Resource

Dissertation / Thesis

Author: ATU Galway

What is it?

Students produce independent research on a question or problem of their choice and produce a substantial thesis/dissertation providing a deep understanding of the topic. This document is submitted to support the students’ academic degree.

Advantages & Challenges

Advantages

Challenges

Advantages

Challenges

Tips for Use

Define clear learning objectives aligned with the program or course goals that students are expected to achieve through the dissertation or thesis.
Ensure that the assessment measures the desired competencies, such as research skills, critical analysis, and academic writing.
Provide students with guidance and support throughout the dissertation or thesis process. Assign experienced supervisors to support students, assist with research design, literature review, data collection, analysis, and writing.
Establish a structured framework for the dissertation or thesis, including specific requirements for formatting, organisation, referencing style, and submission deadlines.

Resources

Leeds Institute for Teaching Excellence – Microsoft Word – Pugh|CompendiumOfAssessment.docx (leeds.ac.uk)(page 25)
University College Dublin (UCD): Thesis/Dissertation (ucd.ie)
Golding, C. Sharon Sharmini & Ayelet Lazarovitch (2014) What examiners do: what thesis students should know, Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 39:5, 563-576.

Resource for students:

Atlantic Technological University (ATU): Theses – Theses & Dissertations – LibGuides at ATU Library

Sample Rubrics

Texas A&M University: https://inside.tamuc.edu/academics/graduateschool/thesis%20and%20dissertation%20services/graduate%20rep%20rubrics.aspx
University of South Carolina: https://www.sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/engineering_and_computing/internal/documents/teaching_curriculum/thesis_dissertation_rubric_template.pdf
University of Northern Iowa: ORAL COMPREHENSIVE RUBRIC (uni.edu)
Syracuse University (2014): Final Dissertation Paper Rubric (syr.edu)

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