Thesis Plan (5cr)

Evaluation scale

Hyväksytty/Hylätty

Content scheduling

Teaching on Thursdays.

Supervising teachers: Tiina Suni & Noora Ahvenjärvi

Study carefully the Itslearning course template "Thesis PSOSS23EN". Students who get approved to the Thesis Plan course will receive access to it by January 7.1.2026 at the latest. Contact the teacher of the course if you cannot access the platform.

Students are advised to search for an own commissioner for their thesis. If you find the topic and the thesis commissioner by yourself, commissioner must submit the topic via the following link: https://link.webropol.com/s/terhy-opnt by January 12.1.2026. Remind the commissioner to include your name(s) in the additional information.

Turku UAS gathers thesis topics from the working life. However, only some of the topics can be done in English. There are not enough topics in the topic list provided by TUAS, and thus it is highly recommend you to search for the commissioner by yourself. The topic list with English topics will be added in Itslearning xx. If you don’t have your own topic by then, please get to know the topics in the list. Please study carefully the instructions in the Itslearning course platform.

Schedules:
15.1.2026 10.00 - 14.30, Info meeting and thesis topics. Participation is compulsory. Tiina & Marju at Salo campus, Mira online 10.00-12.00, Noora online 13.00-14.30
22.1.2026 13.00-15.30, Idea workshop
26.2.2026 9.30-12.00 Plan workshop, fast track (Noora online)
19.3.2026 9.30-12.00 Plan workshop, normal schedule

Thesis plan should be submitted to Itslearning as follows:
- fast track 15.2.2026
- normal schedule 8.3.2026

Students are responsible for scheduling a tutor session with the teacher. Students contact the teacher to schedule the meeting.

If you plan to graduate in spring 2026, please note, that the working process is implemented according to your own schedule. Completing the thesis in a short schedule requires a considerable amount of individual active input and commitment to the process implementation.
Students, who will graduate in spring 2026:
- 11.5.2026 the final thesis must be submitted to Itslearning for evaluation
- 15.5.2026 maturity test articles must be submitted to Talk by Students -portal

Objective

• you are able to solve problems creatively and carry out networked, collaborative research and development of social and education services with various operators
• you are able to write a thesis plan independently and use research and/or development methods to reform work and/or operating practices
• you are able to produce knowledge to promote well-being and comply with research and development ethics principles and practical instructions
• you know how to communicate about research and give constructive peer feedback

Content

• the scope of the thesis, its presentation and approval
• writing the thesis plan and its approval
• research communications as part of preparing a thesis
• the commissioner and the contract with the commissioner
• the thesis instructions of Turku University of Applied Sciences and the degree programme
• workshop activities, peer feedback and designation of the thesis supervisor

Materials

Lecture materials

Moilanen, T.; Ojasalo, K. & Ritalahti, J. 2022. Methods for development work: New kinds of competencies in business operations. Updated edition. Helsinki, Finland: BoD - Books on Demand. Available also in Finna as eBook.

Arene’s ethical recommendations for thesis: https://arene.fi/wp-content/uploads/Raportit/2025/ETHICAL%20RECOMMENDATIONS%20FOR%20THESIS%20WRITING%20AT%20UNIVERSITIES%20OF%20APPLIED%20SCIENCES.pdf?_t=1739804910

Bhattacherjee, A. 2012. Social Science Research: Principles, Methods, and Practices. Social Science Research: Principles, Methods, and Practices

Teaching methods

Literature-based learning, individual learning, pair work

Exam schedules

This course does not include an exam that is subject to assessment.

Thesis plan must be submitted to Itslearning according to the following schedule:
- fast track 15.2.2026
- normal schedule 8.3.2026

Completion alternatives

There is no alternative methods of annainment for this course implementation.

Student workload

Compiling the thesis plan: 4,5 ECTS
Participation in the info, workshops and meetings with the supervising teacher and completing the plan phase procedures: 0,5 ECTS

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

Approved: Completing the course requires an approved thesis plan and thesis agreement.

Evaluation methods and criteria

Completing the course requires an approved thesis plan and thesis agreement.

Failed (0)

Failed: Thesis plan is unsubmitted or unaccepted.

Qualifications

The student may begin writing a thesis when they have completed at least 60 credits in their entirety and both study units of research and development methods. The Development and Research Methods course can also be completed during the same semester as the student starts work on the thesis.