MASTER (WITHOUT THESIS) PROCESS SAFETY AND LOSS
PREVENTION - RUBRICS FOR RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Content Poor (1 pt)
Topic & Context Presentation focuses
immediately on the
literature review, or no
context for the topic is
provided.
Literature review All studies are described in
an unclear manner;
connection of studies to
thesis is unclear. Fails to cite
important literature related
to the research work.
Overall, Minimum
references done and no
critical analysis (less than
10)
Aims and objectives The aim is missing or
unclear.
Acceptable (2 pts)
More clarity in the opening
may be needed or the
Presentation may begin with
a definition of the topic but
provides very little context
for the idea (e.g., may begin
immediately with review of
previous research).
Definitions not provided.
At least 2 studies are
described clearly and in
enough detail for the
audience to understand OR
3 studies are described in an
unclear manner. Connection
of 3 studies to thesis may be
slightly unclear.
Overall, Good references
with good critical analyses
done (15-20)
The aim is stated.
Good (3 pts)
Presentation starts
somewhat broadly, and
provides some theoretical or
real world context for the
main concept in the study.
Definitions and an
explanation of the key
concept or question is
provided, but it could be
clearer.
At least 3 studies are
described clearly.
Connection of a study to
thesis may be slightly
unclear.
Overall, Excellent references
with good critical analyses
done (20 - 30)
The aim is clearly stated.
Excellent (4 pts)
Presentation begins in a
broad manner and clearly
explains the problem to be
investigated and defines
important constructs.
At least 3 studies are
presented clearly and in
enough detail for the
audience to understand.
Excellent visual and tables of
summary.
Overall, excellent references
and critical analyses done (>
30)
The aim is clearly and
concisely stated.

Proposed study
Methodology (Participants,
Materials, Procedures, Data
analysis planning etc)
Plan of work (Research plan
etc)
Communication
Clarity and organization
Objectives are missing, are
not connected to the aim or
are too many and
overlapping.
One suggestion for study is
provided. Design is not
appropriate for the
hypothesis; variables are not
operationalized or not valid.
Discussion misses two or
more of the following:
participants, materials, or
procedures. The method
does not accurately test the
hypothesis and/or does not
match study design.
No plan of work
Poor (0 pt)
Audience cannot
understand presentation
There are some objectives
but they are only partly
connected to or follow only
partly from the aim.
One suggestion for study is
provided. Design is not
complete or the
operationalization of the
variables is not clear.
Measured variables may be
simplistic or not
appropriate.
Discussion misses one of the
following: participants,
materials, or procedures. It
is unclear whether the
method provides a good test
of the hypothesis or
matches the study design.
Presented but very general
Acceptable (1 pts)
Audience has difficulty
following presentation
Objectives further detail and
sub-divide the aim.
Objectives are connected to
the aim.
One suggestion for study is
provided. Design is
complete and appropriate
but not clearly described.
Variables are appropriately
operationalized but may be
simplistic
Participants, materials, and
procedure are discussed.
One of these components
may be unclear.
Participants, materials, and
procedure provide a good
test of hypothesis and
support the study design
Presented and well planned.
Gantt chart is provided.
Good (3 pts)
Students present
information in logical
A few, additional objectives
further detail and sub-divide
the aim. Objectives are
clearly connected to and
follow from the aim.
One suggestion for study is
provided. The design is
clear, complete, and
appropriate to test the
hypothesis. Variables are
appropriate and
operationalized properly.
Participants, materials, and
procedure are briefly and
clearly discussed.
Participants, materials, and
procedure clearly provide a
test of hypothesis and
support the study design.
Presented and well planned.
Gantt chart is clear and have
tangible and realistic goals.
Excellent (5 pts)
Students present
information in logical,
 because there is no
sequence of information.
Students were unprepared
and did not rehearse their
presentation.
Powerpoint slides More than 50% of the slides
contain too much text and
little to no visual images.
The slides are hard for the
audience to understand.
Response to questions Demonstrates little grasp of
information; has
undeveloped or unclear
answers to questions
Academic integrity No citations at all
because students jump
around 50% of the time.
Students were 50%
prepared.
50% of the slides display
text in a way that is easy for
audience to understand. The
slides contain too much text
and information that is
overwhelming to the
audience or too many
distracting, unrelated
images.
Shows ease in answering
questions but does not
elaborate
Good number of citations
and no references
sequence which audience
can follow 75% of the time.
Students were 75%
prepared.
75% of the slides display
text in a way that is easy for
audience to understand.
Slides contain text that
should be replaced by a
visual image, such as a chart
or figure or unrelated to the
topic.
Demonstrates most of the
knowledge of topic; tried to
explain and elaborate on all
questions
Good number of citations,
has references and quote
authors most of the time.
interesting sequence which
audience can follow 100% of
the time. Students were
100% prepared and have
obviously rehearsed.
Each slide displays text in a
way that is easy for
audience to understand.
This may be an outline,
photo, table, chart, figure,
etc. Visuals are creative or
clean, and help the audience
remember the presentation.
Demonstrates full
knowledge of topic; explains
and elaborates on all
questions
Quotations AND citations
included on slides when
citing someone's exact
words (including your own).
Citations included on slides
when citing someone’s
ideas, theories, etc.
References included at end
of presentation. Self-
plagiarism and plagiarism of
other sources not present.