| Course title | Master Thesis |
| Course code | EkonN001 |
| Credit points (ECTS) | 30 |
| Total Hours in Course | 810 |
| Number of hours for lectures | 0 |
| Number of hours for seminars and practical classes | 0 |
| Number of hours for laboratory classes | 0 |
| Independent study hours | 810 |
| Date of course confirmation | 23/10/2024 |
| Responsible Unit | Institute of Economics and Finance |
| Course developers | |
| Ph.D., pētn. Aija Pilvere |
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| There is no prerequisite knowledge required for this course | |
| Course abstract | |
| The master's thesis is a study carried out independently by the student, which confirms the acquisition of theoretical knowledge, methodological and organizational skills in the sub-sector of economics and business science, finance and credit with specialization in the sustainable aspects of this sub-sector according to the scope of the study program. The master's thesis demonstrates the student's ability to conduct research with elements of a new discovery or practical application, as well as independently formulate scientifically based conclusions and proposals.
The aim of the course: is to develop the student's ability to independently conduct in-depth and scientifically based research on sustainable finance topics, thus promoting the acquisition of both theoretical and practical knowledge in this sector. |
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| Learning outcomes and their assessment | |
| Knowledge.
• Knows and is able to critically evaluate theoretical and practical sources in the management of sustainable finance, linking them to the topic of the master's thesis, as well as to understand the novelty and application aspects of the research. Development, presentation and defense of the master's thesis. • In-depth and structured knowledge of sustainable financial management, planning and development, as well as contemporary trends and challenges in ensuring financial sustainability. Development, presentation and defense of the master's thesis. Professional skills. •Able to independently select and apply appropriate research and data analysis methods to perform qualitative and quantitative analysis in the field of sustainable finance. Development, presentation and defense of the master's thesis. • Able to integrate theoretical knowledge and empirical data in the research process, offering analysis and interpretation that contribute to the design and development of sustainable financial solutions. Development, presentation and defense of the master's thesis. • Able to interpret research results in depth, offering innovative solutions and knowledge on sustainable finance issues. Development, presentation and defense of the master's thesis. General skills. • Able to independently plan and organize the master thesis development process, effectively cooperating with the supervisor. Development, presentation and defense of the master's thesis. • Able to argue and convincingly present the results of the master's thesis, justify the opinion and discuss the issues of the industry and the challenges of sustainability. Development, presentation and defense of the master's thesis Competence. •Able to integrate knowledge from different fields and critically assess the impact of research results in order to promote the sustainable development of the company's or organization's finances, applying a creative and innovative approach to solving problems. Development, presentation and defense of the master's thesis. |
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| Course Content(Calendar) | |
| 1.Selection of the subject of the master's thesis, coordination with the supervisor and approval.
2.Acquaintance with the methodological instructions for developing and defending the master's thesis. 3.Development of the structure and content of the master's thesis. 4.Literature study, analysis of theoretical sources and previous studies. 5.Research methodology development. 6.Acquisition, processing, analysis of empirical data. 7.Development of conclusions and proposals. 8.Approbation and submission of master's thesis for pre-defense. 9.Master's thesis defense. 10.Development and presentation of the master's thesis. 11.Submission and review of the master's thesis. 12.Defense of the Master's thesis. |
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| Requirements for awarding credit points | |
| Independently developed and successfully defended master's thesis at the Master Examinations Commission. Master's thesis, master's thesis review, master's thesis defense. | |
| Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work | |
| The hours intended for independent studies are fully devoted to the development and approval of the master's thesis, in cooperation with the scientific supervisor of the thesis. | |
| Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes | |
| The final grade in the study course is formed as a 100% cumulative value from the evaluation of the master's thesis in reviews and the evaluation of the defense of the master's thesis at the Master Examinations Commission. The master's thesis is evaluated on a 10-point scale, the evaluation is an accumulative average evaluation. | |
| Compulsory reading | |
| 1.Mārtinsone K., Pipere A. (2021) Zinātniskās darbības metodoloģija: starpdisciplināra perspektīva. Rīga: RSU, 607. lpp.
2.Bui N.Y. (2020) How to Write a Master`s Thesis. Third edition, SAGE, 288 lpp. 3. Kozlinskis V., (2005). Pētījumu metodes ekonomikā un biznesā: Mācību līdzeklis Ekonomikas un Vadības fakultāšu studentiem, 97 lpp. 4.Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Fifth edition. Los Angeles: SAGE, 275 lpp. 5.Mārtinsone, K., Pipere, A., Kamerāde, D. (2016). Pētniecība: teorija un prakse. Rīga: Raka, 546 lpp. 6.Bryman, A. (2012). Social Research Methods, 4th Edition, 809 p. 7.Sekaran U. (2009) Research Methods for Business - John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 468 lpp. |
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| Further reading | |
| 1.Autortiesību likums. Pieejams: https://likumi.lv/ta/id/5138-autortiesibu-likums
2.Hakim C. (2000) Research Design: Successful Designs for Social and Economic Research. 2nd Edition. New York: Routledge, 256 lpp. 3.Wolf C., Joye D., Smith T.W., Fu Yang-chih. (2016) The Sage Handbook of Survey Methodology. Croydon: Sage Publications Ltd, 716 lpp. 4.Willoughby D. (2015) An Essential Guide to Business Statistics. UK: John Wiley & Sons, 356 lpp. 5.Collis J., Hussey R. (2009) Business Research. A Practical Guide for Undergraduate& Postgraduate Students, London, 376 p. 6.Fisher C. (2007) Researching and writing dissertation. Second edition. – Pearson Education, 369 lpp. 7.Ghauri, P., Gronhaug, K. (2010) Research methods in Business studies, 4th edition. Prentice Hall, 288 lpp. 8.Toepoel V. (2016) Doing Surveys Online. Croydon: Sage Publications Ltd, 258 lpp. |
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| Periodicals and other sources | |
| 1.Eurostat datu bāze. Pieejams:http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat
2.Centrālā statistikas pārvalde. Pieejams:http://www.csb.gov.lv/ 3.Latvijas Zinātņu akadēmija. Pieejams:http://www.lza.lv/ 4.Izglītības un zinātnes ministrija. Pieejams:http://www.izm.gov.lv 5.Zinātniskās darbības likums. Pieejams: http://www.likumi.lv/doc.php?id=107337 6.Reģionālās attīstības indikatoru modelis. Pieejams:http://raim.gov.lv/lv/riki 7.Valsts izglītības attīstības aģentūra. Pieejams:http://www.viaa.gov.lv/lat/ 8.Finanšu ministrija. Pieejams: https://www.fm.gov.lv/lv |
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| Notes | |
| Academic Master's study programme "Sustainable Finance" | |