Research Essay Description 2015

1 Criteria and Standards for Grading Assessment Item 2 - Individual

ST01: SEB104 Assessment Task Description: Research Essay Task Research Essay

Unit Learning Outcomes Addressed

On completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Apply principles of independent and teamwork including demonstration of roles within a multi-disciplinary teams and awareness inter-cultural factors. Collect, record, analyse and interpret information based on source and perspective, and form educated judgments of their scientific merit.

2. Synthesize knowledge to produce arguments which draw on multiple scientific perspectives and apply the written and visual conventions of science to communicate scientific concepts to scientific peer groups and/or the broader community.

3. Critically reflect on the differences and commonalities between scientific and non-scientific representation and approaches to real-world events, natural and technological phenomena and on the impact these representations produce on the society.

Due Dates Discussion forum: Week 11 workshop (week beginning 11th May)

Research Essay: 5pm Friday 29th of May.

Marks 40% of unit total. Individual Assessment.

Specifications 1500 2000 words (not including abstract, references or figures)

150 word Abstract

Minimum 15 References (including at least 10 peer reviewed sources)

12 point double spaced with 2.5cm margins

Overview

This is an individual assessment task, where you are challenged to adopt a solutions-based approach to real world problems. You will retrieve, evaluate and synthesize scientific information on your Grand Challenge problem, with a strong focus on possible scientific solutions or management strategies. You will then use these findings to write a brief overview of the problem, and a well-developed discussion of possible management actions and/or resolutions. You will then develop a scientific argument for how such strategies/technologies might be brought to bear in relation to your chosen problem.

What you will do

1. Investigate possible options for management and/or resolution of your chosen scientific problem/challenge.

2. Discuss with your tutors and Grand Challenge Leader your chosen topic. 3. If there are multiple management and/or resolutions for your problem then compare and contrast

these options. Hint: summary tables, Venn diagrams or de Bonos six hats thinking are useful tools to help compare and contrast options and think through ideas.

4. Your short abstract should briefly describe your research problem and why it is important, possible management strategies and/or solutions and the conclusions reached.

5. In week 11 there will be a Discussion Forum during your workshop. At this time you will present a 5

Research Essay Description 2015

2 Criteria and Standards for Grading Assessment Item 2 - Individual

minute synopsis of your topic and the research you have done to date. This will provide formative feedback from your peers and tutors.

6. Prepare a research paper that includes an introduction that defines the problem, discusses the significance of the problem and introduces readers to the important topics that will be covered in the body of the research paper.

7. Group the main body of your research paper into informative sub-headings that relate back and are meaningful to your problem/management actions/solutions.

8. If your problem has potentially multiple resolutions discuss the pros and cons of each and propose possible future directions including highlighting what information is missing in the area.

9. Include pictures, tables, graphs or conceptual diagrams if this helps the discussion of key concepts, but all tables, figures or diagrams must be referred to in the text.

10. To conclude the research paper you should develop an evidence-based argument for how the chosen problem may be managed or resolved using the technologies or strategies you have researched and discussed.

What you will submit

An electronic version (MS Word or PDF file format) of your research papers is to be submitted via Blackboard 5 pm Friday 29th of May (Week 13).

Resources and Useful References

1. Blackboard Folder/Workshop activities 2. Google Sites 3. Library guide

Research Essay Description 2015

3 Criteria and Standards for Grading Assessment Item 2 - Individual

Criteria and Standards for Grading Individual Research Essay Task Criteria Standards Possible

marks Your mark

Discussion Forum Completed 10 Not completed 0

Interpretation and analysis of information

Accurate in every detail; highly relevant.

32

Accurate in most details; mostly relevant.

24

Accurate in few details; combination of relevant/ irrelevant material.

16

Mostly inaccurate and/or little or no relevant analysis. 0 Critical analysis of data and resources

Evidence and key perspectives linked clearly; all conclusions clearly supported by evidence.

32

Evidence and key perspectives linked; conclusions mostly supported by evidence.

24

Some links demonstrated; some conclusions supported by evidence.

16

Links poorly demonstrated, little or no evidence to support conclusions.

0

Academic writing and referencing

Excellent expression fully satisfying requirements of academic writing; referencing fully follows preferred convention.

16

Clear expression satisfying the requirements of academic writing, minor stylistic and/or grammatical mistakes; appropriate referencing with minor flaws.

12

Expression does not satisfy the requirements of academic writing (e.g. uses inappropriate expressions, etc.); referencing does not follow preferred convention.

8

Basic level of writing and/or significant errors in referencing and/or lack of referencing.

0

Design and presentation Well-structured and organised; framework appropriate for a scientific presentation

10

Structure and organisation mostly good; framework appropriate for a scientific presentation with some inconsistencies/ flaws.

7

Satisfactory structure and level of organisation 5 Poorly organised and presented. 0

Total mark

100

Criteria and Standards for Grading Individual Research Essay Task