(ED 695) Master’s Thesis
Common Course Assessment: Research Thesis
(ED 695) Master’s Thesis
Common Course Assessment: Research Thesis
Course Outcomes:
NBPTS Proposition 4: Systematic Thinking about Practice and Experience - Draw on research and scholarship to improve practice
NBPTS Proposition 5: Members of Learning Communities - Collaborate with other professionals
College of Education Research Standards: Research Competency
- Research Question. Identify the research question and situate it within the educational context
- Literature Review. Analyze the literature to demonstrate need and rationale for this research
- Research Description. Design the research method, provide rationale, discuss results and conclusions
- Research Presentation. Present all work according to standard written expression, organization and APA research guidelines
Directions to the Student:
Design and present a research thesis that will generate new knowledge or understanding.
Rubrics for Thesis:
1. RESEARCH QUESTION
Elements / Distinguished(3) / Proficient
(2) / Progressing
(1) / Unsatisfactory
(0)
Knowledge of problem / Shows thorough knowledge of problem and educational context / Shows adequate knowledge of problem and educational context / Shows limited knowledge of the problem and educational context / Does not
meet standard
Importance of problem and rationale / Reasoning is excellent. Findings would make an important contribution to knowledge or practice / Reasoning is adequate. Findings would contribute to knowledge or practice / Reasoning is basic. Findings would make a limited contribution to knowledge or practice / Does not
meet standard
Statement of purpose / Contains clear, logical statement of purpose / Contains adequate statement of purpose / Statement of purpose is unclear / Does not
meet standard
Knowledge of background / Shows thorough knowledge of background / Shows adequate knowledge of background / Shows limited knowledge of background / Does not
meet standard
Key terms and limitations / Defines terms appropriately. Addresses limitations thoroughly. / Defines terms and addresses limitations adequately / Over- or under-defines terms. Does not address limitations thoroughly / Does not
meet standard
- LITERATURE REVIEW
Elements / Distinguished
(3) / Proficient
(2) / Progressing
(1) / Unsatisfactory
(0)
Synthesize of research / Thoroughly synthesizes research and explains its direct relevance to the research question / Generally summarizes research and/orstates only its general relevance to the research question / Cites limited research and/or shows only loose relevance to the research question / Does not
meet standard
Analysis of key work in the field / Analysis shows that the writer is in command of key research in the field. / Analysis shows that the writer has basic knowledge of key work in the field / Analysis is limited in demonstrating knowledge of key work in the field / Does not
meet standard
Development of an argument for the project / Development of the argument flows directly and reasonably from the research / Development of the argument flows only generally from the research / Development of the argument is only loosely related to the research / Does not
meet standard
Gaps in the literature / Thoroughly identifies gaps in the literature and clearly shows how this study would fill them / Generally identifies gaps in the literature and how this study would fill them / Gaps in the literature are poorly identified and/or explanation does not show how this study would fill them / Does not
meet standard
Theoretical perspective driving the project / Thoroughly and accurately explains theoretical stance / States theoretical stance / Explanation of theoretical stance is limited or inaccurate / Does not
meet standard
3. RESEARCH DESCRIPTION
Elements / Distinguished(3) / Proficient
(2) / Progressing
(1) / Unsatisfactory
(0)
Study design, sampling, subjects, instrumentation, procedures, and evaluation criteria / Thoroughly describes all components and evaluation criteria for the study. Rationale for each is well supported / Adequately describes components, evaluation criteria, and rationale / Description of components, evaluation criteria,and/or rationale is limited / Does not
meet standard
Data findings, analysis, results / Data findings are analyzed thoroughly and accurately / Data findings are stated adequately / Presentation of data findings is limited / Does not
meet standard
Interpretation, conclusions, implications / Results and implications are well interpreted, well reasoned, and lead to valid conclusions / Results, implications, reasoning and validity are adequately interpreted / Interpretation and implications are limited in scope, reasoning, or validity / Does not
meet standard
Dissemination plans / Dissemination plans and usefulness are explained thoroughly / Dissemination plans and usefulness are explained adequately / Dissemination plans and usefulness are limited / Does not
meet standard
4. RESEARCH PRESENTATION
Elements / Distinguished(3) / Proficient
(2) / Progressing
(1) / Unsatisfactory
(0)
Written Expression and Organization / Writing conforms well to professional expectations. Organization within sections is clear. Contains no more than 5 errors / Writing conforms adequately to expectations. Organization within sections is generally clear. Contains no more than 10 errors / Writing and organization conform poorly to expectations. Contains more than 10 errors / Does not
meet standard
Section Formats / Chapters, title page, contents, appendices, etc. conform to APA guidelines. Contains no more than 5 errors / Format for individual sections usually conforms to APA guidelines. Contains no more than 10 errors / Format for individual sections conforms poorly to APA guidelines. Contains more than 10 errors / Does not
meet standard
Text Citations / Text citations are present, used appropriately, and conform to APA guidelines. Contains no more than 5 errors / Text citations are usually present, used appropriately and conform to APA guidelines. Contains no more than 10 errors / Text citations are missing or overly extensive and conform poorly to APA guidelines. Contains more than 10 errors / Does not
meet standard
References / Reference list meets requirements, matches text citations, and conforms to APA guidelines. Contains no more than 5 errors / Reference list usually meets requirements, matches text citations, and conforms to APA guidelines. Contains no more than 10 errors / Reference list conforms poorly to requirements, or does not match text citations,or does not conform to APA guidelines. Contains more than 10 errors / Does not
meet standard
Abstract / Abstract contains a clear and accurate description of the project / Abstract contains a general description of the project / Abstract is limited or contains too much information / Does not
meet standard