Abstract:
The study confirmed that most chairs of departments (CODs) in the College of Economic and Management Sciences (CEMS) regard Master’s and doctoral (M and D) throughput rates as poor. A proposed checklist for assessing M and D research proposals is advanced. The aim of the research was to establish if a proposed checklist may contribute to improved throughput rates. Inconsistent assessment criteria are used to assess the research proposals of M and D students. Structured interviews with CODs revealed that most departments are using criteria based on previous experience to assess M and D research proposals. These criteria have not been documented. The proposed checklist is regarded by CODs as being potentially valuable for assessing M and D proposals, but they are less optimistic that it could lead to improved throughput rates. The proposed checklist may nevertheless assist prospective M and D students to plan their research in a way that will avoid critical problems. Academic departments should consider testing the proposed checklist for its potential contribution to improve M and D throughput

Full text available on request:  

Marx, J (2011) A proposed checklist for assessing master’s and doctoral research proposals, Progression 33 (2): 30-50