Assessment Task
Details of assignment brief below, choose one of the following:
1) The knowledge area of “Project Leadership” is a highly critical element of the Project Managers role. Expand upon this statement and explain why you agree or disagree, referencing theory and project examples that support your position.
2) Choose ANY Two knowledge areas. Define and demonstrate your understanding of each that you have chosen, referring to course text and other reputable external sources.
3) Expand upon the theme of “Project Leadership” and apply it to the two knowledge areas. Explain this in the context of 2 your own project experience where possible or demonstrate your understanding by referring to PM articles from reputable publications, with examples from documented projects.
Sample Marking Criteria
Introduction: Understanding of chosen project and knowledge areas 20 Marks
Content: Application of Knowledge Areas to chosen project and evidence of critical thinking
40 Marks
Conclusion: Discussing the theme 20 Marks
Referencing: Properly referencing your work 10 Marks
Layout and presentation: Your work is presented professionally 10 Marks
Assessment criteria
Assessment is conducted by reference to the following:
1. Demonstrated knowledge of module content
a. Is the discussion of the principles and concepts in the essay:
i. Relevant to the question asked?
ii. Comprehensive? Are all relevant aspects discussed? iii. Accurate? Is it correct?
2. Evidence of understanding of relevant concepts and principles
a. Does the discussion in the essay:
i. Explain the relevant concepts and principles?
ii. Demonstrate insight into the relevant concepts and principles?
iii. Appropriately analyse or apply the concepts and principles in the context of the question posed?
3. Originality of thought and evidence of independent research
a. Does the discussion in the essay include:
i. Evidence that materials beyond the lecture notes and core texts were consulted?
ii. A sufficient variety of relevant and appropriate legal sources to demonstrate independent research?
iii. Accurate and appropriate explanation of the sources used? iv. Accurate analysis and/or application of the sources used?
4. Clarity of expression and presentation
a. Is the language used:
i. Correct in terms of spelling, grammar and punctuation?
ii. Appropriate to a legal academic essay?
iii. Fluent and convincing to the reader?
b. Is the structure of the essay:
i. Clear? Is it obvious to the reader why each aspect is discussed where it is?
ii. Coherent and well organised? Is the argument developed in a logical and consistent manner?
c. Is the essay typed in a MS Word document, using appropriate font, spacing and margins?
d. Is the essay within the assigned word count?
5. Technical proficiency
a. Does the essay show evidence of planning and preparation?
b. Does the essay include appropriate sources to support all the issues discussed and arguments being made?
c. Are all sources correctly referenced in the Harvard style?
6. Accuracy of material – is the material submitted accurate?
In addition, the following generic assessment criteria describes the level of achievement the student has attained for the assignment:
70%+:
This grade is awarded for work that provides evidence, not only of preparation and organisation of material, but also of originality and maturity in response. Students demonstrate the ability to make logical, well supported arguments. There is evidence of informed and highly accurate discussion and well developed communication skills.
60-69%:
This grade is awarded for work that is well organised and shows a solid understanding of the topic and an ability to develop an argument. Work is generally accurate, coherent and well structured. Appropriate issues have been identified and discussed. There may be minor faults, or the work may lack the originality or maturity of judgment that would have made it worthy of the highest grade. Overall, the work exhibits clear and effective communication.
50-59%: This grade is awarded for work that is satisfactory and generally accurate but with some reservations: there may have been an inadequate discussion or a degree of misunderstanding. Arguments may have been inadequately developed or framed, there may be structural weaknesses, or there may be factual errors. The work will be broadly correct but not comprehensive and it demonstrates general competence.
40-49%: This grade is awarded for work that reaches an acceptable level of competence. There will be evidence that some appropriate knowledge or skills have been acquired and applied, but there will be a noticeable lack of comprehension or application, or both. The work may be poorly organised, undeveloped, or inconsistently argued; relevant course material may have been overlooked and there may be excessive quotation or paraphrasing of published material.
0-39%: Fail. This grade is awarded for work where there is no evidence of significant learning having taken place. There is evidence of an inability to formulate arguments. The work is likely to be short on words, poorly expressed, poorly organised, lacking in structure or a combination of the above. None of the key assignment criteria are addressed significantly.
General Requirements for Students:
1. A proportion of assessment marks is allocated to presentation. All assignments must be wordprocessed, with word count noted unless otherwise stated by the lecturer.
2. Where a hardcopy submission is required, an Assignment Submission Form must be securely attached to each submission.
3. All assignments must be submitted no later than the stated deadline.
• Assignments submitted after the latest deadline (date and time) specified, including any extension, are deemed to be “late” and are penalised as follows:
• Where the assignment is submitted not more than seven working days after the latest specified date, the mark awarded to the assignment is reduced by 25%.
• Where the assignment is submitted more than seven working days after the latest specified date, it is awarded a mark of zero.
• Where the assessment is undertaken in a group, the piece of work should be submitted in its complete entirety, and any penalty for late submission incurred applies to all group members.
4. All relevant provisions of the Assessment Regulations must be complied with.
5. Extensions to assignment submission deadlines will be not be granted, other than in exceptional circumstances. To apply for an extension please go to http://www.dbs-students.com/Registrar/ and download the Assignment Extension Request Form. Once completed this form should then be returned to your Programme Leader, for approval.
6. Students are required to retain a copy of each assignment submitted, and the submission receipt (If a physical submission is required) until the issuing of a transcript indicating the mark awarded.
7. Assignments must be appropriately packaged and presented.
8. Where a submission involves digital media, it is the submitting students’ responsibility to ensure the media is appropriately labelled, fully working and they must retain a copy.
9. Assignments that breach the word count requirements will be penalised. There is a 10% discretion, either way, applicable in terms of word count.
10. Students are required to refer to the assessment regulations in their Student Guides and on the Student Website.
11. Dublin Business School penalises students who engage in academic impropriety (i.e. plagiarism, collusion and/or copying).
12. To prevent plagiarism please follow this link to the HARVARD Style Referencing Guide – all referencing is required in this format.
(Guide on referencing is also available under DBS library guides at www.library.dbs.ie)
13. In relation to electronic submissions:
A. All assignments should be submitted to your subject/course page on Moodle by the deadline date.
B. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure their file is uploaded correctly.
C. When an assignment is submitted, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure that the file is in the correct format and opens correctly.
D. When you submit your assignment you will be asked to click on a button which will declare the following:
By submitting this assignment I confirm that I am aware of DBS’s policy regarding cheating, plagiarism and all other forms of academic impropriety. The coursework submitted is my own or my group’s work, and all other sources consulted have been appropriately acknowledged. I am aware that in the case of doubt an investigation will be held.
E. Include an electronic cover sheet with the following details to the front of the assignment:
Electronic Assignment Cover sheet
Please fill out and attach as the first page of Assignment.
Student (s) Number as per your student card:
____________________________ __________________________
____________________________ __________________________
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Course Title:
Lecturer Name:
Module/Subject Title:
Assignment Title:
No of Words: