Part 1 of Research Project
The process described on this page follows after the process in the step Getting started. The duration of the Research Project starts now.
Follow the instructions on this page to complete Research Project Part 1.
Part 1 comprises 15 EC and focuses on the project proposal. Although the name proposal may be a little misleading, this part is more than simply a proposal. It is intended to include all this work that is necessary before devising the actual solution to a research problem, for example the literature study. Its minimum duration is 10 weeks of full-time work. After you done this, Part 1 will give a Go/No-go decision towards Part 2.
A project proposal has to include:
A literature study section, summarizing works that are relevant to your research.
Well-formulated research question(s).
A plan for the second part of the Research Project.
A completed Ethics and Privacy Scan (obligatory for all COSC MSc theses). See the drop-down below for details.
Additionally, depending on the nature of the project, your supervisor may require you to perform some initial research work in Part 1, either to provide a convincing argument towards the prospect and feasibility of your Part 2, or for efficiency to already do some work of Part 2 (for example developing an initial theory or building a prototype of an algorithm). If such work is required, make an agreement with your supervisor on the scope of this work.
In case issues are found, please send the PDF with the Ethics and Privacy Quick Scan result to the programme coordinator (also serving as the programme’s ethics & privacy moderator): coordinator.cosc@uu.nl , using the email title: ‘Ethics & Privacy scan issue’.
Part 1 assessment criteria:
Scientific quality: this concerns the quality of the literature study, the relevance and impact of the research questions, the merit of the proposed research method.
Writing skills: this concerns the quality of your writing, use of English, textual structure, and coherence/consistency of your text.
Planning: this concerns the clarity and feasibility of the proposed planning.
The quality of additional work, if such is required.
An example assessment form of Part 1 with more detailed criteria is available. Please use this form only as a discussion piece and do not send in paper or scanned forms.
Go or No Go decision
There are three options for the Go/No Go decision:
- Sufficient: means that you automatically continue with part 2.
- Insufficient with re-take exam: means that your project supervisor/first examiner explains which parts need improvement. A date to re-evaluate part 1 will be set. After re-evaluation, your (first) supervisor/first examiner will send the updated assessment to the Student Desk.
- Insufficient without re-take exam (fail): means that you have failed on the above-mentioned learning goals and have to abort the research project. Your project supervisor/first examiner will report his/her findings to the programme director who will invite you and the Study Advisor. The programme board, after consulting you and possibly other people, will decide whether starting up a new project will make sense.