Grading Rubrics PHD Program MGMT 7702 The nature of management research Course participation and course involvement / presentation of assigned chapters reading (1/2) Learning outcome Below expectations Acceptable Exceeds Expectations 1. Is familiar with a wide range of topics in management research methods Draws accurately on a few management research methods and seldom cites the relevant literature Draws accurately on a variety of management research methods and is sometimes able to cite the relevant literature Draws accurately on a broad variety of management research methods and is always able to cite the relevant literature 2. Achieves deep understanding of a wide range of topics in management research methods Explanations of management research methods are inaccurate or incomplete, does not cite the relevant literature. Little attempt is made to apply key concepts to cases and discussions in class For the most part, explanations of management research methods are accurate and complete, sometimes cites the relevant literature. Some attempt is made to apply key concepts to cases and discussions in class Speaker provides accurate and complete explanations of management research methods, drawing on relevant literature. Applies key concepts to cases and discussions in class 3. Able to critically evaluate different methodological approaches Is seldom able to critically evaluate management research methods and approaches Is somewhat able to critically evaluate different management research methods and approaches Is able to crtically evaluate management research methods and approaches 4. Demonstrates communication, discussion and teaching skills Does not take an active role in maintaining the flow or direction of the discussion. Does not indentify exercises or examples that facilitate learning by others. Does not provoke discussions on the usefulness or limitations of the methods. Fails to act as a facilitator to reach the learning objective, does not raise thoughtful questions to guide the audience Takes responsibility for maintaining flow and quality of discussion. Sometimes illustrates or carries out exercises that facilitate comprehension by others. Sometimes provokes discussions on the usefulness or limitations of the concepts. Facilitates discussions to reach learning goals. To some extent raises thoughtful questions to guide the audience. Encourages others to participate but is not always effective Takes responsibility for maintaining the flow and quality of the discussion whenever needed. Illustrates or carries out exercises that facilitate comprehension by others. Provokes discussions on the usefulness or limitations of the concepts. Raises thoughtful questions to structure the discussion. Helps to redirect or refocus when discussions become side tracked or unproductive. Makes efforts to engage reluctant participants 1
Course participation and course involvement / presentation of assigned chapters reading (2/2) Learning outcome Below expectations Acceptable Exceeds Expectations 5. Contributes actively to class discussions Contributes to the discussion by raising questions and comments that reflect little understanding of the theories, sometimes builds on others ideas and seldom challenges assumptions and ideas or does so in an unconstructive manner or with little understanding Sometimes contributes to the discussion by raising questions, making relevant comments, and building on others ideas. Sometimes challenges assumptions and ideas appropriately and constructively Often contributes to the discussion through thoughtful questions, relevant comments and building on others ideas. Often challenges assumptions and ideas appropriately and constructively 6. Demonstrates the ability to précis, to structure a clearly convey ideas Presentation is poorly organized and structured; much of the content emphasizes peripheral rather than core concepts; storyline is not developed. For the audience it is difficult to follow the presentation and to understand major ideas Presentation is to some extent organized and structured; most of the content reflects core rather than peripheral concepts; storyline is not fully developed. Audience gains some insights Presentation is well organized and structured, all content reflects core concepts; good storyline is developed. Audience can easily follow the understands major ideas 7. Effective use presentation aids like PowerPoint slides, flipcharts, overheads to support the convey ideas Presentation aids used interfere with the story line, distract the flow of the class discussion Presentation aids used support the speaker in telling the story most of the time, sometimes distract the flow of the class discussion Presentation aids used clearly support the speaker in telling a coherent story, speaker can still ensure that class participation flows in an informal way 2
Team research paper (1/2) Learning outcome Below expectations Acceptable Exceeds Expectations 1. Acquires familiarity with a broad base of literature related to the current state of human resource management/ industrial relations Author uses an insufficient range of literature to show the current state of research on their chosen topic Author uses a number of relevant studies to show the current state of research on their chosen topic Author uses the most important studies to show the current state of research on their chosen topic 2. Acquires a deep understanding of specific theories and methods used in human resource management/ industrial relations research Author shows a poor understanding of the theories and methodologies used to explain their chosen topic in HRM/IR (e.g. does not describe the theories or methods or describes them incorrectly) Author shows a basic understanding of the theories and methodologies used to explain their chosen topic in HRM/IR (e.g. is able to describe the theories and methods, but is not able to evaluate them) Author shows a deep understanding of theories and methodologies used to explain their chosen topic in HRM/IR (e.g. can critically evaluate the theories and methods) 3. Develops a research problem that frames the research paper 4. Ability to select, analyze and apply the relevant literature to answer the research topic Author did not develop a suitable research problem. Research questions are either undeveloped, not clearly stated, insufficient in scope for the length of the paper (e.g., too large or too narrow), or some combination of the above Literature as is poorly summarized and/or inadequately connected to the research question(s). Analysis and synthesis of literature is not well developed Author developed a suitable research problem. Research questions are fairly well developed and articulated and are of appropriate scope for the paper The literature as is summarized fairly well and adequately connected to the research question(s). Analysis and synthesis of the literature is fairly well developed Author developed an interesting and unique research problem. Research questions are well developed and clearly articulated The literature as is summarized clearly and concisely and is closely connected to the research question(s). Analysis is strong showing insightful synthesis of the literature 3
Team research paper (2/2) Learning outcome Below expectations Acceptable Exceeds Expectations 5. Ability to arrive at a research conclusion based on a thorough analysis Analysis does not drive the conclusion, poor connection between conclusions reached and research problem and research questions asked Analysis does drive the conclusion to some extent, there are some connections between conclusions reached and research problem and research questions asked Analysis drives the conclusion and conclusion answers the research problem and research questions in a consistent and thorough way 6. Is able to uses a clear writing style to get major ideas across wording is imprecise or ambiguous. Sentence confusing. Paper is unacceptably sloppy. Quotes are frequently not attributed or improperly Paper is for the most part clearly worded and structure is mostly clear. There are a few minor spellings or grammatical errors. Quotes are all properly attributed and wording is clear and clear and lucid. Quotes are all properly attributed and. There are virtually no spelling or grammatical errors 7. Is able to organize and structure a research paper Organization of the paper as a whole does not follow a logical flow. Not all parts of the paper fit the organizational structure. Not all the parts of the paper are effectively integrated. Topic sentences are missing or unclear in a number of paragraphs. In a number of paragraphs, parts do not connect logically Organization of paper as a whole is logical and apparent, but transitions not consistently smooth. Every paragraph makes one distinct and coherent point and, for the most part, parts of each paragraph connect logically and effectively Organization of the paper as a whole is logical and quickly apparent. Connections among paragraphs are clearly articulated. Transitions smooth. Every paragraph makes one distinct and coherent point, expressed in a clear topic sentence; parts of each paragraph connect logically and persuasively, and internal transitions are smooth 4
Individual research project proposal (1/2) 1. Develops a research / management problem that is appropriate for a research paper Author did not develop a suitable research / management problem. Plans for the exploratory research to refine the problem further are either undeveloped and/or not clearly stated. Proposal lacks a clearly stated hypothesis. Scope of the topic is either too broad or insufficient Author developed a suitable research / management problem. Plans for the exploratory research to refine the problem further are fairly well developed and articulated. To some extent proposal has a clearly stated hypothesis. Scope of the topic is manageable Author developed an interesting and unique research / management problem. Plans for the exploratory research to refine the problem further are well developed and clearly articulated. Proposal has a clearly stated hypothesis. Scope of the topic is completely appropriate 2. Ability to conduct a thorough literature review and logically synthesize varied information Analysis of the literature is not well developed. It lacks summary and/or any synthesis of the relevant literature, discussion of the literature omits important aspects of the research / management problem Analysis of the literature is fairly well developed. It summarizes the overall information obtained from the literature reviewed and synthesizes adequately the knowledge gained. To some extent the literature makes clear connections between the analysis and the research / management problem A strong analysis of the literature is developed. Summarizes and shows insightful synthesis of the literature information, including analysis of gaps. There are clear linkages among the information under consideration and the research / management problem 3. Demonstrates broad knowledge of the chosen topic Insufficient range of theories to support research objective and to discover what is already known about the problem A number of relevant theories are selected to support research objective and to discover what is already known about the problem The most important theories are selected to support research objectives and to discover what is already known about the research problem 5
Individual research project proposal (2/2) 4. Develops suitable research design to answer research problem 5. Is able to uses a clear writing style to get major ideas across Proposed research methods are not appropriate to answer research questions. No justifications for using the research design. The types of measuring instruments, the sampling procedures and plans for data analysis are not defined clearly. Does not recognize the limits, assumptions or implications of the method to be employed wording is imprecise or ambiguous. Sentence confusing. Paper is unacceptably sloppy. Quotes are frequently not attributed or improperly Proposed research methods are fairly appropriate to answer research questions. Some justifications for using the research design. The types of measuring instruments, the sampling procedures and plans for data analysis are fairly well developed. Recognizes to some extent the limits, assumptions or implications of the method to be employed Paper is for the most part clearly worded and structure is mostly clear. There are a few minor spellings or grammatical errors. Quotes are all properly attributed and Proposed research methods are appropriate to answer research questions. Clear justifications for using the research design. The types of measuring instruments, the sampling procedures and plans for data analysis are well developed. Research design is defined clearly. Recognizes the limits, assumptions or implications of the method to be employed wording is clear and clear and lucid. Quotes are all properly attributed and. There are virtually no spelling or grammatical errors 6. Is able to organize and structure a research paper Organization of the paper as a whole does not follow a logical flow. Not all parts of the paper fit the organizational structure. Not all the parts of the paper are effectively integrated. Topic sentences are missing or unclear in a number of paragraphs. In a number of paragraphs, parts do not connect logically Organization of paper as a whole is logical and apparent, but transitions not consistently smooth. Every paragraph makes one distinct and coherent point and, for the most part, parts of each paragraph connect logically and effectively Organization of the paper as a whole is logical and quickly apparent. Connections among paragraphs are clearly articulated. Transitions smooth. Every paragraph makes one distinct and coherent point, expressed in a clear topic sentence; parts of each paragraph connect logically and persuasively, and internal transitions are smooth 6
Learning outcome Below expectations Acceptable Exceeds Expectations 1. Identifies the management problem in the case Author did not identify the management problem and the related research questions in the case Author did to some extent identify the management problem and the related research questions in the case Author did fully identify the research problem and the related research question in the case 2. Evaluates critically the research design 3. Ability to arrive at a conclusion based on the evaluation and discussion Did not evaluate and discuss the research design, research methods, instrumentation and scaling, sampling procedures and data analytical tools used in the case Evaluation and discussion does not drive the conclusion, poor connection between evaluation and conclusion. Alternative research designs and areas of improvements are not explained. Implications of findings are not discussed Surface discussion and evaluation of the research design, research methods, instrumentation and scaling, sampling procedures and data analytical tools used in the case Evaluation and discussion drives the conclusion to some extent. There are some connections between conclusions reached and evaluation and discussion. Alternative research designs and areas of improvements are to some extent explained. Implications of findings discussed accurately Detailed discussion and evaluation of the research design, research method, instrumentation and scaling, sampling procedures and data analytical tools used in the case Evaluation and discussion drive the conclusion. There are clear connections between conclusions reached and evaluation and discussion. Alternative research designs and areas of improvements are fully explained. Implications of findings and for future research are discussed 4. Is able to uses a clear writing style to get major ideas across wording is imprecise or ambiguous. Sentence confusing. Paper is unacceptably sloppy. Quotes are frequently not attributed or improperly Paper is for the most part clearly worded and structure is mostly clear. There is a few minor spelling or grammatical errors. Quotes are all properly attributed and wording is clear and clear and lucid. Quotes are all properly attributed and. There are virtually no spelling or grammatical errors Individual Case: Presentation and Report (1/2) 7
Individual Case: Presentation and Report (2/2) 5. Writes a clearly organized and structured report. Organization of the report as a whole does not follow a logical flow. The report is not concise. Not all parts of the report fit the organizational structure. Not all the parts of the report are effectively integrated. Topic sentences are missing or unclear in a number of paragraphs. In a number of paragraphs, parts do not connect logically Organization of report as a whole is logical and apparent, but transitions not consistently smooth. The report is fairly concise. Every paragraph makes one distinct and coherent point and, for the most part, parts of each paragraph connect logically and effectively Organization of the report as a whole is logical and quickly apparent. The report is concise. Connections among paragraphs are clearly articulated. Transitions smooth. Every paragraph makes one distinct and coherent point, expressed in a clear topic sentence; parts of each paragraph connect logically and persuasively, and internal transitions are smooth 6. Demonstrates the ability to structure a clearly convey ideas Presentation of the case is poorly organized and structured; storyline is not developed. Tangential or less important information is often included. For the audience it is difficult to follow the presentation and to understand major ideas Presentation of the case is to some extent organized and structured, storyline is not fully developed. For the most part, time is spent on most important points. Audience gains some insights Presentation of the case is well organized and structured, good storyline is developed. Only the most important points are conveyed. Audience can easily follow the understands major ideas 8