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Peer Portal: Quality Enhancement in Thesis Writing Using Self-Managed Peer Review on a Mass Scale
Stockholm University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Computer and Systems Sciences.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-5949-8905
Stockholm University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Computer and Systems Sciences.
2013 (English)In: International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning, ISSN 1492-3831, E-ISSN 1492-3831, Vol. 14, no 1, p. 186-203Article, review/survey (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

This paper describes a specially developed online peer-review system, the Peer Portal, and the first results of its use for quality enhancement of bachelor's and master's thesis manuscripts. The peer-review system is completely student driven and therefore saves time for supervisors and creates a direct interaction between students without interference from supervisors. The purpose is to improve thesis manuscript quality, and thereby use supervisor time more efficiently, since peers review basic aspects of the manuscripts and give constructive suggestions for improvements. The process was initiated in 2012, and, in total, 260 peer reviews were completed between 1st January and 15th May, 2012. All peer reviews for this period have been analyzed with the help of content analysis. The purpose of analysis is to assess the quality of the students work. The results are categorized in four groups: 1) excellent (18.1%), 2) good (22.7%), 3) fragmented (18.5%), and 4) poor (40.7%). The overall result shows that almost 40% of the students produced excellent or good peer reviews and almost as many produced poor peer reviews. The result shows that the quality varies considerably. Explanations of these quality variations need further study. However, alternative hypotheses followed by some strategic suggestions are discussed in this study. Finally, a way forward in terms of improving peer reviews is outlined: 1) development of a peer wizard system and 2) rating of received peer reviews based on the quality categories created in this study. A Peer Portal version 2.0 is suggested, which will eliminate the fragmented and poor quality peer reviews, but still keep this review system student driven and ensure autonomous learning.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
2013. Vol. 14, no 1, p. 186-203
Keywords [en]
Autonomous learning, online collaboration, computer-mediated communication, SciPro, peer review, peer portal, thesis process
National Category
Computer and Information Sciences Educational Sciences
Research subject
Computer and Systems Sciences
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:su:diva-93205DOI: 10.19173/irrodl.v14i1.1394ISI: 000322375400011OAI: oai:DiVA.org:su-93205DiVA, id: diva2:645502
Available from: 2013-09-04 Created: 2013-09-04 Last updated: 2022-10-25Bibliographically approved
In thesis
1. The Usefulness of ICT Support Systems for Thesis Courses: Learners' Perspectives at Bachelor and Master Level
Open this publication in new window or tab >>The Usefulness of ICT Support Systems for Thesis Courses: Learners' Perspectives at Bachelor and Master Level
2015 (English)Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
Abstract [en]

Doing a bachelor’s or master’s degree is a journey that leads to success or attrition (dropout). Previous research show to the significance of considering learners’ perspectives and their need for information and different types of interaction. This can be done through online ICTSS (information and communication technology support systems). The overall aim of this dissertation was to create knowledge about how the use of ICTSS can facilitate different types of interaction and support learners in order to reduce thesis problems and attrition and to enhance the quality of the thesis outcomes. The aim was operationalized by two research questions scrutinizing the interaction problems in the thesis process and investigating how the use of ICTSS can facilitate different types of interaction to reduce such problems and attrition, and to enhance the learning opportunities and quality of the thesis outcomes. To answer the research questions, five main studies were performed by applying different research methods on a case study. The empirical studies were performed at the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences (DSV) at Stockholm University, Sweden. The respondents were different learners (students) with active thesis projects at the bachelor or master level in different programs at DSV between 2012 and 2015. For the first two studies, conceptual and content analysis of the data collected from the case study was performed. For the three other studies, open-ended online questionnaires (survey) and interviews were conducted. On the basis of the findings, three main types of interaction issues were developed which related to the need for more learner-content, peer-to-peer, and learner-supervisor interaction in the thesis process. The hypothesis was that the interaction issues could be reduced by implementing a set of strategic suggestions through the use of an ICTSS including a set of functionalities and resources. The usefulness of these functionalities and resources was evaluated with regard to the learners’ perception and experiences. The findings were categorized to facilitate learner-content, peer-to-peer, and learner-supervisor interaction, as well as management of the contents, supervision, and communication of the supervisory team. From these categories, a conceptual framework was developed in this dissertation to illustrate how the use of the ICTSS supports the thesis process. In conclusion, providing access to a set of structured e-resources and supporting educational communication through different types of interaction with peers and the supervisory team, enables learners’ self-managed learning and facilitates similar learning opportunities for learners in thesis courses.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Stockholm: Department of Computer and Systems Sciences, Stockholm University, 2015
Series
Report Series / Department of Computer & Systems Sciences, ISSN 1101-8526 ; 15-022
Keywords
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), Support System, interaction, thesis, self-managed learning
National Category
Computer and Information Sciences
Research subject
Computer and Systems Sciences
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:su:diva-122646 (URN)978-91-7649-308-3 (ISBN)
Public defence
2015-12-18, Lilla hörsalen, NOD-huset, Borgarfjordsgatan 12, Kista, 13:00 (English)
Opponent
Supervisors
Available from: 2015-11-26 Created: 2015-11-05 Last updated: 2022-10-25Bibliographically approved

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Aghaee, NaghmehHansson, Henrik

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