Assessment Criteria

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding assessed in this assignment:

·         Critically examine the range of online sources of business intelligence (using Mintel, Government sources (papers, ONS, Census), trade sources, ‘broadsheet’ articles as well as academic articles)

·         Formulate a complex, ethical research strategy in order to gather primary qualitative research for the workplace

·         Explore and evaluate quantitative research analysis tools applicability to workplace problems

Learning Outcomes: Skills and Attributes assessed in this assignment:

·          Evaluate case studies of business research in practice from the literature

·          Relate research findings to theories and concepts from the literature

·          Present research findings in the workplace: business report writing and presentations

·          Produce a personal research skills development plan

Transformational Opportunities:
E.g. Use LinkedIn Learning to improve skills

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Feedback /Marking criteria for this Assignment

·         Performance will be assessed using HBS Grading Criteria (Rubric)

·         Feedback for improvement will be given in writing via your Canvas module site within 4 weeks of submission

·         Lateness Penalty: For each day or part day up to five days after the published deadline, coursework relating to modules submitted late will have the numeric grade reduced by 10 grade points until or unless the numeric grade reaches the minimum pass mark (UG 40/PG 50). Where the numeric grade awarded for the assessment is less than the minimum pass mark no lateness penalty will be applied. If the coursework is submitted more than 5 days after the published deadline, it will not be marked and a grade of zero will be awarded. Please note: Referred coursework submitted after the published deadline will be awarded a grade of zero (0).”

·         Extensions: Students do not have an automatic right to an extension. If you require an extension, this must be requested in advance of the submission deadline. Please give your reason(s) for needing an extension.

Detailed Brief for Individual / Team Assignment

Assignment Title: Reflective Portfolio

Produce a Reflective Portfolio on the recommended research-related LinkedIn Learning courses in this module. Reflect on your experience of the learning, how these courses have advanced your research skills and how they will enhance your employability. (word count: +/- 2000 words)

Description of the assignment, task, content and structure:

In order to advance students research skills and enhance their employability via the MSc programme, a series of research related LinkedIn Learning Courses have been embedded in this module in correspondence to the relevant module topics. Students are expected to complete and gain at least 5 certificates out of 8 recommended LinkedIn Learning Courses.

This reflective portfolio provides students the opportunity to demonstrate the work (LinkedIn Learning courses) they have undertaken, and the skill sets they have developed. It also provides them the opportunity to explore their own learning process, express their feelings, evaluate their genuine engagement with the LinkedIn Learning, and analyse how the knowledge and skills would contribute to their continuing professional development and possibly be applied in their future workplace.

In this assignment, students will need to:

1.   Complete and gain at least 5 certificates out of the below 10 recommended LinkedIn Learning Courses

2.     develop and produce an individual reflective portfolio for yourself

This process will require you to follow Gibbs’ (1988) 7 steps for deeper reflection

• ·                     demonstrate your achievement of the certificates (provide evidence of the LinkedIn Learning Course certificates) and explain the skill sets you have developed through engaging in the learning process.  
• ·                     discuss your own learning process; report your feelings, opinions, personal perspectives; evaluate your genuine engagement with the LinkedIn Learning.  
• ·                     analyse how the knowledge and skills acquired through LinkedIn Learning could be applied in your research.
• ·                     discuss how the learning would contribute to your professional development and how they could be applied in your future workplace.  
• ·                     propose recommendations of future action plans on your personal continuing professional development  

e.g.  

Weighting

Communication and Structure  

20%

Content (LinkedIn Learning Courses & Certificate)  

30%

Business Application (incl. Harvard Referencing)

15%

Discussion & Analysis  

15%

Reflective Learning

20%

Total

100%

PG 

Communication skills and structure  

Content Topic (LinkedIn Learning Certificates) 

Breadth / Depth / Integration of Literature 

Analysis /Critical evaluation/ Discussion of recommendations 

Reflective Learning  

Task details  

The portfolio to focus on both the inquiry and reflection 

Demonstration and explanation of your 

LinkedIn Learning and your skills 

Integration & application of information to show insight to include a minimum of 4 sources 

Line of argument, development of discussion/analysis to include future action 

Discussion, review and completion of a personal plan for future research  

90 - 100 

Outstanding 

Outstanding: exceptional communication skills. Extremely articulate and fluent; language is clear, concise and appropriate without grammatical errors.

Outstanding exploration of topic/question showing excellent knowledge and understanding through thorough and appropriate research.

Impressive choice and range of appropriate content.

Outstanding business insight and application.

Breadth, depth and integration of extremely wide variety of vital literature/data into work.  

Outstanding level of discussion/analysis/ critical evaluation. Highly developed/ focused work with original and realistic recommendations for the future.

Outstanding level of thorough in-depth reflection undertaken and extremely valuable insights into the process of learning recorded. Clearly linked relevant future action plan included.

80 - 89 

Excellent 

Excellent: extremely articulate and fluent; language is clear, concise and appropriate.  

Only a couple of minor errors.

Excellent level of knowledge and understanding of topic/question demonstrated.  

Evidence of appropriate research

Covers all relevant points and issues.

Excellent business insight and application.

Breadth, depth and integration of very wide variety of appropriate literature/data into work.  

Excellent level of discussion/analysis/ critical evaluation clearly developing points in the appropriate way with thorough consideration of all possibilities.

Excellent reflective narrative with clear understanding of the process of learning. Clearly linked relevant future action plan included.

70 - 79 

Very Good 

Very good: fluent and clear communication with very few grammatical errors/ hesitations/ mistakes.

Very good level of knowledge and understanding of topic/question demonstrated.  

Covers most relevant points and issues. Few errors / omissions in content/calculations.

Very good business insight and application. Breadth, depth and integration of a wide variety of literature/data into work.  

Very good level of discussion/ analysis/ critical evaluation and appropriate recommendations. Few points need further development or evaluation/comparison.

Very Good reflective narrative, showing a clear level of understanding of the process of learning. Clearly linked relevant future action plan included.

60 - 69 

Good 

Good, clear competent communication with mainly logical progression of thoughts but with some grammatical errors/hesitations /mistakes.  

Good grasp of topic/question and some of its implications presented.  

Knowledge and understanding is demonstrated. Minor errors / omissions in content/ calculations.

Good business insight and application.  

Some variety of breadth, depth and integration of literature/data into work.  

Good level of discussion/analysis/ critical evaluation and appropriate recommendations but more ideas/points could be addressed /developed further.

Good reflective narrative with understanding of the process of learning. A good level of reflection and changes/actions planned.

50 - 59 

Clear Pass  

Satisfactory: Basic appropriate communication skills in evidence but not always clearly expressed – in terms of correct grammar or use of words or delivery.

See CASE with feedback 

Satisfactory: Basic content / level of knowledge of topic/question. Addresses part of the task - some errors / omissions/ misconceptions in content/ calculations. May benefit from further research.

Satisfactory business insight and application.  

Limited integration with literature/ data. Use of literature/data but limited in breadth OR depth.

See Information Managers (LRC) with feedback 

Satisfactory: Basic evidence of discussion/analysis/ critical evaluation and some recommendations. More development and comment needed on superficial points.  

See CASE with feedback 

Satisfactory: Simple record of content with some basic reflection. Some evidence of understanding of the process of learning having taken place and actions planned.

40 - 49  

Marginal Fail 

Weak: poor communication skills with a number of errors, hesitations and / or poor exchange of ideas.

Must see CASE with feedback 

Weak: Limited content / knowledge/ calculations. Limited or muddled understanding of the topic/question. Does not meet all the learning outcomes.

Weak: Unsatisfactory evidence of business application and insight.

Work needs to show better links between practical application and theory.  

Must see Information Managers (LRC) with feedback 

Weak: Limited evidence of discussion/analysis/critical evaluation and/or recommendations. Development and comment needed rather than description. Must see CASE with feedback 

Weak: Poor record of content or a simple diary with insufficient reflection or action planning.

20 – 39 

Clear Fail 

Inadequate communication skills. Very poor use of language, little fluency or logical progression of thought. Rambling speaking style.

Must see CASE with feedback 

Inadequate: Lacking in relevant content/ knowledge/calculations. Content irrelevant / inaccurate. Does not meet all the learning outcomes.

Inadequate: Lacks evidence of business application and insight. Some literature irrelevant to topic.

Must see Information Managers (LRC) with feedback 

Inadequate: Lacking / inadequate level of discussion/ analysis/critical evaluation and recommendations. Too anecdotal or descriptive.

Must see CASE with feedback 

Inadequate or incomplete reflective work, or a descriptive diary without reflection on learning and/or action planning.

0 – 19 

Little or Nothing of merit 

Nothing of merit: Unsatisfactory, incomprehensible incomplete or inappropriate communication.       

Must see CASE with feedback 

Nothing of merit: Unsatisfactory level of knowledge demonstrated.

Content irrelevant / not appropriate to the topic. Does not meet the learning outcomes.

Nothing of merit: No evidence of appropriate business application and insight or use of literature.

Must see Information Managers (LRC) with feedback 

Nothing of merit: No evidence of appropriate discussion/analysis/ critical evaluation and/or recommendations.

Must see CASE with feedback 

Nothing of merit: Little or no attempt to submit appropriate log with reflection.  

KEY ACTIONS 

To achieve a higher grade, next time you need to… (Where to go?) Who can help?) 

1. 

2. 

3. 

Academic Integrity, Plagiarism and Essay Mills

·         You are NOT allowed to copy any information into your assignment without using quotation marks and a reference – this is ‘plagiarism’ (a type of academic misconduct).

·         You are NOT allowed to copy from other students (or allow other students to copy from you) – this is ‘collusion’.

·         You are NOT allowed to copy from your own assignments on other modules – this is ‘self-plagiarism’.

·         You must NEVER buy assignments from websites (essay mills) – this is called ‘contract cheating’ and it is now illegal in the UK.

·         If you commit academic misconduct, your mark will be reduced, and you will face disciplinary action for repeat offences.

Contact *This Text is Removed by Studyfull for Privacy & Security Purposes* if you are unsure of the rules or how to avoid academic misconduct, and you will receive help.

Student Support and Guidance

• For further help on module content and assignment details, contact your Module Leader in his or her  drop-in / office hours or by email.
• Use the Learning Outcomes and HBS Grading Criteria (Rubric) to help inform you of the expectations of the assessment.

·         Use CASE (Centre for Academic Skills Enhancement) website resources: http://go.herts.ac.uk/CASE . Attend CASE workshops and drop-ins to develop academic skills to meet HBS expectations (see timetable on CASE website homepage or drop-in to CASE in L064, in the LRC).

·         Visit the Academic English for Business Programme Site for tips on developing your academic English and contact *This Text is Removed by Studyfull for Privacy & Security Purposes* if you have any questions.

·         For help with Turnitin, look for the “Check your work (Turnitin Originality Report)” practice assignment in the Assignment section of all of your modules. For help with understanding plagiarism and how to make changes to your assignment, contact *This Text is Removed by Studyfull for Privacy & Security Purposes*.

·         Use the Online Library to access quality business information resources:

o   Library Search will help you find books, journal articles and more.

o   Use the Subject Toolkit for Business to access to industry standard databases.

o   Use Library SkillUP for guidance for searching and referencing.

o   Get help: use SkilIUP module chat, visit the Study Success Hub, or book an 1:1 with a librarian.