February 2014

HDC 1.7 M: Examiner’s report on Dissertation/ Thesis

Student’s surname

/ Student no.

First names

Title of dissertation/thesis(not in capitals):
Indicate whether a 50% dissertation or 100% thesis (underline which is applicable): / 50% dissertation / 100% thesis

Faculty

Department

Degree(and field):

The examiner is required to write and submit a report on the dissertation/thesis based on the following criteria:

  1. Content:
  • Relevance of the research area and delimitation of the field to be investigated.
  • Explanation and statement of the research question (or problem) and investigative questions to be investigated or resolved.
  • Appropriateness, explanation and application of the research method(s) used to investigate the problem; correlation with the research question (or problem).
  • Comprehensiveness and relevance of the literature review.
  • Adequacy of the evidence (findings) and empirical data presented.
  • Ability to use, evaluate and where necessary, refute existing opinions in the field.
  • Conclusions that suggest satisfactory personal insights in the field.
  1. Technical aspects:
  • Layout (chapters) and flow of information.
  • Language (syntax, writing style) and presentation (language editing, layout, use of appendices)
  • Consistency of referencing style (in-text and bibliography). CPUT uses the Harvard style.
  • Functionality of figures and tables.
  • Specific matters (if any) which in your opinion require correction, revision or further development. Please furnish a list on an additional page/s.
  1. Overall impression

  • Should the examiner require revision of or amendments to a dissertation/ thesis, please submit a list of suggested amendments or errata together with the examiner’s report. In the case of minor textual amendments, these may be indicated on the examiner’s copy of the dissertation/ thesis and returned to the faculty.
  • Examiners must note that the 50 % dissertation is a study of limited scope and the mark accounts for half the overall mark.
  • Examiners will be apprised in writing of the final mark awarded to the candidate.

THE EXAMINER’S NAME MAY BE DISCLOSED TO THE STUDENT
(Please tick appropriate block) / YES / NO
Name (and title) / Qualification(and field): / Affiliation (and country)

In addition to the written report, please complete the table below, allocating a mark for each criterion, as well as a final percentage.

Criteria for evaluation / Mark
Does the dissertation/ thesis clearly set out a research aim/s, hypothesis/es, research
question/s or initialintentions? / /10
Does the candidate show appropriate familiarity with, understanding of, and engagement with
the relevant literature; is the work suitably documented; and are citations correct, according
to the prescribed institutional or discipline-specific bibliographic style? CPUT has adopted
the Harvard style. / /20
Are the research methodologies appropriate and adequate for the subject matter, and
correctly applied? / /10
Is the content satisfactory in respect of:
  • Theoretical grounding
  • Elucidation of concepts
  • An appropriate contribution to the subject at master’s level
  • Scope
  • Logic and critical thinking
  • Interpretation
  • Scholarly/scientific reporting?
/ /30
Are the research findings suitably analysed, set out and accompanied by adequate
exposition? / /10
Is the language use satisfactory? / /10
Is the technical presentation satisfactory? Points to consider are:
  • Title page
  • Abstract
  • Table of contents
  • List of figures and tables
  • Preliminary pages
  • Layout of text
  • Figures and tables
  • References and in-text citations (Harvard style)
  • Appendices
  • Line spacing; fonts; page numbering; general appearance
/ /10
FINAL ASSESSMENT / %

MASTER’S DISSERTATION/THESIS (Indicate percentage in column on right)

%
AWARDED cum laude (75%+)
Examiners should only award a cum laude mark if the dissertation/ thesis contains minimal errors, chiefly of a typographical nature
PASS WITHOUT REVISION
PASS AFTER MINOR REVISION
PASS AFTER MAJOR REVISION
Re-submission to examiner not necessary – changes to be effected under the guidance of the supervisor
MAJOR REVISION AND RE-SUBMISSION TO EXAMINER
Dissertation/thesis may only be submitted for re-examination once
FAIL: RE-SUBMISSION AND RE-EXAMINATION
Dissertation/thesis may only be submitted for re-examination once
FAIL. NOT ELIGIBLE FOR RE-SUBMISSION

SIGNATURE: ------DATE: ------

(Please initial each page and also those of the written report)

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