Objective
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Superior
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Good
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Average
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Below Average
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| Scientific method used to implement research project. Hypotheses clearly stated by graduate student in his or her thesis. |
Clearly defined and provides novel test of problem |
Defined and well-written |
Discernible but not stated in testable form |
Not discernible from text or not scientifically testable |
| Students use appropriate methods to analyze results quantitatively where appropriate |
Quantitative methods are elegantly used to clearly describe results, no assumptions are violated |
Quantitative methods clearly describe the results, indicate confidence, and are appropriate |
Quantitative methods describe results but do not appropriately indicate levels of confidence |
Quantitative methods do not describe results or are inappropriate for data being analyzed |
| Thesis introduction provides appropriate historical context and literature review of the topic |
Introduction provides a comprehensive literature review and clearly relates to a logical extension of the research problem |
Introduction is well written and provides a contextual basis for research approach |
Thesis adequately reviews the literature but does not place research problem in context |
Introduction does not adequately provide a contextual framework |
| Materials and methods section are complete and clearly stated with appropriate reference to techniques chosen |
Procedures are so clearly stated that they could be used as a protocol |
Procedures clearly stated, some details or uncertainty exist |
Procedures are unclear but able to be interpreted |
Procedures are vague, disorganized, or have irrelevant information |
| Thesis discussion clearly integrates the results with existing scientific knowledge |
Discussion links results with published data in sufficient detail |
Discussion links results with previous studies but lacks sufficient details |
Discussion weakly integrates results with previous knowledge |
Discussion is purely restatement of results and lacks interpretation relating it to previous knowledge |