This assignment is to write chapters 1 and 2 as provided below based on my Research Proposal attached to this. If there are any questions feel free to ask, this will save time and also ensure that not too many changes should be made.
Please keep me regularly updated and send me this list of articles so I can read them and improve my knowledge surrounding the topic.
Below you can find the tips & guides for each chapter.
Make sure it is clear and well-structured with headings/subheadings.
You can use the references from my research proposal but should have additional ones.
The main focus is chapter 2, it should take 70/80% of the assignment.
If you wish to change research questions or the conceptual framework model please inform me so I can check it with my supervisor.
I also provided two finalized Master Thesis of fellow students if you would like to have a look for structure etc.
Chapter 1 – Introduction
Goal:
Giving an overview of the thesis and convince the reader of its relevance.
• Describe the problem – What is the problem, why is it relevant, in which context,
and for whom? Ideally, you include real-world examples for illustration.
and for whom? Ideally, you include real-world examples for illustration.
• Situate the problem – What do we already know? How are key variables defined?
• Make gaps explicit – What is currently not known? What are gaps in the literature?
Where does the literature not support practice?
Where does the literature not support practice?
• Address the gap – How will you address the gap/problem? Which concepts help you
in your approach and how are they defined?
in your approach and how are they defined?
• What are the academic and practical contributions of your research?
• State your research question and outline the remainder of the thesis.
Tips & Tricks: Have a look at our interactive academic writing guide to work on your
argumentation and positioning and motivating your research question!
argumentation and positioning and motivating your research question!
https://maastrichtuniversity.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7P1jkOpnIQyZqXb
Chapter 2 – Literature Review & Theoretical Framework
Goal:
Goal:
Synthesize current knowledge and knowledge gaps, then introduce/develop a
theoretical background that offers a basis for formulating and arguing for your hypotheses.
theoretical background that offers a basis for formulating and arguing for your hypotheses.
• Offer a concise review of extant literature on the topic, pinpointing common themes
and, importantly, gaps in the literature that you will address (a literature review
table can support you in making your synthesis very explicit)
and, importantly, gaps in the literature that you will address (a literature review
table can support you in making your synthesis very explicit)
• To fill the aforementioned gaps, you introduce an overarching theory that offers a
basis for your conceptual model and hypotheses
basis for your conceptual model and hypotheses
• Present your conceptual model in a figure, label hypotheses, specify its context and
describe it ‘from right to left’
describe it ‘from right to left’
• First, motivate your choice of dependent variable(s) through extant literature
• Second, motivate your first hypothesis by providing an overview of extant findings
in relevant empirical studies and drawing an explicit conclusion on which
relationship and which direction you are expecting to find
in relevant empirical studies and drawing an explicit conclusion on which
relationship and which direction you are expecting to find
• Third/Fourth/Fifth… motivate each hypothesis, in turn, using the same approach as
for the first hypothesis
for the first hypothesis