Content

Depending on the contents and objectives of the MD, the Final Report may have three types of structure, which are presented below. One of them should be chosen accordingly.

 

A. If the MD is oriented to the development of a small research, it will consist of the following parts:

 

1. Presentation of the research question and objectives

The initial research question and the construction of the research problem will be presented. The interest of the research will also be justified, and the general and specific objectives will be presented.

2. Theoretical Framework

The theoretical framework will present, a priori, two types of content. On the one hand, the state of the quetion addressed will be shown, that is, those scientific publications that deal with the object of study and/or problems raised in the TFM will be reviewed. On the other hand, the relevant theoretical concepts will be reviewed and the theoretical construction of the problem to be studied will be addressed. These two parts are flexible, and the tutor can recommend, depending on the existing literature or depending on the problem addressed, to give more focus to one or the other; or even concentrate only on one of the two parts.

3. Analysis Model

In this section, the research questions or hypotheses will be presented. These questions or hypotheses must be explicitly stated and explained, and must be susceptible to empirical testing. In addition, a diagram of the analysis model will be presented in which the relationships between the main concepts used in the work are made explicit. This diagram of the analysis model may also represent the main hypotheses of the work, in the case of proposing hypotheses in the MD. In case of using quantitative methods, the operationalization of the main concepts will also be presented in this section. In case of using qualitative methods, the main blocks of the interview, discussion group or observation protocol will be presented.

4. Methodology

In this section the type of research design that has been carried out (qualitative, quantitative or mixed) will be explained. The section will present also what have been the most important decisions of this research design and how these decisions are justified. In relation to data collection methods, these may be of a statistical nature, or be based on the use of documents, interviews, discussion groups or observations. The section must explicitly justify why the chosen methods are used, as well as the methodological advantages and disadvantages of the decisions adopted. It will also be necessary to describe the field work carried out, in case of using your own data. In relation to the data analysis, it will be necessary to explicitly indicate what type of specific analysis has been adopted and what has been the procedure followed.

5. Analysis / Results

In this section, all the data processing carried out must appear. If the length of the analysis implies exceeding the number of pages recommended for the report a short summary will be presented and the complete analysis will appear in an annex. The data analysis should lead to a concrete answer to the research questions posed (or to verify the hypotheses of the research).

6. Conclusions

In this section, the argumentation made in the theoretical section of work should be summarized and a summary and discussion of the results should be presented. The elements that have not been empirically verified and the theoretical and methodological issues that remain open for a possible future development of new research should also be pointed out.

7. Bibliography

8. Appendix

It should contain: Statistical sources: variables, tables, graphs. Register of any qualitative information used. Analysis carried out in the case where only a summary has been presented in the results section.

 

Length (excluding Appendix): 10,000 words (30-35 pages with 1.5 line spacing).

 

B. A. If the MD is oriented to the evaluation of a policy, it will consist of the following parts:

 

1. Presentation of the research question and objectives of the study

The construction of the problem and the objectives of the evaluation will be presented. The interest of the evaluation, its relevance and some general and specific objectives will also be justified.

2.Theoretical Framework

The theoretical framework will contain, a priori, two types of information. On the one hand, the estate of the issue addressed will be shown, that is, those scientific publications that deal with the object of study and/or problems raised in the MD will be reviewed. On the other hand, the relevant theoretical concepts will be reviewed and the theoretical construction of the core problem on which the evaluation is to be carried out will be addressed. These two parts are flexible, and the tutor can recommend, depending on the existing literature or depending on the problem addressed, giving more focus to one or the other, or even concentrating only on one of the two parts.

3. Theory of change

In this section the pertinent evaluation questions will be presented, consistent with the problems raised. The theory of change will also be developed (summary of the elements to be considered in the construction of the intervention, target population, inputs, outputs, outcomes...).

4. Methodology

This section will present, first, the type of methodological design of the evaluation carried out (qualitative, quantitative or mixed) and what the most important decisions of this design have been. As for the sources of information (data collection), these may be of a statistical nature, based on the use of documents, interviews, discussion groups or observations. The section must explicitly justify why these sources are used, as well as the methodological advantages and disadvantages of the decisions adopted. It will also be necessary to describe the field work carried out, in case of using own data. In relation to the analysis of the data obtained, it should also be explicitly stated what type of orientation has been adopted and what has been the procedure followed.

5. Analysis / Results Obtained

In this section, all the data processing carried out should appear. If this analysis involves exceeding the number of pages indicated for the report, a summary will be presented (in this second case, the complete analysis will appear in the appendix). The data analysis should lead to identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the evaluated public policy, based on the variables identified in the literature.

6. Conclusions

They should summarize the objectives of the evaluation carried out and explain to what extent these objectives have been achieved. You should also point out the elements that have not been empirically verified and the (possible) limitations of the work. It will also be necessary to compare the results obtained with the reviewed literature and discuss the (possible) differences detected.

7. Bibliography

8. Appendix

They must contain: Statistical sources: variables, tables, graphs. Recording of any qualitative information used. Analysis performed in the case where only a summaryhas been presented in the results section.

 

Length (excluding Appendix): 10,000 words (30-35 pages one and a half spaces).

 

 

C. If the MD is oriented to the elaboration of an intervention project, the workwill consist of the following parts:

 

1. Presentation of the research problem and justification of its interest

Every intervention project starts with a concern and / or need. The first section of the MD must contextualize the relevance of the topic and define the intervention assignment (objectives, priorities...).

2. Theoretical basis of the intervention

This section will address the theoretical perspective that guides the intervention. In other words, this is the place where the review of the literature that will guide the design of the intervention will be presented. On the one hand, the state of the issue addressed will be shown, that is, those scientific publications that deal with the problems raised in the MD will be reviewed. On the other hand, the relevant theoretical concepts will be reviewed and the theoretical construction of the core problem on which it is desired to intervene will be addressed. These two parts are flexible and the tutor may recommend, depending on the existing literature or depending on the problem addressed, giving more focus to one or the other, or even concentrating only on one of the two parts.

3. Methodology

This section will explain what type of methodological design (qualitative, quantitative or mixed) has been followed to identify the problem or need on which it is desired to intervene and the most important decisions of this methodological design. Regarding the sources of information (data collection), these may be of a statistical nature, based on the use of documents, interviews, discussion groups or observations. The section must explicitly justify why these sources are used, as well as the methodological advantages and disadvantages of the decisions adopted.

4. Diagnosis

The diagnosis will include the characterization of the phenomenon or situation on which it is proposed to intervene, the identification of the actors involved and other contextual information that is relevant, based on secondary data, documentary analysis and, if necessary, interviews with the actors. This section should identify also the critical points that justify the need for intervention. If pertinent, references to previous experiences related to the phenomenon addressed, both in the context object of the work and in others, will be included.

5. Intervention plan or programme

This section should show how the needs identified in the intervention context are met, based on the variables identified in the literature. It will contain a presentation of the proposed policy or program, objectives, definition of the target population, details of the projects and actions that it comprises, its content, its timing and the actors involved in its implementation. It is advisable to synthesize this section, where appropriate, in tables, graphs or infographics, for example, making a diagram that explains the theory of change that is the basis of the intervention.

6. Design of the programme evaluation

This section will describe the type of evaluation proposed (on the implementation, outcome or impact of the program) and will briefly introduce its proposed design, methods and evaluation tools. 

7. Bibliography

8. Appendix

Statistical sources: variables, tables, graphs. Record of any qualitative information used. Detail of the actions of the intervention programme, if applicable.

 

Length (excluding Appendix): 10,000 words (30-35 pages with 1.5 line spacing).