Thesis Proposal Entrepreneurship

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/E_ENT_TPE

Course Objective

Upon having successfully passed this course, the student will have attained:The ability to set up and execute scientific research in the domain of entrepreneurship, consisting of the following (exit qualifications 1 and 6):Review the literature and identify an interesting gap;Formulate a research question;Write a literature review and elaborate on a focused research plan;Select and elaborate on a suitable methodology to address the research challenge;Know how to conduct qualitative and/or quantitative empirical research up to academic standards.The ability to reflect on the research of others, both individually and in a team (exit qualification 2).The attitude of an independent and critical academic, who is able to bridge boundaries between concepts and methods, scientific and social issues, and is able to reflect on his/her own learning process (exit qualification 6).

Course Content

This course prepares students for their Master's thesis research. Building on the knowledge acquired in the previous periods, this course guides the student in developing a research proposal for the Master’s thesis. The course specifically deals with:Developing research questions;Literature review and literature gap;Identifying a suitable research methodology;Writing the research proposal for the Master’s thesis;Skills development in qualitative and/or quantitative research.

Teaching Methods

ON-CAMPUS LECTURES: Four lectures of 1h45m on campus. Each lecture is designed to provide you with the essential knowledge and tools for identifying sensible research questions, elaborating on study designs that effectively address these questions, and conducting empirical research. ON-CAMPUS TUTORIALS: Four sessions of 1h45m on campus, in which we either carefully analyze the scientific contributions made by previous studies
- to learn how studies can be designed to make a scientific impact
- or work on the research proposals under the tutor's guidance. ON-CAMPUS METHODS TRAINING: Two workshops of 1h45m on campus, during which the students will be trained in the essentials of qualitative or quantitative research methods, depending on the students' focus.

Method of Assessment

The final result of the course will be provided with a pass or fail. The assessment consists of:Weekly assignments. Five in total, focusing on academic research skills, of which you need to pass three to pass the course.The evaluation of your final thesis proposal by your supervisor, for which you need a pass to pass the course.

Literature

A selection of academic papers as listed in the course manual will be available for download in the VU library. To access the articles, go to https://www.ub.vu.nl/en/ and enter the article title in the search box.

Recommended background knowledge

See programme entry requirements (www.uva.nl/msc-entrepreneurship). The knowledge and ability to recognize, utilize, and combine multiple theoretical perspectives towards entrepreneurship, as well as a profound academic knowledge of the background, nature, and central concepts within the entrepreneurship research domain. An academic intellectual working standard (including experience in academic writing), and a sound knowledge of research methodology, in combination with sufficient analytical and statistical skills and knowledge. Specific required prior knowledge is a thorough knowledge of the following textbook (or an equivalent of):
• Blumberg, B., Cooper, D.R., & Schindler, P.S. (2014 or other editions). Business Research Methods (4th European ed.). London: McGraw-Hill.