ASSESSMENT BRIEF AND MARKING RUBRIC
Module title: Business Simulation with Professional Development (SG7003) Assessment point: Assessment point 2 – PART B (Week 12)
Assessment task: Reflective Essay on Business Simulation and Professional Development
Word count limit: 3000 words +/- 10% (excluding references and
appendices) Width: 50% of overall module grade
Procedure in the event of illness or other valid cause (extenuating circumstances)
If you believe that:
• your performance in assessment or reassessment has been impaired, or;
• you were unable to attend for an assessment or reassessment, or;
• you were unable to submit assessed or reassessed work by the scheduled date due to
illness or other valid cause (as defined in the Procedures Governing
Extenuating Circumstances), may submit an application for extenuation for the
relevant component(s) to Unicaf Extenuating Circumstances team
*Once a component has been capped, extenuation does not uncap it.
Academic misconduct including plagiarism
Ensure that you are familiar with the relevant regulations regarding academic
misconduct. By submitting the assignment, you declare that it is your own work and that
the material and sources of information used, including internet sources, have been fully
identified and properly acknowledged. In addition, you confirm that the presented work
has not been submitted for any other assessment. You also acknowledge that the faculty
reserves the right to investigate allegations of plagiarism and other forms of academic
misconduct which, if proven and dependent on the severity level of the offence, may
result in a penalty that could affect your progress.
By submitting your work, you acknowledge that you have read and agreed with
the above statements.
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General Guidance
Your assignment should be MS Word processed (handwritten assignments are not
accepted), using Times New Roman size 12 font, double spaced, with numbered pages
and your student number printed as a footer on every page. Note this is a essay
supported by academic research so you should adhere to the appropriate referencing
guidance. The word limit stated for this assignment excludes the list of references at the
end of the assignment but includes all text in the main body of the assignment (including
direct quotations, in-text citations, footnotes, tables, diagrams and graphs). Please be
aware that exceeding the word limit will affect the academic judgement of the piece of
work and may result in the award of a lower mark. Appendices are not considered a
supplement and will not be assessed as part of the content of the assignment. As such,
they will not contribute to the grade awarded; however, it may be appropriate to use an
Appendices section for any material which is a useful reference for the reader. Please
note that appendices are not included in the word count. The majority of references
should come from primary sources (e.g. journal articles, conference papers, etc.)
although you can also utilise area specific textbooks. You must ensure that you use the
Harvard style of referencing. Please indicate the word count length at the end of your
assignment.
Marking and assessment
This assignment will be marked out of 100% and contributes to 50% of the total module
mark. The pass mark is 50%. Nevertheless, in order to pass this module, you must both
achieve an aggregate mark of 50% and also meet the assignment threshold marks.
The marking rubric is included below, which offers guidance on the assessment criteria
and weighting.
Late Submission
There will be a stipulated deadline date for all assignments. All assignments will need to
be submitted by the set time on the stipulated deadline date. Assignments submitted up
to 24 hours late will be accepted, but the assignment mark will be subject to a deduction
of 5 marks from the mark awarded.
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Learning outcomes applied in this assessment
Knowledge
LO.1 explain the theory and practice of businesses (COI, CID, SID)
LO.2 describe a range of current problems and changes that organizations face in being
successful (COI, CID, IC, SID).
Thinking skills
LO.3 critically evaluate research and theory to support decision-making and explain
progress (COI, CID, SID).
LO.4 analyse complex issues, make reasoned judgments with incomplete data, and
communicate conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences (COI).
Subject-based practical skills
LO.5 students will discuss good practice for organization success (COI, CID, SID).
LO.6 undertake a critical audit of skills and capabilities for a professional career and
identify areas required for improvement (COI, CID, EID).
Skills for life and work (general skills)
LO.7 developing and communicating critical evaluations of organization progress
(CID, EID, SID).
Assessment guidelines
Produce a 3000-word essay (+/- 10%) (excluding the list of references) which offers
students the ability to demonstrate their developing knowledge and application of the
teaching and learning material covered in weeks 1 to 11. It also encourages students
to develop their thoughts and perspectives on contemporary business issues, and be
intellectually creative (underpinned by credible resources).
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Task
You are required to prepare an essay that covers what you have learnt from your
research and analysis while investigating the selected company for the
summative 1/ Simulation Evaluation Report.
In your essay you should cover:
o Executive summary of the reflective essay (An executive summary should
summarize the key points of the essay. It should restate the purpose of the
essay, highlight the major points of the essay, and describe any results,
conclusions, or recommendations from the essay/ reflections for future
business key actions).
o Introduction (The scope of the reflective essay)
o Identified events (Reflect your learning while identifying the analysing the
events from the selected company in summative 1. Reflect REAL life
example from practice as identified in business case/ assignment 1)
o Review and Discussion of relevant theories and practices (Critically Review
and Discuss the relevant theories and practices found in the selected
company in summative 1)
o Conclusion, Future Plans, and recommendations (Conclude with the key
points of your reflection. State future actions are derived from practice and
research)
o Reference list
***
Assessment Criteria
Your assignment will be marked according to the following criteria:
1) Understanding and Reading: The depth of your reading (number, range and
quality of sources) and understanding of it. You are expected to read the
essential and further readings related to this assessment point. You need to
use these readings to support your argument/discussion; you can rely on
personal opinion.
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2) Critical Analysis: The level of critical analysis in your writing and the quality of
the argument developed. You cannot rely on simple description, but have to
apply knowledge and theory from the readings to critically engage with the
material.
3) Structure: Your ability to develop a clear, logical structure for your essay
which addresses the question and guides the reader. Your essay and outline
should include a clear introduction, a cogently argued main body, and a
conclusion that summarises the argument and answers the overall question.
4) Presentation and Referencing: Your ability to express yourself clearly in
English using appropriate terminology, correct spelling and grammar. The
extent to which your essay is correctly referenced using the Harvard system of
referencing in-text and with a reference list.
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Section/aspect Content to cover Marks available
Executive summary 200 words
An executive summary should summarize the key points of the essay. It should restate the purpose of the essay, highlight the major points of the essay, and describe any results, conclusions, or recommendations from the essay.
5 Marks
Introduction
300 words General background on the topic you are going to discuss.
Possible definitions for terms relating to the question.
What the essay will include and/or
leave out (scope).
What themes the essay will
discuss and the order they are
presented.
What the essay will argue /
demonstrate.
5 Marks
Identified events
700 words
Reflect your learning while identifying the analysing the events from the selected company in summative 1. Reflect REAL life example from practice as identified in business case/ assignment 1
15 Marks
Review and Discussion of
relevant theories and practices
1000 words
Critically Review and Discuss the relevant theories and practices found in the selected company in summative 1
35 Marks
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Conclusion, Future Plans, and
recommendations 800 words
Conclude with the key points of your reflection. State future actions are derived from practice and research
25 Marks
Formatting,
Structure and
Referencing
(list of references not
included in word
count)
High quality presentation of
the material that conforms to
principles of academic writing
and contains minimal errors in
sentence construction,
grammar and punctuation.
A logical structure was
followed.
The assignment followed appropriate academic conventions regarding in-text citations and referencing.
15 Marks
Total 3000 words
100/100
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Distinction The work has the potential to influence the forefront of the subject, and may be
Distinction The work is considered to be close to the forefront of the subject, and may be
Pass The work is generally sound but tends toward the factual or derivative. Limited
Marginal Fail
of appropriate techniques. The work is generally sound but tends toward the factual or derivative. Little
30-39%
20-29%
The quality of the relevant generic skills do not meet the requirements of the task. Demonstrates inadequate subject knowledge. The work lacks coherence and evidence of capacity to reflect critically.
The quality of the relevant generic skills do not meet the requirements of the
task.
Demonstrates seriously inadequate knowledge of the subject.
Masters Grading Scale
Mark Range Criteria
Demonstrates an exceptional ability and insight, indicating the highest level of
90-100% technical competence.
of publishable/exhibitable quality.
Relevant generic skills are demonstrated at the highest possible standard.
Demonstrates an outstanding ability and insight based on authoritative subject
80-89% knowledge and a very high level of technical competence.
close to publishable/exhibitable quality.
Relevant generic skills are demonstrated at a very high level.
Demonstrates an authoritative, current subject knowledge and a high level of technical competence.
70-79% The work is accurate and extensively supported by appropriate evidence. It Distinction may show some originality. Clear evidence of capacity to reflect critically and
deal with ambiguity in the data. Relevant generic skills are demonstrated at a high level.
Demonstrates a sound, current subject knowledge. No significant errors in the application of concepts or appropriate techniques. May contain some minor
60-69% flaws. Merit The work is well developed and coherent; may show some originality. Clear
evidence of capacity to reflect critically. Relevant generic skills are demonstrated at a good level.
Demonstrates satisfactory subject knowledge. Some evident weaknesses;
50 – 59% possibly shown by conceptual gaps, or limited use of appropriate techniques.
evidence of capacity to reflect critically.
Relevant generic skills are generally at a satisfactory level.
Demonstrates satisfactory subject knowledge to some degree. Some important
45 -49% weaknesses; possibly shown by factual errors, conceptual gaps, or limited use
evidence of capacity to reflect critically.
Relevant generic skills are generally at a satisfactory level.
Demonstrates limited core subject knowledge. Some important weaknesses; possibly shown by factual errors, conceptual gaps, or limited use of appropriate
techniques. 40-44% The work lacks sound development. Little evidence of capacity to reflect
critically.
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10-19%
0-9%
The work contains minimal evidence of awareness of relevant issues or theory. The quality of the relevant generic skills do not meet the requirements of the task.
The work is almost entirely lacking in evidence of knowledge of the subject. No
evidence of awareness of relevant issues or theory.
The quality of the relevant generic skills do not meet the requirements of the task.
The work presents information that is irrelevant and unconnected to the task. No evident awareness of appropriate principles, theories, evidence and techniques.
Module Title: Assessment Title: Assessment Point 1
Criteria and 90-100% 80 – 90% 70 – 79%
Excellent Work
60 – 69% 50 – 59% 40 – 49% 20 – 39%
Work does not satisfy assessment criteria
0-19% weighting
Highly Exceptiona l Work
Outstanding Work
Very Good Quality Work
Good Quality Work
Acceptable work with some good aspects
Work fails to meet the assessment criteria
Exceptional and outstanding integration of the appropriate data, contextualised with commercial awareness, business maturity and skill.
Excellent integration of the appropriate data, contextualised with good evidence to show commercial awareness, business maturity and skill.
Very good integration of the appropriate data, contextualise d with evidence to show commercial awareness, business maturity and skill.
Good integration of the appropriate data, contextualised with good evidence to show overall awareness, business maturity and skill.
Adequate integration of the appropriate data, contextualised with good evidence to show overall awareness, business maturity and skill.
Some integration of the appropriate data, contextualised with limited evidence to show awareness, business maturity and skill.
Poor quality of integration of the appropriate data, contextualised with very limited evidence to show awareness, business maturity and skill.
No integration of the appropriate data, contextualise d with very poor evidence to show awareness, business maturity and skill.
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All relevant theories/concept ual models accurately and extensively presented. Exceptional application of theory and supporting materials.
All relevant theories/conce ptual models accurately and extensively presented. Excellent delivery of applied theory.
Virtually all relevant theories/conc eptual models accurately and extensively presented. High level delivery of applied theory.
Most of the relevant theories/conce ptual models accurately presented.
Good level delivery of applied theory.
Some of the relevant theories/conce ptual models accurately presented. A reasonable delivery of applied theory.
Omissions and inaccuracies in the presented of theories/concept ual models. Some level of delivery of applied theory.
Many deficiencies and omissions in theories/concept ual models. Delivery of applied theory is inadequate or wholly absent.
Major deficiencies and omissions in theories/conc eptual models. Delivery of applied theory is wholly absent.
Exceptionally innovative. Outstanding professional and appropriate delivery and language. Accurate referencing throughout.
Highly innovative. Very professional and appropriate delivery and language. Very well referenced throughout.
Very innovative. Strongly professional and appropriate delivery and language. Well
referenced
throughout.
High standard of innovation. Professional and appropriate delivery and language. Referencing most accurate.
Good standard of innovation. Appropriate delivery and language. Many referencing errors.
Reasonable standard of innovation. Reasonably appropriate delivery and language. Referencing was inaccurate and/or inconsistent.
Low quality of innovation. Poor and inadequate delivery and language. Referencing very poor.
No reasonable attempt at innovation. Poor and inadequate delivery and language. Referencing absent.
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