LibGuides: Centria Guide for Thesis and Academic Writing: Research-based thesis

Starting point for the thesis

Starting point for the thesis	Satisfactory 1	Satisfactory 2	Good 3	Good 4	Excellent 5
Purpose and objectives Working life orientation Significance and topicality of the subject Defining the subject of study	The purpose and objectives can be discerned, but are unorganized. The subject of study has been weakly defined. The significance of the subject has been argued for poorly, or not at all. The report has not been connected to previous information or discussion on the topic.	The purpose and objectives are realistic, but unorganized. The subject definition has flaws. The significance of the work is only partly argued for. The report has been restrictively connected to previous information and discussion on the topic.	The purpose and objectives are mostly clear and realistic. The subject of study is generally defined. The significance of the work is mostly argued for. The report has been connected to previous information and discussion on the topic.	The purpose and objectives are clear and realistic. The subject of study is well defined. The significance of the work is well argued for. The report has been well connected to previous information and discussion on the topic.	The purpose and objectives are very clear and realistic. The objectives have led to practical applications in an excellent way. The subject of study is very well defined. The significance of the work is exceptionally well argued for. The work has been connected to previous information and discussion on the topic in an excellent and innovative way.

Starting point for the thesis

Satisfactory 1

Satisfactory 2

Good 3

Good 4

Excellent 5

Purpose and objectives

Working life orientation

Significance and topicality of the subject

Defining the subject of study

The purpose and objectives can be discerned,
but are unorganized.

The subject of study has been weakly defined.

The significance of the subject has been argued
for poorly, or not at all.

The report has not been connected to previous information or discussion
on the topic.

The purpose and objectives are realistic, but unorganized.

The subject definition has flaws.

The significance
of the work is only partly argued for.

The report has been restrictively
connected to previous information and discussion on the topic.

The purpose and objectives are mostly clear and realistic.

The subject of study is generally defined.

The significance of the work is mostly argued for.

The report has been connected to previous information and discussion on
the topic.

The purpose and objectives are clear and realistic.

The subject of study is well defined.

The significance of the work is well argued for.

The report has been well connected to previous information and
discussion on the topic.

The purpose and
objectives are very clear and realistic.

The objectives
have led to practical applications in an
excellent way.

The subject of study is
very well defined.

The significance of
the work is exceptionally
well argued for.

The work has been connected to previous information and
discussion on the topic in an excellent and innovative way.

Theoretical framework and references

Theoretical framework and references	Satisfactory 1	Satisfactory 2	Good 3	Good 4	Excellent 5
Concept definitions Logic and consistency of contents Diverse use of source materials Critical approach to source materials Conversation between sources	The most central concepts are defined insufficiently. The subject knowledge is inadequate. The theoretical framework does not proceed logically. The use of sources is limited and/ or the sources are used narrowly. There is no critical approach to the source materials and no conversation between different sources.	The most central concepts are satisfactorily defined. The theoretical framework does not proceed logically in all respects. The use of sources is, in parts, lacking and narrow. There is not always a critical approach to the source materials and only little conversation between different sources.	Key concepts are rather well defined. The theoretical framework proceeds logically in general. Sources have mostly been used in a diverse and critical way. There is some conversation between the different sources used.	Key concepts are well defined. The theoretical framework proceeds logically. Sources have been used in a diverse and critical way. There is enough conversation between the sources used.	Key concepts are very well defined. The theoretical framework proceeds especially logically. Sources have been used in a very diverse and critical way. There is plenty of meaningful conversation between the sources used.

Theoretical framework and references

Satisfactory 1

Satisfactory 2

Good 3

Good 4

Excellent 5

Concept definitions

Logic and consistency of contents

Diverse use of source materials

Critical approach to source materials

Conversation between sources

The most central concepts are defined insufficiently.

The subject knowledge is inadequate.

The theoretical framework does not proceed logically.

The use of sources is limited and/ or the sources are used narrowly.

There is no critical approach to the source materials and no conversation between different sources.

The most central concepts are satisfactorily defined.

The theoretical framework
does not proceed logically
in all respects.

The use of sources is,
in parts, lacking and narrow.

There is not always a
critical approach to the source materials and only little conversation
between different sources.

Key concepts are rather well defined.

The theoretical framework proceeds logically in general.

Sources have mostly been used in a diverse and critical way.

There is some conversation between the different sources used.

Key concepts are well defined.

The theoretical framework proceeds logically.

Sources have been used in a diverse and critical way.

There is enough conversation between the sources used.

Key concepts are very well defined.

The theoretical framework proceeds especially logically.

Sources have been used in a very diverse and critical way.

There is plenty of meaningful conversation between the sources used.

Research method and analysis

Research method and analysis	Satisfactory 1	Satisfactory 2	Good 3	Good 4	Excellent 5
Formulation of research question(s) or problem(s)	The research questions or problems are unorganized.	The research questions or problems are unorganized or unclear in parts.	The research questions or problems are mainly well-formed.	The research questions or problems are well-formed.	The research questions or problems are very well-formed.
Justification for choices	The solutions made are inadequately justified or not justified at all.	The solutions made are satisfactorily justified.	The solutions made are mostly well-justified.	The choices made are well-justified.	The choices made are justified exceptionally well.
Command of research method and analysis	The command of research method and analysis is insufficient.	The command of research method and analysis is partly insufficient.	The command of research method and analysis is mostly good.	The command of research method and analysis is good.	The command of research method and analysis is impressive.
Use of research literature	The use of research literature is limited or non-existent.	The use of research literature is not always appropriate and/ or the sources are used narrowly.	The use of research literature is mainly adequate and diversified.	The use of research literature is adequate and diversified.	The use of research literature is excellent, critical and very diversified.

Thesis results

Thesis results	Satisfactory 1	Satisfactory 2	Good 3	Good 4	Excellent 5
Answering the research question(s) or problem(s)	The thesis results do not answer the research question(s) or problem(s) in an adequate way.	The thesis results partly answer the research question(s) or problem(s).	The thesis results mostly answer the research question(s) or problem(s).	The thesis results answer the research question(s) or problem(s) well.	The thesis results answer the research question(s) or problem(s) very well.
Consistency	The thesis results are presented inconsistently.	The thesis results are presented somewhat inconsistently.	The thesis results are mostly presented consistently.	The thesis results are presented consistently.	The thesis results are presented very consistently.
Use of illustrative material	The illustrative material of the work is non-existent or does not add value.	The illustrative material is suitable for the nature of the work, but adds only little value.	The illustrative material is suitable for the nature of the work and mainly adds value.	The illustrative material is suitable for the nature of the work and clearly adds value.	The illustrative material is suitable for the nature of the work and adds significant value.

Discussion and reflection

Discussion and reflection	Satisfactory 1	Satisfactory 2	Good 3	Good 4	Excellent 5
Discussion about results in relation to theoretical framework	The discussion about results in relation to the theoretical framework has weaknesses or is missing.	The discussion about results in relation to the theoretical framework is satisfactory.	The discussion about results in relation to the theoretical framework is mostly good.	The discussion about results in relation to the theoretical framework is good.	The discussion about results in relation to the theoretical framework is impressive.
Reliability and ethics	The discussion about reliability and ethics is weak or missing completely.	The discussion about reliability and ethics is satisfactory.	The discussion about reliability and ethics is mainly good.	The discussion about reliability and ethics is good.	The discussion about reliability and ethics is excellent.
Personal learning and professional growth	The reflection on personal learning and professional growth is limited or non-existent.	The reflection on personal learning and professional growth is satisfactory.	The reflection on personal learning and professional growth is mostly good.	The reflection on personal learning and professional growth is good.	The reflection on personal learning and professional growth is very good.

Written presentation

Written presentation	Satisfactory 1	Satisfactory 2	Good 3	Good 4	Excellent 5
Logical structure	The structure of the report is unorganized.	The structure of the report has some shortcomings.	The structure of the report is organized	The structure of the report is logical and clear.	The structure of the report is very logical and descriptive, and progresses efficiently.
Grammatical correctness	The text is mainly understandable, but there are many shortcomings in the grammar (sentence structure, vocabulary, spelling, and punctuation).	The text is mainly understandable, but there are some shortcomings in the grammar (sentence structure, vocabulary, spelling, and punctuation).	The text is understandable and explicit. There are not many shortcomings in the grammar (sentence structure, vocabulary, spelling, and punctuation).	The text is fluent, understandable and grammatically correct.	The text is very fluent and grammatically correct.
Academic style of writing	The text contains colloquial language (informal and spoken expressions).	The text contains some colloquial language (informal and spoken expressions).	The text follows the expected style register.	The text follows the expected style register well.	The text follows the expected style register very well.
Finalized according to the given guidelines (margins, font, headings, title page, content, appendix, pictures, graphs and tables)	The report does not meet the requirements in the guidelines regarding the layout.	There are shortcomings in the report layout.	The report mainly follows the layout guidelines.	The report follows the layout guidelines.	The report follows the layout guidelines completely.
References	Sources and references are not indicated appropriately.	Sources and references are not always indicated appropriately.	Most sources and references are indicated appropriately.	Sources and references are indicated well, according to the guidelines.	Sources and references are indicated exactly according to the guidelines.

Process management

Process management	Satisfactory 1	Satisfactory 2	Good 3	Good 4	Excellent 5
Independent and methodical approach to thesis work, making good use of guidance, progress and completion of thesis	The thesis process has not progressed according to the plan. The student has needed much guidance or not made use of it at all. The student’s commitment to the process has been poor.	The thesis process has not progressed fully according to the plan. At times, the student has needed much guidance or not made use of it when needed.The student’s commitment to the process has been average.	The thesis process has progressed mainly according to the plan. The student has mostly made good use of the guidance. The student’s commitment to the process has in general been good.	The thesis process has progressed according to the plan. The student has made good use of the guidance. The student’s commitment to the process has been good.	The thesis process has progressed very well according to the plan. The student has made good use of the guidance and also actively taken initiative. The student’s commitment to the process has been very good. .
Cooperation (with potential co-author, working life)	The student’s cooperation has been inadequate or non-existent.	The student’s cooperation has been satisfactory.	The student’s cooperation has mainly worked well.	The student’s cooperation has been good.	The student’s cooperation has been active and impressive.

Satisfactory 1

Satisfactory 2

Good 3

Good 4

Excellent 5

Independent and methodical approach to thesis work, making good use of guidance, progress and completion of thesis

The thesis process has not progressed according to the plan. The student has needed much guidance or not made use of it at all. The student’s commitment to the process has been poor.

The thesis process has not progressed fully according to the plan. At times, the student has needed much guidance or not made use of it when needed.The student’s commitment to the process has been average.

The thesis process has progressed mainly according to the plan. The student has mostly made good use of the guidance. The student’s commitment to the process has in general been good.

The thesis process has progressed according to the plan. The student has made good use of the guidance.

The student’s commitment to the process has been good.

The thesis process has progressed very well according to the plan. The student has made good use of the guidance and also actively taken initiative.

The student’s commitment to the process has been very good.

.

Cooperation (with potential co-author, working life)

The student’s cooperation has been inadequate or non-existent.

The student’s cooperation has been satisfactory.

The student’s cooperation has mainly worked well.

The student’s cooperation has been good.

The student’s cooperation has been active and impressive.