AI & thesis writing

Josefina Sipinen (Tampere University): Insights from Workshop “AI in Bachelor Thesis Writing”

This case study examined how AI can support political science students in writing their bachelor’s theses by helping them structure their research process and manage stress.

At the Politics Unit of Tampere University, the bachelor’s thesis is typically 20–30 pages long and serves as the final assignment for intermediate studies. It may be purely theoretical or include an empirical component.

The pilot workshop was held in February 2025, after students had completed three introductory lessons on thesis writing but before they presented their research plans in a seminar. In retrospect, it became evident that the workshop would have been more effective if scheduled after students had presented their research plans. At that point, they would have had preliminary insights into their topics, making the use of AI tools more meaningful and targeted.

The learning outcomes focused on strengthening students’ research and project management skills. AI was introduced as a supportive tool to help them refine research topics, identify relevant literature, select suitable methods, and break complex research tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. This approach aimed to reduce stress and procrastination.

The workshop focused on four key areas where AI could be beneficial:

1. Formulating Research Questions – Ensuring appropriate scope for bachelor’s thesis and refining focus.
2. Clarifying the Phenomenon Under Study – Encouraging discussions about key concepts.
3. Structuring the Theoretical Framework – Identifying essential questions for the theoretical framework.
4. Developing an Analysis Plan – Operationalizing variables, selecting data sources, and structuring the analysis.