Assessment Brief
AssignmentTutorOnline
Overview
Weighting: 100 %
Type: Report (approximately 1,400 words,
maximum 2,500 words including all references and appendices)
Mode of Submission: via Canvas
Learning Outcomes
Demonstrate the ability to locate information relevant to the programme of study from a range of different sources using the electronic library
Systematically select and evaluate a range of sources related to a chosen topic
Critically synthesise relevant information from a range of programme-related sources using appropriate academic conventions.
For this module there is one summative assessment which is worth 100 % of the final mark. The assessment takes the form of a written report divided into three separate sections. Each section of the report has a specific purpose in preparing you for MBR 2 and ultimately your research project. You should therefore treat each section as a separate piece of work, although you should submit all three sections as ONE document. You should follow the guidelines in this brief and in the taught sessions on how to present and organise the work.
The focus of this assessment is on the quality of your writing rather than the quantity. The maximum number of words may seem low, but this is to encourage you to write accurately and concisely in your own words by summarising and synthesising information from a range of different sources using appropriate academic conventions. These are key skills in academic writing.
Section 1 – Current topics related to your programme of study
Task
Select a topical business/management story which has been reported in the media recently. Write a summary of the key points related to the topic using appropriate academic language. Use at least five different quality media sources. These should be current, ideally published within the last 6 months, but at most, 1 year old. All sources must be cited appropriately within the text (in-text citations) and a full list of references must be provided using the system and format demonstrated in week 2 of the module. You should write no more than 150 words (not including references).
20 marks
Guidance for Section 1
Specific guidance for section 1 of the report is provided in weeks 2 , 3 and 4 of the module. You can also use the Ask your Tutor sessions to ask specific questions about the task.
Section 2 – Providing an overview of an industry/sector, management approach or management issue.
Task
Select one of the following:
an industry or sector
a management approach
a management issue
Collect data on the current global/national/local trends related to your selection. You should use a range of sources including industry databases, market reports, statistical sources which are covered in weeks 3 and 4 of the module. The Business Resources Guide should be a useful reference point. You can also include media sources and trade publications. These should be current, ideally published within the last 12 months, but at most, 2 years old.
Use the data to write an overview of the current trends you have identified. An appropriate academic style should be adopted and avoid some of the business jargon sometimes found in industry reports and trade publications. You should use a minimum of five high quality sources, all sources must be cited appropriately within the text (in-text citations), and you must include a full list of references using the system and format demonstrated on the module. You should write no more than 250 words.
20 marks
Guidance for Section 2
The learning materials related to this task are provided in weeks 3 and 4 of the module, and specific guidance and support for the task is provided in class during weeks 5 and 6. You can also use the Ask your Tutor sessions to ask specific questions about the task.
Section 3 – Mini Literature Review
Outline of task
For this section of the report, you need to conduct a mini literature review using a systematic approach. You should follow the steps below. Each step is explained in more detail in weeks 8-10 of the module.
Your tutor will provide a list of research questions related to modules that you are studying on the programme. Select ONE of these questions.
Develop an appropriate search strategy to try to answer this question from the academic literature.
Search two of the business and management databases from the LJMU e-library to find peer-reviewed journal articles which answer your question.
Download articles which you think answer your research question. Read and make initial notes on these articles.
Apply inclusion/exclusion criteria to your selection of articles to make your final section of articles.
Read final selection of articles in more detail making appropriate notes.
Structure of section 3 of your report
This section of the report should be organised into the following sub-sections:
Research Question
You should provide the research question at the start of this section.
Methodology
In this section you need to provide clear and concise details of how you conducted the review including:
a brief explanation of why you selected this question. (20-50 words)
the search strategy: visual representation and concise summary
databases searched: visual representation(s) and brief rationale
summary of searches and results: visual representation(s) and concise summary
inclusion/exclusion criteria applied and brief rationale
Findings
In this section you should synthesise and summarise the key findings of the review. All sources must be cited appropriately within the text (in-text citations) and a full list of references must be provided using the system and format used in the module.
Conclusion
You should use your findings to conclude in direct relation to the research question.
You should write no more than 1,000 words (excluding references) in this section.
60 marks
Guidance for Section 3
The learning materials and specific guidance related to section 3 of this assignment are provided in weeks 5-10 of the module. You should work though all of the materials systematically and use the classroom sessions to discuss and apply your learning to the assignment. You can also use the Ask your Tutor sessions to ask specific questions about the assignment. Remember, there are 78 independent study hours associated with this module so you will need to manage your time very carefully.
Assessment criteria
The full list of assessment criteria and descriptors (marking scheme) are available here Download hereand will be discussed in class in weeks 5 and 10. The key criteria for each section are listed below.
Sections 1 and 2
Selection of suitable topic and organisation of relevant ideas
Use of sufficient, appropriate, and current sources
Accurate use of English, using own words, in an appropriate academic style
Accurate use of citations and list of references. Students who do not put references at the end of each section will receive zero marks for referencing.
Section 3
Content (40 marks):
Clear and appropriate search strategy
Appropriate database search and clear presentation of process
Appropriate use of exclusion/inclusion criteria
Effective synthesis of findings
Logical conclusion in relation to question
Academic writing (20 marks)
Accurate use of English, using own words, in an appropriate academic style
Accurate use of citations and list of references
Please note, that if your methodology section is insufficiently clear, you will receive zero marks for all of the later sections (findings, conclusion and academic writing).
Overall Structure and Format of the Report
As stated in the overview above, you should submit all three sections as a single document. You must NOT include a title page or contents page. If you do, you will have five marks deducted from your total score. LJMU has an anonymous marking policy, so you should not include your name in the document or filename. You should use the following headings and sub-headings:
Section 1 – [include title which provides summary of your topic]
1.1 References
Section 2 – [include title which provides summary of your topic]
2.1 References
Section 3 – Mini Literature Review
3.1 Research Question
3.2 Methodology
3.3 Findings
3.4 Conclusion
3.5 References
Appendix (completed note-making template)
Academic Misconduct
Students at LJMU are expected to conduct themselves appropriately and in accordance with the ethical values of an academic community. The University promotes and supports a culture of academic integrity and takes all forms of academic dishonesty very seriously. Academic misconduct is deemed to cover all deliberate attempt(s) to gain an unfair advantage in assessments. This includes cheating, plagiarism, unauthorised collusion, or any other deliberate attempt to gain an unfair advantage in summatively assessed work. Cheating includes, among other things, the submission of material purchased or commissioned from a third party, such as an essay-writing service, as one’s own.
Students when signing the enrolment form agree to abide by the rules and regulations of the University. Students submitting a piece of coursework or undertaking an examination or other form of assessment, confirm that the work submitted is their own or a legitimate piece of group work and that they have not copied the work or cheated or made any attempt to pass off the work of others as their own. Allegations of academic misconduct will be referred to the Faculty Registrar for consideration as to whether there is sufficient evidence to justify convening an academic misconduct panel (AMP). If the AMP finds the case is proven, a tariff-based penalty depending on the nature of the offence will be applied. At Master’s level, this can, and has, resulted in students being expelled from the University. Full details of the policy, including the tariff, can be found hereLinks to an external site..
On this module we cover various forms of academic misconduct and how to avoid them. It is essential, therefore, that you complete all of these activities before you submit any assignments. If you apply the skills and knowledge you have learned in this module you should avoid any suspicion of plagiarism. Cheating in this module by submitting material commissioned from a third party is unlikely to meet the learning outcomes and will therefore fail.
How to Get Support and Guidance
Each week of the module has a specific focus on a separate aspect of the assessment, so you should attend all classes and complete all of the essential online activities. If you have a question about the assessment, you should ask it in class or in the Ask your Tutor sessions.
You should NOT use Canvas messages or email to ask questions. These are not appropriate teaching tools and so you will not receive a reply. Master’s level work requires dialogue, and this is the approach taken in class. You may use the Discussion Board to ask any frequently asked questions which can be answered straightforwardly without dialogue. The Discussion Board will be moderated at least once per week.
As this is a Semester 1 module and, for some of you, your first experience of writing academic assignments, all students are offered the opportunity to receive formative feedback on sections 1 and 2 of the assignment. You must submit these sections as one document via the Formative Assessment link in Assignments on Canvas by 9 am on Monday 8th November 2021. You will receive feedback by 5pm on Monday 29th November 2021. Please note, however, (1) no extensions will be given and (ii) this is the ONLY module on the programme where you will receive feedback on your work before submission. Lecturers cannot normally be expected to evaluate your work more than once.
Additional academic support is provided by the recommended Zoom activities and classes. You can also book a one-one appointment with the Academic Achievement Team using the link on this pageLinks to an external site..
Personal Circumstances
Extensions for this assignment will only be given in exceptional circumstances as being able to manage your time effectively is an important element of this module. The maximum length of any extension is five days. If you wish to apply for an extension, you should normally do so 48 hours before the assignment is due using the formal procedure on your My LJMU app. It is expected that medical or other appropriate evidence would be provided as part of the application.
If you are unable to submit the assignment because of sudden, unforeseen circumstances, you should submit a Personal Circumstances ‘Non-attempt at assessment’ using the My LJMU app. Again, medical or other appropriate evidence should be provided as part of the application.
For more information on Personal Circumstances, please read this guidance.Links to an external site.