Thesis/Final examination

The final examination for the degree in Educational sciences consists of an individual written paper, framed within the framework of one of the subjects covered, on a topic agreed between the student and a supervising professor.

Please refer to Art. 8 of the Course Regulations for specific information.

Types of theses

Two types of theses are allowed in the degree in Educational sciences: the compilation thesis and the research thesis.

These two expressions have a conventional value and are to be understood as shown in the table below. Both types of theses can be carried out in any discipline, at the student's choice and in agreement with a professor.

The student, together with the professor/instructor, chooses the type that best suits his or her training objectives and the subject of his or her work.

 

Compilatory dissertation

The following are included in the type of compilatory dissertation: a brief, summarised and reasoned report on a topic with a brief bibliography; a reasoned review of existing literature (with particular reference to national and international journals available from the department library); a theoretical investigation of the internship experience.

It includes the following types of theses that the student can choose in the online degree application: 'compilative', 'curricular', 'ordinary', 'elaborate', 'internship paper'.

In the assessment, it can be given a mark from 0 to 2, which is normally added to the weighted average of examination marks.

 

Research theses

Research theses include all empirical, theoretical, methodological, historical or other work whose critical design or experimental conduct shows sufficient rigour and originality.

It includes the following types of theses that the student can choose in the online degree application: 'research', 'experimental', 'thesis with foreign residence'.

In the assessment, it can be given a mark from 0 to 5, which is normally added to the weighted average of examination marks.

The path to follow

The procedures for the dissertation in Education and Training Processes are as follows:

  1. FIRST STEP
    The student unambiguously agrees with a professor on the thesis topic and the type of paper to be written.
     
  2. SECOND STEP
    Having written the thesis according to the instructions received, the student - respecting the deadlines set by the Student Registry Office and communicated on the relevant web page - asks the Supervisor to sign the authorisation form for submission of the thesis. This authorisation is only granted if the thesis is sufficiently advanced to be expected to be completed in time and meet the required quality standards. The online application should only be completed when you are in possession of the authorisation form.
    At this stage, the final title of the thesis and the type (compilation or research) must be agreed upon, thus determining the possible score range. In addition, the professor may appoint a co-supervisor.
     
  3. THIRD STEP
    The student uploads the thesis onto Esse3, in accordance with the procedures laid down by the Secretariat. The rapporteur may approve or reject the paper.
     
  4. FOURTH STAGE
    The degree committee meets and assesses the paper, without discussing it with the student, and awards the mark. The graduation date is the date on which the commission meets.
     
  5. FIFTH STAGE
    If a proclamation ceremony is organised, the student is invited to take part in it. Participation is optional and does not affect the award of the title.

Learning how to do bibliographic research

The University of Parma offers a useful online course (in Mooc format) to learn how to search for information and scientific literature online. Its name is Infodocpass and it is structured in two modules:

  1. Infopatent: searching for information online
  2. Bibliopatent: the basics of document search

Thesis elaboration guide

This general guide for the elaboration of the dissertation is indicative only. Students are invited to contact their professor/instructor for further instructions regarding a specific discipline.