Sub-doctoral research: Grading
This guide describes the procedure for grading sub-doctoral 30-80 point research component examinations.
Grading procedure
1
Examiner setup and actions in Canvas
- The Canvas assignment set-up automatically creates a ‘To do‘ item in Canvas [1], which graders click to recommend a numeric mark for the assignment [2], and add comments [3]:
Note: Upon marking the assignment, the examiner will be automatically un-enrolled from the Canvas course section to ensure independent marking. If the supervisor is also the examiner, they will retain visibility of the submission/grading.
2
Assessor setup and actions in Canvas
- Once the examiner has marked the assignment in the Canvas course, the assessor will be automatically enrolled in the Canvas course section. They will have access to the assignment they are marking [1]:
Note: Once the assessor has marked the assignment in the Canvas course, the assessor will be automatically un-enrolled from the Canvas course section.
3
Graduate advisor (GA) and associate dean postgraduate taught (ADPGT), or nominee
- The GA (as per data provided by administrators in ‘key data collection (step 1)‘) and ADPGT are already automatically enrolled in the Canvas course at the same time the student and assignment sections are created.
- The GA will recommend a mark [1]:
- From the ‘Assignments‘ [1], the ADPGT will select ‘Moderate‘ [2] and confirm the integrity of the examination process and confirm the final mark [3]:
- All staff involved in marking the assignment will follow the moderated grading process in step 5. For detailed guidance, expand the sub-headings in step 4 below.
4
Canvas moderated grading
The entire marking process is conducted using moderated grading in Canvas, which allows for examination, assessment and process validation of the research assignment.
Note: Students cannot see the comments or reports provided by any of the moderators.
For the purposes of this guide, examiners and assessors, and graduate advisers are “moderators” (graders). Each assessment has one staff member who will confirm the final mark for the student, (the ADPGT or their nominee) and this role is called the ‘final grader’. The guide below will assist moderators to navigate the assessment process in Canvas. Expand steps 4a–4f below:
4a. Locating the assignment
- From the ‘course menu‘ [1], select ‘Assignments‘ [2] and then choose the relevant assignment for the student [3]:
- Or, from the ‘Dashboard‘ [4], choose the relevant assignment from your ‘To do‘ list [5]:
- Or, from the ‘Gradebook‘ [6], click the submission under the relevant assignment [7]:
4b. SpeedGrader
You now need to open SpeedGrader using either method below:
- From the ‘Assignments tab‘ [1] , click ‘SpeedGrader‘ [2]:
- Or, from the ‘Gradebook‘, select the relevant submission and click ‘SpeedGrader‘ on the slide-out panel [3]:
4c. Adding a mark independently
The SpeedGrader screen is divided into two main areas:
- On the left is a preview pane of the student’s submitted document [1] with a toolbar above it for annotation [2]. On the right side, there is a sidebar that contains the ‘Grade‘ field to submit a mark [3], a ‘Comment‘ box for feedback [4], and a ‘Submit‘ button to save the mark [5]. When entering your mark, please use a numerical mark between 0 and 100:
4d. Final grade
The final grader (ADPGT or their nominee) determines the final numeric mark, which will be automatically converted to a letter grade by Canvas once grades are posted to the student.
Steps detailing how to publish final grades are detailed in the Canvas Instructor Guide: How do I publish final grades for a moderated assignment?
4e. Determination of result/disputed results procedure
In cases where the graduate adviser is unable to a recommended a mark to the ADPGT, or the disputed results procedure is followed as per the Examination of Sub-Doctoral Postgraduate Research Components of 30 Points and Above Procedures, the consultation between participants in the examination must happen outside Canvas. To maintain a complete and auditable record of the examination; documents can be attached to the assessment record [1]:
4f. Important information
- Grades will be manually posted to Student Services Online (SSO) from Canvas by Assessment Services once approved by the final grader.
- Students cannot see comments from moderators.
- Students cannot see marks or comments from the moderators unless the final grader copies comments into the comment box [1] and submits them as comments from themselves [2]:
5
Summary of the grading process
- Grading input: Each moderator (examiner, assessor, GA, ADPGT) accesses the research assignment via Canvas to submit their comments and a numerical mark out of 100.
- Reminders to markers: Once each moderator has completed their marking step, an automated reminder email will be sent to the next marker. Additional reminders will be sent out weekly.
- Administration of research assignment: Designated administrators, along with the GA and ADPGT, will have access to the Canvas course as well as an external dashboard on SharePoint, allowing a list view of research assignment marking status.
6
Grading workflow
6a. Examiner marking
The examiner marks the work as per advice provided in the ‘Canvas Sub-doctoral Marking Guidance and Rubric’ document sent as an attachment.
The automation:
- Detects a change in status to reflect a submitted assignment
- Enrols the examiner to the Canvas course as Teacher role
- Emails the examiner with a link to the assignment and ‘Canvas Sub-doctoral Marking Guidance and Rubric’ document as an attachment.
- Sets the status to ‘Waiting for Examiner Grading’ (in the SharePoint list)
- The examiner provides the initial independent assessment based on the grading guidance
- Sends out weekly reminders based on status
6b. Assessor marking
Once the examiner has recommended their mark, an automated email is sent to the assessor who reviews the work and comments on the validity of the examiner’s mark.
The automation:
- Takes away the examiner access (removes examiner from the Canvas course)
- Enrols the assessor to the Canvas course and appropriate section as Teacher role
- Emails the assessor with the link to the assignment and ‘Canvas Sub-doctoral Marking Guidance and Rubric’ document as an attachment
- Sets the status to ‘Waiting for Assessor Grading’ in the SharePoint list)
- Sends out weekly reminders based on the status
6c. Graduate advisor marking
Once the assessor has completed their marking step, an automated email is sent to the graduate adviser (GA). The GA reviews the comments and marks provided by the examiner and assessor and recommends a final numerical mark and manages any mark discrepancies as per the ‘Canvas Sub-doctoral Marking Guidance and Rubric’ document.
The automation:
- Takes away the assessor access (removes assessor from Canvas course)
- Emails the GA with the link to the assignment and ‘Canvas Sub-doctoral Marking Guidance and Rubric’ document as an attachment
- Sets the status to ‘Waiting for Graduate Advisor Grading’ (in the SharePoint list)
- Sends out weekly reminders based on the status
6d. Marking disputes
IMPORTANT: Disputed marks that are raised with the academic head as per the Examination of Sub-Doctoral Postgraduate Research Components of 30 Points and Above Procedures will need to be done outside this process. Any documentation relevant to a grade decision such as conferral or the disputed results process for example, will need to be added as an attachment to SpeedGrader by clicking the ‘paperclip icon‘ [1] to upload a file, and then selecting ‘Submit‘ [2]:
6e. Associate dean postgraduate teaching (ADPGT) confirms final grade
Once the GA has provided the recommended mark, an automated email is sent to the ADPGT who goes to ‘Assignments‘ [1], then ‘Moderate‘ [2], then confirms the integrity of the process and the final result in Canvas as a letter grade [3]. Canvas automatically converts numerical mark to a letter grade.
The automation:
- Emails the ADPGT with the link to the assignment and ‘Canvas Sub-doctoral Marking Guidance and Rubric’ document as an attachment
- Sets the status to ‘Waiting for ADPGT Grading’ (in the SharePoint list)
…
7
Grade submission to CS9 (Student Services Online (SSO))
Assessment Services will be notified to submit the final mark from Canvas into CS9 for inclusion on the student’s transcript.
IMPORTANT:
- For any changes to participants in the process e.g., the supervisor, examiner, assessor, GA or ADPGT—after having completed the Power Apps 512T Examination Form—please submit a support ticket with the Digital Services team.
- For detailed instructions to add an external examiner or assessor see: Requesting Canvas access for an external examiner or assessor.
Support
If you have any questions, please raise a ticket with the team at Digital Services.
See also…
Page updated 20/11/2025 (page added)