HRBUS82/101/0/2015
Tutorial letter 101/0/2015
Research Report
HRBUS82
Year Module
Department of Business Management
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
This tutorial letter contains important information about your module.
Note: This is an online module, and therefore your module is available on myUnisa. However, in order to support you in your learning process, you will also receive some study materials in printed format.
Open Rubric
CONTENTS
Page
1
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 4
1.1
Module format ................................................................................................................................. 4
1.1.1
Fully online module ......................................................................................................................... 4
1.1.2
Printed materials to support the online module............................................................................... 4
2
PURPOSE OF AND OUTCOMES FOR THE MODULE ............................................................... 5
2.1
Purpose .......................................................................................................................................... 5
2.2
Outcomes ....................................................................................................................................... 5
3
LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS .................................................................................... 6
3.1
Lecturer(s) ...................................................................................................................................... 6
3.2
Department ..................................................................................................................................... 6
3.3
University ........................................................................................................................................ 6
4
MODULE-RELATED RESOURCES .............................................................................................. 8
4.1
Prescribed books ............................................................................................................................ 8
4.2
Recommended books ..................................................................................................................... 8
4.3
Electronic Reserves (e-Reserves) .................................................................................................. 8
5
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE MODULE ................................................................ 8
6
MODULE-SPECIFIC STUDY PLAN............................................................................................... 8
7
MODULE PRACTICAL WORK AND WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING ..................................... 9
8
ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................................... 9
8.1
Assessment plan ............................................................................................................................ 9
8.2
General assignment numbers ....................................................................................................... 10
8.2.1
Unique assignment numbers ........................................................................................................ 10
8.2.2
Due dates for assignments ........................................................................................................... 10
8.3
Submission of assignments .......................................................................................................... 10
8.4
Assignments ................................................................................................................................. 11
9
OTHER ASSESSMENT METHODS............................................................................................. 11
10
EXAMINATION ............................................................................................................................. 11
11
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS .......................................................................................... 11
12
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................. 11
2
HRBUS82/101
13
APPENDIX A: COMPULSORY ASSIGNMENTS......................................................................... 12
Assignment 01 .......................................................................................................................................... 12
Assignment 02 .......................................................................................................................................... 13
Assignment 03 .......................................................................................................................................... 14
14
APPENDIX B: ASSESSMENT RUBRICS.................................................................................... 15
ASSESSMENT RUBRIC FOR ASSIGNMENT 01 (LITERATURE REVIEW) ........................................... 15
ASSESSMENT RUBRIC FOR ASSIGNMENT 02 (RESEARCH METHODOLOGY) ............................... 16
ASSESSMENT RUBRIC FOR ASSIGNMENT 3 (RESEARCH FINDINGS) ............................................ 17
15
APPENDIX C: RESEARCH REPORT.......................................................................................... 18
ASSESSMENT RUBRIC FOR FINAL RESEARCH REPORT.................................................................. 19
3
1 INTRODUCTION
Dear Student
Welcome to the Research Report module of the BCom Honours in Business Management. If you are registered for this module, it means that you have successfully completed your
Research Proposal. The Research Report is where you get to execute the research plans you put together in your Research Proposal module (HPBUS81).
The focus of this module is to put together a research report that demonstrates your ability to conduct guided research in a local context. By now you have a research topic and a research proposal and you should be ready to proceed with conducting and writing up your research.
One key difference for this module is that you will be working directly with an appointed research supervisor who will assist you and guide you on your journey to a completed research report. It is therefore important to make contact with your appointed supervisor and start working as soon as possible. As with the Research Proposal (HPBUS81) module, this course is presented online, and you will be required to make extensive use of myUnisa. All tutorial letters and other useful information that you will require in your studies for this module will be provided on myUnisa.
1.1
Module format
1.1.1
Fully online module
Please note that this module is offered fully online.
All study material for this module will be available on myUnisa. It is thus very important that you register on myUnisa and access the module site on a regular basis. You must be registered on myUnisa to be able to access your learning material, submit your assignments, gain access to various learning resources, “chat” to your lecturer or teaching assistant and fellow students about your studies and the challenges that you might encounter, and to participate in online discussion forums and blogs. Importantly, myUnisa contains the Learning Units tool from which you will only be able to access the study material for this module if you have registered and have access to myUnisa.
1.1.2
Printed materials to support the online module
Because we want you to be successful in this online module, we also provide you with some of the study material in printed format. This will allow you to read the study materials, even if you are not online.
In addition, you will receive this tutorial letter and a printed copy of the online study materials from myUnisa. While these printed materials may appear slightly different from the online study materials, they are exactly the same and have been copied from the online myUnisa website.
Remember, the printed support materials are a back-up to everything that is found online, on myUnisa. There are no extra things there. In other words, you should NOT wait for the printed support materials to arrive to start studying.
Please consult with the myStudies @ Unisa publication for more information on the activation of your myLife email address as well obtaining access to the myUnisa module site. 4
HRBUS82/101
2 PURPOSE OF AND OUTCOMES FOR THE MODULE
2.1
Purpose
The purpose of this module is to enable students to execute a business research project and write up an acceptable research report.
2.2
Outcomes
Specific outcome 1:
The student is able to conduct a comprehensive academic literature review (10 pages) in line with stated research objectives.
Assessment criteria:
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Academic sources (at least 30) are utilised that are academically credible and suited to the research problem.
The literature review situates the research report clearly in a theoretical body of knowledge. The main epistemologies and seminal authors in the field of study have been identified.
All references are used correctly in the text, and all references are correctly cited in the reference list.
An academically acceptable writing style is demonstrated.
Specific outcome 2:
The student is able to outline a research methodology in a research methodology chapter, in line with stated research objectives.
Assessment criteria
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•
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Appropriate research design options have been identified.
A suitable research design and methodology have been selected and the choice has been successfully defended.
Limitations, scope (delimitations) and ethical implications of the study have been identified. The detail of the research methodology (eg research instruments, sampling, data gathering and data analysis) has been adequately explained.
Specific outcome 3:
The student is able to present the research findings in a clear and unambiguous way.
Assessment criteria
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•
Findings are presented in a concise, visually stimulating manner.
The findings are clearly linked to research objectives.
5
•
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The presentation and discussion of findings demonstrate insight into the theoretical field and the implications of findings.
Conclusions, recommendations and areas for future research are identified and linked to theoretical foundations and research findings.
Specific outcome 4:
The student is able to produce an acceptable research report of 40 written pages.
Assessment criteria
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•
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Evidence is provided that the student is able to successfully execute a research project suitable to this level, in line with an accepted research proposal.
The report includes all the required elements of a research report.
Coherence (“golden thread”) between all elements of the research report is evident.
An academically sound writing style is demonstrated.
Acceptable technical standards (referencing, structure, language) are adhered to.
3 LECTURER(S) AND CONTACT DETAILS
3.1
Lecturer(s)
The details of the main lecturer responsible for this module are as follows:
Name:
Dr Siphiwe Dhlamini
E-mail:
bmpostgrad@unisa.ac.za
Office number:
AJH van der Walt Building, Room 3-34
Contact details for the various departmental representatives for this module will be available on myUnisa. This module will make use of supervisors. You will be provided with the contact details of your supervisor after registering for the course. Supervisors will only be able to assist with enquiries of an academic nature, such as enquiries about the contents of assignments. Your first point of contact should be the supervisor. The module leader or departmental representatives should only be contacted when the supervisor is unavailable or does not respond within a reasonable time. 3.2
Department
The contact information for the Department of Business Management is as follows:
E-mail: busman@unisa.ac.za
3.3
University
Please note that the general Unisa Contact Centre (UCC) number has been disconnected. You are now requested to contact Unisa via SMS, myUnisa and e-mail.
Please send an SMS to 32695 or send an e-mail to info@unisa.ac.za and we will provide you with the information you require.
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HRBUS82/101
If you need to contact the University about matters not related to the content of this module, please consult My studies @ Unisa, which you should have received with your study material. In this brochure, you will find the contact details of various administrative departments. If you did not receive this document and have access to the internet, you can find it on myUnisa under the
“Resources” option. Remember to always have your student number ready when making an enquiry. Students can contact Unisa as follows:
Unisa website (http://www.unisa.ac.za & http://mobi.unisa.ac.za)
All study-related information is now available on the new Unisa corporate website in both web and mobi formats. myUnisa (https://my.unisa.ac.za/portal & https://my.unisa.ac.za/portal/pda)
You can access your own information via the myUnisa website or mobi site.
E-mail (info@unisa.ac.za)
You may send an e-mail to info@unisa.ac.za for information on how to contact Unisa via e-mail. SMS (32695) – only for students in South Africa
You may send an SMS to 32695 for more information on how to contact Unisa via SMS.
The sender will receive an auto-response SMS with the various SMS options. The cost to the student per SMS is R1,00.
Fax (012 429 4150)
You will be able to fax your enquiries to 012 429 4150, whereafter these will be distributed and processed by the relevant department.
Physical address
University of South Africa
Preller Street
Muckleneuk
Pretoria
City of Tshwane
Postal address
University of South Africa
PO Box 392
Unisa
0003
The following departments will take over the functions of the Unisa Contact Centre (UCC):
Directorate/
business unit
Short SMS code
E-mail address
Student Admissions and Registrations
43578
study-info@unisa.ac.za
Student
Assessment and
Administration
43584
For exams: exams@unisa.ac.za For assignments:
7
assign@unisa.ac.za
Despatch
43579
despatch@unisa.ac.za
Finance
43583
finan@unisa.ac.za
ICT (myUnisa & myLife) 43582
myUnisaHelp@unisa.ac.za myLifeHelp@unisa.ac.za Your student number and the course code of this module (HRBUS82) must be given whenever you send us an enquiry.
4 MODULE-RELATED RESOURCES
4.1
Prescribed books
There is no prescribed book for this course.
4.2
Recommended books
There are no recommended books for this module.
4.3
Electronic Reserves (e-Reserves)
There are no e-reserves for this module.
5 STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE MODULE
Details of student support services offered at Unisa are given in the My studies @ Unisa brochure. HRBUS82 is offered online and students are actively supported by means of a structured learning programme. Online study guides will include various supporting documents and self-assessment tools. Supervisors will provide guidance where students experience difficulties with the academic aspects of HRBUS82 or require guidance with their research reports. 6 MODULE-SPECIFIC STUDY PLAN
This module will make extensive use of myUnisa. myUnisa is a web-based system for academic collaboration and study-related interaction. This system has been developed to supplement and enhance academic interaction and improve communication between Unisa and its students. At Unisa we believe that part of the learning process is to be part of the learning community where students can test their thinking and growth with their peers. Students are thus
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HRBUS82/101
given the opportunity to engage with classmates and lecturers through the online discussion forums and e-mail. Instead of a traditional study guide, we will be posting resources on myUnisa. The purpose of such resources is to
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set a study programme that will allow you sufficient time to complete your assignments and the final research report submission guide you through the process of conducting and writing up a research project help you apply the concepts that you learnt in HMEMS80
All in all you will have to spend at least 240 hours on this module, spread over approximately 30 weeks of study. In other words you will need to spend about eight hours per week on this module. Research reports are generally completed section by section or chapter by chapter. Your participation in this module assumes the successful completion of HPBUS81 (The Research
Proposal in Business Management).
Study programme
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Step 8
Step 9
Read through the material received in your study pack:
• My studies @ Unisa
• Tutorial letters:
- BECHONB/301/3/2015
- HRBUS82/101/2015
Make a note of the due dates of your assignments and final research report. Familiarise yourself with myUnisa.
Download and read through the orientation guide and schedule. Test yourself against the learning outcomes and the assessment criteria.
Plan your assignments. You need to do the assignments and the remainder of the steps simultaneously. Also remember that these assignments form part of the final research report, so use the feedback to refine your assignments and report.
Start with the next study unit. Repeat the instructions until you have worked through all the study units.
Revisit the aspects in each learning outcome that you need to improve on. Complete and submit the final research report.
7 MODULE PRACTICAL WORK AND WORK-INTEGRATED LEARNING
Not applicable
8 ASSESSMENT
8.1
Assessment plan
Your final mark for the module will be a combination of the assignment marks (30% contribution) and your mark for the research report (70% contribution).
9
8.2
General assignment numbers
See table below (section 8.2.2)
8.2.1
Unique assignment numbers
See table below (section 8.2.2)
8.2.2
Due dates for assignments
The assignments for this module are included in Appendix A. Students will have three opportunities to submit assignments. Assignment 01 is a compulsory assignment. The assignments will contribute 30% of the year mark. The due dates for assignments are as follows: Assignment
Due date
Unique number 01
22 June 2015
586437
02
17 August 2015
586438
03
30 October 2015
586547
A due date is the last date on which the assignment should reach the University. Please note that admission to the examination is not granted automatically and you therefore have to submit the first assignment for every module on or before the due date. See Appendix A for the assignment questions and Appendix B for the assessment guidelines.
Supervisors are responsible for marking your assignments in this module. To expedite this process, please submit your Assignments in PDF format. You can find more information on
Primo PDF, a free PDF converter programme, on myUnisa. You will receive your marked assignment together with the assignment evaluation sheet and marker’s comments electronically. Allow at least four weeks after the due date for the assignment for the assessment and return of your assignment. See Appendix B for the assessment guidelines for
Assignments 01, 02 and 03.
8.3
Submission of assignments
You need to submit assignments electronically via myUnisa (go to http://my.unisa.ac.za). Under no circumstances may assignments be submitted by fax or e-mail. Assignments that are e-mailed to lecturers will be deleted immediately.
For detailed information on assignments, please refer to the My studies
@ Unisa brochure, which you received with your study package.
To submit assignments via myUnisa:
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10
Go to myUnisa.
HRBUS82/101
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8.4
Log in with your student number and password.
Select the module.
Click on “Assignments” in the menu on the left-hand side of the screen. Click on the assignment number you want to submit.
Follow the instructions.
Assignments
Consult Tutorial Letter BECHONB/301/2015 for information on the following:
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how to answer essay questions administrative requirements for assignments extension of assignment deadlines requirements for the submission of the research reports key concepts for learning outcomes, assignments and the research reports
9 OTHER ASSESSMENT METHODS
Not applicable
10 EXAMINATION
There is no conventional sit-down examination for this module. Your performance in this programme is assessed by your performance in the module assignments and by the submission of a final research report. Appendix C contains specific guidelines for the assessment of the final research report. The due date for submission of the research report is 22 JANUARY 2016.
Because this is a summative assessment, no late submissions can be accepted. You need to receive a subminimum of 40% in your final report Note that we will submit a random sample of research reports to the ‘turn-it-in’ plagiarism software. Contravention of the Unisa policy on copyright and plagiarism will lead to your failing the examination and being subject to disciplinary action.
11 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
My studies @ Unisa brochure contains an A—Z guide of the most relevant study information.
12 CONCLUSION
It is important that the specific outcomes and their assessment criteria be considered before attempting the assignments and the research report. We trust that you will find the process of putting together the research report stimulating .Good luck with your studies in this module and the honours program in general.
11
13 APPENDIX A: COMPULSORY ASSIGNMENTS
Assignment 01 LITERATURE REVIEW
ASSIGNMENT 01 (Unique number 586437)
Due date: 22 June 2015
The literature review is the section of your research report where you report on the existing literature on your topic. It should demonstrate your understanding of the seminal (important) authors on the topic, as well as the main theories and debates. It should generally not make up more than about 20% of your research report.
This assignment allows you progress with your research report by submitting a literature review chapter. You will need the following resources to complete this assignment:
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At least 30 books and articles on your selected research topic (remember that good, recent academic articles should make up the majority of your sources)
Online study guide on conducting a literature review (From the HPBUS81 module) myUnisa and Unisa Library resources
Assignment question
Submit an electronic version of your literature review chapter (maximum of ten pages excluding title page and references).
The evaluation sheet for Assignment 01 is included in Appendix B. In summary your assignment will be assessed on the following:
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the extent to which it reflects your understanding of the main body of literature in this field the quality of your academic writing the technical quality and presentation of your chapter
HRBUS82/101
Assignment 02 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
ASSIGNMENT 02 (Unique number 586438)
Due date: 17 August 2015
The research methodology chapter is where you provide the details of how you are going to do the study and why. It should generally make up no more than about 15% of your research report. You will need the following resources to complete this assignment:
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at least five sources on research methodology (books and/or articles) the assessment rubric in appendix B myUnisa and Unisa Library resources
Assignment question
Submit an electronic version of your research methodology chapter (maximum of six pages excluding title page and references).
The evaluation sheet for Assignment 02 is included in Appendix B. In summary your assignment will be assessed on the following:
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the extent to which it reflects your understanding of the chosen research methodology the quality of your academic writing the technical quality and presentation
13
Assignment 03 RESEARCH FINDINGS
ASSIGNMENT 03 (Unique number 586547)
Due date: 30 October 2015
The research findings chapter is written after you have completed your research fieldwork and have obtained and analysed your data. Presenting the findings and discussing them forms the bulk of your research report, about 40% in total.
You will need the following resources to complete this assignment:
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your research data and data analysis the online study guide myUnisa and Unisa Library resources
Assignment question
Submit an electronic version of your research findings chapter (maximum of 12 pages excluding title page and references).
The evaluation sheet for Assignment 02 is included in Appendix B. In summary your assignment will be assessed on the following:
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•
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14
the extent to which it reflects your ability to present data in a comprehensible form the extent to which you are able to apply data analysis techniques correctly the extent to which you are able to interpret and contextualise results the quality of your academic writing the technical quality and presentation
HRBUS82/101
14 APPENDIX B: ASSESSMENT RUBRICS
ASSESSMENT RUBRIC FOR ASSIGNMENT 01 (LITERATURE REVIEW)
Component
Weight
70
FAIL
(0—50%)
-
Content of assignment 1
-
Your mark:
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Did not follow instructions Poor grammar and spelling No or very poor referencing Incorrect referencing
Poor structure
Editing is generally of a poor standard
Poor presentation
-
-
Your mark:
Used a sufficient number of sources
Sources used are of acceptable quality
Aware of some aspects of main theories and debates Have referenced some key authors in the field
Critical analysis is applied, but to a lesser extent Implications of literature for research project are indicated, but not always clearly Contribution of the study is outlined, perhaps not very clearly
DISTINCTION
(75—100%)
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Used a good number of sources Sources used are of a high quality
Clearly aware of main theories and debates
Have referenced key authors in the field
Critical analysis is applied to literature
Strong conclusion on implications of literature for research project
Contribution of the study is clear
Comments:
30
Technical requirements
Used an insufficient number of sources
Sources used are of poor quality
Unaware of main theories and debates
Have not referenced key authors in the field No critical analysis
Uncertain of implications of literature for research project No indication of contribution of the study PASS
(50—75%)
Generally followed instructions Acceptable grammar and spelling
Referencing is included, but is not always consistent and complete
Referencing is mostly correct Acceptable structure
Editing is generally of an acceptable standard
Acceptable presentation
-
Followed instructions
Good grammar and spelling Consistent and complete referencing Referencing is almost always correct
Good structure
Editing is generally of a high standard
Excellent presentation
Comments:
15
ASSESSMENT RUBRIC FOR ASSIGNMENT 02 (RESEARCH METHODOLOGY)
Component
Weight
70
FAIL
(0—50%)
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-
Content of assignment 2
-
-
-
-
Technical requirements
Your mark:
Your mark:
16
Poor justification of research approach and design
Did not use academic sources to justify choices Research design is not suitable and not clearly defended
The detail of the research methodology (eg research instruments, sampling, data gathering and data analysis) has not been explained very well, or not at all
Proposed data analysis methods are unacceptable and not appropriate Limitations of the study are not pointed out PASS
(50—75%)
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-
-
-
-
Justification of research approach and design is acceptable Used few academic sources to justify choices Research design is suitable, but not clearly defended The detail of the research methodology
(eg research instruments, sampling, data gathering and data analysis) has been explained adequately
Proposed data analysis methods are acceptable
Limitations of the study are pointed out, perhaps not very clearly
DISTINCTION
(75—100%)
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-
-
-
-
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-
Justification of research approach and design is convincing Used academic sources to justify methodological choices Research design is suitable and clearly defended The detail of the research methodology
(eg research instruments, sampling, data gathering and data analysis) has been explained very well
Research instrument is suitable and clearly defended Proposed data analysis methods are good and appropriate Limitations of the study are clearly pointed out
Ethical issues have been clearly addressed
Comments:
30
-
Comments:
Did not follow instructions Poor grammar and spelling No or very poor referencing Poor structure
Editing is generally of a poor standard
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-
Generally followed instructions Acceptable grammar and spelling
Referencing is included, but is not always consistent and complete
Acceptable structure
Editing is generally of an acceptable standard
-
Followed instructions
Good grammar and spelling Consistent and complete referencing Good structure
Editing is generally of a high standard
HRBUS82/101
ASSESSMENT RUBRIC FOR ASSIGNMENT 3 (RESEARCH FINDINGS)
Component
Weight
70
FAIL
(0—50%)
-
Content of assignment 2
-
Technical requirements
Your mark:
Your mark:
-
-
-
PASS
(50—75%)
Data analysis is not appropriate and of dubious quality
Poor presentation of findings Poor or no interpretation and contextualisation of data Findings are not linked to research objectives The findings demonstrate limited or no insight into the theoretical field and the implications of findings -
Did not follow instructions Poor grammar and spelling No or very poor referencing Poor structure
Editing is generally of a poor standard
-
-
-
-
-
Data analysis is mostly appropriate and of an acceptable quality
Acceptable presentation of data in concise, visually stimulating manner Acceptable interpretation and contextualisation of data
Findings are linked to research objectives, perhaps not always clearly The findings demonstrate acceptable insight into the theoretical field and the implications of findings
DISTINCTION
(75—100%)
-
-
-
-
-
Data analysis is appropriate and of high quality Excellent presentation of data in concise, visually stimulating manner
Excellent interpretation and contextualisation of data Findings are clearly linked to research objectives The findings demonstrate good insight into the theoretical field and the implications of findings
Comments:
30
-
-
-
Generally followed instructions Acceptable grammar and spelling
Referencing is included, but is not always consistent and complete
Acceptable structure
Editing is generally of an acceptable standard
-
Followed instructions
Good grammar and spelling Consistent and complete referencing Good structure
Editing is generally of a high standard
Comments:
17
15 APPENDIX C: RESEARCH REPORT
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (RESEARCH REPORT)
UNIQUE NUMBER 586561
Due dates: 22 JANUARY 2016
The research report to be submitted is your edited version of Chapters 1 to 4, as well as a
Chapter 5 (Conclusions and Recommendations) which is a new addition. Your total report should not exceed 40 pages in length. Specific requirements for the submission format and process will be provided.
Summative assessment
Submit a research report of no more than 40 pages in length (excluding tables of content and references, but excluding title page and other compulsory information).
The evaluation sheet for the research report included below.
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HRBUS82/101
ASSESSMENT RUBRIC FOR FINAL RESEARCH REPORT
Component
Weight
Research orientation
(Chapter 1)
10
Your mark:
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-
-
Literature review (Chapter 2)
-
-
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-
Used an insufficient number of sources
Sources used are of poor quality
Unaware of main theories and debates
Have not referenced key authors in the field
No critical analysis
Uncertain of implications of literature for research project
No indication of contribution of the study
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-
-
-
DISTINCTION
(75—100%)
Background goes from general to specific
Clearly identified the problem Well-formulated problem statement Identified achievable and sensible research objectives and/or research questions Rationale for the study is clear Used a sufficient number of sources Sources used are of acceptable quality
Aware of some aspects of main theories and debates
Have referenced some key authors in the field
Critical analysis is applied, but to a lesser extent
Implications of literature for research project are indicated, not always clearly Contribution of the study is outlined, perhaps not very clearly -
Justification of research approach and design is acceptable Used few academic sources to justify choices
Research design is suitable, but not clearly defended The detail of the research methodology (eg research instruments, sampling, data gathering and data analysis) has been explained adequately
Proposed data analysis methods are acceptable
Limitations of the study are pointed out, perhaps not very clearly
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-
-
Used a good number of sources Sources used are of high quality Clearly aware of main theories and debates
Have referenced key authors in the field
Critical analysis is applied to literature
Strong conclusion on implications of literature for research project
Contribution of the study is clear Comments:
20
-
Research methodology (Chapter 3)
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PASS
(50—75%)
Structure of background is acceptable Identified a problem, perhaps not very clearly
Acceptable problem statement Identified acceptable research objectives and/or research questions
Rationale for the study is given, perhaps not very clearly Comments:
20
Your mark:
-
FAIL
(0—50%)
Background is poorly structured Problem identification is unclear or poorly done
Unacceptable problem statement Unacceptable research objectives and/ or research questions
No clear rationale for the study
-
-
-
-
Poor justification of research approach and design Did not use academic sources to justify choices Research design is not suitable and not clearly defended The detail of the research methodology
(eg research instruments, sampling, data gathering and data analysis) has not been explained very well, or not at all
Proposed data analysis methods are unacceptable and not appropriate Limitations of the study are not pointed out
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Justification of research approach and design is convincing Used academic sources to justify methodological choices Research design is suitable and clearly defended
The detail of the research methodology (eg research instruments, sampling, data gathering and data analysis) has been explained very well
The research instrument is suitable and clearly defended Proposed data analysis methods are good and appropriate Limitations of the study are clearly pointed out
Ethical issues have been clearly addressed
19
Your mark:
Comments:
Research findings and conclusions
(Chapters 4 and 5)
30
Your mark:
-
-
-
-
Technical requirements
20
Data analysis is not appropriate and of dubious quality
Poor presentation of findings Poor or no interpretation and contextualisation of data Findings are not linked to research objectives
The findings demonstrate limited or no insight into the theoretical field and the implications of findings
Poor conclusions, recommendations and areas for future research were identified
-
Did not follow instructions Poor grammar and spelling No or very poor referencing Poor structure
Editing is generally of a poor standard
Many references in text are not in bibliography, many errors
Referencing is of poor quality -
-
-
-
-
-
Data analysis is mostly appropriate and of acceptable quality
Acceptable presentation of data in concise, visually stimulating manner
Acceptable interpretation and contextualisation of data Findings are linked to research objectives, perhaps not always clearly
The findings demonstrate acceptable insight into the theoretical field and the implications of findings
Acceptable conclusions, recommendations and areas for future research were identified
-
Generally followed instructions Acceptable grammar and spelling Referencing is included, but is not always consistent and complete
Acceptable structure
Editing is generally of an acceptable standard
Most references in text are in bibliography, some errors Referencing is of an acceptable quality
-
-
-
-
Data analysis is appropriate and of a high quality Excellent presentation of data in concise, visually stimulating manner
Excellent interpretation and contextualisation of data
Findings are clearly linked to research objectives
The findings demonstrate good insight into the theoretical field and the implications of findings
Excellent conclusions, recommendations and areas for future research were identified
Comments:
20
Your mark:
-
-
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Comments:
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Followed instructions
Good grammar and spelling Consistent and complete referencing Good structure
Editing is generally of a high standard
All references in text are in bibliography Referencing is of exemplary quality 