Process (10%
of grade)
The student was creative, resourceful, strategic, identified steps
needed to reach goals, successfully managed the project, evaluated
progress and adapted approaches.
(S)he implemented the project in a professional manner, met
regularly and collaborated well with thesis mentor/advisor and peer,
and carried the project through proactively.
Drafts were improved following advice from advisors, mentors and
peers
(S)he handled uncertain, complex, real-world problems in the lab,
field, etc. Overall evaluation:
deficient
good
outstanding Comment:
Presentations (10% of grade)
The student clearly communicated background, analysis,
interpretations and significance through oral and poster
presentations. deficient
good
outstanding
Thesis (proposal) (80% of grade) Dear reviewer: please evaluate the
thesis (proposal) by checking the appropriate boxes below and
provide more detailed comments in the
space provided below the boxes
The title is clear, compact
and to the point, it contains all key identifiers of the (proposed)
research. deficient
good
outstanding
The abstract introduces the topic
and clearly describes the main (preliminary, i.a.) findings in a
quantitative and space efficient way. deficient
good
outstanding
The introduction contains a compact
but comprehensive presentation of background and prior work in the
topic area starting broad and narrowing to a clear thesis statement.
It clearly defines the (proposed) research, and demonstrates student
capacity to locate, organize, analyze, integrate, synthesize, and
evaluate complex information from multiple and disparate sources.
Statements of fact are always properly referenced. deficient
good
outstanding
Analytical and quantitative (proposed) methods/approaches are selected adequately and
presented comprehensively and demonstrate creativity. deficient
good
outstanding
(Preliminary) results are
comprehensive and presented in a clear and organized fashion. Data
analysis is appropriate and exhaustive, including statistice where
relevant. deficient
good
outstanding
The discussion thoroughly
interprets (preliminary) results in context of the thesis statement
and properly cited studies. It fully and creatively explores
the topic and demonstrates capacity to organize, analyze, integrate,
synthesize, and evaluate complex information from multiple and
disparate sources. deficient
good
outstanding
Recommendations (broader
implications) suggests further analysis, potential
solutions to posed problems, and potential use of findings in a
broader context. deficient
good
outstanding
Writing quality - The
manuscript flows without gaps in the logic. It is well organized and
consistent with disciplinary style. Grammar is correct and there are
no typos. The style enhances the grasp of ideas and engages the
reader. Scientific terminology is adequately defined and used.
Abbreviations and acronyms are used only when absolutely necessary. deficient
good
outstanding
Figures, graphs and tables are
easy
to readandconsiderably enhance the
understanding of the material. They adequately represent key points,
have appropriate captions and are interleaved with the text. Figures
are sharp, each axis/symbol is labeled, units are included and
different symbols are legible. deficient
good
outstanding
Literature is exhaustive
and synthesized to enhance reader’s understanding of the topic and
to show the relationship of the study to the discipline. References
include relevant and up-to-date sources (at least 15 for proposal,
30 for thesis). They follow the disciplinary format and are referred
to in the text. deficient
good
outstanding