8. Bachelor Thesis at IU – Study Notes (IU 2020)

The Bachelor Thesis at IU marks the completion of academic studies. It is a detailed research project where students process what they have learned during their studies and generate new knowledge in a specific area.
Most of the work is done independently, though supervisors provide guidance.
Requires discipline, organization, and careful work (IU, 2020).
The thesis is also an opportunity to connect theory with professional practice, making it useful for future careers.
Students should read the Thesis Handbook in the myCampus course “Information Thesis in General” for all important details about the process, from topic selection to submission (IU, 2020).

A bachelor thesis should show that students can:

A typical bachelor thesis includes:

Title page – university name, degree, thesis title, author, supervisor, submission date
Acknowledgements – optional, thank people who contributed
Abstract – short summary ($\sim 200$ words) with key results and keywords
Table of contents – list of chapters and sub-chapters
List of figures/tables, abbreviations, glossary – if needed
Body of the thesis – main chapters:
- Introduction (purpose, objectives, research questions)
- Literature review (critical analysis of relevant sources)
- Research methodology (how research was conducted)
- Research findings (results presented objectively)
- Interpretation & discussion (link findings to theory and suggest actions)
- Conclusion & outlook (summarize findings, suggest future research)
Appendix – detailed materials like surveys, tables, interview transcripts
Affidavit/Declaration of authenticity – mandatory for evaluation
Each section has a specific role. For example, the introduction explains the goals and structure, the literature review analyzes previous work, the methodology details how research was done, and the results are presented clearly without interpretation. Interpretation and recommendations follow in a separate section, linking the findings back to theory and practice (IU, 2020).
Important Notes: The appendix contains extra but important materials; each item is labeled (Appendix A, B, etc.).

Element/Length: Dependent on course of study
Paper size: $\text{DIN-A4}$
Margins: Top $2\text{ cm}$ ; Bottom $2\text{ cm}$ ; Left $2\text{ cm}$ ; Right $2\text{ cm}$
Font: General text $\text{Arial }11\text{ pt}$ ; Headings $\text{12 pt}$ ; justified
Line spacing: $1.5$
Sentence structure: justified, auto-hyphenation
Footnotes: Arial $10\text{ pt}$ , justified
Paragraphs: 6 pt space after line break
Chapter/section levels: Maximum three levels – 1. Main heading, 1.1 Section, 1.1.1 Subheading
Numbering: Only chapters are numbered consecutively; other sections (e.g., figures, bibliography) are not numbered
Text styling: Do not use underline; italics only sparingly to emphasize passages
The affidavit is the last page; without it, the thesis cannot be graded and may fail
By following these guidelines, students can produce a structured, professional, and academically sound bachelor thesis that also supports their future career (IU, 2020).
Formal Requirements for the Text: Here’s a clear table version of your formatting guidelines: Bachelor Thesis Supervision – IU (2020)
When writing a bachelor thesis, the supervisor is available to give feedback and answer questions, but the work itself must be done independently by the student. The thesis is part of a distance learning program, so students need good self-organization and professionalism.

The supervisor provides feedback and answers questions, but final work must be completed independently by the student.
The thesis is part of a distance learning program, so self-organization and professionalism are essential.
Meetings and preparation are expected as part of the process.

Students should prepare for meetings, send materials in advance by email, and communicate with the supervisor through email, Teams, or Zoom, similar to a professional work environment.
More details about the bachelor thesis and guidance can be found in the Thesis Handbook in the course “Information Thesis General” on myCampus (IU, 2020).

The thesis links theory to practice, supporting preparation for professional work after graduation.
Ethical considerations include the mandatory Affidavit/Declaration of authenticity required for evaluation.
The document emphasizes independence, organization, and rigorous methodology as foundational practices for academic and professional success.
The Thesis Handbook on myCampus is the go-to resource for topic selection, process steps, and submission procedures (IU, 2020).

Emphasizes scientific methods and objective presentation of findings.
Encourages critical analysis and interpretation in light of existing theory.
Provides a framework that mirrors professional project work, including documentation, peer review, and formal communication.
The explicit structure (Introduction, Literature Review, Methodology, Findings, Interpretation, Conclusion, Appendix) aligns with standard research practices across disciplines.

IU, 2020. The Bachelor Thesis at IU (overview, objectives, structure, formatting).
Thesis Handbook in the myCampus course “Information Thesis in General” (topic selection to submission).

Abstract length: $\sim 200\text{ words}$
Title page contents: university name, degree, thesis title, author, supervisor, submission date
Font sizes: general text $11\text{ pt}$ , headings $12\text{ pt}$
Margins: $2\text{ cm}$ on all sides
Paper size: $\text{DIN-A4}$
Line spacing: $1.5$
Chapter levels: up to three levels (1; 1.1; 1.1.1)
Digits of labeling: only chapters are numbered consecutively
Last page requirement: Affidavit/Declaration of authenticity
Language: English (as indicated by the document context)

Read the Thesis Handbook early in the process (myCampus, “Information Thesis in General”).
Choose a topic that allows independent work and aligns with learning objectives.
Plan timelines to ensure time-bound analysis, interpretation, and defense of results.
Prepare each section with a clear role in mind (as described above).
Maintain professional communication with the supervisor; prepare for meetings and share materials in advance.
Ensure formatting compliance: DIN-A4, margins 2 cm, Arial 11 pt (12 pt headings), 1.5 line spacing, justified text, proper use of footnotes, and proper labeling of appendices.
Include the mandatory Affidavit as the last page to avoid grading issues.

Thesis Handbook in the myCampus course “Information Thesis in General” (IU, 2020).
Overview document: Bachelor Thesis at IU (IU, 2020).

This summary captures the major and minor points presented across Pages 1–4 of the transcript, including structure, objectives, formatting, process, and practical guidance for completing a bachelor thesis at IU (2020).