Assessment guidelines for grading a Master´s thesis

Formal requirements for content and structure

The following factors are given weight when grading:

Consistency

• Whether the candidate carries out what is stated as the purpose of the thesis both in terms of theory, methodology, and analysis
• Whether there is a connection between the different parts of the thesis
• Reflection on possible continuations of the work in the research field, i.e. positioning one's own contribution in relation to existing contributions within one or more of the traditions of the field

Presentation, language and structure

• Ability to express themselves clearly and understandably in the language in which the thesis is written
• Clarity and structure of the presentation

Theme

• What is the focus on and delimitations in the paper
• Whether the formulation of the paper´s theme and research question(s) are clear and researchable within the framework of a master's thesis.

Literature (theory and previous research)

• Positioning in relation to theory and previous research in the field in a conceptual and (if relevant) empirical sense
• Through the use of literature, the candidate demonstrates an understanding of and ability to apply theory and previous research in his/her research work

Methodology and research design

• Ability to carry out the project in accordance with the current method - criteria - relationship to choices made, delimitations, and collection of literature and data

Analysis and interpretation

• Analysis rather than a description of observations

Research ethics

• Safeguarding good research practice and compliance with recognised scientific norms (in Norwegian)
• Thoroughness in handling sources and bibliography
• Use of references to original sources from the most important works that underline the basis of this thesis
• Clarified and reflected relationship with field sources

In-depth guide for the assessment of a Master's thesis in education

How the sensor commission weighs the factors mentioned above may vary slightly according to whether it is a practice based, empirical based, design-oriented or theoretical work. The general requirements for a Master's thesis will mainly be the same, but the more specific assessment criteria will vary slightly, depending on the purpose of the thesis and the research tradition within which the project it is associated with.

On the one hand, the assessment of a Master's thesis will emphasize the more artisanal aspects of the thesis, such as professional form of presentation, analytical techniques and correct referencing. On the other hand, the assessment will emphasize the degree of professional insight, independence and innovation. An overall impression is ultimately decisive.

Grade level

The Master's thesis is assessed and graded according to a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is fail. See the Norwegian Board of Higher Education's generic grade description for master's work/assignments (2018) (in Norwegian).

Academic descriptions for the grade level given to a Master's theses in pedagogy

Grade A

The Master's thesis's research question(s) are clearly formulated and delimited in a very convincing way. The candidate documents very good knowledge of applying relevant theory, previous research, or any other relevant framework of interpretation, in a convincing way. However, it cannot be required that a Master’s thesis (equivalent to 45 credits) should give a particularly comprehensive presentation of relevant theory and empirical data. The choice of research approach, method and selection of informants/sources for data is very appropriate and very well justified.  The research process is precisely described, and methodological reflections on validity and credibility are at a very high level. If it is relevant to the topic of the thesis, it is fully documented and reflected in the fact that privacy and data security considerations have been taken into account. Results are presented systematically and transparently, and in a form that corresponds to the nature of the material. Own results are interpreted and discussed in an independent and reflective manner in light of theoretical perspectives, relevant research and/or another framework of interpretation. There is a very clear and good connection between all parts of the thesis. The candidate fully masters the formal aspects, and the presentation is characterized by being thoroughly worked. The language is precise and easy to understand.

Grade B

The Master’s thesis's research question(s) are clearly formulated and delimited. The candidate documents good knowledge of and presents and applies relevant theory, previous research, or any other relevant framework of interpretation, in an orderly manner. The choice of research approach, method and selection of informants/sources for data is appropriate and well justified. The research process is precisely described, and methodological reflections on validity and credibility are at a high level. If it is relevant to the topic of the thesis, it is fully documented that privacy and data security considerations are taken into account. Results are presented systematically and transparently. The candidate´s own results are interpreted and discussed in a reasonably independent manner in light of theoretical perspectives, relevant research and/or other interpretation frameworks. There is a good correlation between all parts of the thesis. The candidate masters the formal aspects well, and the presentation is well worked out. The language used is mostly precise and easy to understand.

Grade C

The research question(s) of the Master’s thesis are satisfactorily formulated and delimited.

The candidate documents knowledge of relevant theory, previous research, or any other relevant framework of interpretation. The choice of research approach, method and selection of informants/sources for data is for the most part appropriate and satisfactory justified. The research process has been described, and a certain methodical reflection on validity and credibility is documented. If it is relevant to the topic of the thesis, it has been documented that privacy and data security considerations have been taken into account. Results are presented in a satisfactory way. The candidate displays some interpretation and discussion of their own results in light of theoretical perspectives, relevant research and/or other framework of interpretation. There is a satisfactory context in the thesis. The candidate mostly masters the formal aspects. The language is at an acceptable level, but at times somewhat imprecise.

Grade D

The research question(s) of the thesis are somewhat unclear and not very precise. Presentation and the use of theory, previous research and/or other frameworks of interpretation is inadequate and to some extent problematic in relation to the research question(s) and results. The choice of research approach, method and selection of informants/sources for data is for the most part acceptable. The research process is somewhat inadequately described, and insufficient methodical reflection on validity and credibility is documented. If it is relevant to the topic of the thesis, it is for the most part satisfactorily documented that privacy and data security considerations are safeguarded. Results are presented fairly satisfactorily. Efforts have been made to discuss the candidates own results in light of theoretical perspectives, previous research and/or other framework of interpretation. The relationship between the different parts of the thesis is unclear. The candidate masters the formal aspects below medium, and the presentation is sometimes not worked through. The language is often imprecise and less good.

Grade E

The research question(s) of the Master’s thesis are unclear. Presentation and use of theory and previous research, or other backgrounds, is poor. The choice of approach, method and research process is inadequately described, little reflected upon and approaches the limit of the unacceptable. If it is relevant to the topic of the thesis, the candidate has to some extent or inadequately documented that privacy and data security considerations have been taken into account. Results are presented in an unsuitable and/or unsystematic manner, and they are not discussed adequately. The relationship between different parts of the thesis is weak. The candidate masters the formal aspects poorly. The language is often imprecise and less good.

Grade F (failed)

The Master’s thesis lacks satisfactory research questions. Knowledge of relevant theory and empirical data is characterized by chance, and the candidate has not applied theory and methodology properly. The candidate masters very poorly formal aspects of academic work. The language is often imprecise and less good. The thesis does not document or prove that privacy and data security considerations are safeguarded.

Oral exam

The thesis must be passed in order for the oral examination to be carried out. The examiners set a preliminary grade for the written part before the oral exam. The oral exam consists of an academic discussion of approx. 45 minutes about different aspects of the thesis. Initially, the student starts with a 5-minute presentation/reflection on the Master’s thesis. The remaining time is used for academic discussion that can be linked to methodological and theoretical choices, analysis strategy and findings. Research ethics issues can also be discussed.

The oral exam is an individual test. 

The preliminary and overall grade is given after the oral examination. The oral exam has an adjusting function. This means that the Master’s thesis weighs heaviest in the grading. The grade can be adjusted up or down with one grade. During the oral exam, an overall explanation for the grade is also given. Only the overall grade is published in your Studentweb/transcripts. 

Explanation of grade and appeals

The reason for the grade for the written paper is given during the oral exam. It is the grade on the written part that forms the basis for any complaint. The deadline for appeal starts from the time the student has received the explanation. The deadline for appealing against censorship is three weeks after the grade is announced. Since the explanation for the written part is given during the oral exam, the deadline for appeal runs from that day. Students who fail the written assignment can request an explanation and appeal in the usual way.

If the appeal censorship changes the preliminary grade on the written part, the appeal commission will be re-conducted orally. If the grade does not change, no new oral exam will be held.