Graduate School of Economics　Thesis Examination Evaluation Criteria

Master's thesis examination and evaluation criteria

I. Thesis examination evaluation items

1. The thesis demonstrates the student's adequate knowledge as a Master of Arts in the relevant research field and ability to appropriately understand and make clear specific problems (appropriateness of knowledge related to the research field).
2. The research theme is set appropriately for the degree applied for and the student's awareness of the problem for creating the thesis is clear (appropriateness of the theme).
3. The thesis is presented (the main body, figures, charts, references, etc.) adequately and appropriately, and has a consistent, logical structure up to the conclusions (appropriateness of the research content, consistency and clarity of the argument).
4. For research on the set theme, an appropriate research method, and an investigation/experiment or proof method are adopted, and specific analysis and discussion are made by the said methods (appropriateness of the research method and contents).
5. There is no unethical use of source documents for creating the academic paper, such as citing theses and other literature in an inappropriate way or plagiarizing them, modifying, manipulating, falsifying, or stealing data (academic ethics).
6. The thesis has a unique value from a theoretical or empirical viewpoint in the relevant research field (uniqueness of the research).
7. For a theme requiring reading comprehension of foreign language documents or investigation abroad, the thesis demonstrates the level of the student's foreign language ability adequate for such reading comprehension of documents or investigation and research (accuracy of comparative research).
8. The thesis shows that from the two points of view, namely ability to investigate and collect related information and reading comprehension of related information, the student developed the ability to accurately understand the current legal system and policy (accuracy of the understanding of the current situation).
9. The thesis shows that from the three points of view, namely accurately sorting out problems in the current legal system and policy, understanding the situation related to the problems, and giving realistic proposals for solving the problems, the student has practical problem-solving ability (proposals for the system and policy).

II. Research paper examination evaluation items

1. The paper demonstrates the student's adequate knowledge as a Master of Arts in the relevant research area and ability to appropriately understand and make clear specific problems (appropriateness of knowledge related to the research field).
2. The research theme is set appropriately for the degree applied for and the student's awareness of the problem for creating the research paper is clear (appropriateness of the theme).
3. The research paper is presented (the main body, figures, charts, reference list, etc.) adequately and appropriately, and has a consistent, logical structure up to the conclusion (appropriateness of the research content, consistency and clarity of the argument).
4. For research on the set theme, an appropriate research method, and an investigation/experiment or proof method are adopted, and specific analysis and discussion are made by the said methods (appropriateness of the research method and contents).
5. There is no unethical use of source documents for creating the research paper, such as citing theses and other literature in an inappropriate way or plagiarizing them, modifying, manipulating, falsifying, or stealing data (academic ethics).
6. The research paper shows that the theme is set in the specialized field related to the student's work experience, and that related information is correctly understood based on the materials and data obtained through investigation (accuracy of related information).
7. The research paper shows that from the three points of view, namely accurately sorting out problems, understanding the situation related to the problems, and evaluating verification results, the student has a practical problem-solving ability (creation of problem-solving ability)

Doctor's thesis examination criteria

1. The research objective, research target, and research methods are clear, and the thesis has a unique value (uniqueness of the research)
2. The placement of the research and the content contributing to the academic circles, society, and so on are clear.
3. The systematicity and consistency of the thesis are secured.
4. The reference range of documents is appropriate, and academic ethics are observed.
5. The thesis is consistent and clear, containing clear statements.
6. The thesis demonstrates the student's high-level expert knowledge and insight related to the research field.