The thesis is evaluation in light of the course's intended learning outcomes:
- You display an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the chosen assessment, measurement and evaluation topic
- Your thesis forms a clear argument that results from a complete, planned out, and organized research study
- You effectively organize your thesis and manage to communicate the essence of your study
- Data-analyses and interpretation of results further underscore your independent research competence in issues related to assessment, measurement and evaluation.
A holistic grade evaluation of the dissertation is made, where the heaviest weight lies with the core contents provided by the written journal article. Below, descriptive standards are provided together with their approximate importance (weight in %) for the holistic evaluation.
The Popular abstract (5%)
The popular abstract functions as a stand-alone snapshot and written for communication to a lay audience. It provides context for the study by explaining the bigger picture and the relevance of this particular study. The potential implications of the results should be outlined without overselling the findings.
The Title and abstract (5%)
The Title and abstract are stand-alone and self-contained. The abstract concisely summarizes the research purpose and contribution of the study but also includes all key information on study design, data, and methods used. Keywords should be chosen adequately to make the article easily retrievable.
The Introduction (20%)
The introduction describes the study’s general and particular background and motivates the focus and relevance of the study. Here the key concepts and terminology are defined, and current state-of-the art sketched, including relevant citations concerning key studies in the literature. The introduction builds up to the problem and/or research questions addressed in the study and sets the stage for subsequent sections of the article.
The Method (20%)
The method describes the study design in more detail in consideration of the research purpose and questions. Choices for each of the study components (sample, measures, statistical analysis, …) are precisely described and justified, to the extent that it allows for the reproducibility of the study and for insight into the reasoning and argumentation behind the resulting study design and operationalization.
The Results (20%)
The results accurately describe the outcomes of the data-analytical approach and represent these through effective Figures and/or Tables in correspondence to the study design and research questions. Results are not mere listings of numbers but are sufficiently contextualized and neutrally interpreted to be meaningful to readers and help them understand the findings.
The Discussion (20%)
The discussion revisits the study’s key results in view of its research questions and existing knowledge, highlighting the place in and contribution to the literature in the process.
Possible implications for theory and practice are discussed in light of the study’s limitations. A forward-looking statement concludes the discussion.
Althrough writing style (10%)
The althrough writing style will not be the core of your grade (contents is the core), it will indirectly impact all other aspects of your text. Hence,
- Be clear, concise, accurate, and engaging
- Define and use appropriate terminology for your topic and be consistent in the its use
- Ensure proper grammar and spelling
- Ensure that you are in line with the formal requirements for the thesis
Thus, the essential key criterion is whether a structured, easy to follow, and logical line of argumentation has been successfully built throughout the whole thesis and in each (sub) section of the thesis.