The first module (Module 1) is designed to help you build a knowledge base. This includes structuring the topic, planning the information search and providing search terms.

The process of writing a thesis starts when you select a topic. It is a good idea to start considering the topic well in advance of the actual thesis. The topic can be related to your work-life project, a Laurea RDI project, or a development project in your internship or workplace. Your tutor and other Laurea supervisors can help you with contemplating your topic.

After the topic analysis, the actual thesis plan is drawn up. You can develop the topic analysis into a thesis plan. The key element of both, the topic analysis and the thesis plan, is the knowledge base.

The knowledge base is the theoretical basis on which a research task or a development task is placed. The knowledge base, or theoretical background, is the part of the research or thesis that describes the subject area from a justifiable perspective, drawing on source material. The knowledge base describes the essential concepts. Put the activity or project in a broader context by presenting its theoretical background and previous similar projects.

Why is the knowledge base important?

The knowledge base is meant to demonstrate how your work is connected to previous research, and it also defines the necessary concepts. It is quite literally the basis of the work and the motivation for the research.

The knowledge base is created on the basis of previous knowledge which develops into a synthesis, based on the thesis author's analysis. The author compiles the knowledge base from the most recent research and literature. The knowledge base of the thesis includes: key concepts, connection to literature on the same field, and connections to previous research as well as professional debate. The key concepts relevant to the topic are defined in the knowledge base. Other concepts can be defined in the context in which they arise.

How is the knowledge base created?

The knowledge base is a summary that is written by referring to literary sources. The student's own reflections are included, i.e. the student writes in their own words what they have read and marks the textual reference after each referenced part. Quotations without proper citation are not allowed.

Searching for literature on the topic is an important step in building the knowledge base for the thesis. For efficiency's sake it is advisable to structure the topic, consider alternative keywords, and to plan and document the process.

The dimensions of the thesis evaluation are: professional development, research and implementation, and innovativeness and creativity. Knowledge base (theoretical framework) is part of research-oriented approach and implementation (see table below) and it is evaluated as well.

Laurea's thesis assessment criteria define the importance of the knowledge base in the assessment.