coursework

AESCoursework1AssessmentBrief_UG_IFY1.pdf

AES Coursework Assessment Brief (International Foundation Year)

What Coursework 1: The coursework for Academic English Skills is comprised of three parts: In Part 1, you will: - select an essay title related to your subject of study. - be given two sources to start your reading for the essay. - find six additional reliable sources related to your essay and include them in your reference list. - write a short source evaluation for four of your sources, outlining how you know they are appropriate for academic use, and how the source is relevant to your essay - produce an outline of your essay, including key arguments you will include, and how these points will be supported by sources. This coursework is the first stage of your AES coursework portfolio. You will be required to present and answer questions on your research in CW 2, and write a research-based essay of 1000 – 1500 words in CW 3. There is no word limit for CW 1. Why CW 1 tests your ability to plan an extended research essay by: - analysing an essay title and answering it with relevant points and ideas. - finding useful, relevant, academic sources to support your ideas. - linking these ideas together logically to form a strong argument. - successfully integrating your own ideas with ideas from your sources. - fully and accurately citing and referencing sources. This assessment counts for 25% of your final mark for reading. When Stage 1) [WEEK 8-10] Complete the CW 1 planning document and show it to your tutor for approval. This ensures you have understood the requirements of the essay question correctly, and that your choice of sources is appropriate before you go any further. Stage 2) [WEEK 14] Go through the CW 1 Checklist and Feedback Sheet to make sure you have completed the assessment fully and correctly, and submit the draft of your source evaluation and essay plan. Stage 3) [WEEK 2 S2] Your tutor will provide feedback on your draft in a tutorial. Make notes of your tutor’s comments on the CW 1 Checklist and Feedback Sheet. Your tutor will advise you on whether your submission is acceptable as a piece of academic work, or if further work is needed. Stage 4) [WEEK 4 S2] Submit your CW 1. How Your work is submitted and marked electronically. Your tutor will give you the marking criteria and samples of student submissions so that you can see how the assessment is marked. Your work will automatically be checked by similarity software (Turnitin) to make sure you have submitted work in your own words. You may be able to submit your work ahead of the submission deadline in order to check the similarity score. What if… I don’t choose relevant or reliable sources?

- Your tutor will check your sources before you write your first draft. Make sure you have used the best source of information (if you find some interesting data reported in a newspaper, follow up on the original source, rather than just citing the newspaper, for example). - Use the sources you are given as a starting point; follow up on references mentioned in the texts, consult reading lists for your subject and ask in the library for help finding relevant material.

my similarity score on Turnitin is high?

First, check your similarity report. Any wording on the template will be picked up as plagiarism, so your tutor will not count that. Check whether chunks of your writing have been highlighted in the report; this indicates you have not paraphrased effectively. Poor paraphrasing is a form of plagiarism, and will result in your work being reported for academic misconduct. You should therefore revise your work and resubmit it before the assessment deadline. This

assessment requires you to identify and summarise key points from the text in your own words; you should not just use direct quotations from sources in this assessment. You can find further information on the Academic Misconduct process in your Student Handbook.

I submit the coursework late? If you submit an assessment late, a penalty will be applied to your final mark. The penalties for late submission are outlined in your Student Handbook.

I don’t pass CW 1? You should submit a draft of CW 1 so that your tutor can provide you with feedback to improve your work before you submit it. If you score below 40% on CW 1, you will be required to resubmit at the end of the module. If your CW 1 needs improvement or development, you can resubmit a re-working of your original submission. If you are awarded zero due to Academic Misconduct (ie. you have submitted work which is not your own), you will be given a new essay title to research and plan.

I don’t submit CW 1? You must submit CW 1 in order to demonstrate that you have met module Learning Outcome 8; you cannot ‘pass’ the module unless you have met the minimum standards for all learning outcomes. If you are unable to submit CW 1 by the deadline, you will need to apply for mitigating circumstances. Further information on mitigating circumstances can be found in your student handbook.

I miss part of CW 1? If you only submit part of CW 1 (you complete the source evaluation but the essay outline is very brief, incomplete or missing, for example) your work will be penalised according to the marking criteria. In this example, you would be awarded zero for Use of Sources.

I don’t include the sources in my source evaluation in my essay outline?

In your source evaluation, you should explain how you are going to use the arguments and information in your essay. You should therefore make sure you include these sources in your essay outline.

Can I… choose the same title as someone else in my class?

Yes. You can choose the same title as other students, but you must not work together, as this is collusion, a form of academic misconduct. The work you submit must be your own.

use sources that I am reading for my subject?

Yes. You should not submit the same assessment for two modules, as this is academic misconduct, but you are able to use material you are reading in your subject module in the AES Coursework.

not use the sources I am given?

Yes. You do not have to use the sources you are given; they are just there so you have a starting point on the topic. If you find better sources of information for the purposes of your essay, use those.

Related documents:

Overview presentation of CW 1

Samples of marked student submissions

CW 1 Checklist and Feedback Sheet

CW 1 Submission Template

How to complete the CW 1 Planning document

You need to complete the planning document to show your tutor like this:

Essay title or question:

Title: Individual lifestyle habits have been identified as a factor in workplace productivity. Define healthy lifestyle habits and discuss the reasons why some individuals do not have a healthy lifestyle. Discuss the extent to which it should be the responsibility of employers to encourage their workers to have healthy lifestyle habits.

Approach verbs Ideas to be explored Define Healthy lifestyle habits

Discuss The reasons for some people not having a healthy lifestyle

Discuss the extent to which Whether it is employers’ responsibility to encourage a healthy lifestyle among

their staff. Issues to be considered:

• What is a healthy lifestyle? > balanced diet / healthy weight / healthy lifestyle – exercise • What are the main causes of an unhealthy lifestyle? What kinds of sickness are common? > Poor diet /

lack of physical activity > being overweight smoking/ drinking > heart / blood pressure issues stress? > mental health issues

• Are any health issues related to work/ their employer? > stress? Number of hours worked? Has there been an increase in health issues if working hours have increased??

• How do lifestyle habits affect workplace productivity? > time off for sickness = less productive • What have some employers done? > sports teams? Healthy food? Time off? • How would the employer benefit? > Healthier = more productive. Are healthy staff happier? • KEY ISSUE: Should the employer be responsible? > If not them, who else? The government? The

individual? To what extent for each?

You can write in note form, but make sure it is clear what the key points / arguments you are going to cover are.

You don’t need to decide what your position is yet; this will be informed by your reading, but if your title asks for a position, you should show that you plan to include it.

Add the key question words from your title and what they refer to – this shows you have understood the question correctly.

List of sources:

Asay, G.R.B., Roy, K., Lang, J.E., Payne, R.L., Howard, D.H. (2016) ‘Absenteeism and Employer Costs Associated With Chronic Diseases and Health Risk Factors in the US Workforce’ Preventing

Chronic Disease Vol.13 pp.21 -35 Galvin, R. (2002) ‘Disturbing notions of Chronic Illness and Individual Responsibility: Towards a

Genealogy of Morals’ Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness and Medicine. Vol.6, Issue 2, pp.107-137

Harvard School of Public Health (2017) ‘Environmental Barriers to Activity’. [Online] Available at:

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/physical-activity environment/ [Last Accessed 2.06.18]

NHS (2018) ‘5 healthy habits that could add more than a decade to your life’ NHS Choices [Online] Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/news/lifestyle-and-exercise/5-healthy-habits-could-add-more- decade-your-life/ [Last Accessed 2.07.18] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2012) ‘Workplace health’ Local government

briefing [Online] Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/advice/lgb2/chapter/costs-and-savings [Last Accessed 25.01.18]

Shockey, K., Smith, C., Knudsen, E.A. (2017) ‘The Impact of Work-Life Balance on Employee Retention’ The Wiley Blackwell Handbook of the Psychology of Recruitment, Selection and Employee Retention. H. W. Goldstein, E.D. Pulakos, J.Passmore, C. Semedo (Eds.) John Wiley Publishers: London University of Cambridge (2014) ‘Price gap between more and less healthy food grows’ University of Cambridge Research News [Online] Available at: http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/price- gap-between-more-and-less-healthy-foods-grows [Last Accessed 3.07.18] Wilkinson R. & Marmot M. (2003) Social determinants of health: the solid facts. 2nd Edition.

Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe.

List at least six sources you plan to use. Do not include the two sources you were given in your list of six. Make sure you have formatted the references correctly, and that they are ordered alphabetically. Make sure the sources you include are appropriate for academic use.

Reference journal articles like this.

Reference books like this.

Reference websites like this.

How to complete the CW 1 document

Academic English Skills Coursework 1: Source Evaluation and Essay Outline

Name: A. Student

Class: AES

Date:

Mark:

Essay title or question:

Part 1: Source Evaluation [Explanation of why you have selected the sources for use.]

Complete the table below for FOUR of the sources included in your Part 3 list. You should not use sources you were given in this section.

EVALUATION 1 Reference: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (N.D.) ‘Work Life Balance’ [Online] Available at: http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/topics/work-life-balance/ [Last Accessed 25.06.18] How do you know this source is suitable for academic use? Refer to the currency, authority, purpose, reliability of evidence or data, objectivity, use of expected academic conventions. Although no author is credited with writing this, it is a reliable source as the OECD is considered to be a reputable organisation – it is an intergovernmental organisation which works internationally to advise on policies to improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. The report discusses work-life balance in different countries and statistics are updated so it is very current. There are no citations to external sources within the article which lowers its credibility somewhat- however the OECD is generally considered to be a reliable source of comparable statistics and data. How is the source relevant to your title? What are the useful points / arguments made in the text? This source provides recognised reasons why poor work-life balance is detrimental to physical and mental health. This information can help to support the point made in paragraph 2 that it could be considered impossible for people to be solely responsible for their own health. By showing the difficulties of maintaining a healthy work-life balance today and noting that government policies can help to alleviate these issues, this source suggests that government schemes and also those implemented in the work place, can help in solving this issue so it is not all the individual’s responsibility. Useful points made in the text are: Long working hours may have a negative impact on health and increase stress levels. People are too tired when they get home after work- reduces leisure time and the benefits which are associated with relaxation. Government policies can help to support work-life balance e.g. UK child care subsidies.

Summarise the key points of the text in your own words so it is clear they you have read and understood the source. You can use bullet points to list the useful points.

http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/topics/work-life-balance/

EVALUATION 2 Reference: Harvard School of Public Health (2017) ‘Environmental Barriers to Activity’. [Online] Available at: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/physical-activity environment/ [Last Accessed 2.06.18] How do you know this source is suitable for academic use? Refer to the currency, authority, purpose, reliability of evidence or data, objectivity, use of expected academic conventions. This source is reliable as it is published research from a reputable academic institution. The article contains references to numerous other data and research, which adds weight to its academic credibility. Synthesising from various studies, the article provides an overview of current research on environmental determinants / impacts on healthy lifestyles. How is the source relevant to your title? What are the useful points / arguments made in the text? This source provides information which can be used to provide evidence towards the argument that there are a number of environmental reasons contributing towards an unhealthy lifestyle and the obesity epidemic- it is not merely down to individual preference and dietary choices. Findings from research show that a variety of environmental factors, such as parental activity levels or the socio-economic background can be influential: poor areas have fewer facilities and cost may play a role when facilities are available. In addition, people living in areas where security is an issue also report decreased amounts of activity. Physical exercise: Environmental factors which may determine / influence an individual’s activity levels Influences can be: - family - work - initiatives at school/ traveling to school/ using facilities afterwards - neighbourhoods - government policies - use of space/ town planning/ access to infrastructure

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/physical-activity%20environment/

EVALUATION 3 Reference: University of Cambridge (2014) ‘Price gap between more and less healthy food grows’ University of Cambridge Research News [Online] Available at: http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/price-gap-between-more- and-less-healthy-foods-grows [Last Accessed 3.07.18]

How do you know this source is suitable for academic use? Refer to the currency, authority, purpose, reliability of evidence or data, objectivity, use of expected academic conventions. This source is the University of Cambridge Research site, which publishes overviews of the research being conducted by the University. The researchers involved in this study are from the Centre for Diet and Activity Research at the University; data was collated over a ten year period from the Office of National Statistics, a reliable source of data, and referenced it against the National Diet and Nutrition Survey. The study has been published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS One. How is the source relevant to your title? What are the useful points / arguments made in the text? The findings of the study directly link the increasing price of healthy food with ‘a deterioration in the health of the population’. This is useful to support the point that not everyone has access to the balanced and varied diet identified as key to a healthy lifestyle. The researchers’ conclusions are also useful in supporting the point that the government intervention may be needed to ensure that everyone is able to sustain a healthy lifestyle. The researchers suggest that the following should be addressed - agricultural policy - food production - retail pricing strategies

EVALUATION 4 Reference: Asay, G.R.B., Roy, K., Lang, J.E., Payne, R.L., Howard, D.H. (2016) ‘Absenteeism and Employer Costs Associated With Chronic Diseases and Health Risk Factors in the US Workforce’ Preventing Chronic Disease Vol.13 pp.21 -35

How do you know this source is suitable for academic use? Refer to the currency, authority, purpose, reliability of evidence or data, objectivity, use of expected academic conventions. This is an academic study which has been peer-reviewed and is published by the Centres for Disease Control Prevention, an American governmental organisation which is accountable and reputable. The study is current, relevant and the information is fully referenced to academic articles. It is written as a guide for the general public, so it is not written in an academic manner. However, the CDC is a reputable organisation, working on behalf of the US government, so it is reliable enough for use. How is the source relevant to your title? What are the useful points / arguments made in the text? This study focuses on the impact of chronic diseases and unhealthy behaviours on work productivity, by looking at 3 risk factors: smoking, physical inactivity and obesity. Annual absenteeism increases with the risk factors- and costs over $2 billion a year. This source provides evidence for the argument that obese/ unhealthy workers take more sick days, which costs the companies and society money. The information supports the idea that companies would benefit from getting involved and assuming some of the responsibility in tackling lifestyle issues since by reducing poor productivity and absenteeism, they would gain financially.

Marker’s Comments: Source Selection: This list contains useful and reliable sources of information: academic journals, government information websites and books, indicating a significant amount of research has been done. (Distinction) Source Evaluation: All sources are clearly identified as being reliable considering a range of factors - currency, authorship, purpose, academic conventions and objectivity. (Distinction)

Marker’s Comments: Understanding of Sources: The relevance of all sources to the topic is clearly and fully explained in the student’s own words, and the indication of how the source will be used to support points in the essay is explicit. The student is able to effectively identify and summarise key points of the articles. (Distinction)

Part 2: Essay Outline

Provide a clear plan of your essay, including the key points you will include, and the sources you will use to support your points. You can use the sources you were given, as well as your own sources.

Plan for overall structure Introduction P1. define healthy lifestyle habits (discuss key ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle) P2. discuss reasons why an unhealthy lifestyle have become more common: work is a key factor P3. Counter argument and rebuttal 1: government / society approaches to ill-heath – why they are wrong P4. Argument 2: the ethical case of employers encouraging healthy lifestyles among their employees P5. Argument 3: the business case for employers taking some responsibility for employee health Conclusion

Introductory paragraph structure Background - increasing pace of modern lifestyles

- rising rates of obesity and related health issues - health is a key factor in ability to work well and productively

Outline This essay will outline the key causes of an unhealthy lifestyle and its effects on productivity and the economy at large

Thesis statement I will conclude that employers should take some responsibility for the health of their workers.

Paragraph 1 Topic sentence There are five key elements to include in a healthy lifestyle. Supporting points Evidence / example/ data Citation - The five healthy habits are: not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, undertaking moderate exercise, eating a varied diet high in fruit and vegetables and low in saturated fat and sugar, limiting alcohol intake

Study in US with 123,000 participants over 30 years published in the medical journal Circulation found that people who adopted all five healthy habits were 74% less likely to die during the period of the study than those who adopted none. Women with healthy lifestyle lived 14 years longer, and men lived 12 years longer than those with unhealthy lifestyle habits.

NHS (2018)

Concluding / linking sentence If individuals follow the points, they will maintain and improve their health and thus lead a happier and longer life.

You don’t need to write out your introduction in full, but indicate how you will put the topic into context, the structure of your essay, and your position.

Make sure your topic sentence is clear, and introduces the content of the paragraph.

Bullet point the key points you plan to make, and include a reference to support every point. Check all your references are in your list in part 3.

State the purpose of each paragraph – make sure it is clear how it will add / develop your overall argument.

Add more paragraphs to the template if you need them.

Paragraph 2 Topic sentence However, with an estimated 137.3 million working days lost due to sickness in the UK in 2016 (Office for National Statistics, 2017), it seems maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not possible for all. Support Evidence / example/ data Citation - Environmental factors which affect health and are out of the control of the individual: - financial limitations / poverty restricts access to sport and also fresh food

Wilkinson & Marmot (2003)

- comparative cost of fruit and veg to processed food - Camb Uni study between 2002 – 2012 showed healthy foods were consistently more expensive than unhealthy food options, and the disparity in price has widened over the 10 year period.

University of Cambridge (2014)

- family / commitments such as working extra jobs - lack of security of local area may limit a person’s ability to be outside

- Lack of time leads people to eat fast / convenient food, rather than good from fresh.

Harvard School of Public Health (2017)

- Key factors which affect health as: - Lack of time to exercise and plan healthy meals, (poor work-life balance) which leads to tiredness / lack of energy - Stress

- Stress has a significant effect on both mental and physical health. Davidson, Mostofsky & Whang (2010, cited in American Psychological Association) – found a direct link between reduced stress and instance of heart disease. - Stress may lead to negative habits, such as increased alcohol consumption and smoking, as well as lack of sleep, which causes additional mental and physical problems.

American Psychological Association (2018); OECD (ND)

Concluding / linking sentence Paragraph 3 Topic sentence Despite the evidence that work commitments and resulting stress can cause health issues, many companies, and indeed governments, have argued that health is solely the responsibility of the individual. Support Evidence / example/ data Citation - government / society’s approach of ‘victim blaming’ - making people who are unwell / incapacitated feel guilty / responsible for their condition

- example: negative portrayal of people unable to work in the media as ‘scroungers’ or ‘benefits cheats’

Galvin (2002) (government approaches)

- placing additional pressure on employees to get back to work or not report physical or mental illness is dangerous to the individual.

- during Dec 2011 and Feb 2014, 2,380 people died after government work capability assessment found they were fit for work

Department for Work and Pensions (2015)

Concluding / linking sentence It is clear that the individual cannot be held solely responsible for his or her physical and mental health.

You may not need a linking sentence if the topic sentence of the following paragraph refers back:

Try to include more than one citation in a paragraph, as this makes it clear that you are synthesising sources, rather than just relying on one source of information.

Marker’s Comments: Development of an outline: The outline is incredibly detailed and is clear to follow. This is a fully developed essay plan, including clear indication of how the sources will be synthesised and incorporated into the essay. (Distinction) Use of sources: The outline clearly indicates how sources will be used to support points. The student has included counter-arguments as well as supporting his/her points, taking a reasoned and balanced approach to the essay. All sources cited as support which are included in the reference list. (Distinction)

Paragraph 4 Topic sentence If it is not the sole responsibility of the individual, then the question of who should assume responsibility arises. Employers should actively encourage healthy lifestyles among their workforce. Support Evidence / example/ data Citation - causes of ill-health (stress / lack of time / work-life balance) is often due to work demands

- long working hours have a negative effect on health and stress levels

The Organisation for Economic Co- operation and Development (N.D.)

- Worker ill-health leads to reduced work output - ‘Presenteeism’

- Research conducted in America shows that workplace health programmes reduce ‘presenteeism’, i.e. reduced productivity when at work

Stevens (2013)

- benefits of a healthy workforce: increased productivity

- ‘healthy people are happier than unhealthy people, and work harder as a consequence’

Stevens (2013)

- the importance of work-life balance in staff retention

- study demonstrates that work-life conflict is a primary reasons for resignation (leading to additional costs of recruitment and training), and the significance of company policies around work-family support in staff retention.

Shockey et al. (2017)

Paragraph 5 Topic sentence If companies need further incentive to take responsibility for the health and wellbeing of their staff, the financial case is clear. Support Evidence / example/ data Citation - Saving on sick days to companies

- Smokers take more sick days than non-smokers - Obese people take more sick days than non-obese workers

Weng & Leonardi-Bee (2013); Asay et al (2016)

- The yearly cost to the economy; government should support development of universal company policies.

- Estimated £32 billion loss to GDP Office for National Statistics (2017)

Conclusion - Summarise: key reasons why individual is not able to ensure health alone; key reason for ill-health is work- related; benefits for companies – therefore clear case that employers should take some responsibility to actively encourage and support healthy lifestyles in its work force – should be backed by government policy to ensure all businesses conform.

Part 3: Sources

Write a reference list for at least SIX sources which you have found yourself. You should include the two sources you were given if you plan to use them in your essay. Asay, G.R.B., Roy, K., Lang, J.E., Payne, R.L., Howard, D.H. (2016) ‘Absenteeism and Employer Costs Associated With Chronic Diseases and Health Risk Factors in the US Workforce’. Preventing Chronic Disease Vol.13 pp.21 -35

Department for Work and Pensions (2015) ‘Mortality Statistics: ESA, IB and SDA claimants’ Official Statistics [Online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/mortality-statistics-esa-ib-and-sda-claimants [Last Accessed 3.07.18]

Galvin, R. (2002) ‘Disturbing notions of Chronic Illness and Individual Responsibility: Towards a Genealogy of Morals’ Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness and Medicine. Vol.6, Issue 2, pp.107- 137

Harvard School of Public Health (2017) ‘Environmental Barriers to Activity’ [Online] Available at: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/physical-activity environment/ [Last Accessed 2.06.18]

Office for National Statistics, (2017) ‘Sickness absence in the labour market: 2016’ ONS [Online] Available at: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/labourproductivity/articles/sicknessa bsenceinthelabourmarket/2016 [Last Accessed 2.07.18]

Stevens, M. (2013) ‘Rising sick bill ‘costs UK business £29bn a year’. [Online] Available at: http://www.cipd.co.uk/pm/peoplemanagement/b/weblog/archive/2013/07/15/rising-sickbill-costs-uk business-163-29bn-a-year.aspx [Last Accessed 5.06.18]

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (N.D.) ‘Work Life Balance’ [Online] Available at: http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/topics/work-life-balance/ [Last Accessed 25.06.18]

University of Cambridge (2014) ‘Price gap between more and less healthy food grows’ University of Cambridge Research News [Online] Available at: http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/price-gap-between-more-and- less-healthy-foods-grows [Last Accessed 3.07.18]

Wilkinson R. & Marmot M. (2003) Social determinants of health: the solid facts. 2nd Edition. Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe

Weng, S.F., Ali, S. and Leonardi-Bee, J. (2013) ‘Smoking and absence from work: systematic review and meta-analysis of occupational studies’. Addiction Vol. 108, Issue 2, pp. 307–319

Markers Comments:

Make sure you include all the sources in your outline and evaluation. List the sources alphabetically and tab under the surname so that it is easy to read. Remove any hyperlinks.

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/physical-activity%20environment/

Referencing: The references are accurate throughout. (Distinction)

How CW 1 is marked

Source Selection and Evaluation 1. What type of sources have you chosen? 2. How have you identified the source as being reliable?

Additional notes Understanding of Sources 1. How is the source relevant to your title? 2. Have you identified useful points in the text?

Additional notes

1. All sources are reliable and appropriate for academic purposes. 2. Clear and sound evaluation of the reliability of all sources provided.

8 – 10 Distinction All sources included in reference list should be a logical and useful source of information. There should be no unnecessary additions in order to make up the minimum number (including a dictionary reference, for example). A ‘clear and sound evaluation’ will consider at least three aspects, for example: currency, authority (author/ source of information), purpose, accuracy (the evidence provided, use of academic conventions)

1. Relevance of the texts to the research topic and title is explicit and clear. 2. Demonstrates thorough understanding of the relevant material and issues.

8 – 10 Distinction The relevance of the sources to the title is clear / there is an explanation of which aspect of the title the source is useful for (in brief – further detail should be included in the outline). There should be a brief summary of key arguments/ position of the author. For full marks, students should relate the source to other arguments in order to show reading and connections between sources relevant to the topic have been made.

1. Reliable sources selected overall; one or two of the sources may be of lower quality. 2. Sound evaluation of the reliability of sources. Reasoning and detail may be clearer for some sources than others.

6 – 7 Merit On a list of 6 references, 1 lower quality source or incomplete / inaccurate evaluation would receive a mark of 7, 2 would be awarded 6 marks.

1. Relevance of the texts to the research topic and title is clear. 2. Demonstrates good understanding of the relevant material and issues.

6 – 7 Merit The relevance of the sources to the title is clear, but it may be brief. The summary / note of key points should indicate that reading has been done (ie. points included should be beyond what could be written based on general knowledge / without any reading required).

1. Acceptable sources / material selected, though may be lower quality in some areas. 2. Evaluation of the reliability of the sources present, but provides minimal detail which is weak, faulty or repetitive in some areas.

4 – 5 Pass 3 of the sources are appropriate, 3 are questionable. Student has attempted to evaluate sources, but either evaluation is incorrect (saying a source is current when it isn’t) or the student has identified a source as being of lower quality, but is still proposing to use it.

1. Texts are relevant to the research topic and title, though link may be less clear in places. 2. Demonstrates general knowledge of some areas but may lack detail.

4 – 5 Pass Some sources may seem relevant to the topic, but not necessarily the title. The summary should indicate that some reading has been done – general points / positions of texts are stated, and some useful points identified.

1. Predominantly poor and/or inappropriate material selected with selection appearing to be random. 2. Weak / faulty evaluation of the reliability of the sources.

2 – 3 Below pass More than 50% of the sources on the list are not appropriate for academic use, eg. newspapers, blogs (for subjects other than Media), sources are out of date, are published by a corporation rather than an academic institution, etc. The evaluation may be incorrect, or only very brief – only stating that the source is current, for example, but overlooking that the authorship is not reliable.

1. Texts are only generally linked to the topic; the relevance to the title is unclear. 2. Demonstrates little or confused understanding of content; student has lifted parts of the text.

2 – 3 Below pass Connection to the title is unclear; relevance to the topic is general, but possibly a stretch. The summary indicates either that reading has not been done (only very general or minimal comments made), or that the source has not been understood – this may be indicated by students simply lifting parts of the text, or by seemingly irrelevant points being noted.

1. Poor and/or inappropriate literature/material selected; required number of sources not included. 2. No attempt to evaluate the reliability of sources.

0 – 1 Fail

1. Texts are unconnected – no obvious focus for the reading. 2. Demonstrates no discernible knowledge or understanding.

0 – 1 Fail No clear relevance to the topic or the title. Summary of key points is either missing, plagiarised or irrelevant.

Use of Sources 1. How well developed and relevant to the question is your essay outline? 2. How will you use the sources in your work?

Additional Notes Referencing Additional Notes

1. All aspects of the outline are clearly and fully developed in answer to the question. 2. The value and use of all sources for the research essay is clear in the outline.

8 – 10 Distinction The outline is clear and logical. The reader can follow the argument or discussion of the essay, main points are supported and developed by relevant sub-points. All of the sub-points are supported with reference to sources.

In-text citations and end of text references consistently clear and accurate.

4 marks In-text citations and end of text references should be complete and in a consistent format. Minor typos, such as missing a full stop in one reference should not be penalised. Page references are not required.

1. All aspects of the outline are clear and relevant to the question, though some parts may require further detail or development. 2. Clear indication of how sources will be used in research essay in the outline; sources appropriate to support points.

6 – 7 Merit The outline is clear enough to be followed, but there may be areas which require further detail/ the development is not completely logical / there may be too many points in a paragraph, or insufficient development. Sources to be used for support are included for the majority of points – student may indicate that a source is required.

In-text citations and end of text references generally clear and accurate; may contain occasional minor errors.

3 marks Occasional minor errors refers to errors which are not systematic – ie. missing the year on some references, not putting journal titles in italics in some references.

1. Most aspects of the outline are clear and relevant to the question, but further development is required. 2. Indication of how sources will be used in the essay is generally clear, but may lack detail or relevance in places.

4 – 5 Pass The skeleton of a complete plan is present, but detail is missing. Sources are indicated for most of the points included in the outline, but may appear reliant on one or two sources.

In-text citations and end of text references included but with omissions or errors.

2 marks Some references could not be followed up easily – key information is missing (year of publication / URL), or some references are missing from the list but included in the outline.

1. The outline is only partly developed or does not address the question at all. 2. Largely unclear how sources will be used to support points in the research essay.

2 – 3 Below pass Parts of the plan are missing or completely undeveloped. Source support is missing from many of the points, or do not seem relevant.

Majority of citations / references missing or very unclear.

1 mark Multiple references are missing, or the format is completely inconsistent / reader is unable to identify or follow up the source.

1. The outline is largely unclear or missing. 2. Unclear how sources will be used in the essay.

0 – 1 Fail Outline cannot be followed at all, or is not included. Source references are missing or are just included without any indication of the points they are supporting.

No references included. 0 Referencing not attempted