Master´s Thesis Evaluation by the Supervisor
Title of the Master´s Thesis:
Positive and negative impacts of a meat tax on society: the case of Sweden Author of the Master´s Thesis:
Valerie Friederike Berger Goals of the Master´s Thesis:
Meat provides both utility to the individual, as well as imposes externality cost on society. The thesis aims to investigate both sides, compare them and discuss which outweighs which.
Evaluation:
Criteria Description Max.
points
Points
Content 70%
Output Quality The thesis investigates the potential externality cost of meat, as well as its utlitily. It also focuses on taxing meat consumption and evaluates the amount of compensation needed for consumers to regain the same utility as before taxation. The practical relevance is represented by providing policy makers an insight whether or not or how meat consumption should be limited or influenced. I see the problem in the fact that hypotheses 4 – 6 have only been tentatively accepted, so the questions of taxation or limitation of meat consumption are not clearly answered.The novelty is represented by an attempt to compare welfare and cost measurement of meat consumption which has not to be done to that extent before.
20 18
Goals The goal is defined as investigation, comparison and discussion on utility and external cost of meat consumption. This is solved in the thesis using
hypotheses. With regard to hypotheses 3 and 4, it should be explained more in deep that the results of research and the opinions of experts in this field do not agree. This is illustrated by the given hypothesis valuation “Tentative accepted”.
10 9
Methodology: Methods which are used are represented mainly by a deep literature review, a research questionnaire and quantitave models. These methods are
adequate and used correctly in relation to pre-set goals. 20 20 Theory/
Conceptualization:
The author demonstrates understanding of the theory of the thesis topic including key concepts and terms for which she uses deep literature survey.
It would be useful to use the concept of the effect of imposing a tax with a distinctionbetween their individual types, including the Pigou tax.
20 19
Formal requirements 15%
Structure: The thesis is a consistent, well-organised logical whole.
3 3
Terminology: The linguistic and terminological level of the thesis is high and testifies the author´s ability to express herself professionally, precidely and
comprehensibly. 4 4
Formalities: Formal layout and requirements, extent and abstract meet the expectations.
4 4
Citing: The quote meets the required criteria. The Validator checking shows less
than 1 per cent match. 4 4
Delivery 15 %
Presentation document:
Is the presentation itself structured in a clear way? Is it appealing and easy to
follow? Does it convey the message efficiently? 5
Presentation skills:
Are you conveying the message efficiently and timely? Do you use
appropriate words, speed, tone of voice, gestures, movement etc. to express
your thoughts in a clear manner? 5
Argumentation: Are you able to readily and briskly react to questions or comments? Are you able to explain unclear parts and connect comments to relevant places in your presentation or parts of particular analyses? How well are you able to defend to your ideas and recommendations?
5
