Assessment Number MRS 7012 - 1

Assessment Type (and Oral Assessment 20%

weighting)

Assessment Name 10-minute presentation of research area, research

question and objectives

Assessment Submission Date 28th February 25 @ 13:00 hours UK time recoded

video, uploaded on Moodle

Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify an appropriate area of Master’s level research and develop a clear and relevant
research question and objectives

Assessment Brief

In no more than 8 slides (excluding references and appendices), you should produce a video
recorded presentation using the following outline:
1. An introduction to your research topic, briefly highlighting the research scope and
outline the contents of your presentation.

2. Determine your adopted theoretical stance, justifying your choice of theoretical stance
in view of extent literature.

3. A clear statement of research design.

4. Research aim(s) and objectives.

5. Produce a critical analysis and synthesis of academic literature used in presentation.

6. A bibliography or references list as per Harvard referencing style. (Not part of the word
count).

Minimum Secondary Research Source Requirements:

Level HE7 - It is expected that the Reference List will contain between fifteen to twenty
sources.

Assessment Submission Guidelines:

▫ Upload the assessment 1 to the allocated Turnitin link on the Moodle page.
▫ Entitle your file: Research Methods followed by your full name and student number,
i.e., Research Methods Imran Akhtar 08985933

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Minimum Secondary Research Source Requirements:

Level HE7 - It is expected that the Reference List will contain between fifteen to twenty
sources. As a MINIMUM the Reference List should include ten refereed academic journals
and five academic books.

Specific Assessment Criteria/Marking Scheme:

Distinction (70% and above)

Choice of subject will be clear, focussed and current with excellent justification of choice.
Justification will be supported with recent literature. Research question is clear, relevant and
topical and the links to the research objectives are excellent; objectives are comprehensive and
realistic. Extensive research demonstrating use of a wide range of contemporary and seminal
sources will be evident. Presentation style will be polished, professional and spoken English and
referencing will be excellent.

Merit (60% -69%)

Choice of subject will be clear, focussed and current; justification will be evident and use literature
to support. Research question is clear, relevant and topical and the links to the research objectives
are excellent; Objectives are realistic but may not be comprehensive. Research demonstrating use
of a wide range of relevant research sources will be evident. Presentation style will be professional
and spoken English and referencing will be good.

Pass (50%-59%)
Choice of subject will be clear but may lack focus or currency. Justification will be clear but may
not be fully supported with literature or may be dated. Research question may lack clarity,
relevance or topicality, and the links to the research objectives may be unclear; objectives may not
be realistic. There may be a lack of focus throughout but the proposal has some merit. Some
original reflections will be presented. Research demonstrating use of a range of relevant research
sources will be evident. Presentation style will be professional and spoken English and referencing
will be satisfactory.

Fail (Below 50%)

Students who do not meet the requirements of the Pass criteria will not successfully
complete the assessment activity. Weaknesses across multiple areas (appropriateness of
topic, clarity, currency, achievability etc) will fall into this category; muddled expression and
confusion may also result in a mark in this category.

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 General Assessment Criteria for Written Assessments
Relevance Knowledge and Analysis, Creativity and Problem- Self-awareness Research/ Written English Presentation and
Understanding Solving and Reflection Structure
Learning Referencing
outcomes must
be met for an
overall pass

Work is directly Demonstrates an Presents an exceptional critique of Provides insightful An extensive range of Writing style is clear, succinct and The presentational
relevant and exceptional breadth and advanced research material resulting in reflection and advanced research relevant to the requirements of the style and layout are
expertly depth of knowledge and clear, original and illuminating critical self- sources critically assessment. correct for the type of
addresses the understanding of theory and conclusions. awareness in evaluated and assignment.
requirements of practice which is beyond the relation to the selected. An exceptionally well written answer
Exceptional Quality

the brief. threshold expectation for Expertly interprets complex matters outcomes of own with only rare errors in spelling, Evidence of planning
the level. and ideas and makes sound judgments work and personal grammar and punctuation. Uses a and logically
85-100%

in the absence of complete data. responsibility. wide range of less common and structured.
Sources cited more advanced vocabulary and
Learning Demonstrates exceptional creative flair accurately in both the sentence types fluently and flexibly Where relevant, there
outcomes are Produces exceptional work and a high level of originality. body of text and in the to convey precise meanings. is effective inclusion of,
met. which makes a contribution Reference List/ Paragraphs are expertly structured and reference to,
to knowledge in the subject Develops distinctive, insightful and Bibliography. figures, tables and
with linking and signposting.
area. creative solutions to complex images.
DISTINCTION

problems.

Work is relevant Demonstrates an excellent Presents an excellent critique of Provides excellent A wide range of Writing style is clear, succinct and The presentational
and breadth and depth of advanced research material resulting in reflection and advanced research relevant to the requirements of the style and layout are
comprehensively knowledge and clear, original and illuminating critical self- sources critically assessment. correct for the type of
addresses the understanding of theory and conclusions. awareness in evaluated and assignment.
requirements of practice for this level. relation to the selected. A very well written answer with very
Excellent Quality

the brief. Comprehensively interprets complex outcomes of own few errors in spelling, grammar and Evidence of planning
matters and ideas and makes sound work and personal punctuation. Uses a wide range of and logically structured
70-84%

judgments in the absence of complete responsibility vocabulary and sentence types

Clearly demonstrates data. Sources cited fluently and flexibly to convey Where relevant, there
Learning originality in the application accurately in both the precise meanings. Paragraphs are is effective inclusion of,
outcomes are of knowledge. Demonstrates excellent creative flair body of text and in the very well structured with linking and and reference to,
met. and a high level of originality. Reference List/ signposting. figures, tables and
Bibliography. images.
Develops distinctive and creative
solutions to complex problems.

3
 Work is relevant Demonstrates a thorough Presents a comprehensive critique of Provides good A range of advanced Writing style is clear, succinct and The presentational
and addresses breadth and depth of advanced research material resulting in reflection and research sources relevant to the requirements of the style and layout are
most of the knowledge and clear and original conclusions. critical self- critically evaluated and assessment. correct for the type of
requirements of understanding of theory and awareness in selected. assignment.
the brief well. practice for this level. Systematically interprets complex relation to the A well written answer with some
matters and ideas and makes sound outcomes of own minor errors in spelling, grammar Evidence of planning
Good Quality

judgments in the absence of complete work and personal and punctuation. Uses a range of and logically structured
In the main, sources
60-69%

data. vocabulary and sentence types to in the main.

MERIT

responsibility, as
Learning Demonstrates originality in cited accurately in convey precise meanings.
required by the
outcomes are the application of Demonstrates creative flair and both the body of text Paragraphs are well structured with Where relevant, there
assessment.
met. knowledge. originality. and in the Reference linking and signposting. is effective inclusion of,
List/ Bibliography. and reference to,
Develops creative solutions to complex figures, tables and
problems. images.

Work addresses Demonstrates a sufficient Presents some critique of advanced Provides justified Advanced research Writing style is readable and The presentational
the breadth and depth of research material resulting in original reflection and sources critically relevant to requirements of the style and layout are
requirements of knowledge and conclusions. critical self- evaluated and assessment in the main. correct for the type of
the brief, understanding of theory and awareness in selected. assignment.
although practice for this level. relation to the Competently written with minor
superficially in outcomes of own lapses in spelling, grammar and Logically structured in
Shows the ability to systematically punctuation. For example, the most part.
places. Minor work and personal
Satisfactory Quality

interpret complex matters and ideas Some errors evident in paragraphs are structured and
irrelevant responsibility, as
Demonstrates originality in and makes sound judgments in the relation to referencing include some linking and Inclusion of figures,
content. required by the
50-59%

the application of knowledge absence of complete data. the text and Reference signposting. Sentences are complete. tables and images but
PASS

assessment.
in places. List/Bibliography not all relevant or
A range of appropriate vocabulary is referred to.
Learning used.
Demonstrates creative flair and
outcomes are
originality.
met.

Develops some creative solutions to

complex problems.

4
 Work addresses Some omissions evident in A limited critique of research material Provides limited Sources selected are Writing style is generally readable For the type of
some of the knowledge and presented, with simplistic conclusions reflection and limited and lack but lacks relevance to requirements assignment the
requirements of understanding of theory and drawn. critical self- validity/relevance. of the assessment in places. presentational style,
the brief. practice for this level. awareness in layout and/or structure
Irrelevant and relation to the Intermittent lapses in grammar, are lacking.
superficial outcomes of own spelling and punctuation pose
Some complex matters and ideas Poor referencing obstacles for the reader. For Inclusion of figures,
content. work and personal
Demonstrates limited interpreted but not systematically, technique employed.
Borderline Fail

responsibility, example, some paragraphs may lack tables and images but
originality in the application resulting in flawed judgements. structure and there is limited linking not clear, relevant
45-49%

when required.
of knowledge. and signposting. and/or referred to.
One or more
learning Some appropriate vocabulary is used
Limited creativity and originality
outcomes have
evident.
not been met.

Demonstrates insufficient problem-

solving skills and initiative.
FAIL

Work does not Demonstrates inadequate An absence of critique of research Provides Relevant and valid Writing style is unclear and does not For the type of
address the knowledge and material evident with unjustified inadequate sources are not match the requirements of the assignment the
requirements of understanding of theory and conclusions. reflection and selected. assessment in question. presentational style,
the brief. practice for this level. critical self- layout and/or structure
Irrelevant and awareness in Deficiencies in spelling, grammar and are lacking.
superficial A lack of originality in the relation to the punctuation makes reading difficult
application of knowledge is Complex matters and ideas not Poor referencing and arguments unclear.
content. outcomes of own
evident. interpreted correctly resulting in technique employed. Unstructured paragraphs
work and personal
flawed judgements. Inclusion of figures,
0-44%

responsibility,
Fail

tables and images but

when required.
One or more not clear, relevant
learning and/or referred to.
Creativity and originality are absent.
outcomes have
not been met.

Insufficient problem-solving skills and

initiative demonstrated.