Academic methodology + effective supervision = reliable success
A Forschungsprojekt is a research project carried out during one semester or as a separate module before the Master’s thesis. It is practical training in academic research and typically includes:
Choosing a research topic
Formulating a clear research question
Preparing a research design / short proposal (Exposé)
Conducting the study or analysis
Writing a research report (usually 10–30 pages)
It is essentially a serious “rehearsal” for your Master’s thesis.
| Type | Key features |
|---|---|
| Theoretical / literature-based project | Focuses on theory and an in-depth literature review instead of collecting new data. Suitable for theoretical fields. |
| Empirical research project | Includes data collection (surveys, interviews, experiments …) and quantitative or qualitative analysis. |
| Practice-oriented project with an institution / company | Solves a real problem in a company, hospital, school or public institution; strong link to practice and career opportunities. |
| Development project (e.g. software / technical) | Aims at developing a tool, prototype, algorithm or technical system, plus full scientific documentation. |
Choose topic and supervisor
Select a topic that truly interests you and fits your profile.
Contact a potential supervisor as early as possible.
Formulate the research question
Make it specific and researchable, not overly broad.
Prepare an Exposé (short proposal)
Brief theoretical background
Research question(s)
Methodology (quantitative / qualitative / mixed)
Rough timeline
Conduct the study or analysis
Collect data or select material (texts, cases, models …).
Apply appropriate methods of analysis.
Write the research report
Introduction & problem statement
Theory & methodology
Results
Discussion
Conclusion & outlook
Presentation / colloquium (if required)
Short presentation of methods and main findings.
Choosing a topic that is too broad.
Delaying the writing phase until the very end.
Using too few or low-quality sources.
Incorrect or missing citations (risk of plagiarism).
Not communicating with your supervisor when problems arise.
Start early, even with rough ideas only.
Use reference managers like Citavi or Zotero.
Write regularly instead of doing everything last minute.
Ask for early feedback from your supervisor or peers.
Always keep backups of your files (cloud + USB).
| German term | Meaning in English |
|---|---|
| Forschungsprojekt | Research project |
| Forschungsfrage | Research question |
| Exposé | Short research proposal |
| Methodik | Methodology |
| Datenerhebung | Data collection |
| Auswertung | Data analysis / evaluation |
| Betreuer/in | Academic supervisor |
| Kolloquium | Academic presentation / colloquium |
The Forschungsprojekt in a Master’s programme is not just another assignment – it is the key step that prepares you for a confident and successful Master’s thesis:
It trains your academic thinking and questioning.
It gives you hands-on experience with research methods and data.
It provides your first serious piece of academic work for your CV.
The earlier and more seriously you approach it, the smoother your path towards your Master’s thesis will be.
The editorial team strives to provide well-researched information. However, errors or uncertainties may still occur. Please treat this text as an initial guide and always consult official university bodies and advisors for binding information.
