Assessing the Mathematics Major
at South Dakota State University

Donna Flint and Daniel Kemp
South Dakota State University

Appendix B    Assessment Tool- Major Paper

Student: ____________________________      Faculty Reviewer: __________________________

Paper grade:  ____________

You are assessing a senior Mathematics Major student’s research paper.  This paper was written with the supervision of a Mathematics Faculty member.  You should assess the paper based on the following criteria using the scale as described on the attached memo.  Learning objectives are listed in brackets.  Please add additional comments on the back of this sheet. 

Presentation:

1. How well written is the report (e.g., correct grammar, spelling, etc.)?    [4]

   1            2            3            4            5            6            7

2. How effectively does the student use graphics/figures (e.g. placement, neatness,etc.)?    [2,4]

   1            2            3            4            5            6            7

3. How effectively does the student use examples to clarify points made in the paper?   [4]

   1            2            3            4            5            6            7

Technical Report:

4. How well does the student explain the purpose of the project?   [4]

   1            2            3            4            5            6            7

5. How well does the student explain the history of the topic?    [3,4]

   1            2            3            4            5            6            7

6. How well does the student explain the background mathematics needed to understand the problem?    [3,4]

   1            2            3            4            5            6            7

7. How well does the student use and cite both print and electronic sources?   [3]

   1            2            3            4            5            6            7

Mathematics/Statistics

8. How in depth does the student explore the topic?    [1,3]

   1            2            3            4            5            6            7

9. How accurate are the mathematical/statistical statements?     [1,3]

   1            2            3            4            5            6            7

10. How well does the student justify the mathematical/statistical statements?    [1,3,4]

    1            2            3            4            5            6            7

11. How consistent and effective is the student’s use of notation?    [1,3,4]

    1            2            3            4            5            6            7

Overall

12. How well does the student demonstrate that he/she understands the mathematics/statistics?

    1            2            3            4            5            6            7

Criteria for Student paper assessment:

7 - Excellent – has no mathematical errors may need some minor re-wording

6 - Very Good - needs minor revisions in a few places

5 - Good – needs minor revisions sporadically throughout the paper

4 - Satisfactory - minor revisions needed throughout the paper

3 - Poor-needs major revisions in a few places

2 - Very Poor - needs major revisions sporadically throughout the paper

1 – Unsatisfactory - paper has little or no merit