examensarbete

Examensarbete, often translated as degree project or thesis, is a substantial independent research or development assignment required to complete a higher education degree at Swedish universities. It is typically undertaken within bachelor’s or master’s programs and may be conducted individually or in small groups, depending on the program.

The work is guided by an examiner or supervisor and culminates in a written report, and often an oral presentation or defense. The project usually starts with topic selection and formulation of aims or research questions, followed by a proposal or plan, a literature review, selection of a methodological approach, data collection and analysis, interpretation of results, and a final discussion and conclusions.

A standard report structure commonly includes a title page, abstract, introduction, theory or background, methods, results, discussion, conclusions, references, and appendices. The exact format and length vary by program and field of study. In some programs, there is also a public seminar or defense as part of the evaluation.

Evaluation is conducted by examiners who assess methodological rigor, originality, relevance to the field, ethical considerations, and the quality of the written report and presentation. Requirements may specify the language of the thesis, ethical approval for research involving humans or animals, and adherence to program-specific guidelines.

Purpose and outcome: the examensarbete demonstrates the student’s ability to plan and execute a substantial project, integrate scholarly sources, communicate findings clearly, and reflect on limitations. It is often a milestone toward graduation and can serve as a basis for further study or publication.