What examiners emphasize in their assessment of doctoral theses. Scoping review

This article reports on the quality assessment criteria emphasized by examiners of doctoral theses. A scoping review was performed to identify peer-reviewed studies published between January 2009 and June 2025 that meet the inclusion criteria. Screening, selection and coding were performed by two independent reviewers. Most of the 19 studies retained were representative of an Anglo-Saxon tradition. Two main research approaches emerged, a dominant one building on the content of examiners’ reports and one where examiners had a consultative role in the determination of criteria. Six themes emerged pertaining to contribution; literature review; approach/methodology; analysis/findings; publication; communication/presentation. Our understanding of what criteria drive examiners’ assessment rests primarily on studies based on examiners’ reports, which may not fully reflect their reasoning or that of examiners involved in different assessment processes. Jointly, the evidence provides normative guidance to the write up of a doctoral thesis, aligned with criteria that shape examiners’ expectations. Whether those criteria are of comparable importance or appraised similarly across assessors remains uncertain. The fact that assessments are more summative than formative might be ineffective in achieving the goal to provide guidance and a barrier to feedback literacy among students.