Managerial decision making

The marking criteria for Assignment 4 will be based on:

Research – A minimum of five academic sources should be cited in the essay. The relevance and utility of cited sources to the topic should be clear to the reader.

Argument – Clarity and logic

Critical appraisal of ideas – applicability and validity of supporting information and evidence

Presentation – clarity of expression and correct application of referencing style

This guide below provides expectations for essays at each grade level.

General guide to essay standards (Damian Morgan)

Conceptualisation Argument Development and evidence Structure Presentation

HD (80 and above)

Excellent analysis, creative ideas going beyond ideas in prescribed readings, shows mastery and understanding of tasks required by assignment and course materials;

Clear, precise, well defined argument; sophisticated in both statement and insight into the topic; identification of key critical issues

Well chosen examples, consistently persuasive reasoning used to develop and support argument; effective use of reference material; links made between ideas explicit; shows good critical analysis of issues and source materials

Introduction shows a line of argument and justifies approach; appropriate, clear and smooth linkages between points; clearly defined paragraphs with good topic sentences

Effective use of English; apt choice of words; correct referencing; few or no grammatical or presentation errors

Continued below

D (70-79) Shows very good understanding of the tasks, ideas and methods of the assignment beyond the obvious

Clear, logical argument, identifying some of the key critical issues for analysis

Logical argument that identifies and develops key issues; appropriate supporting evidence; makes effort to link rather than stack ideas

Paragraphs clearly defined, clear linkages between key points

Occasional grammatical or stylistic problems; a few presentation errors

C (60-69) Shows good understanding of the tasks, ideas and methods occasionally beyond the obvious

Logical argument, however at time unclear identifying some of the key issues without adequate critical analysis

Arguments not fully developed; limited linking of ideas; supporting evidence not always appropriate

Paragraphs and linkages generally clear; on occasions awkward transitions and lack of critical reflection

Writing not always clear and concise, occasional unclear sentences and suspect choice of words

P (50-59) Shows understanding of basic ideas and information involved in the assignment; may have a few factual, interpretive or conceptual errors

General argument lacking in critical reflection; argument and reasoning not always clear terms may be left undefined

Partial development of argument; lacking in critical analysis; ideas not fully developed of supported; too many generalisations; limited use of supporting evidence; uncritical reading of sources; tending toward description rather than analysis

Weakly defined paragraphs bringing in too many points; many awkward transitions; lack of clear structure to the argument and subsequent failure to elucidate points and ideas

Writing not to the point - not concise; contains a number of unclear and awkward sentences; imprecise use of words; some major grammatical errors, limited effort to adequately reference work

N (40-49) Shows little understanding of the course material or some significant factual and conceptual errors; does not adequately answer the question

Vague argument; important terms not defined

Descriptive with little or no analysis; little coherence in the development of ideas; insufficient, inappropriate or awkward use of supporting evidence

Paragraphs poorly defined; illogical arrangement of ideas

Some major grammatical or proofreading errors; language marred by cliches, colloquialisms, repeated inexact word choices; inadequate or inappropriate referencing

N 39 and below

Has not understood assignment or readings

Little or no argument Little or no development; may list facts but shows no understanding ; uses no references; plagiarises material

No links, little, if any definition of paragraphs, lack of planning

Numerous grammatical and other presentation problems

(Adapted from the writing guide, Dept. of American Studies, University of Canterbury, N.Z.)

BUMGT5980 Managerial Decision Making Marking Schedule – A4 Student: CONTENTS Poor Excellent Evidence of reading required material………………………….     Demonstrates understanding of relevant concepts/theories…     Evidence of wider reading / research / understanding…..……     ANALYSIS Introduction responding to question, defining boundaries……     Analysis and use of theory………………………….……………     Logical argument and reasoning……………...……………...…     APPLIED SCENARIOS Bias recognition……………………………………………………     Bias measurement or evaluation………………..….……………     Strategies……………………………………………………..……     Process to improve decisions…………………….………...……     PRESENTATION Suitable format (Part 1 - essay style. Part 2 - Open)….……….     Writing – clear, easily read…………….………………………….     Language – spelling, grammar, punctuation……………………     Suitable, accurate referencing……………………………………     Required length +/- 10%...............................................................Yes  No 