provided by the candidate in the reasoning and working hypotheses upon the application of the topic, whereby the candidate is to use future tense in the reasoning at the time of the application, and present or past tense in the final introduction. As a rule, the introduction is to contain the following elements, which are not to be structured in subchapters: Problem and subject of research with hypotheses; Purpose and objectives of the research; Assessment of the studies carried out so far (Master s thesis); Methods of research; Brief description by chapter. 5.7 Main part. In the main part, the candidate shows his knowledge, skills, experience, criticality, creativity, research experience, and motivation. He must link relevant findings, facts, evidence, and thoughts when defining a research problem and providing conclusions in a logical way. In doing so, he must be independent, objective in assessing and submitting relevant estimations and proposals, and support his independence and responsibility with arguments and substantiated evidence. In the main part, the candidate is to cite positions, insights, and formulations of others or provide literature reference. As a rule, the text is divided into three basic content parts: Historical-theoretical, retrospective or explicative part (the presentation of previous findings); Analytical-experimental part (solves the research problem and subject of research, and supports formulated hypotheses); Perspective part (in this part, the candidate clearly, systematically, systemically and in a concise manner presents the relevant findings, information, positions, established facts discussed and extensively explained in the analyticalexperimental part of the thesis where the hypothesis is proven or refuted). The above three parts do not imply that the main part only includes three chapters; it only denotes three content sections, which are divided, where appropriate, into several parts and sub-parts with their own distinctive headings. 5.8 Conclusion. It contains concise findings. It covers about 5% of the thesis (at least one page). As a rule, no citations or footnotes are to be used in the conclusion. The conclusion is not to be divided into subchapters, but in paragraphs where we chronologically present the structure of work, add open questions, suggestions for further work, usability of results, etc. 5.9 Literature. The bibliographic units used are to be divided into two parts, Literature and Sources. The Sources include legal sources, company / organisation internal 5

6 documents, and websites (sources where the author is not known). All bibliographic units used are to be indicated in accordance with the APA style Acronyms and abbreviations and translations of foreign terms. They are to be listed transparently, logically separated, in column (tabular) form. Acronyms / abbreviations / translations that are not in the public domain should be indicated. Acronyms / abbreviations / translations in the list are to be listed in alphabetical order. Acronyms and abbreviations are to be indicated in the List of Acronyms and Abbreviations, and translations in the Slovenian Dictionary of Translated Foreign Terms. Example: LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS PM SY Personnel management Statistical Yearbook SLOVENIAN DICTIONARY OF TRANSLATED FOREIGN TERMS ability test field experiment field study test sposobnosti terenski eksperiment terenska študija 5.11 List of Illustrations. Charts, figures, tables, sketches, schemes, charts, maps, and other types of illustrations that are included in the text are to be displayed chronologically (in the order of the quotation in the text), separately for each type of illustration listed in alphabetical order (List of Charts, List of Figures, List of Table). The number of illustration, the title of illustration and the page number, on which the illustration appears, are to be indicated for each individual illustration Appendices. Appendices include, for example, questionnaires, analysis tables, documents used, etc. They are to be marked with the sequential number and appropriately titled (e.g. Appendix 1: Title of Appendix 1). The titles of the Appendices are to be written in the same way as the titles of chapters Thesis in English. The title page on the cover is to be in Slovenian language. The inner title page is also to be in the Slovene language, whereby another title is to be indicated in the English language under the title in Slovenian language. Other pages follow the same way as for thesis in the Slovene language; however, the summary in the Slovene language is to be longer in accordance with the Guidelines. 6

7 6 ELEMENTS OF THESIS DISPOSITION 6.1 Title. The title must be simple, clear, and must unequivocally reflect the essence of the thesis content. The title must not be too long or too short it usually contains up to a maximum of nine words. It must contain the key words of the discussed topic. 6.2 Explanation of the topic and problem. The candidate is to justify the proposed thesis title and prove the relevance and suitability of the topic. The research problem must be clearly defined. The candidate may divide and discuss a complex problem in several segments. 6.3 Purpose and objectives of the research. The candidate must unequivocally define the purpose and objectives of the research, which he intends to achieve with the research. The main objective is to be divided into several sub-objectives. In line with the set objectives and sub-objectives, the candidate is to set research questions, hypotheses, to which he should try to provide substantiated answers during the research. 6.4 Evaluation of the previous research (Master s thesis). Prior to applying a Master s thesis topic, the candidate must study the relevant sources in the field of the discussed topic and critically determine that the topic has not been formulated, discussed, and presented to the public at home or abroad until the moment of the application of the Master s thesis topic. 6.5 Determination of hypotheses and methods of research. Adequately defined problem and subject of research are the basis for the establishment of hypotheses. Working hypotheses are recommended for the Bachelor s thesis and compulsory for the Master s thesis. In the application, the candidate is to indicate the (scientific) research methods that he will use in his research and through which he will try to answer the set questions, prove or reject the set hypothesis, and thus achieve the purpose and objectives of the research. The most commonly used is one, main research method accompanied with other, auxiliary methods. 6.6 Expected results and research contribution. The candidate is to explicitly and unequivocally define the expected research contribution and outline the important expected results of the research, which form the basis for the assessment of the professional appropriateness of the topic as well as the competence and suitability of the candidate for obtaining a professional / scientific title. 7

8 6.7 Expected contribution to science and profession (Master s thesis). The results of the research must contribute to science and profession. The student is to clearly indicate upon which assumptions the research results presented in the Master s thesis are to be applicable. 6.8 A brief description of the foreseen chapters and the structure of the work (Master s thesis). In line with the hypothesis, the candidate it to briefly describe for each chapter what he intends to study. The quality structure is prepared based on already studied (a considerable amount of) material on the selected topic and with close cooperation with the mentor. 6.9 Literature and sources. The candidate is to indicate on the list the basic literature and sources that are to be used in the research. In the case of a Bachelor s thesis the list is to comprise at least 10 units and, in the case of a Master s thesis, at least 50 units. A fifth of the units must be in a foreign language. 8

9 Appendix 1: Title on the cover 9

10 Appendix 2: First inner page 10

11 Appendix 3: Authorship statement The appropriate text, adapted to the candidate s data, is to be inserted without quotation marks. STATEMENT OF AUTHORSHIP, BACHELOR S/MASTER S THESIS I, the undersigned, Name Surname, the student of stage and field of study, with entry number 04xxxxxx, am the author of the Bachelor/Master s thesis entitled Thesis title. I, the undersigned, hereby declare that: The submitted thesis is exclusively the result of my own research work; I have ensured that the works and opinions of other authors applied in the submitted thesis are cited in accordance with the faculty instructions; I have ensured that all works and opinions of other authors are indicated in the list of literature and sources, which is an integral part of the submitted thesis written in accordance with the faculty instructions; I have obtained all authorisations for the use of copyright works that have been fully transferred to and clearly marked as such in the submitted thesis; I am aware that plagiarism the presentation of someone else s work, either in the form of a citation or in the form of almost literally paraphrasing or in a graphic form with which thoughts or ideas of other people are presented as my own is punishable by law (Copyright and Related Rights Act, Official Gazette of the Republic of Slovenia, No. 21/95), whereby the violation is also sanctioned by measures according to the rules of the University of Ljubljana and the Faculty of Administration; I am aware of the consequences that proven plagiarism represents for the submitted thesis and my status at the Faculty of Administration; The electronic form is identical to the Bachelor / Master s thesis printed form, and I agree with the publication of the work in the FA Thesis record. The Bachelor / Master's thesis was proofread by the indicate the proof-reader. Ljubljana, indicate the date of thesis submission Author s signature 11

12 Appendix 4: Summary and keywords The appropriate text is to be inserted without quotation marks. A summary in the Slovene language is on the odd page, and in English on the even page. POVZETEK Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Ključne besede: upravna znanost, organizacija, disciplina, učinkovitost, javni sektor. 12

13 SUMMARY ENGLISH TITLE Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consetetur sadipscing elitr, sed diam nonumy eirmod tempor invidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliquyam erat, sed diam voluptua. At vero eos et accusam et justo duo dolores et ea rebum. Stet clita kasd gubergren, no sea takimata sanctus est Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis dolore te feugait nulla facilisi. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna aliquam erat volutpat. Keywords: public administration, organisation, government, management. 13

14 Appendix 5: Table of Contents TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION TITLE TITLE TITLE TITLE TITLE TITLE TITLE SUBTITLE SUBTITLE SUBTITLE SUBTITLE SUBTITLE SUBTITLE SUBTITLE SUBTITLE SUBTITLE SUBTITLE SUBTITLE SUBTITLE SUBTITLE SUBTITLE Subtitle subtitle subtitle subtitle subtitle subtitle subtitle Subtitle SUBTITLE SUBTITLE TITLE SUBTITLE SUBTITLE CONCLUSION LITERATURE IN SOURCES LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS SLOVENIAN DICTIONARY OF TRANSLATED FOREIGN TERMS APPENDICES APPENDIX 1: SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE APPENDIX 2: FORM Number: 014-1/ Publication on the Intranet: 14 February