Master’s Thesis Assessment Criteria

1. Basic Requirements for Thesis

1. Students must demonstrate that they meet the level of academic achievement, competence and quality stipulated in the Hokkaido University Postgraduate Degree Programs Degree Awarding Principles and the Graduate School of Health Sciences Diploma Policy to be conferred a master’s degree. Their theses must present the attainment of the said abilities in clear and plain language.
2. Master’s degree candidates must be the sole author of their theses. Any part of a sub/mitted thesis by a candidate must not have infringed on the originality and ideas of research papers published or research presentations made by persons other than the thesis candidate/author.
3. Master’s theses must not infringe on copyright and the right of publicity of persons other than the thesis candidates/authors.
4. Master’s theses must be written based on the research conducted while abiding by the Code of Conduct for Scientists at Hokkaido University.

2. Thesis Structure

The structure of the thesis should meet the following requirements.

1. An adequate title is given to the thesis.
2. The thesis discusses the research background and clarifies the research purposes.
3. The thesis describes the research methods which align with the research purposes.
4. Research results are graphically and adequately presented using such as charts, graphs and diagrams.
5. Discussion is generated in accordance with the research results.
6. The thesis appropriately draws a conclusion which answers defined research purposes.
7. References are cited appropriately.
8. The thesis covers all necessary stages above and has them appropriately chaptered.

3. Thesis Content

The content of the thesis will be reviewed with the following criteria in mind. It is however up to the examination committee to decide to which criterion they give more weight.

1. The committee finds a level of the academic value of the concerned discipline in the thesis.
2. Appropriate research topics and methods are employed.
3. The research has been conducted upon a solid literature search, fieldwork and preceding study.
4. Research data essential to the research topics and methods have been collected and processed.
5. The process of the research project is elaborated in detail.
6. The thesis provides in-depth analyses and detailed interpretation of data in the figures and tables.
7. The gist of the argument is clear while the coherent argument is presented.
8. Discussions are made in an appropriate style of writing leading to firm conclusions.

Doctoral Dissertation Assessment Criteria

1. Basic Requirements for Dissertation

1. Doctoral dissertations must reflect sufficient academic values and exhibit advanced creativity to demonstrate that the authoring student meets the level of academic achievement, competence and quality stipulated in the Hokkaido University Postgraduate Degree Programs Degree Awarding Principles and the Graduate School of Health Sciences Diploma Policy to be conferred a doctoral degree.
2. Doctoral degree candidates must be the sole author of their dissertations. Any part of a submitted dissertation by a candidate must not have infringed on the originality and ideas of research papers published or research presentations made by persons other than the dissertation candidate/author.
3. Doctoral dissertations must not infringe on copyright and the right of publicity of persons other than the dissertation candidates/authors.
4. Doctoral dissertations must be written based on the research conducted while abiding by the Code of Conduct for Scientists at Hokkaido University.

2. Dissertation Structure

The structure of the dissertation should meet the following requirements.

1. An adequate title is given to the dissertation.
2. The dissertation discusses the research background and clarifies the research purposes.
3. The dissertation describes the research methods which align with the research purposes.
4. Research results are graphically and adequately presented using such as charts, graphs and diagrams.
5. Discussion is generated in accordance with the research results.
6. The dissertation appropriately draws a conclusion which answers defined research purposes.
7. References are cited appropriately.
8. The dissertation covers all necessary stages above and has them appropriately chaptered.

3. Dissertation Content

The content of the dissertation will be reviewed with the following criteria in mind. It is however up to the examination committee to decide to which criterion they give more weight.

1. The committee finds in the dissertation the academic values of international standards in the concerned discipline. Academic values mean a contribution to advancing the research and development in the concerned discipline such as discovering unknown phenomena and matters, establishing and developing new analysis methods and theories and creating new academic interpretations and concepts.
2. The dissertation employs appropriate research topics and thematic research methods grounded on previous research and exhibits advanced creativity.
3. Research data essential to the research topics and methods have been collected and processed.
4. The process of the research project is elaborated in detail.
5. The dissertation provides in-depth analyses and detailed interpretation of data in the figures and tables.
6. Coherent structure and content are given which have helped lead to compelling conclusions.