STRUCTURE AND ASSESSMENT OF THE MASTER’S THESIS (TFM)
To assign the weights for the various aspects to be assessed, a distinction is made between research-oriented TFM and professional-oriented TFM. Below are indicative tables with the proposed distribution of weights, to be used as a reference by the assessment committee.
Table 1. Indicative weight of aspects to be assessed in a research-profile TFM
| Block |
Assessment items |
| Block 1: Structure and format of the thesis (10%) |
- Formal presentation
- Table of contents, tables, figures, etc.
- Tables, figures, etc. referenced in the text
- Coherent structure
- Development of sections
- Logical sequencing
- Clear and academic discourse
- APA standards applied to citations and references
|
| Block 2: Introduction and objectives (10%) |
- Sound justification for the topic choice: research gap
- The general objective is clear, realistic, and appropriate
- The secondary objectives are clear, realistic, and appropriate
- The research hypotheses/questions are supported by the literature
|
| Block 3: Conceptual framework (20%) |
- Appropriate theoretical framework(s) selected
- Depth of the literature review in relation to the hypotheses/research questions
- Updated bibliography (novelty)
|
| Block 4: Methodology (15%) |
- Methodological suitability for the hypotheses/research questions
- Rigorous development of the selected methodology
|
| Block 5: Analysis and discussion of results (10%) |
- Proper use of analysis tools and data visualisation (tables, figures, etc.)
- Connection between results and the stated hypotheses/research questions
|
| Block 6: Conclusions (15%) |
- Reflections related to the theoretical framework and results: academic contributions
- Implications for management derived from the study
- Explicit identification of research limitations
- Presentation of future research lines
|
| Block 7: Presentation and defence (60%) |
- Quality of visual materials
- Oral and non-verbal communication
- Skills and accuracy when answering the committee
- Time management during the presentation
|
| Block 8: Supervisor’s assessment (5%) |
|
Table 2. Indicative weight of aspects to be assessed in a professional-profile TFM
| Block |
Assessment items |
| Block 1: Structure and format of the thesis (10%) |
- Formal presentation
- Table of contents, tables, figures, etc.
- Tables, figures, etc. referenced in the text
- Coherent structure
- Development of all sections
- Logical sequencing
- Clear and professional discourse
- APA standards applied to citations and references
|
| Block 2: Introduction and objectives (10%) |
- Sound justification for the topic choice
- The general objective is clear, realistic, and appropriate
- The secondary objectives are clear, realistic, and appropriate
- Objectives are consistent with the prior justification and the work developed
|
| Block 3: Conceptual framework (15%) |
- Description of the study context (company, market, destination, etc.)
- Adequacy and depth of the bibliography used
- Updated bibliography (novelty)
|
| Block 4: Methodology (15%) |
- Methodological suitability for the issue/topic addressed
- Rigorous development of the selected methodology
|
| Block 5: Analysis and discussion of results (20%) |
- Proper use of analysis tools and data visualisation (tables, figures, etc.)
- Connection between results and the issue/topic/objectives
|
| Block 6: Conclusions (10%) |
- Clarity and consistency with objectives and proposed actions
- Rigour in solving the issue/topic addressed
- Implications for managing the issue/topic
- Limitations included and possible future action proposals
|
| Block 7: Presentation and defence (60%) |
- Quality of visual materials
- Oral and non-verbal communication
- Skills and accuracy when answering the committee regarding the TFM content
- Time management during the presentation
|
| Block 8: Supervisor’s assessment (5%) |
|