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CHRISTOPHER BRUMFIT AWARD

REFEREE REPORT ON SUMMARY TITLE/CANDIDATE NAME:

CONSIDER EACH CATEGORY AND PROVIDE BRIEF COMMENTS ON EACH BASED ON

THE SUMMARY READ

Significance:
The research would seem to make a significant and original contribution to knowledge and
understanding of the field concerned.

Comments:

Statement of the research problem and research questions:

The problem tackled in the research emerges naturally and clearly from the review of the
theoretical background of the research.

Comments:

Methods of enquiry:
Candidate details these methods and demonstrates why the methods used have been chosen.

Comments:

Analyses of data:

The analytic methods used are justified and shown to be sufficient for the task.

Comments:

The analyses are clearly linked to the explicit hypotheses, predictions, or questions which formed
part of the stated research problem.

Comments:

Conclusions:

The discussion and/or conclusion evaluates the project's contribution to the local and wider field
of research. There is a clear and significant contribution to the field of SLA and/or FL teaching
and learning

Comments:

Conclusions derive logically and acceptably from the discussion and analysis of outcomes.

Comments:
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CHRISTOPHER BRUMFIT AWARD

Short-listed candidates

REFEREE REPORT ON THESIS

Significance:
The thesis makes a
significant and original
contribution to knowledge
and understanding of the
field concerned.
Originality and creativity:
1. This thesis shows the
flair and originality one
would expect from a
PhD/EdD thesis.
2. This thesis displays an
excellent capacity for
independent research.
Presentation:

1. The reader should be

able to read the text
without difficulty.

2. The submission should

be 'user friendly'. The
reader should be able to
find his or her way around
the submission, locating
tables and figures, and
being able to cross-
reference with ease.

3. The bibliography and/or

reference list should be
complete and accurate.

4. It is possible to gain easy

access to tables and figures
relating to particular
passages in the text, and to
examine both data and
commentary without
effort.

5. Given the problem or

area to be researched, is
the approach and
framework the most
suitable?
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6. Are the different

sections of the dissertation
suitably proportioned?

Literature review:
The thesis demonstrates
detailed, critical
knowledge of original
sources, a thorough
knowledge of the field, and
an understanding of the
main theoretical and
methodological issues.
There should not be undue
dependence on secondary
sources.

Statement of the research

problem:
The problem to be tackled
in the research emerges
naturally and clearly from
the literature review.
Methods of enquiry:
Candidates should be able
to demonstrate that the
methods used have been
chosen through a
conscious process of
deliberation; and that the
criteria for, and
advantages and
disadvantages of,
particular choices of
method are well specified.
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Analysis of data:
1. The analytic methods
used are justified and
shown to be sufficient for
the task.

2. Problems arising in the

analysis are recognised
and tackled appropriately.

3. Candidate shows
sensitivity to problems of
reliability, measurement
error and sources of bias.

4. Candidate understands
the assumptions behind
any statistical test or tests
used.

5. Where appropriate,
candidate demonstrates
imagination and creativity
in identifying and
analysing emergent
properties of the data
which may not have been
foreseen.

6. The analyses are clearly

linked to the explicit
hypotheses, predictions, or
questions which formed
part of the stated research
problem.

Discussion of outcomes:
1. The discussion evaluates
the project's contribution
to the local and wider field
of research.

2. Links should be drawn

between the candidate's
own work and the work
reviewed in the literature
review.

3. Conclusions derive
logically and acceptably
from the discussion and
analysis of outcomes.

4. A section is included
which discusses the
limitations of the research
design and methodology in
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the light of knowledge

acquired whilst
undertaking the research,
and outlines alternative or
additional approaches
which might be pursued.

Additional comments to author:

NOTE ON EVALUATION CRITERIA:

These criteria are used to help inform our decisions when we are judging submissions for the
award. The examiner’s decision is final and no further correspondence about evaluation can
be entered into.