Guidelines and Examination Report for Examination of Master of Arts theses in creative research disciplines

Name of Examiner:

Name of Candidate:

Title of Thesis:

Thesis components to be assessed as:

Creative Project … % and Exegesis … % (comprising at least 20% of the overall thesis)

oran integrated whole

Guidelines

The Master of Arts in various modes of creative research is an independent study based upon the perspective that creative art practices are alternative forms of knowledge embedded in investigation processes and methodologies of the various disciplines of performance (theatre, dance and/or music), the visual and audio arts,design and creative writing. The course is normally completed afterthreeyears of full-time equivalent study. It consists of a major creative project and a related exegesis. To be awarded the Doctor of Philosophy degree, the Candidate will demonstrate in the practice of the discipline or disciplines and through the interrelated exegesis that the work is a substantial and original contribution to the knowledge/s of the discipline/s.

Thesis Structure

The thesis will normally consist of the following:

A creative project in the practice of the chosen discipline or disciplines that demonstrates through practice:

  • a substantial and thorough conceptual understanding of the discipline/s
  • the Candidate’s overall knowledge of, original, creative and innovative contribution within the discipline/s
  • appropriate technical excellence in the relevant skill area outlined in the Candidate’s thesis. The clarity of the Candidate’s major concern is crucial for the examination process since measurement of levels of technical excellence varies depending on whether the research is couched in a specific genre of practice, experimental treatment across media of a particular theme, or in alternative methods where the focus is on process rather than on product (although the two may be intertwined)

and

A written exegesissupporting, contextualising and/or amplifying the creative project that:

  • reflects a substantial and thorough understanding of the conceptual, theoretical and/or cultural context, aims and methods of the discipline/s
  • demonstrates the Candidate’s overall knowledge of, and creative and innovative contribution within, the discipline/s
  • demonstrates how the research is a substantial and original contribution to knowledge
  • demonstrates evidence of a thorough critical and discriminatory review of the previous material in the relevant field of inquiry or creative arts genre or tradition
  • includesany other matter agreed upon with the Candidate’s supervisor and appropriately approved.

Examination of the creative project and exegesis

Unlike traditional theses, which are assessed on a single thesis submitted for examination, the two components of the creative research Doctor of Philosophy thesis may be submitted for examination at different times. In performance and exhibition presentations, Candidates may be restricted by the availability of venue and/or collaborating artists. Nomination of examiners, therefore, may be made relatively early in the candidature to ensure that examiners are available for the presentation/s of the creative work. In performance genres, video-recording documentation is a necessary attachment to the written exegesis both for examination purposes and, if the degree is awarded, for ‘publishing’ of the thesis in the University library. Video-recordings may also benecessary where the Candidate’s inquiry involves a series of stages in the investigation where the focus is on process rather than on product.

Where performances or exhibitions are presented at a different time to the written exegesis, the Candidate will prepare an Abstract and/or a Framing Statement/Summary of their creative approach and their role in the creative process for the examiners when the performance or exhibition is examined.

The formal invitation to examiners will contain the Candidate’s Abstract and/orFraming Statement/Summary as noted above.

Examiners’ Report and Recommendations

Each examiner is asked to submit an independent report and recommendation to Research Assessments at ECU. Examiners are asked to report as promptly as possible, and within six weeks of receiving the thesis. If a delay appears likely please advise the Examinations Officer (+61 8 6304 3864 or ) so that alternative arrangements may be made.

I am willing to have my identity revealed to the supervisor/s / YES / NO
I am willing to have my identity revealed to the Candidate / YES / NO
At the end of the examination process, ECU provides feedback to examiners on all grades awarded by examiners, and the final thesis result. Do you give permission to have the result you allocate included in this feedback / YES / NO

Note: under Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation, the University may be limited in its capacity to protect your identity if you answered ‘No’ to some or all of these questions.

The Examiner's report comprises two parts:(1) a summary recommendation and (2) a detailed report on both the creative project and exegesis, which outlines the basis for the recommendation.

(1)Examiner’s Summary Recommendation

(To be completed after reference to notes provided for the guidance of examiners)

Check ONE only

(i) / Unqualified acceptance; or
(ii) / acceptance subject to minor amendments being made to the satisfaction of the supervisor; or
(iii) / acceptance subject to amendments to passages in the thesis being made to the satisfaction of the Head of School or nominee; or
(iv) / revision and re-examination; or
(v) / rejection.

Note: If you recommend that the Candidate makes amendments to the thesis, it is particularly important to give specific indications of the nature of the required amendments.

(2)Examiner’s Detailed Report

Please assess the thesis against the following criteria
  • Innovation
  • Significance and potential impact
  • Quality of research
  • Presentation
/ Assess each criterion as:
5 – outstanding
4 – highly satisfactory
3 – satisfactory
2 – less than satisfactory
1 – very weak
Criteria / Overall assessment against each criterion

Creative project (Performance/exhibition/broadcast/rendering/recording or portfolio of works)

/ …% or
integrated whole
Contribution to knowledge and creativity / Creativityand knowledge
( /5)
Indicators of significance and potential impact
•Significance of contribution to new knowledge within the discipline/s
•Potential impact of the research within and beyond the discipline/s, including on the broader social and cultural contexts and practice
•Potential significance and impact of the creative project in relation to audience/suitability for publication or performance / Significance and potential impact
( /5)
Indicators of quality research
•Knowledge of generic conventions
•Structure and cohesiveness
•Development of conceptual underpinnings / Quality of research
( /5)
Indicators of presentation
•Quality of the creative project presentation
•Appropriate technical proficiency in the relevant skills area (depending on whether the research is couched in a specific genre of practice, experimental treatment across media of a particular theme, or in alternative methods where the focus is on process rather than on product—although the two may be intertwined)
•Quality of the expression in the discipline/s
•Clarity, cohesion and integration into the writing and argumentation
•Quality of documentation (if relevant) / Presentation
( /5)
Creative project Assessment / ( /20)
Exegesis / …% or
integrated whole
Contribution to knowledge and creativity / Creativity and knowledge
( /5)
Indicators of significance and potential impact
•Significance of contribution to new knowledge within the discipline/s
•Potential impact of the research within and beyond the discipline/s, including on the broader social and cultural contexts and practice
•Potential significance and impact of the creative project in relation to audience/suitability for publication or performance / Significance and potential impact
( /5)

Indicators of quality research (where relevant)

•Discussion of research findings in relation to the creative project using theoretical and/or reflexive discourse
•Literature and practice review, synthesis and interpretation
•Use of selected theories/concepts
•Analysis and interpretation of findings
•Use of primary and secondary sources
•Choice, accuracy and rigour of methodology / Quality of research
( /5)
Indicators of presentation
•Clarity and cohesion of writing and argumentation
•Quality of English expression and grammar
•Quality of editing and proofreading
•Quality of layout, presentation
•Quality of referencing / Presentation
( /5)
Exegesis Assessment / ( /20)
Please insert your detailed report of the thesis (creative project and exegesis) here or add an attachment

Marking experience

Please identify the number of theses marked previously at this level:
Please identify the number of theses marked previously that consist of a Creative Project and an Exegesis

Could you please assess the thesis against thefollowing criteria (to assist in identifying potential prize winners)?

Ranking

Please rank this thesis (X) relative to other theses marked at the same level as:

Among the best theses I have marked
Considerably better than the average thesis I have marked
Better than the average thesis I have marked
Comparable to the average thesis I have marked
Of a lower quality than the average thesis I have marked

……………………………………………………………. ……………………..

Signature of ExaminerDate

Updated: 11/2014

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