5-7 pages
Research proposal
Research proposal
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeOriginality
The research topic and research questions of the proposal should be the students original perspective. The arguments about the perspective are effectively supported by other research work. The work builds on and speaks to existing work in the area, showing enough evidence that it is a novel contribution.
16 pts
Excellent
This submission establishes an entirely new paradigm or theoretical framework.
14 pts
Good
This submission introduces some interesting new ideas.
12 pts
Ok
This submission is a timely contribution but doesn’t break new ground.
10 pts
Meh
This submission takes a well-worn approach to a well-understood problem.
8 pts
What?
This submission is a reprise of previously reported work.
16 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeSignificance
The student should effectively explain why the problem or question that the paper addresses is important and why the research is needed. Its a justification of the importance of your work and the impact it has on your research field, its contribution to new knowledge, and how others will benefit from it.
16 pts
Excellent
The submission will significantly influence the field by altering other people’s choices of research topics or basic approaches.
14 pts
Good
Some of the ideas or results will substantially contribute to ongoing research in an area.
12 pts
Ok
The submission is interesting but not too influential. The work will be cited, but mainly for comparison or as a source of minor contributions.
10 pts
Meh
Marginally interesting. It may or may not be cited.
8 pts
What?
It will have no impact on the field.
16 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeQuality
The submission should show soundness in terms of quality. Is the research represented in this submission convincing? Are the research questions well-defined? Is the approach, method, or theory appropriate for the authors aims, or stated research questions?
16 pts
Excellent
High-quality research proposal. Questions are clearly stated, the approach is suitable, and the evaluation plan is valid.
14 pts
Good
Solid work with a few shortcomings or flaws. All of the elements are in place for good research, but I have a few suggestions about how to strengthen the approach, analysis, or evaluation plan.
12 pts
Ok
Fair work. The authors need to make some important changes to make this work fully convincing (e.g., the research design is somewhat flawed or inappropriate or the conclusions are not completely supported).
10 pts
Meh
Below-standard work. The research questions are not articulated, not addressed, or the authors claims are unsupported.
8 pts
What?
The approach is fundamentally flawed.
16 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLiterature review
The student should effectively place prior work in the context of its contribution to understanding the research problem being studied. By revealing any gaps that exist in the literature, the student points the way to fulfilling a need for additional research and locate their research within the context of existing literature.
16 pts
Excellent
The literature review in the submission covers all aspects of prior research and supports the research question of the student seamlessly.
14 pts
Good
The literature review in the submission has the primary perspective intact, but there are a few under-developed arguments.
12 pts
Ok
The literature review in the submission needs some improvements. The authors should make significant changes in the literature review to fully support their arguments in their rationale and justification of the research question.
10 pts
Meh
The literature review is there but mainly listing and summarizing the related research rather than putting them in the context of the primary research question.
8 pts
What?
The literature review is not relevant or there is no literature review.
16 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeValidity
The student should design the research to argue that the expected outcome of the study and the research contribution can reasonably result from the artifacts implemented in the research, not from the external factors. The study should be reliable and free from bias; the threats to validity should have been addressed.
16 pts
Excellent
The submission provides a full aspect of validity addressed in the research design.
14 pts
Good
The submission has a few shortcomings or flaws. The research design makes sense, but I may be able to provide a few suggestions about how to address the issues of validity.
12 pts
Ok
The submission has a major flaw in the research design that needs to improve in terms of the issues of validity.
10 pts
Meh
The validity of the research design in the submission is seriously challenged. The research design does not make sense and would not produce the proposed outcome.
8 pts
What?
There is no research design to review.
16 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeRelevance
How closely related is the topic of the submission to research topics and themes of Information Technology? Is this a project that will stimulate interesting/meaningful conversation in the IT community?
10 pts
Excellent
The topic is bang on target of the IT research, and the submission will generate a lot of excitement.
9 pts
Good
The topic is very relevant to the IT research, and the submission will create quite a bit of buzz.
8 pts
Ok
People from a wide variety of areas will be interested to hear about this submission.
7 pts
Meh
This submission may be of interest to a handful of specialists.
5 pts
What?
The topic is not relevant to the IT research, and it is unlikely any people in IT will be interested in this submission.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomePresentation, grammar, and clarity
The student should submit a paper that users can read easily and understand the meaning with no difficulty. Is this submission well-written and well-structured? Does the English need editing? Would the explanation benefit from more examples or illustrations? Are the results appropriately interpreted, explained, and put into context? Is there sufficient detail for an expert to validate the work?
10 pts
Excellent
Very well written, a pleasure to read, easy to follow, few grammatical or typographical errors.
9 pts
Good
The essential content will be understood by most readers, but the writing or figures could be improved.
8 pts
Ok
The major points are clear, but the details are either obscured by poor writing or are missing.
7 pts
Meh
Important questions were hard to resolve even with effort; the submission may need substantial grammatical editing.
5 pts
What?
The submission is so poorly written that it is difficult to accurately judge the work.
10 pts
Total Points: 100
