Choose one track. Master’s proposals target Spring 2027. Final scope and programme approval are agreed with the supervisor; bachelor scopes are suggested adaptations.
TRACK 01 · IMPLEMENTATION INCLUDED
Technical track
Develop a working solution and test whether it addresses the problem.
Possible research question
How should decision support help municipal staff allocate limited resources when forecasts and situational information are uncertain?
Suggested tasks
Read research on municipal emergency planning and compare existing solutions.
Identify one problem faced by municipal preparedness staff.
Write a research question and define what the solution should do.
Create a small flood scenario with roads, buildings and available emergency teams.
Build a planner that assigns teams and equipment, shows alternatives on a map and lets staff change the plan.
Compare the plans with a simple set of allocation rules. Measure response times and ask users to explain their choices.
Explain what worked, what did not, and how the results compare with earlier research.
Evaluation, degree scope and deliverables
Study and evaluation
Compare the implemented solution with a transparent rule-based allocation method. Combine reproducible technical tests with an appropriate empirical evaluation.
Resource coverage and constraint violations
Planning time
Understanding of uncertainty under forecast errors
Degree scope
Bachelor’s
Build an interactive planning board with scripted flood scenarios and a rule-based resource allocator. Test resource constraints and scenario usability.
Master’s
Evaluate uncertainty presentation and human override against a clear baseline under missing reports, forecast errors and resource failures.
Background
Programming
Basic data analysis
Interest in simulation or optimisation
Possible deliverables
A focused literature review, justified problem and research question
A working prototype with source code and setup instructions
A reproducible comparison and an appropriate study of use
A report explaining design lessons, results and limitations
TRACK 02 · NO IMPLEMENTATION REQUIRED
Non-technical track
Study existing systems, information or work practices. You do not need to develop software.
Possible research question
How do municipal planners use uncertain information when coordinating limited resources during an emergency?
Suggested tasks
Read earlier studies of municipal emergency planning.
Choose one problem and write a research question the study can answer.
Interview preparedness staff about incomplete reports, conflicting priorities and decision responsibility.
Facilitate a tabletop exercise with a small fictional flood scenario and existing planning materials.
Compare participants’ reasoning across alternative forecasts and resource constraints.
Analyse the interviews, observations or documents using a clearly described method. Look for disagreements as well as common patterns.
Explain the findings, compare them with earlier research and suggest practical improvements.
Evaluation, degree scope and deliverables
Study and evaluation
Use a bounded empirical study of municipal emergency planning. Justify case selection, recruitment and the analysis method. Distinguish observed behaviour from participants’ perceptions; use triangulation or a comparison where it serves the research question.
Use of uncertainty and reasons for allocation choices
Coordination needs and accountability in planning
Evidence for the findings, conflicting cases and limits of the study
Degree scope
Bachelor’s
Study one case or a small set of existing materials. Agree the interviews, documents or scenario tasks with the supervisor. Describe the method, analyse the findings and give practical recommendations.
Master’s
Use a clear research question and relevant IS theory. Justify the cases, participants and analysis method. Explain what the findings add to earlier research and where they may apply. No software development is required.
Background
Literature review and academic writing
Qualitative or quantitative research methods
Interest in municipal emergency planning; no programming prerequisite
Possible deliverables
A literature review and research question
A study plan and approved research material
An analysis supported by interviews, observations, documents or scenario results
A thesis with findings, recommendations and limitations
Scope and access
One resource type and one bounded scenario. Historical data and practitioner participation are opportunities to arrange, not assumed resources. Simulation is not operational readiness. These implementation-related limits apply when developing or testing a technical solution. For a non-technical study, agree access to participants or existing materials early, use approved or fictional cases where appropriate, and distinguish perceptions from observed outcomes.
Agree access to data, participants or existing materials and any required ethics or privacy review before committing. A non-technical track needs a systematic study, not a working prototype.
Full academic proposal
Working topic
Uncertainty-Aware Decision Support for Municipal Emergency Planning
Brief outline
This proposal examines municipal emergency planning in the work and information needs of municipal preparedness staff. The technical track combines a literature review and justified gap with requirements, design, implementation and evaluation of a bounded solution. The non-technical track investigates practices, experiences or organisational conditions through a systematic study of existing systems, documents or scenarios, without requiring implementation. Choose one track and agree the final research question, degree scope and contribution with the supervisor.
Programme fit
Information Systems. These are suggested research approaches, not a statement of confirmed programme policy. Agree the final title, track, degree scope and contribution with the supervisor and programme.
Shared research foundation
Review the literature; identify and justify a gap; formulate research questions; conduct a systematic study; analyse the evidence; explain the contribution relative to prior research and discuss limitations. The technical track additionally includes requirements, design, implementation and evaluation of an artifact.
