Theoretical Background of your Master's Thesis

Importance of the Theoretical Background in the Master's Thesis

The theoretical background in a master's thesis shows that you understand the most important theories and concepts in your research field and how your own work is embedded in the current state of research. It creates the scientific basis on which your research is based.

• Demonstrates your engagement with current theories and models
• Anchors your research in existing scientific knowledge
• Serves as a basis for developing your own research question

Structure and Organization of the Theoretical Background

A well-structured theoretical framework is usually oriented towards the central concepts of your research question. The following points should be considered:

• Definition of central terms and theories
• Discussion of relevant studies and theoretical models
• Comparison of different approaches in the literature
• Integration of theories into your own research

Tips for a successful theoretical framework in your Master's thesis

To create a convincing theoretical framework, you should focus on clarity, structure, and relevance:

• Structure the framework clearly according to the central concepts of your work
• Use literature to point out existing research gaps
• Show how your research brings new perspectives to the topic area
• Formulate precisely and avoid unnecessary complexity

Application of theories and models

It is important not only to name the theories and models, but also to clarify their relevance to your research. Here's an example of how you can incorporate this into your master's thesis:

"In her analysis of work motivation (Schmidt, 2018), the author describes that flexible working hours significantly increase employee engagement. This theory is used in the present master's thesis to examine the effects of flexible working time models in the IT industry."

By applying such theories, you demonstrate how your research is embedded in and further develops existing scientific discussions.

Important notes for the theoretical background in the Master's thesis

• The theoretical framework should make up 30-40% of your master's thesis constitute
• Use a consistent citation style to correctly identify your sources to mark
• Don't go into too much detail on methodological questions - that belongs in the methodology section