Higher and Adult Education
Faculty of Education
University of Stellenbosch

South Africa

Assessing and evaluating postgraduate theses and dissertations

22 - 24 November 2004

Facilitators:  Prof. Chris Kapp and Prof. Eli Bitzer

Registration fee:  R2200

Background:

The training and preparation of future generations of academics and scholars (“researchers”) are of vital importance for the development of a country.  These “future generations” are cultivated through a process of postgraduate study which culminates in the writing of a thesis or dissertation.  Years of hard work and huge sacrifices in terms of energy, time and resources are made by students and supervisors.  It is therefore essential that the final evaluation of a successful thesis or dissertation be done in such a way that all stakeholders can be proud of what has been achieved.

Target group:

Supervisors of postgraduate studies and examiners responsible for evaluating theses and dissertations

Programme: (A selection of the following modules can be included in the final programme.  The content of the final programme will be determined by the needs of the participants in the programme.)

• Perspectives on evaluating theses and dissertations
• Problems in evaluating postgraduate theses and dissertations
• The role of evaluation at different stages of the supervisory process
• A review of the literature on evaluating theses and dissertations
• A panel discussion by experienced examiners of “good practice” in the evaluation of theses and dissertations
• Benchmarking and “standardising” the evaluation of theses and dissertations
• Conducting an oral examination/defence/viva
• Writing an examiner’s report (an analysis of case studies)
• Improving the practice of evaluating postgraduate theses and dissertations
• A meta-evaluation

Ms Liza Burger
Centre for Higher and Adult Education
Faculty of Education
University of Stellenbosch
Private Bag X1
Matieland
7602

Tel:

(021) 808 2277/78/94

Fax:

(021) 808 2270

Email:

lizab@sun.ac.za, emb2@sun.ac.za or kapp@sun.ac.za

Enquiries regarding Student Fees: Mr Dennis Immelman, Tel (021) 8084527