You are required to submit a Group
Presentation and an Individual Written Report for the Research Skills assessment. Please
refer to your Student Handbook for full details of the programme assessment scheme and
general information on preparing and submitting assignments.
Learning Outcomes:
After completing the module you should be able to:
1) Apply note-taking techniques to record specific key information from given material.
2) Conduct primary research demonstrating effective team working skills.
3) Collect, synthesise and structure primary data.
4) Analyse data including identification of positive and negative correlations.
5) Write a report in fluent, accurate English observing the conventions of grammar,
punctuation and spelling and referencing.
6) Evaluate and reflect on own performance.
Conduct primary research for the summative (final)
assessment in this module. The research area you agree on as a group, will be the area you
will conduct your research on and the area you will be using to write up your research report
for the final (summative) assessment.
The presentation should introduce your chosen research topic and explain the methodology
that will be used when conducting the research. The presentation will be an outline of your
research plan and will allow the tutor to give you feedback on your final research activities.
Suggested structure of the Group Presentation is as follows:
1) Introduction to the Research Topic (1 slide recommended)
2) Primary Research (1-2 slides recommended)
3) Secondary Research (1-2 slides recommended)
4) Collection and Analysis of Primary Data (1-2 slides recommended)
5) Ethical Considerations (1 slide recommended)
6) Reflective Observations on Team Working (1-2 slides recommended)
7) References/Bibliography
8) Appendices
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Further Instructions:
The group will produce one presentation together but they all need to submit this same
presentation separately.
The Group Presentation work will be assessed in class by your module tutor and each
student must present part of the presentation.
Each group must not be more than 3 students. Members of the group must be approved
by the tutor prior to the presentation taking place.
Each student will receive equal marks for the Group Presentation task.
Maximum time allowed for each Group Presentation: 15 minutes
Failure to turn up for / participate in the group presentation will not be accepted and
will be marked as a 0% fail.
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Student Guidelines
Development of academic skills:
You MUST underpin your analysis and evaluation of the key issues with appropriate and
wide ranging academic research and ensure this is referenced using the AU Harvard system.
The My Study Skills Area contains the following useful resources:
Guide to AU Harvard Referencing
https://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/guides/HarvardRef/AU_Harvard_Quick_Ref_Guide.pdf
Guide to AU Harvard Citation
https://moodle.bl.rdi.co.uk/guides/HarvardRef/AU_Guide_to_Harvard_Citation.pdf
You must use the AU Harvard Referencing method in your assignment.
Word Count:
Students are required to indicate the exact word count on the title page of the assessment.
The word count excludes the title page, executive summary, reference list and
appendices. Where assessment questions have been reprinted from the assessment brief
these will also be excluded from the word count. ALL other printed words ARE included in
the word count. Printed words include those contained within charts and tables. See
‘Word Count Policy’ on the homepage of this module for more information.
Submission Guidance:
Assignments submitted late will not be accepted and will be marked as a 0% fail.
Your assessment should be submitted as a single Word (MS Word) or PDF file. For more
information please see the “Guide to Submitting an Assignment” document available on the
module page on iLearn.
You must ensure that the submitted assignment is all your own work and that all sources
used are correctly attributed. Penalties apply to assignments which show evidence of
academic unfair practice. (See the Student Handbook which is on the homepage of your
module and also in the Induction Area).
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Assessment Criteria (Learning objectives covered – all)
Level 0 prepares students to function effectively at Level 4. Criteria for assessment at Level 0 reflect the preparatory nature of these modules. Students are expected to demonstrate the acquisition of generic learning skills appropriate for self-managed learning in an HE context. Students are expected to demonstrate that they have acquired the underpinning discipline-specific skills, knowledge and understanding necessary to undertake a programme of higher education Grade Mark Bands Generic Assessment Criteria First (1)
80%+
Outstanding performance which demonstrates an outstanding knowledge base, supported with wider reading and the ability to begin to analyse the subject area. The work draws widely on relevant theory and shows awareness of any relevant ethical considerations. The work shows an excellent level of competence and confidence in managing appropriate sources and materials, initiative and excellent academic writing skills and professional skills (where appropriate). The work is accurately and consistently referenced throughout.
70-79%
Excellent performance which demonstrates an excellent knowledge base the ability to begin to analyse the subject. The work draws on relevant theory whilst showing some awareness of any relevant ethical considerations.
The work shows a high level of competence in managing sources and materials, initiative and very good academic writing skills and professional skills (where appropriate). The work is consistently referenced throughout. Upper second (2:1)
60-69%
Very good performance which demonstrates a sound understanding of the content and some ability to analyse the issues with reference to theory. The work shows a good level of competence in managing sources and materials and some initiative. Academic writing skills are good and expression remains accurate overall. Good professional skills (where appropriate). The work is referenced throughout. Lower second (2:2)
50-59%
A satisfactory to good performance which shows a decent understanding of the content and makes some reference to theory. The work shows a sound level of competence in managing basic sources and materials. Academic writing skills are satisfactory and expression remains accurate overall although the piece may lack structure. Satisfactory professional skills (where appropriate). There is some attempt to reference the work. Third (3)
40-49%
A basic level of understanding in which there are some gaps in knowledge of the subject, its underpinning theory and ethical considerations. The work shows a basic use of sources and materials. Academic writing skills are limited and there are some errors in expression and the work may lack structure overall. There are some difficulties in developing professional skills (where appropriate). Marginal Fail
30-39%
A limited level of knowledge in which there are clear omissions in understanding the subject, its underpinning theory and ethical considerations. The work shows a limited use of sources and materials. Academic writing skills are weak and there are errors in expression and the work may lack structure overall. There are difficulties in developing professional skills (where appropriate).
29% and below
A poor performance in which there are substantial gaps in knowledge and understanding. The work shows little evidence in the use of appropriate sources and materials. Academic writing skills are very weak and there are numerous errors in expression. The work lacks structure overall. Professional skills (where appropriate) are not developed The work is imitative.
