Dissertation Module Assessment Scheme

Luisa Cutillo, School of Mathematics, University of Leeds

Dissertation Modules

  • MATH5871 (MSc Statistics/ Statistics with applications to Finance)
  • MATH5872 (MSc Data Science and Analytics)

Aim

 Adapt to new requirements for transitioning assessments from red to amber categories

Focus

 the process and understanding rather than the final product

Index

Assessment Components

Timeline

Breakout Session and Discussion

30%

20%

25%

Assessment Components

Project Portfolio

 

Viva (Oral Examination)

 

Alternative Outputs

25%

Manuscript

OR Exam-Style Assessment

  • Check on continuous understanding
  • boosts engagement
  • encourage reflection on learning
  • detailed record of student work, feedback, etc useful to track progress
  • flexible formats and content (eg different projects types, different learning styles)
  • different skills development (eg. time management, organization etc)
  • Time consuming and increased workload
  • Subjective assessment
  • Potentially resource intense (depending on the project)
  • Quality will vary between students so difficult to assess uniformly

Project Portfolio

Students will maintain a project portfolio throughout the duration of their dissertation. This portfolio will include regular updates, reflections, and evidence of engagement and progress.

  • Boosts engagement and creativity
  • encourage reflection on learning
  • practical skills development (eg. coding)
  • flexible formats and content
  • enhance understanding and learning
  • Make content accessible to a wider audience
  •  Focus on the presentation/ technical aspects VS content and academic rigor
  • assessment more complex & subjective
  • challenging for students who may not have access to the necessary tools or skills

Alternative Output

Students submit alternative outputs that demonstrate their project outcomes. Examples: GitHub repository, videos, interactive tools, or other creative formats.

Manuscript OR Exam-Style Assessment

  • Manuscript: students submit a detailed written report that outlines their research, methodologies, findings, and conclusions.
  • Exam-style assessment: students answer a set of questions tailored to the specific project under controlled conditions.

Manuscript

Exam

  • Comprehensive and detailed
  • Permanent record of the student's work, which can be referenced and built upon
  •  Writing and communication skills
  • AI tools can generate high-quality text that may be difficult to distinguish from a student's original work. 
  •  External help, (ghostwriting services),  integrity of the assessment.
  • Standardized form of assessment
  • controlled conditions reduce the risk of academic dishonesty 
  •  Wide range of skills and knowledge
  • Requires significant preparation time
  •  stressful for the students (no more than other exams?)
  • Examiners can verify the understanding and depth of knowledge
  • Communication skills development and assessment.
  • Reduces risk of plagiarism/academic dishonesty + immediate feedback.
  • Encourages interaction and engagement
  •  Stress and Anxiety
  • Assessment subjective
  • Time consuming, especially with many students!
  • Potential bias based on the specific dynamics

Viva (Oral Examination)

Students present their work, discuss their methodologies, and answer questions related to their project.

Verifies the student's understanding and ability to articulate their research, adding an additional layer of assessment.

Process-Based Assessment

 Evaluating students' engagement, understanding, and progress throughout the duration of their project, rather than focusing solely on the final product.

To Do: Rubrics and Criteria

 

  • Develop clear rubrics and criteria for assessing each component of the process-based assessment.
  • Ensure these criteria are transparent and communicated to students.

2. Define clear objectives and guidelines for each assessment component 

1. Define the new assessment components

3. Training sessions for educators on how to implement and assess the new formats

4. Ca we pilot this scheme before launching it?

5. Review and Iterate on the designs with testing of ideas, students and supervisors feedback.

Let's have a breakout session on the main

Assessment Components

(~ 45 min)

Project Portfolio

 

Alternative Outputs

Manuscript

OR Exam-Style Assessment

Thanks!

Time for questions and discussion!