Writing a thesis involves producing scientific text, which has its own set of rules. The language used should be clear, precise, persuasive, and grammatically error-free (Hirsjärvi, Remes & Sajavaara, 2007, p. 273—274). Define key concepts and always provide justifications for the statements made.
The text should progress coherently from one topic to another, making it easy for the reader to follow the author's train of thought. Coherence between topics can be achieved by paying attention to paragraph structure, headings, language style, and utilizing various cohesive devices in sentences (Hirsjärvi et al., 2007, p. 274—281). Hirsjärvi et al.'s book "Tutki ja kirjoita" provides examples of these techniques.
Consistency in the use of verb tenses and person is crucial. Examples and discussions on the use of verb tenses and person can be found in Hirsjärvi et al.'s "Tutki ja kirjoita" as well as in Perttula's (2015) blog post.
Avoid using colloquial expressions and instead use formal language. Use precise expressions, such as "30% of projects exceed the target schedule," and avoid vague expressions, such as "a significant portion of projects exceed the target schedule."
The length of the thesis and the number of sources
The recommended length for a bachelor's thesis is approximately 30-60 pages. For a thesis conducted as a pair/group work, the length is typically 50-80 pages. In the case of a master's thesis in a university of applied sciences, the length ranges from 60-85 pages, while for a pair/group work, it is around 80-100 pages. (See, for example, Hirsjärvi, Remes & Sajavaara, 2009, p. 226.) The length may vary depending on the scope of the practical work. For instance, tasks involving device design, programming, and similar work require significant background research, which may result in variations in the length of the report.
As for the number of sources, a minimum of 20 high-quality sources is recommended for a bachelor's thesis, while for a master's thesis, a minimum of 30 peer-reviewed research articles, in addition to other sources, is considered appropriate. Some of these articles should be published in international journals.
Citing Sources
When using information directly or indirectly from literature or other sources in the thesis, it is always necessary to mention the original source. In a verbatim quotation, quotation marks should be used. The principle is that every quoted text, figure, and table should advance the thinking. Make sure you elaborate on each figure and table in a text as well.
Each quotation should be accompanied by a reference citation, which forms the basis of the written text, unless the writing is entirely the author's own thinking (Hirsjärvi et al., 2001, p. 319).
Reference citations are always listed in alphabetical order in the reference list. When evaluating the work, consideration is also given to the student's ability to evaluate the sources used, their content and level, as well as the ability to provide justifications for thoughts on the researched topic or phenomenon. Note that page numbering continues normally for references and appendices (Hirsjärvi et al., 2001, p. 361).
Detailed instructions on citing sources can be found in the Writing instructions guide.
Thesis Publicity
When planning your thesis, it is important to consider that according to the Finnish Constitution (731/1999, Section 12.2) and the Act on the Openness of Government Activities (621/1999, Section 1), the thesis is considered a public document. Therefore, a university of applied sciences thesis cannot be classified as completely confidential, and all theses are electronically archived in the open or restricted collection of the Theseus system.
If the thesis contains confidential information for the client, such as the development of a new device or method, or strategic information crucial for the client's business that, if disclosed, would provide competitors with otherwise unavailable information, the appendix of the thesis can be kept confidential. If the client does not wish their name to be disclosed, you can write the thesis in a way that does not reveal the organization.
