FAQs

The Professorship of Work and Organizational Psychology regularly publishes topics for theses (bachelor's or master's theses) in the field of work and organizational psychology. Current announcements can be found on the professorship's homepage. In addition, ongoing research projects are presented in the professorship's research seminar.

The research seminar is a compulsory course for bachelor's and master's students who are writing a thesis in the field of work and organizational psychology or are about to start planning one. The course covers current theses (bachelor's, master's, dissertation) and key steps in the research process, including the development of the theoretical part, planning data collection, recruiting participants, and evaluating and interpreting data.

Based on the information gained in the research seminar and through the professorship, students have the opportunity to independently develop a research question that complements, deepens, or connects existing topics. To clarify the thematic fit, students should contact the head of the professorship or the relevant staff members of the professorship.

In principle, it is possible to propose an independently developed topic for a thesis. The prerequisite for this is a subject-related connection to the main research areas of the Professorship of Work and Organizational Psychology. Supervision can be provided if the content fits the research profile of the professorship.

To assess the suitability of the topic, an initial draft of the idea is submitted to the chair of the professorship or the relevant staff members of the professorship. On this basis, it is examined whether the proposed topic can be supervised.

The Professorship of Work and Organizational Psychology offers two formats for final theses: monograph or article (article format).

Writing a final thesis in article format offers several advantages, including a shorter length (approx. 25 to a maximum of 35 pages) and the option of writing the thesis in English. A thesis written in English can also serve as proof of language proficiency and is particularly advantageous for starting a career or academic career. School-level English skills are usually sufficient for writing a thesis in article format.
Monographs are generally written in German.

The exposé can be written in German or English for both formats. For theses in article format, it is recommended that the exposé be written in English, as it ideally forms the basis for the subsequent elaboration.

Further information on the two formats can be found in the overview “Monograph vs. Article.” „Monograph vs. Article(208.1 KB, 1 page)“.

Depending on the topic and scope of the research project, it may be possible to write a thesis jointly or collect data collaboratively. Collaboration is limited to a maximum of three students.

The prerequisite is that the research results provide added value in terms of subject matter and that the individual contributions (i.e., the portion completed as part of the examination) of the participants are clearly delineated and assessable.
For specific details and procedures, please contact Prof. Judith Volmer or the relevant staff members of the professorship.

Yes, at the Professorship of Work and Organizational Psychology, an exposé must be prepared before beginning a bachelor's or master's thesis.

Preparing the exposé is the first step in the research process and serves as a basis for discussion and work on the further procedure. It also serves as the starting point for the subsequent written thesis. The first part of the exposé, which presents the research question, theoretical background, and hypotheses, can usually be transferred to the introduction section of the thesis and further elaborated upon. This allows a structure to be developed at an early stage, saving time and effort in later phases of the work.

The exposé usually comprises 10 to 15 pages and describes the topic of the thesis as well as the planned methodological approach, if data collection is planned.

Detailed instructions for writing an exposé can be found in: Sonnentag, S. (2006). Abschlussarbeiten und Dissertationen in der angewandten psychologischen Forschung. Göttingen: Hogrefe Verlag.

The exposé can be written in German or English. For theses in article format, it is recommended that the exposé be written in English, as it will ideally serve as the basis for the subsequent elaboration.

During the preparation of the thesis, there is usually regular communication with the supervisor. The frequency and timing of the meetings are agreed upon individually depending on the progress of the work. There is no fixed number of meetings, and the number of meetings has no influence on the evaluation of the thesis.

The meetings should be prepared and structured in terms of content so that the exchange can be as productive as possible. This includes clarifying relevant points in advance and recording specific questions in writing.
Ideally, the planned questions should be sent to the supervisor by email before the meeting to enable targeted preparation for the discussion.

Yes, final theses (both bachelor's and master's theses) are presented at least once as part of the research seminar of the Professorship of Work and Organizational Psychology. The presentation can take place at different points in the research process. Either the developed concept, including the planned study design, is presented before data collection, or the initial results are presented after data collection.

Presenting before data collection allows for early feedback on optimization possibilities and clarification of open questions regarding the methodological approach. In addition, preparing the presentation helps to structure one's own approach and identify possible gaps in the planning.

Presenting after data collection can be particularly helpful for developing the discussion, as it allows for joint reflection on results that do not conform to the hypothesis and consideration of alternative evaluation options.

Helpful tips for presenting the research concept (variant 1) or the results (variant 2) can be found in: Sonnentag, S. (2006). Theses and dissertations in applied psychological research. Göttingen: Hogrefe Verlag.

General tips on presenting research results are available in the overview “Guidelines for presenting research results(168.9 KB, 4 pages)”.

The processing time for a bachelor's thesis is regulated in the examination regulations and is 4 months.

The processing time for a master's thesis is regulated in the examination regulations and is 6 months.