Chapter 7: Thesis and examination matters

7.8 Assessment of theses

7.8.1 All research master’s theses

Examiners are provided with notes for the examination of a research master’s thesis. They are requested to complete a form indicating whether the candidate has met certain listed criteria, to recommend a particular examination outcome, including a numerical mark and grade, and to provide a written report.
Please note that theses from the Faculty of Engineering are marked only as either pass or fail.
Examiners are asked to indicate whether: 

• the thesis makes a contribution to knowledge and understanding in the field of study concerned;
• the thesis demonstrates a thorough understanding of the subject matter with which it deals;
• the thesis demonstrates the candidate's capacity to carry out research; and
• the format and literary presentation of the thesis are satisfactory.

7.8.2 Master of Fine Art

Candidates develop a research proposal that results in a body of creative or visual works with accompanying written and visual documentation. The documentation is a written and visual commentary that outlines the development of the project and its conclusion, and provides a critical context within which the work may be viewed and assessed. The visual work is the research outcome and the documentation places it in context.  The normal length of the written commentary is between 10,000 and 20,000 words, with a photographic record of the visual or creative work being bound into the document. The documentation is not examined separately, but is considered together with the work and unites theory with practice.  The examination should treat the visual work as the research and the written documentation as a commentary on it. The documentation will not be assessed separately.
 
Examination normally occurs through an exhibition of visual work. The works are new works that demonstrate a conclusion to the research to Master’s level. Works completed for other purposes, or before the candidacy, are not permitted for inclusion in the exhibition. Unless site-specific, the Master of Fine Art examination exhibitions to be conducted on campus at either the Caulfield or Gippsland campuses.

Each examiner is asked to indicate whether:

• the visual project and documentation demonstrate the candidate’s ability to carry out research in the chosen discipline;
• the visual project and documentation demonstrate the candidate’s capacity for independent thought;
• the visual project and documentation demonstrate the candidate’s ability to evaluate and report results;
• the format of the visual project and documentation is satisfactory.

7.8.3 Master of Design (by Research)

Candidates develop a research proposal that results in a new body of design works with an accompanying written and visual exegetical essay. The exegetical essay is a written and visual commentary that outlines the development of the project and its conclusion, and provides a critical context within which the work may be viewed and assessed. The design work is the research outcome and the documentation places it in context.  The normal length of the written commentary is between 10,000 and 20,000 words, with a photographic record of the design work being bound into the document. The exegetical essay is not examined separately, but is considered together with the work and unites theory with practice.  The examination should treat the design work as the research and the written documentation as the commentary on it. The documentation will not be assessed separately.
 
Examination normally occurs through an exhibition of design work. The works are new works that demonstrate a conclusion to the research to Masters level. Works completed for other purposes, or before the candidacy, are not permitted for inclusion in the exhibition. Unless site-specific, Master of Design examination exhibitions are to be conducted on campus at either the Caulfield or Gippsland campuses.

Each examiner is asked to indicate whether:

• the visual project and documentation demonstrate the candidate’s ability to carry out research in the chosen discipline;
• the visual project and documentation demonstrate the candidate’s capacity for independent thought;
• the visual project and documentation demonstrate the candidate’s ability to evaluate and report results;
• the format of the visual project and documentation is satisfactory.

7.8.4 Master of Arts (Creative Writing)

Candidates are required to submit a piece of their own creative writing (or a body of work) together with an exegesis. Both items must be produced during candidature and under supervision.
The creative writing component should be constituted by a novel, a group of short stories, a play or group of plays, a sequence of poems, or a portfolio of works of various genres.

The writing of the creative component is considered an act of research into the nature of literary creativity. To satisfy the requirements of the degree it must make a significant contribution to knowledge concerning literature and culture, and display mastery of the field.

The exegesis should be constituted by a piece of critical writing focused on the candidate’s piece of creative writing. It will be the result of research into the various aspects of the creative writing project: the characteristics of the genre, the theoretical and literary influence of the context and the shaping elements in a work of art. To satisfy the requirements of the degree it must demonstrate substantial conceptualisation of the characteristics of the genre, the influence of the context and the shaping elements in a creative work.

The exegesis is to be assessed as a contextualisation of the research undertaken in the form of critical writing, and not as a separate research paper. In other words, the creative writing component constitutes the research outcome and the exegesis is intended to comment on that research as it was applied to the candidate’s creative process.

Each examiner is asked to indicate whether:

• the creative work makes a significant contribution to knowledge concerning literature and culture, and displays mastery of the field;
• the exegesis demonstrates substantial conceptualisation of the characteristics of the genre, the influence of the context and the shaping elements in a creative work;
• the complete work contains material worthy of publication in a form suitable to the discipline;
• the format and literary presentation of the creative component and the exegesis are satisfactory.

7.8.5 Master of Arts (Music Composition)

Candidates are required to submit a substantial folio of original music compositions. A minimum of 50% of the music compositions in a folio must have been performed in public concerts, which must be evidenced by the concert program notes. The folio of music compositions must also include the concert program notes and a critical commentary on the compositions. Normally, the duration of the original music in the portfolio is between 30 and 45 minutes and the critical commentary is 10,000–15,000 words in length.
Examiners are asked to assess the critical commentary as a contextualisation of the research undertaken in the form of composition and not as a separate research paper. The composition folio constitutes the research outcome and the critical commentary is intended to comment on that research.

Each examiner is asked to indicate whether:

• the creative work makes a significant contribution to knowledge concerning music creativity and displays mastery of the field;
• the exegesis demonstrates substantial conceptualisation of the characteristics of the genre, the influence of the context and the shaping elements in a creative work;
• the complete work contains material worthy of publication in a form suitable to the discipline;
• the format and literary presentation of the creative component and the exegesis are satisfactory.

7.8.6 Master of Arts (Music Performance)

In the case of Master of Arts (Music Performance), the performance project embodies evidence of master’s-level research into music performance.

Normally, the performance project will be presented live at the School of Music's auditorium or alternate approved venue. The performance will be recorded by the School of Music and a copy as CD or DVD will be available to the examiners.

The examiners will be required to be present at the live presentation. Examiners will assess the candidate's role in the performance. If the performance involves performers other than the candidate, examiners will assess the performance of the individual within the ensemble.
The examiners will be reminded that they must not consult with each other regarding the work before, during or after the performance. The examiners will undertake the examination of the full work (performance project and exegesis). The examiners will be asked to write a report on the performance immediately after the live presentation of the performance and to 'hold' that report on file pending receipt of the written exegesis.

The project performance and exegesis are normally expected to be prepared simultaneously, with the exegesis to be submitted within two months of the live presentation. The examiners will be sent a recording of the performance together with a copy of the written exegesis to examine. The examiners will submit a written report on the performance project and exegesis.

Each examiner is asked to indicate whether:

• the creative work makes a significant contribution to knowledge concerning music performance and displays mastery of the field;
• the exegesis demonstrates substantial conceptualisation of the characteristics of the topic, independent research and contribution to the field;
• the complete work contains material worthy of public dissemination in a form suitable to the discipline;
• the format and presentation of the performance project are satisfactory; and
• the format and literary presentation of the written exegesis is satisfactory.

7.8.7 Master of Arts (Theatre Performance)

In the case of Master of Arts (Theatre Performance), the performance project embodies evidence of master’s-level research into the practice genre: specifically, the social, historical, and performance contexts of the project; the aesthetic elements of the practice genre; and theoretical issues germane to the project.

Normally the performance project will be presented live to an audience in a public performance venue. The examiners will be required to be present at the live presentation. The examiners will be reminded that they must not consult with each other regarding the work before, during or after the performance. The examiners will be asked to write a report on the performance immediately after the live presentation of the performance and to 'hold' that report on file pending receipt of the written dissertation.

When the creative project is a performance text, the examination can be based on either a performance of the text or the written text itself. Where the primary examination of the creative project is on the written text, examiners will be invited to a rehearsed reading. The written exegesis is expected to be submitted within three months of the live presentation of the performance project. The examiners will be sent a recording of the performance together with a copy of the written exegesis to examine. The examiners will submit a written report on the performance project and written exegesis.

Each examiner is asked to indicate whether: 

• the creative work makes a significant contribution to knowledge of the relevant aspect of theatre performance and displays mastery of the field;
• the written exegesis demonstrates substantial conceptualisation of the topic, independent research and contribution to the field;
• the complete work contains material worthy of publication in a form suitable to the discipline;
• the format and presentation of the creative component are satisfactory; and
• the format and literary presentation of the written exegesis is satisfactory.

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