1. Significance and Originality of the Research:
* Novelty: Does the research address a significant gap in the existing literature? Does it offer new insights, perspectives, or methodologies? Is the contribution substantial enough to warrant a PhD?
* Importance: Does the research address a problem of theoretical or practical importance within the field? Is the impact likely to be significant?
* Feasibility: Was the research question appropriately scoped given the resources and time constraints?
2. Research Methodology and Design:
* Appropriateness: Were the research methods and design appropriate for addressing the research question(s)? Are the methods clearly explained and justified?
* Rigor: Was the research conducted rigorously, with appropriate attention to detail and control for bias? Is the data collection and analysis robust and defensible?
* Validity and Reliability: Are the findings valid and reliable? Have potential limitations been acknowledged and addressed?
3. Data Analysis and Interpretation:
* Accuracy: Is the data analysis accurate and appropriately interpreted? Are the conclusions supported by the data?
* Clarity: Are the data and analysis presented clearly and concisely, avoiding jargon where possible? Are the figures and tables well-designed and informative?
* Sophistication: Does the analysis demonstrate an advanced understanding of relevant statistical or methodological techniques?
4. Presentation and Communication:
* Clarity and Organization: Is the dissertation well-organized and easy to follow? Is the argument clear and well-supported?
* Comprehension: Does the candidate demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the research and its implications?
* Defense of the Work: Can the candidate effectively answer challenging questions and defend their choices and interpretations?
* Professionalism: Does the candidate present themselves professionally and respectfully?
5. Writing and Style:
* Clarity and Conciseness: Is the writing clear, concise, and grammatically correct?
* Academic Style: Does the writing adhere to the conventions of academic writing in the field?
* Overall Quality: Is the dissertation well-written and polished?
It's important to note that the relative weight given to each criterion may vary depending on the field of study and the specific committee members. However, these criteria provide a general framework for understanding how dissertation defenses are evaluated. The defense itself is often viewed as a culmination of the entire research process, reflecting not just the final product (the dissertation), but also the candidate's intellectual growth and mastery of the subject matter.