Bachelor thesis

Below you will find an exemplary step-by-step guide with helpful information about the Bachelor's thesis, which should make it easier for you to find your way around. Please also refer to your respective examination regulations and the module handbook, which set out the formal regulations!

In the course of the 5th semester

Which subject might interest me?

• Find out about possible topics from the subject areas via the websites or in person (e.g. by e-mail, in the courses). Specific questions or subject areas are suggested. You can also discuss your own ideas with the potential supervisor.

Who will supervise me?

• Professors and research assistants of the Institute of Psychology may supervise and review the thesis, whereby one of the two reviewers must hold a professorship. As a rule, one of the two persons is responsible for the main supervision. An overview of the subject areas can be found here.
• An external reviewer can only be admitted with the approval of the examination board. The (informal) request should be made before registering the Bachelor's thesis. The external reviewer must have at least a Bachelor's degree in psychology.
  External reviewers without a degree in psychology (e.g. medicine) are only permitted in exceptional cases and with the approval of the examination board. In this case, the topic of the thesis must have a clearly recognizable psychological focus.
  In the case of an external first reviewer, the research design in the form of an exposé must be discussed with the Professor in Kassel before registering the thesis. The second reviewer must be a professor from the IfP.

At the end of the 5th semester

How do I register the Bachelor's thesis?

• In consultation with the supervisors, you decide on a topic and determine a title.
• Register your Bachelor's thesis by April 1 (summer semester) or October 1 (winter semester) at the latest via the Examination Board using the form.

Have I fulfilled all the requirements for registration?

• The topic of the Bachelor's thesis is issued by the Examination Board at the earliest after 150 credits have been earned or at the beginning of the sixth semester.

At the beginning of the 6th semester

When can I finally start?

• The official issue of the topic is considered binding admission and takes place by April 15 (summer semester) or October 15 (winter semester). In exceptional cases, you can apply to the Examination Board for other deadlines via a hardship case.
• At this time, the Bachelor's thesis should also be noted as registered in your transcript of records - please check this.

Laptop?

The institute has 15 laptops that can be borrowed temporarily to work on your Bachelor's thesis. If you need such a laptop, please contact hiwi-ifp[at]uni-kassel[dot]de. The following programs are installed on the laptops:

• MS Office
• SPSS
• R
• E-Prime - only programmable in the institute laboratories (INCON building)
• Inquisit

What do I do if I have methodological problems and questions?

Your supervisors will of course also help you with methodological questions. Otherwise, you are welcome to use the student methods advice service for questions about statistical analysis or R.

At the end of the 6th semester

How much time do I have for my Bachelor's thesis?

• The Bachelor's thesis must be submitted within 16 weeks from the day the topic is announced (for extensions / exceptions: see examination regulations).

How long should my Bachelor's thesis be and is there anything else I need to bear in mind?

• The length should be approx. 30-40 pages (line spacing: 1.5). Discuss the exact format requirements with your supervisor.
• Enclose a declaration of independence.
• Observe the formal design rules (DGPs or APA)!

• Self-declaration on the use of AI: AI tools should always be cited, just like other aids and sources. In addition, the AI functions used should be described in a short declaration. Please follow the guidelines of the University of Basel:

  https://dslw.philhist.unibas.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/dslw/Dokumente/MA-Studium/MSG_Sprache_und_Kommunikation/Leitfaden_KI_De_Eng_.pdf

• Criteria for the assessment of the Bachelor's thesis
  (review template that can be used by the reviewer).

In what form and to whom do I submit my Bachelor's thesis?

• Hand in the Bachelor's thesis on time as a bound written copy and also on a data carrier to the Examination Board (Institute of Psychology, R. 2112: Ms. Braun). Please enclose a raw data set of all test subjects with a clear description of the variables or a file in which the variables are clearly explained. Clarify with your two reviewers in good time whether they would also like a bound written copy or an electronic version of your work including the data set. Please send the electronic version to your reviewers by e-mail on the day of submission. If the deadline falls on a public holiday or weekend, the paper must be submitted digitally by the deadline. Please also contact Ms. Braun/the examination office CC. The bound thesis must be submitted to the Examinations Office by 12:00 noon on the following working day at the latest; if it is submitted late, the thesis will be graded as "failed" without exception

Can I register my Bachelor's thesis later?

• In principle, this is possible (see registration deadlines in the winter and summer semesters).

What can I do if I have not submitted my thesis on time or have not passed?

• You can register a new assignment in the following semester. You have a total of two attempts to pass the module.
• If the next registration deadline is too short, please apply to the Examination Board for an amended registration deadline.