Guide for Research for Postgraduate Theses, Dissertations and ...

DETAILED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR EACH MAJOR AREA OF THESISEXAMINATIONNO ASSESSMENT FOCUS AND DETAILSSCOREPrinciples and procedures in scientific research (20)1 Justification and clarity of the problem statement and research objectives2 Relationship between this research and other related research criticallyexpounded.3 Is methodology appropriate, applicable, justifiable and properly described4 Provisions for variables that can influence the research outcome5 Reliability and validity of data collection instruments6 Proof that data was collected, recorded, and summarizedaccurately/carefully7 Proof of students’ knowledge of relevant data sources and their application8 Acknowledgement of inherent limitation of the research9 Justification of conclusions in view of data and their analysisFamiliarity with research methods applied within the subject discipline (15)10 Methods applied in gathering/analyzing data within the circumstances ofthe study11 Custom techniques selected justified and described in details12 Was the technique the best way to attain the research objectivesAbility to use published and other sources critically (20)13 Literature sources consulted directly relevant to the research14 Extent of literature cited being effective, up to date and authoritative15 Evidence of students’ ability to locate primary and secondary literaturesources16 Sufficient credit given to other researchers and authors17 Competence to deal with literature critically/analytically (Noecho/compilation)Scientific processing of content: Justify statements and conclusion (20)18 Systematic thought of content planning19 Justification of analyses, descriptions and explanations of phenomenonobserved20 Justification of statements formulated by the student21 Scientific justification of conclusions and their substantiation by totalcontentTechnical and linguistic editing of the thesis (15)22 Content structuring: schematization, chapter planning, annexure andbibliography23 Acceptability of style for scientific reportage (Formal and 3 rd person innature)24 Appropriate, correct and consistent referencing technique25 Suitable readability in the consistent and correct use of terminologies26 Suitability of language standard relative to the level of learning27 Editorial completeness of the thesis: no typing errors, omissions, andlanguage46