Evaluation Criteria for Master’s Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation

Evaluation Criteria for Master’s Dissertations, Division of Life Science, Division of Soft Matter, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University

1. Fundamental Requirements

  1. A master’s dissertation must have sufficient academic value and a high level of originality, demonstrating that a master’s candidate has the academic skills, abilities, and qualities as required in the diploma policy of the Graduate School Division, Hokkaido University, and the diploma policy of the Graduate School of Life Science.
  2. In principle, a master’s dissertation must be written by a single author. It should not incorporate material from others’ dissertations or infringe on originalities and/or ideas presented in research publications.
  3. A master’s dissertation must not infringe on others’ rights under the law, such as author’s rights, portrait rights, etc.
  4. A master’s dissertation must be developed based on a comprehensive research conducted in accordance with the “Code of Conduct for Scientists at Hokkaido University.”

2. Structure of Dissertation

A master’s dissertation must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Provide an adequate title.
  2. State research background and a research aim clearly.
  3. Describe the research methodology utilized in accordance with the aim.
  4. Show results with graphic charts.
  5. Develop a thorough discussion based on research results.
  6. Derive a result corresponding to an aim.
  7. Cite references properly.
  8. Structure chapters of the dissertation according to the items included in this section.

3. Contents

The following criteria shall be used to evaluate a master’s dissertation. In this regard, the evaluating committee is entrusted with valuing and adding items as needed.

  1. A dissertation must have sufficient academic value based on international standards in major fields.
  2. The content must be aligned with a selected theme, and the research methodology.
  3. The research must be described background clearly and cited references properly.
  4. Data must be collected and handled in accordance with an elective theme and corresponding research methodology.
  5. The research process must be described in detail.
  6. Data analyses associated with individual graphic charts must be described and interpreted precisely.
  7. A dissertation must have a consecutive structure.
  8. Contents must be presented logically and conclusions must be complete.

Evaluation Criteria for Doctoral Dissertations, Division of Life Science, Division of Soft Matter, Graduate School of Life Science, Hokkaido University

1. Fundamental Requirements

  1. A doctoral dissertation must have sufficient academic value and a high level of originality, demonstrating that a doctoral candidate has the academic skills, abilities, and qualities as required in the diploma policy of the Graduate School Division, Hokkaido University, and the diploma policy of the Graduate School of Life Science.
  2. In principle, a doctoral dissertation must be written by a single author. It should not incorporate material from others’ dissertations or infringe on originalities and/or ideas presented in research publications.
  3. A doctoral dissertation must not infringe on others’ rights under the law, such as author’s rights, portrait rights, etc.
  4. A doctoral dissertation must be developed based on a comprehensive research conducted in accordance with the “Code of Conduct for Scientists at Hokkaido University.”

2. Structure of Dissertation

A doctoral dissertation must fulfill the following requirements:

  1. Provide an adequate title.
  2. State research background and a research aim clearly.
  3. Describe the research methodology utilized in accordance with the aim.
  4. Show results with graphic charts.
  5. Develop a thorough discussion based on research results.
  6. Derive a result corresponding to an aim.
  7. Cite references properly.
  8. Structure chapters of the dissertation according to the items included in this section.

3. Contents

The following criteria shall be used to evaluate a doctoral dissertation. In this regard, the evaluating committee is entrusted with valuing and adding items as needed.

  1. A dissertation must have sufficient academic value based on international standards in major fields. Academic value indicates discovery of unknown things, new analytical methods, theoretical structures and developments, and new academic interpretations or the creation of concepts, which contribute to academic research in current fields.
  2. The content must be aligned with a selected theme, and the research methodology must be based on the theme in accordance with advanced research and a high level of originality.
  3. Data must be collected and handled in accordance with an elective theme and corresponding research methodology.
  4. The research process must be described in detail.
  5. Data analyses associated with individual graphic charts must be described and interpreted precisely.
  6. A dissertation must have a consecutive structure; content must be presented logically; and conclusions must be complete.