Title of the work: “________________”
Doctoral student: SURNAME, Name
Supervisor/s: SURNAME, Name
Referee: SURNAME, Name
Cohort tutor: SURNAME, Name

FAIL (D)

The writing style is careless and the logical reasoning is difficult to understand.

The title page does not contain all the required identifying information. The document is incorrectly structured or there is no numbered table of contents.

The presentation format is careless.

It is far too short or too long.

It does not include an ordered list of the information sources cited in the research plan. Works are not properly cited or referenced according to APA style guidelines.

FAIR (C)

The writing style is correct, but the logical reasoning is not entirely clear.

The document is correctly structured, but some of the required identifying information is missing or there is not a complete numbered table of contents.

The presentation format is correct but poor.

It is slightly longer or shorter than required.

It includes an ordered list of the information sources cited in the research plan. However, works are not properly cited or referenced according to APA style guidelines.

GOOD (B)

The writing style is correct, clear and fluent.

The title page contains all the required identifying information.

The document is correctly structured and contains a coherently numbered table of contents with all sections.

The presentation format is correct.

It does not exceed 7,000 words (including references, footnotes, etc.).

It includes an ordered list of the information sources cited in the research plan. Works are properly cited and referenced according to APA style guidelines (7th edition).

EXCELLENT (A)

The writing style is meticulous, clear, fluent and precise.

The title page contains all the required identifying information.

The document is correctly structured and contains a coherently numbered table of contents with all sections.

The presentation format is clear, meticulous and appropriate. Well-produced figures, tables or other graphic resources are used to support the content.

It does not exceed 7,000 words (including references, footnotes, etc.).

It contains an ordered list of the information sources cited in the research plan. Works are properly cited and referenced according to APA style guidelines (7th edition).

Weighting

5%

Open Comments

(Write here your comments or suggestions)

FAIL (D)

The title is not sufficiently clear or it does not identify the focal subject or problem of the research.

No keywords are included or, in general, the concepts of the content of the research are not identified.

The abstract is not in line with the required length (200 words) or it does not offer a general idea of the problem covered in the study, or it does not make precise reference to some of the central elements of the research.

FAIR (C)

At least two of the following situations are present:

The title is not sufficiently clear or does not clearly identify the main research topic or problem.

There are keywords, but some of them are not correct or some key concepts of the research are not identified as such.

The abstract is of the required length (200 words), but it does not give a full general idea of the problem addressed in the study, or it does not refer precisely to some of the central elements of the research.

GOOD (B)

The title adequately identifies the main research topic or problem.

There are around five keywords that adequately identify the key concepts of the research.

The abstract is of the required length (200 words) and gives a general idea of the problem or question addressed in the study, but it does not refer to some of the central elements of the research, or does so with insufficient precision.

EXCELLENT (A)

The title clearly, precisely and completely identifies the main research topic or problem.

There are around five keywords that fully identify the key concepts of the research.

The abstract is of the required length (200 words), is precise and gives a general idea of the problem or question addressed in the study. It also sets out the research objectives and/or questions, the focus and methodology, and the expected results.

Weighting

5%

Open Comments

(Write here your comments or suggestions)

FAIL (D)

There is no introduction or the general research approach is not clearly presented.

The research topic is not fully defined.

FAIR (C)

The introduction presents the general research topic, but the research approach is not entirely clear.

GOOD (B)

The introduction adequately presents the research topic and sets out the general content and main points of the research to be carried out.

EXCELLENT (A)

The introduction presents the subject area and the main topic of the research in a clear, attractive and concise manner and sets out the general content and main points of the research to be carried out.

Weighting

5%

Open Comments

(Write here your comments or suggestions)

FAIL (D)

Arguments for the interest of the research are not given, or are insufficient or inappropriate to justify its scientific and social relevance.

The research problem is not clearly formulated, does not fit into any of the research lines of the doctoral programme, or is not correctly focused and positioned within a specific theoretical framework.

FAIR (C)

Arguments for the interest of the research are given, but they are not entirely sufficient or appropriate to justify its scientific and social relevance.

The research problem fits into one of the doctoral programme's research lines, but it is not clearly formulated or focused and positioned within a specific theoretical framework.

GOOD (B)

Sufficient arguments are given for the appropriateness and interest of the research, although they could be more explicit about its usefulness and expected benefits or outcomes.

The research problem is formulated and defined theoretically, geographically and temporally. It is positioned within a specific theoretical framework, but could be better explained or developed. It fits into one of the research lines of the doctoral programme.

EXCELLENT (A)

The general motivations for undertaking the study are explained and the appropriateness, relevance, usefulness, feasibility and interest of the research are coherently and sufficiently justified from both a social and a scientific point of view.

The research problem is clearly formulated and defined theoretically, geographically and temporally. It is correctly focused and positioned within a specific theoretical framework. It fits perfectly into one of the research lines in the doctoral programme.

Weighting

10%

(this section must be marked Fair or above in order for the research plan to be approved)

Open Comments

(Write here your comments or suggestions)

FAIL (D)

There is no analysis of the main research carried out in the field or of the theoretical references. Or some are presented, but they are unrelated and lack coherence, failing to adequately identify or cover the background of the problem.

The information sources are irrelevant or insufficient for the research topic.

FAIR (C)

Some of the research carried out in the field and some theoretical references are presented. However, the key theoretical and empirical foundations of the research topic are not addressed with sufficient clarity and depth.

Some of the information sources do not appear to be fully appropriate to the research topic, or are not sufficiently up-to-date, or some important works related to the research topic are missing.

GOOD (B)

Some of the research carried out in the field and key theoretical references are presented and analysed, identifying the background of the problem.

Some key research concepts are not sufficiently defined or the theoretical and empirical foundations of the research topic are not sufficiently developed.

The information sources cited are sufficiently relevant to the research topic and sufficiently up to date.

EXCELLENT (A)

The main research carried out in the field and key theoretical references are presented and critically analysed, identifying the antecedents of the problem.

Key research concepts are defined and the main theoretical and empirical foundations of the research topic are covered in depth and in an exemplary manner, establishing relationships within the content covered.

The information sources cited are relevant to the research topic. They are varied, sufficient, sound, reliable and up-to-date (within the last five years and by original authors).

Weighting

15%

(this section must be marked Fair or above in order for the research plan to be approved)

Open Comments

(Write here your comments or suggestions)

FAIL (D)

The general research question or objective does not clearly express the general direction and purpose of the work or is not consistent with the research problem.

Where research questions are asked, they are not clearly derived from the research problem.

Where hypotheses are formulated, they are not consistent with the research questions or are not derived from previous research on the topic.

The specific objectives, if any, are not sufficiently concrete, operational (assessable) and achievable.

FAIR (C)

The general research question or objective expresses the direction and purpose of the work and is reasonably consistent with the research problem.

Where research questions are asked, not all are well formulated, clearly linked to the intended knowledge output, or clearly derived from the main research question or objective.

Where hypotheses are formulated, they are consistent with the research questions, but are not fully justified in terms of the theoretical background to the research.

If specific objectives are set, they are not all sufficiently concrete, operational (assessable) and achievable, or they are not fully related to the research questions (if any).

GOOD (B)

The general research question or objective expresses the direction and purpose of the work, is clearly stated and is consistent with the research problem.

Where research questions are asked, they are derived from the problem and the main research question (or objective) and serve as a basis for the research design. Some of the questions are analytical; for example, if the research is quantitative, a question is asked about the relationship between two or more variables.

Where hypotheses are formulated, they are consistent with the research questions and are derived from previous research on the topic.

The specific objectives are reasonably concrete, operational (assessable) and achievable, and they are clearly related to the research questions (if any).

EXCELLENT (A)

The general research question or objective expresses the direction and purpose of the work, is clearly stated and is consistent with the research problem.

Where research questions are asked, they are clearly derived from the problem and the main research question (or objective) and serve as a basis for the research design. They are appropriate and relevant. The questions require in-depth analysis (for example, if the research is quantitative, a question is asked about the relationship between two or more well-defined variables).

Where hypotheses are formulated, they are consistent with the research questions and are derived from previous research on the topic. They are written as an assumption to be confirmed or rejected.

The specific objectives are concrete, operational (assessable) and achievable, and they express a result or product of the research. They are current, appropriate, relevant and clearly related to the research questions (if any).

Weighting

10%

(this section must be marked Fair or above in order for the research plan to be approved)

Open Comments

(Write here your comments or suggestions)

FAIL (D)

The research design for achieving the research objectives does not establish a detailed plan and is not consistent with the research questions and/or hypotheses (if any).

The methodological strategy (or strategies) and the criteria for action during the research are not presented or are not adequately justified.

The methods are not sufficiently described, or the reason why they have been chosen is not consistent with the research plan.

The steps to be taken to carry out the research are not presented in a sequential and clear manner, making replication impossible.

FAIR (C)

The research design for achieving the research objectives is described, even if it is not fully consistent with the research questions and/or hypotheses (if any).

The methodological strategy (or strategies) and the criteria for action during the research are presented but are not sufficiently justified or explained.

The methods are described, although the reason for their choice could be better argued.

The structure and steps to be taken to carry out the research are presented, but in a rather poor manner, making replication difficult.

GOOD (B)

The research design for achieving the research objectives establishes a detailed plan and is sufficiently consistent with the research questions and/or hypotheses (if any).

The methodological strategy (or strategies) and the criteria for action during the research are adequately justified, and the main methodological decisions taken are explained and consistent with the research objective(s), questions and/or hypotheses (if any).

The methods are described, although the reason for their choice could be better argued.

The steps to be taken to carry out the research are presented in detail, allowing for replication, but they are NOT presented in a sequential and clear manner, or they are not sufficiently justified.

EXCELLENT (A)

Arguments are made for the research approach or paradigm within which the research design is framed.

The research design for achieving the research objectives clearly establishes the general methodological approach or strategy that will guide the research process aimed at achieving the research objectives. It explains, with clear and logical arguments, why it is the most appropriate and feasible design.

The methodological strategy (or strategies) and the criteria for action during the research are adequately justified. The methods and the main methodological decisions taken are explained and consistent with the research objective(s), questions and/or hypotheses (if any). The context and limitations of the field of research are considered.

The intended use of the methods is explained, taking into account the nature, origin and quality of the data to be collected.

The steps to be taken to carry out the research are justified and presented in a detailed, sequential and clear manner that allows for replication

The strengths and weaknesses of the methodology within the research framework are analysed.

Weighting

15%

(this section must be marked Fair or above in order for the research plan to be approved)

Open Comments

(Write here your comments or suggestions)

FAIL (D)

There is no description of the research scenario, the participants or the sample.

FAIR (C)

There is a short description of the sample or unit of analysis.

1. The choice of participants or unit of analysis in the research and the criteria for selecting the sample could be better justified.

2. There is no information on how the sample will be accessed, or this information is unclear.

GOOD (B)

The research scenario is described. The description of the sample is appropriate and consistent with the research objectives and questions.

1. The choice of participants or unit of analysis in the research and the criteria for selecting the sample could be better explained.

2. Some information is given on how the sample will be accessed, but this information is not entirely clear.

EXCELLENT (A)

The research scenario is very well described. The description of the sample (or the unit of analysis) is appropriate and consistent with the research objectives and questions.

1. The choice of participants or unit of analysis in the research and the criteria for selecting the sample are sufficiently justified and consistent with the research questions and/or hypotheses.

2. Detailed information is given on how the sample will be accessed and recruited.

Weighting

10%

(this section must be marked Fair or above in order for the research plan to be approved)

Open Comments

(Write here your comments or suggestions)

FAIL (D)

There is no description of the research techniques or instruments to be used, or they are not consistent with the research design, questions and objectives.

FAIR (C)

The research techniques and instruments to be used are described, but their choice is not sufficiently justified or they are not fully consistent with the research design, questions and objectives.

GOOD (B)

The research techniques and instruments to be used are described and they appear to be consistent with the research design and objectives, but their choice could be better justified.

EXCELLENT (A)

The research techniques and instruments to be used are well described and consistent with the research design and objectives. Their choice is justified in relation to the research objectives, questions and/or hypotheses (if considered) and the type of data to be collected.

There is a brief outline of how research data will be handled and managed for open publication.

Weighting

5%

Open Comments

(Write here your comments or suggestions)

FAIL (D)

There is no work plan or it is not presented in the appropriate format. It does not include the appropriate stages and deadlines with the required level of detail, or it is inconsistent with the time available.

FAIR (C)

There is a work plan, but it is not clearly aligned with the proposed research design, or it does not fully or clearly present the different stages and deadlines of the research to be undertaken, although it does fit within the time available.

GOOD (B)

The work plan is consistent with the proposed research design, but could be more specific. It indicates the deadlines of the research to be undertaken, which fit well within the time available.

The plan includes some actions linked to the dissemination of the research.

The means and materials needed to carry out the research are described, specifically the research software that will be required throughout the process.

EXCELLENT (A)

The work plan is consistent with the proposed research design and thesis type (monograph or thesis by compendium of publications). It presents the stages and deadlines of the research to be undertaken (in its entirety) in a clear and detailed manner, and fits well within the time available.

In addition to research activities, the plan also includes dissemination activities.

The means and materials needed to carry out the research are described, specifically the research software that will be required throughout the process.

There is a brief risk assessment that considers possible contingencies and risks to the execution of the plan and anticipates possible alternatives.

Weighting

10%

Open Comments

(Write here your comments or suggestions)

FAIL (D)

The expected benefits or outcomes of the research are not mentioned or are not consistent with the research design and objectives.

Ethical considerations and expectations about social impact are not included.

FAIR (C)

The expected benefits or outcomes of the research are briefly mentioned, as are their practical or social implications, but only in broad terms.

Some ethical considerations and principles that guide the research design and future research are presented, but are not fully developed or explained. The Ethics Committee's ethical protocol or the self-assessment form has been completed and the review request proof is submitted.

GOOD (B)

The expected benefits or outcomes of the research and their specific contribution to the field of knowledge are explained, as are their practical or social implications.

The expected return (impact or effect) to society of the results or products of the research is described, but in a rather vague way.

Ethical considerations and principles that guide the research design and future research are presented. These considerations include practices such as voluntary participation, informed consent, anonymity, confidentiality, potential for harm, and communication of results to participants. The Ethics Committee's ethical protocol or the self-assessment form has been completed and the review request proof is submitted.

EXCELLENT (A)

The expected benefits or outcomes of the research and their specific contribution to the field of knowledge are explained, as well as their practical or social implications.

The expected return (impact or effect) to society of the results or products of the research is described, as are the conditions required for its sustainability.

Ethical considerations and principles that guide the research design and future research are presented and discussed. These considerations include practices such as voluntary participation, informed consent, anonymity, confidentiality, potential for harm, and communication of results to participants, as well as other potential ethical implications directly related to the research topic. The Ethics Committee's ethical protocol or the self-assessment form has been completed and the review request proof is submitted.

Weighting

10%

Open Comments

(Write here your comments or suggestions)

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POSITIVE, I recommend the approval for the research plan
POSITIVE, I recommend the approval for the research plan but some changes are strongly recommended
NEGATIVE, I recommend improving and making a new delivery of the research plan within a maximum of 6 months