A thesis in Haaga-Helia's Master studies is a research-based development task. Its’ objective is to demonstrate the ability to apply research data and develop solutions for problems relevant to work in various organisations, as stated in the Government Decree (423/2005, §7):

"The objective of the master’s thesis is to develop and demonstrate the student’s ability to apply research data and use chosen methods to analyze and solve problems arising in professional work. It also demonstrates the student’s readiness and ability for independent, demanding expert work."

The master's thesis includes the following content:
- Making a topic proposal and writing a thesis plan
- Independent development task
- Group and/or individual advising
- Other workshops and seminars
- Reporting and presenting a thesis
- Maturity demonstration

Usually a thesis focuses on a real-life problem in one organisation and on analysing and solving the problem or developing new operational practices or recommendations or an operating model. A thesis can also deal with a more general challenge, but in this case as well, a new practice, recommendation or model must be developed. In both cases, evaluation of the results is an important part of the thesis.

The thesis always includes a review of the existing research knowledge on the subject.

The thesis may consist of either one project or several smaller projects, which are linked to each other. The projects can be implemented in different departments or even different organisations, which enables the continuation of the thesis project should the job or workplace change during the project.

- Instructions for thesis are available in Master Mynet: Master Thesis - Research literature applicable to the thesis topic and methods. - Haaga-Helia's library services offer guidelines and training on information search. - HH Finna for basic information search and training - LibGuides Haaga-Helia for additional services, tips and guidelines (e.g. referencing)

Students start to work on their thesis at the beginning of the studies so that other compulsory and optional courses, which are part of the studies, can be utilised towards it.

Thesis is linked with the compulsory course RDI2HM101 Applied Design Research during which students explore research and development methods and write a thesis plan.

The grade of the thesis is the average of the following six assessment items each first evaluated from 0 to 5 (Outcomes has double weight).

Topic and Objective: The topic is ordinary and not current. The objective and/or scope have been defined ambiguously. The connection between the topic and working life development is narrow.

Conceptual Framework: The literature available about the topic has been explored narrowly or some of the sources are not current.The conceptual framework does not support the study well.The key concepts have been defined incompletely.

Methods: The development study has been planned and implemented applying research and development methods satisfactorily. The selection of the methods has been justified incompletely and not all methods are suitable for the study. The evaluation of the outcomes is weak.

Outcomes: The outcomes correspond to the objectives partially weakly. The value contribution of outcomes is minor. The conclusions remain inadequate or unjustified. Suggestions for further development are insufficient or not very valuable for the organisation.

Reporting: The structure of the thesis is inconsistent. Clarity and readability are partially poor. Argumentation and critical viewpoints are missing. Reporting instructions have not been followed sufficiently.

Project Management: The thesis project has been planned, implemented and managed partially weakly. The reflection on one’s personal learning is incomplete.

The grade of the thesis is the average of the following six assessment items each first evaluated from 0 to 5 (Outcomes has double weight).

Topic and Objective: The topic involves some new perspectives and is useful for the organisation. The objective and scope have been defined clearly. The topic is related to working life development.

Conceptual Framework: The literature available about the topic has been explored well and the sources are current. The conceptual framework supports the stud ywell. The key concepts have been defined well.

Methods: The development study has been planned and implemented applying research and development methods well. The selection of the methods has been justified well and they are suitable for the study. The outcomes have been evaluated well using appropriate measurement methods.

Outcomes:The outcomes correspond to the objectives well. The value contribution of outcomes is good. The conclusions are well justified. Suggestions for further development are valuable for the organisation.

Reporting: The structure of the thesis is consistent. Clarity and readability are at a good level. Reporting instructions have been followed well.

Project Management: The thesis project has been planned, implemented and managed well. The reflection on one’s personal learning is conducted well.

The grade of the thesis is the average of the following six assessment items each first evaluated from 0 to 5 (Outcomes has double weight).

Topic and Objective: The topic involves innovative perspectives and it is important for the organization. The objective and scope have been defined excellently. The topic is strongly related to working life development.

Conceptual Framework: The literature available about the topic has been explored widely and critically. The sources are current, international and diversed. The conceptual framework is creative and focuses on the study excellently. The key concepts have been defined excellently.

Methods: The development study has been planned and implemented applying research and development methods excellently. The selection of the methods has been justified excellently and they are suitable for the study. The outcomes have been evaluated excellently using appropriate measurement methods.

Outcomes: The outcomes correspond to the objectives excellently. The value contribution of outcomes is excellent. The conclusions are justified excellently. Suggestions for further development are very valuable for the organisation.

Reporting: The structure of the thesis is highly consistent and the thesis forms a balanced whole. Clarity and readability are at an excellent level. Reporting instructions have been followed excellently.

Project Management: The thesis project has been planned, implemented and managed excellently. The reflection on one’s personal learning is conducted excellently.