BA Research Project

The course is obligatory for the Bachelor of Northern Studies.

The thesis is the final task of the BA Northern Studies degree. The student shall individually undertake a minor research project based on empirical fieldwork or a comprehensive problem or management-oriented literature study geared to a Northern research or development issue. In so doing, the student will use analytical perspectives from the BNS course programme. Students will gain experience in designing, executing and reporting a topic relevant for Northern society and stakeholders.

The practical and ethical aspects of student work will be based on earlier course-work. The student prepares a plan for the BA project, which is presented at the beginning of the semester. The plan should normally include:

• Purposes
• Use of theory
• Types of data
• Data collection and sampling
• Analysis
• Reporting: the thesis.

Individual guidance/mentoring will be given throughout the process of thesis work. The student and mentor will agree on a plan and calendar for such guidance.

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

Knowledge

• Provide in-depth knowledge on the subject of the thesis.
• Explain how to develop and undertake minor empirical and analytical tasks.

Skills

• Reflect on and discuss issues of theory and practice.
• Handle written material of some size.
• Plan and undertake collection of data, critical analysis of the data, and report the work reflectively.

General competence

• Conduct research on a small or medium scale.
• Deal analytically with a limited theme.
• Undertake examinations of local and regional topics.
• Work independently and take advantage of guidance.

Obligatorisk forkunnskapskrav

BNS-1001 Introduction to multidisciplinary studies, BNS-1002 Introduction to the Circumpolar World, BNS-1003 Peoples and Cultures of the Circumpolar World, BNS-1004 Land and Environment of the Circumpolar World, BNS-1005 Contemporary issues of the Circumpolar World I: Economy, BNS-1006 Contemporary Issues of the Circumpolar World II: Politics, BNS-1040 Project Design and Methods, REI-1501 Entrepreneurship and Innovation, REI-1502 Enterprise Innovation Practice, REI-1503 Project Management

The thesis topic has to be accepted by the mentor.

Individual guidance according to a plan set up by student and mentor.

Language of instruction and examination

More info about the coursework requirements

One page on suggested thesis theme with explanation for choice, presented in a seminar (OBLIG1)

3-5 pages developing the theme, paper to be presented in a seminar (OBLIG2)

A paper related to the course in design and methodology, approximately 5 pages (OBLIG3)

More info about the assignment

Re-sit examination