The quality of a written research paper can be (self-)assessed according
to the following criteria:
I. CONTENT
1.
Defining the topic
, explaining its relevance and embedding it (into its larger context, i.e.
seminar theme)
2.
Dealing with the relevant research literature
3.
Evaluating critically the findings of others
and the ongoing research debate (claims, assumptions, contradictions, generalisability
etc.)
4.
Positioning oneself
, summarizing, concluding
II. LANGUAGE
5.
Guiding the reader: Structuring logically
the development of argument/ thoughts
6.
Connecting explicitly
sentences, paragraphs, chapters (cohesion, linking)
7.
Formulating clearly
: precision of words / terminology /expressions
8.
Choosing the appropriate register
for academic discourse (style)
III. FORM
9.
Referring/Quoting
and Bibliography
10.
Realization of the paper under formal aspects
In sum, we can put our assessment into one holistic judgement:
OVERALL UNITY, COMPREHENSIBILITY AND EFFECT OF THE PAPER (Coherence)
Additional considerations:
Correcting and/or editing of a second version
As to the weight of the 3 categories, I suggest a relationship of 2:2:1 (Content,
Language, Form).