Bachelor and Master - Thesis
Instructor
Prof. Dr. Andreas Knabe, Dr. Melanie Borah, Dr. Carina Keldenich
Bachelor Thesis Seminar
To participate in the Bachelor Thesis Seminar please apply via the Office of Study Affairs' registration form and via the E-Learning platform. After successful registration, you will receive an E-Mail asking for your most preferred topics. In addition, the E-Mail will inform you about the date of our first meeting. Below, you can find the current list of topics.
Own research ideas are very welcome, but also need to be discussed sufficiently in advance.
Master Thesis
Students that would like to write their Master Thesis are welcome to send us
- their topic ideas,
- their transcript of records and
- a synopsis,
or to contact us to arrange a personal appointment.
Application deadline: March 15th (for Master Theses in the following Summer Semester) / September 15th (for Master Theses in the following Winter Semester)
Please note that there are generally three broad types of theses that can be written at our chair and that they should fulfill the corresponding requirements:
1. Theoretical analyses
You select a theoretically or politically relevant problem. You then conduct a thorough literature review. In your thesis, you develop a systematic overview of the current state of knowledge in economics on this problem. Most studies will be described only briefly. However, one or two theoretical studies should be explained in detail. If appropriate, two studies can be systematically compared to each other. Alternatively, own additions to one theoretical study can be made and discussed.
Please be aware that in order to conduct a successful theoretical analysis you need a profound understanding of theoretical modelling. This includes solid mathematical abilities and an understanding for the role of critical assumptions as well the distinction between positive and normative analysis. We recommend that you have obtained good results in an advanced microeconomic course (e.g. Microeconomic Analysis) as well as in at least one advanced theory course specific to the topic.
2. Empirical analyses
You would typically select an empirical study you find interesting from a scientific journal. You then try to obtain the original data and reproduce this study. Afterwards, you extend the existing study. Possible extensions could be robustness checks using other empirical estimation strategies, novel data, data from other countries etc. Nonetheless, you explain the topic's social or scientific relevance and review the relevant literature.
Please be aware that in order to conduct a successful empirical analysis you need a profound understanding and knowledge of the relevant statistical and econometric methods. Preferably, you have already gained experience with statistical software, such as Stata.
3. Policy theses
You choose a politically relevant topic. You then describe the relevant institutional framework (e.g. the relevant parts of current labor or social law in Germany etc.) You describe what economic theory has to say about this problem in general. You discuss empirical analyses relevant for this issue. Based on the preceding analysis, you could then analyze the likely effects of currently discussed policy proposals in this field or derive your own alternative policy proposals.
Find technical notes on how to write a seminar paper or Bachelor/Master Thesis here.