WI-2-11-3-1

Guideline for scoring and grading postgraduate thesis/vDissertations

JOMO KENYATTA UNIVERSITY

OF
AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY
P.O. BOX 62000, NAIROBI, TEL: (067) 52181-4. FAX 52164, THIKA

GUIDELINE FOR SCORING AND GRADING postgraduate thesis/R DISSERTATIONS

1.0 Preamble
The University approved the following guidelines for examiners of higher degrees theses. The
guidelines require examiners to give comprehensive and critical review of the dissertation/thesis. In
the course of doing this, the examiner should draw the attention of the Director BPS to such
circumstances and factors as he/she feels the directorate should be made aware of. The examiner’s
report should be compiled using the following general format:
1.1Abstract
Does the student provide a synopsis of the study? Is the abstract structured into background,
Aim/Broad objective, materials &Methods (summarising study type, population, data collected,
method of collection and analysis plan),results and Conclusion?(Maximum score:5)
2.0 Introduction
2.1 Background (Maximum score: 5)
This section must assess the general overview given about the study topic.
2.2 Problem statement (Maximum score: 5)
Does the student clearly state the nature of the problem and its magnitude? How concise is it?
Is there reference to the issues detected in the background? Does the problem have an analytical
link with its associated factors? Does it clearly indicate the knowledge gap that the study has addressed?
Does the problem magnitude focus on the population? Is the problem statement articulated with
objectives?
2.3 Rationale (maximum score: 2)
Does the student clearly indicate the possible utilization of the generated findings?
2.4 Research Questions & Objectives (Maximum score:5)
Questions
Are the research questions posed to address the knowledge gap to be filled by the study?

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2.5 objectives
Are objectives SMART and set out to address knowledge gaps identified in the problem statement? Are
the objectives in support of the study title? Do specific objectives capture elements of the study and
emanate from the broad objective
2.6 Literature review (maximum score: 15)
Is the review provided according to the objectives? Does it provide global, regional and Tanzania
perspectives with regard to each objective? Does the review depict what is known and unknown with
respect to each objective? Does the review tail-off with knowledge gap? Are paragraphs mounted to
describe concepts and sequenced in a logical flow? Is literature citation done according to the
recommended style? Are all facts supported by authentic references that are well listed in the reference
list? Check if there is any evidence of plagiarism in presenting the literature review
3.0 materials and methods (maximum score: 10)
Has the student indicated the study type, study sample and how it was drawn? Have assumptions for
selecting the sample been clearly stated? Indicate whether the student has used an appropriate approach to
investigate the subject and has not neglected other methods, which could have yielded better results.
Asses for adequacy and relevance of data collected and the appropriateness of tools and instruments. Are
threats to validity and reliability addressed? Is the data analysis plan provide in accordance with each
specific objective?
4.0 results (maximum score: 15)
Evaluate for adequacy of data analysis in providing answers to each objective; suitability of the way
results are presented; accuracy transparency and contributions for the study.
5.0 discussions (maximum score: 15)
Does the student discuss his/ her own findings and relates them to other researched work? Does the writer
show honesty and transparency in discussing limitations? Does the student apply scientific reasoning to
relate to study findings to the available theories/body of knowledge relevant to the fields of study? Does
the student discuss his/her findings in view of practical utility of the findings?
6.0 conclusions (maximum score: 5)
Does the conclusion emerge from students own work? Does the conclusion provide answers to the
research question? Does the study stimulate further inquiry or scholarship?
7.0 recommendations (maximum score: 3)
Does the student provide realistic recommendations which are articulated to his/her research findings?
8.0 originality of contribution (maximum score: 5)
Please, state clearly whether the thesis makes an original contribution to the existing body of knowledge.
For a PhD/ doctoral degree the contribution must be significant, worthy of for example 4-5 papers. To
qualify, there should be strong evidence that the subject displays scientific maturity and a mastery of the
subject.

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9.0 Literature Citation (maximum score: 5)
Has the student made use of the available current and relevant literature/ does this enrich the
background, literature review and discussion? Has the student exercised due diligence in
scholarly bibliographic write-up?
10.0 Overall Presentation Final (Maximum score: 5)
Indicate whether the student has presented the data in logical flow and concise manner for
example with cross-references to other sections, and with specific objectives following through
appropriate methods leading to the results and discussion of each objective, thus ensuring that
conclusions can be logically drawn from the information gathered. Is the abstract providing a
Synopsys of the study? Does the presentation provide the flavor of scholarly and professional
output?
11.0 Grading of Dissertation
Record total score given for the written dissertation. Grading of the written dissertation shall
follow the universal grading system of the University.
Letter grade Marks range (%) Qualitative
value
A 70-100 Excellent
B+ 6.-69 Very Good
B 50-59 Good
C 40-49 Marginal Fail
D 0-39 Fail

12.0 Corrections or Revision

Indicate exactly what corrections are necessary or whether the thesis needs to be revised.
Occasionally, theses require extensive corrections or revision. If this is the case, please set out
the corrections and paragraphs affected. Whether minor or major corrections are required, please
indicate them on your written report.
13.0 Final Evaluation
In line with the quantitative score given, please state frankly and without ambiguity whether the
dissertation:
a) Passes and is worthy of the degree award in the present form;
b) Passes and is worthy of the degree award after affecting minor corrections indicated in
section 12.0 to the satisfaction of the Supervisor and Head of Department.;
c) Passes, subject to major revisions according to your suggestions in section 12.0 to the
satisfaction of internal and external examiner/moderator;
d) Is not accepted, but may be re-submitted for re-examination after major correction as
outlined in section 12.0 to the satisfaction of the internal and external
examiner/moderator;
e) Is not worthy of the award and is rejected outright.

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