SDMM12005U Master's Thesis, Disaster Management

Volume 2023/2024
Education

Master of Disaster Management - compulsory

This course is offered to MDMa full programme students only.

Content

The Master thesis is a research written report submitted at the end of the Master of Disaster Management. 

Your Masters thesis should demonstrate that you are able to formulate, analyze and process  problems/issues within the field of disaster risk  management, which demands the integration of empirical data, theory and scientific research methods. 

The thesis may be based on primary or secondary data and material.  

The master’s thesis must be completed individually and must be completed in accordance with the MDMa Thesis Guidelines and submitted on or before the approved MDMa Thesis submission dates.

The thesis comprises the equivalent of 30-35 A4 pages (1 page = approximately 2400 characters including spaces).

The thesis process

1. Synopsis
2. Research proposal
3. Data collection
4. Participation in thesis seminar
5. Thesis incl. oral defence

Learning Outcome

On completion of the thesis, students should be able to:

Knowledge

  • Demonstrate insights into the research process from identifying the nature of a research problem, formulating research questions and translating these into research objectives.
  • Understand the value of the choice of appropriate research methods.

 

Skills

  • Collect necessary data/information and critically analyse, review and interpret own research in the context of existing literature.
  • Give a thesis presentation, highlighting research problems and questions, research objectives, methods and main findings, conclusion and possible recommendations - as well as discussing critical questions and remarks regarding the findings and conclusions.

Competences

  • Develop and present well-argued and referenced recommendations as to future practice(s) in a given field.
  • Where relevant, include proper communication with and feedback to study objects and local authorities on research results including practical policy implications (if research is based on local data) with a view to contribute to improvements at the local level.
  • Demonstrate ability to critically use research within the field of disaster risk management and humanitarian action.
Research Methodology & Ethics
The master's thesis concludes the master programme.
Students must have completed all courses incl. electives and passed all exams on the master programme before the master thesis oral exam/defence.
Supervision according to thesis guidelines
Only available for students enrolled in the entire programme.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Preparation
  • 28
  • Project work
  • 480
  • Seminar
  • 12
  • Guidance
  • 30
  • Total
  • 550
Written
Individual
Feedback by final exam (In addition to the grade)

Examiners provide individual written  feedback on the thesis via Digital Exam.

Credit
20 ECTS
Type of assessment
Written assignment
Oral defence, 60 mins
Type of assessment details
Written assignment with oral defence
The Exam includes an overall evaluation and assessment of the written thesis, the oral presentation and the subsequent discussion.
The master's thesis is prepared in accordance with the approved thesis contract and the MDMa Thesis Guidelines and correspond to min. 30 and max. 35 A4 pages (1 page = approximately 2,400 keystrokes, font size 12 pt. line space 1.5) excluding preliminaries i.e. cover page, table of contents, etc., the references and annexes.

The thesis should include an abstract in English of no more than 1 A4 page and summarize the research question, the methods used, important findings, a discussion if relevant, and a conclusion. The abstract will be included in the overall assessment of the master’s thesis.
Assessment is based on the scientific content as well as writing skills by the student. The scientific content will carry most weight.

The oral 60-minute exam consisting of 15-20 minutes of oral presentation of the master's thesis followed by 25-30 minutes of scientific discussion focusing on the issues of the thesis.

If student and supervisor agree, it is possible to hold the oral exam online. Together, the student(s) and supervisor must decide:
- Whether the exam is to be held solely physically
- Whether the exam is to be held solely online
- Whether the external examiner can participate online if they wish.
The supervisor must inform the exam coordinator when booking an external examiner.

Phases of MDMa Master's Thesis
- Participation in (non-graded) oral presentation of thesis project (Thesis Seminar)
- Master's Thesis (30-35 pages) according to MDMa thesis guidelines
- Oral Thesis Exam/Oral Defence (1 hour)
Exam registration requirements

 

 

 

 

Aid
All aids allowed

The use AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT or similar software, are not allowed during exams.

Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
External censorship
Exam period

See the MDMa Exam Schedule

Criteria for exam assesment

To achieve the maximum grade of 12, the student shall be able to:

 

Knowledge

  • Demonstrate insights into the interdisciplinary field of disaster risk management (DRM)
  • Have a thorough understanding of research processes from identifying the nature of a research problem, formulating research questions and translating these into research objectives in a DRM context
  • Understand and relate critically to state-of-the art knowledge in the chosen research area   
  • Understand the value of an appropriate choice and use of specific research methods

 

 Skills

  • Demonstrate proper use of selected research methods
  • Identify and collect necessary data/information and critically analyse, review and interpret own research in the context of existing literature in the research field.
  • Communicate research findings and conclusions clearly, correctly and concisely according to academic standards.

 

Competences

  • Develop and present well-argued and referenced recommendations as to future practice(s) in the field of DRM field.
  • Where relevant in the research process, participate professionally in interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral collaboration with a view to enhance knowledge and practices in the field of DRM.