RECENT ASSIGNMENT

Submission Deadline
Marks and Feedback
Before 10am on:
14/01/2022
20 working days after deadline (L4, 5 and 7)
15 working days after deadline (L6)
10 working days after deadline (block delivery)
04/02/2022
Unit title & code
MAR029-3 Preparation for the Specialist Project
Assignment number and title
Assessment 2
Assessment type
Proposal
Weighting of assessment
75%
Size or length of assessment
2,000 words
Unit learning outcomes
1. Demonstrate the following knowledge and understanding
Demonstrate detailed understanding of the relevant knowledge base which is subjected to critical appraisal.
2. Demonstrate the following skills and abilities
Demonstrate an ability to select and apply appropriate research methodologies to collect data. This data will be analysed critically and in detail, to address specific research questions effectively

What am I required to do in this assignment?
You are required to submit an individual proposal of 2,000 words (+/- 10%) which should be based on your chosen topic within the choices provided for your course pathway.
The following points should be observed:
The Proposal must adhere to the word limit.
We suggest that you avoid writing in the first person (“I”); rather the third person is recommended (e.g. it can therefore be suggested that...).
You may include headings and subtitles and a contents page if you feel this will help you to stay focused and create clearer sign-posting for the reader.
The best Proposals will demonstrate understanding of the key issues of your debate (derived from your research) and ownership of the work resulting in a critical conclusion. The main assessment criteria are listed in your Unit Handbook and assessment grids are available on BREO.
The following format/structure should be observed for your proposal:
1. Introduction
a. Explain your chosen question
b. Establish the scope and limits of your question, identify your Case Study or Studies if applicable
c. Give contextual or background information
2. Major Theoretical Frameworks
a. List your major frameworks and/or definitions
b. Give explanation on each, the relevant parts, the connection to your Project
3. Major Themes
a. List your major themes
b. Explain each theme, give background if needed
c. Explain the connection to your Project and how each theme helps address the question
4. Research plan (methodology)
a. Explain how you intend to go about collecting data/reviewing the literature to address your question (this should include an overview of your systematic literature review process and a table of the sources that you have reviewed as an appendix).
b. Explain your expected sources of information
c. Explain your major authors/works
d. Draw lines if possible to your key themes
e. Highlight areas you feel may be challenging, difficult to complete, data that may be hard to obtain, etc.
5. Conclusion
a. Summarise your Project approach
b. Draw the key points together and consider potential outcomes (implications for different stakeholders, e.g. policy, practice, academic)
6. Bibliography – NOT OPTIONAL
a. The bibliography should comprise a variety of sources with a minimum of 15 references used in the text, 8 of which should be academic journal articles. Other sources could include books, trade publications, news articles, industry reports etc.
b. Categorise your academic journal articles separately.
c. Number all references from 1 to 15 (or more).
What do I need to do to pass? (Threshold Expectations from UIF)
• Demonstrate detailed understanding of the relevant theories and ideas associated with your given topic.
• Critically identify and analyse a broad range of relevant material (including academic articles) and identify key issues in relation to research design, methods and findings within the research context at hand.
How do I produce high quality work that merits a good grade?
We will be filling this section in together in class on Click or tap to enter a date. make sure you have downloaded/printed out the Assignment Brief and bring it to the session with you.

How does assignment relate to what we are doing in scheduled sessions?
The seminar preparation each week will allow you to start the preparation for the proposal.
Active participation is essential to any learning process and especially to the success of this very important unit. You are expected to prepare for the workshops by reading the assigned materials in advance (materials will usually be made available on BREO).
Active participation by all students is necessary if the learning outcomes are to be achieved. Your engagement is very important since all the workshops are linked to one another. Missing one workshop will have a ‘knock-on’ negative impact on the subsequent workshops thus interfering with effective learning.
It is imperative that you make ample notes and annotate key guided learning materials such as academic journal articles, so that you are able to quickly draw out from these materials key evidence to support your points which is a key skill that will be tested in this assignment.
How will my assignment be marked?
Your assignment will be marked according to the threshold expectations and the criteria on the following page.
You can use them to evaluate your own work and consider your grade before you submit.
3rd Class – 40-49%
Lower 2nd – 50-59%
Upper 2nd – 60-69%
1st Class – 70%+
Interpretation of the Topic/Title and Aims/objectives
(20%)
Topic has not been fully explained and the scope of the study is unclear and lacking in research. Interpretation of the topic is limited.
Aims and Objectives are clear, concise, relevant but demonstrate a limited insight into the topic.

Topic is explained, but the study lacks focus. More effort could have been made to provide focus through research and some interpretation of the topic. Aims and Objectives are clear, concise, relevant and demonstrate a reasonable insight into the topic

Topic is well explained, relevant and based on relevant research and good interpretation of the topic. Thought has been given to finding a focus for the study.
Aims and Objectives are clear, concise, relevant and demonstrate a good insight into the topic.

Topic is clearly defined based on thorough research and detailed interpretation of the topic. Much thought has been given to the terms of reference of the study.
Aims and Objectives are clear, concise, relevant and demonstrate a deep insight into the topic.
Literature Review and proposed themes
(20%)
Very little evidence of academic reading. Themes identified without referencing. Little or no mention of key authors/themes etc. Little sense of any direction that that will be useful to pursue for the study.

Limited evidence of academic reading. More depth of research required to identify appropriate texts/authors. Some attempt to identify themes, but only limited at this stage.

Good evidence of background reading. Main themes identified and useful authors/texts/journals mentioned. Some evidence of a direction emerging.

Very clear evidence of thorough academic background reading. Key themes identified and key authors/texts/journals listed. Already a clear direction for the study is evident.

Persuasion and Influencing
(20%)
Poorly argued with rather unconvincing conclusions. The reader may well doubt that the conclusions are valid.

The work will be reasonably argued but the conclusions will not be entirely convincing from the evidence presented. The reader will have some doubt as to their validity.

The work will be soundly argued and the conclusions will be largely convincing but some doubt could remain in the reader’s mind as to their validity.

The work will be well argued and the conclusions will follow naturally from the evidence presented. No doubt will be left in the reader’s mind as to their validity. A conclusion that contradicts perceived wisdom and is well justified will be particularly welcomed.

Research Plan
(20%)
Weak research plan that is incomplete in key areas of data collection and identifying key authors/works. Limited attempt to link to key themes.

A reasonable research plan that attempts to address the task, but lacks some detail and flair also in linking to key themes..

A good research plan that addresses the data collection and key authors/works in a sensible way, although better links to key themes could be made. .

A highly appropriate research plan that addresses data collection and key authors/works in a systematic and imaginative way. Clearly links to key themes.

Proposal Style and Structure
Structure, referencing, writing, argument and presentation
(20%)
Weak essay writing skills and limited structure and attention to detail. Limited and inconsistent referencing. Not using Harvard System. Grammar & spelling poor.

Reasonable structure and essay writing style that gives fair credibility to the debate. Reasonable referencing using the Harvard System. Some mistakes in English/presentation.

Good structure and essay writing style that lends good credibility to the debate. Good and precise referencing using the Harvard Reference System.
Good English and visual appeal.

Well written and well-structured essay that is completely credible. Consistent use of references. Perfect referencing throughout using the Harvard System. Excellent grammar, spelling and visual appeal.