Title: Designing a Thesis Supervision Model: Combining Individual, Group and Cohort Activities to Support Thesis Finalisation Self-efficacy

Authors: 
Laivi Laidroo - Department of Economics and Finance, TalTech
Kätlin Vanari - Tallinn University

Abstract:

Although undergraduate thesis finalisation tends to improve when individual and group supervision activities are combined, theoretical justification for such combinations and evaluation of their sub-components' comparative impact on student progression remain limited. To address this gap, we introduce the concept of thesis finalisation self-efficacy (TFSE), defined as the students' belief in their ability to finalise a thesis. We explore the application of the TFSE-supporting supervision model, combining individual and group supervision activities alongside preparatory cohort activities, within an undergraduate business administration programme at a public university in Estonia. A five-stage design research was used, incorporating survey and interview data from participating students and supervisors. The results show that the TFSE-supporting supervision model was perceived as supporting TFSE through vicarious experiences provided by group meetings, mastery experiences derived from supervisor feedback on thesis plans and drafts, and verbal persuasion by the supervisor during group meetings. Activities aimed at improving students' abilities across the cohort and peer interactions outside of group meetings were perceived to have a comparatively weaker impact. Nevertheless, complementing traditional individual supervision with group supervision and cohort activities, such as the thesis seminar course, proved beneficial.

The public research seminars of the Department of Economics and Finance (DEF) at Tallinn University of Technology  usually take place on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month both in onsite and online format, unless announced otherwise. The seminar will last one hour, presentation will last approximately 45 minutes followed by 15 minutes of discussion. The seminars are held in English. Questions about the seminar can be sent to the seminar coordinator Karsten Staehr karsten.staehr@taltech.ee