GUIDELINES for students - ASSESSMENT TASK:
Written Assessment – Essay Motivated or Manipulated
Individually prepare an academic essay that addresses the human resource issues raised in the case study below.
Please note: The questions should be used only as a guide for preparation of your analysis and justification in the essay. NO HEADINGS are to be used in the essay. Your essay should be presented within the word limit of 1500 words +/- 10% (excluding the reference list).
This assessment item involves research of the academic literature as well as other relevant references. Avoid using only textbooks, but the prescribed textbook for the course must be cited in regard to broad requirements highlighted by the case. You are expected to present information and evidence from, and cite at LEAST FIVE (5)
relevant peer reviewed journal articles, the textbook, plus key legislation (five relevant and well applied academic journals, plus the textbook and key legislation will gain a pass mark for this criterion 8/15). Your marker is interested in the analysis that you have developed from YOUR review of the literature and how well you use the literature to respond to the topic.
KEY PREPARATION FOR THE ESSAY
• ESSENTIAL - Read PRESCRIBED TEXT – STONE 4th Edition and
specifically Chapter 5 Job Analysis, Job design and Quality of Work life
• Forward read to any chapters that you consider relevant
• Read the Case Study
• Read and note the Assessment Criteria
Essay Presentation
• 1500 words +/- 10% word count
• Use Arial 12pt only
• Double spacing
• Left align
• Min 2.5cm margins
• Page numbers in Arial 10pt in the Footer on the bottom right on every page but the Title page
• Name and student number in Arial 10pt in the Header top right on every page but the Title page
• No headings to be used throughout the essay
• No bullet points to be used throughout the essay
• No graphics to be used throughout the essay
• Expression is important - correct spelling, grammar, punctuation – proof read your work – use the services of the Academic Learning Centre
• Your essay must be referenced using Harvard Referencing as per the current Referencing Guide – download via the Academic Learning Centre link in the SUPPORT block on Moodle. Reference list should start on a separate page at the end of the essay
• Note the specific reference requirements – refer Assessment Criteria and note below.
• Any legislation cited in your essay is to be included in the reference list
• You can name the organisation if that makes it easier to refer to in the essay
• This assessment has a due date just as there are deadlines in the real world.
ESSAY RESPONSE
• Use the questions as a guide only as to the scope of your response – it
should be an integrated response written as an essay.
• DO NOT RESPOND TO THE GUIDE QUESTIONS INDIVIDUALLY as such in the essay.
• Identify the key issues of the case study and then undertake research just as a HR practitioner would do to provide accurate and appropriate information in the organisational setting
• You will need to undertake research which should involve identifying
legislation and journal articles and you will need to in-text reference according to the Harvard protocol
• Your references throughout the essay need to include journal articles
• You must use the textbook as a reference
• Any assumptions that are integral to your response need to be included in an integrated way in the essay.
Written Assessment: Essay - Marking criteria for individual essay
Each submission will be assessed on the extent to which it meets each of the following criteria:
CONTENT: Does your essay demonstrate:
WEIGHTING
A thorough knowledge and critical analysis of the human resource issues
identified in the case study expressed within a well-developed academic
essay?
20%
A critical review of the academic literature relevant to the issues
identified in the case study? (Should be embedded in the discussion, not
presented as a separate section.)
20%
Appropriateness of evidence-based responses to the case study topic
guide question(s) including an effective analysis of the situation along
with relevant commentary on the issues?
20%
Appropriate use of argument within the paper, including a properly
structured introduction and comprehensive conclusion?
10%
Relevant and accurate use of the literature? (minimum to pass this
criterion is FIVE (5) relevant academic peer reviewed journal articles
plus appropriate reference to the prescribed textbook plus reference to
and citing of key legislation)
15%
PRESENTATION: Does your essay demonstrate:
Clarity of expression/grammar and correct spelling using Australian
English?
5%
Strict conformity to referencing style of the Author-date system of
referencing as set out in the Australian Government Publishing Service
2002, Style Manual for Authors, Editors and Printers, 6th Edn, AGPS,
Canberra? (Refer to the most recent CQU Abridged Harvard
Referencing Guide)
5%
Appropriate presentation of the essay formatted as required by the
Assignment Writing Guidelines and presented within the limit of 1500
words +/- 10% (excluding the reference list)
5%