Masters Assessment Criteria MSc (Generalist) Marking Criteria The purpose of these guidelines is to provide you with an indication of the general grounds on which marks are given for marking the Management Reports but can be used as a guide for coursework. The following is a non-exhaustive list of the criteria which will be applied by teaching staff in the marking of coursework. It is intended to provide you with guidance, rather than a set of “hard” and “fast” rules CRITERION Distinction (100 – 70) Merit (69 – 60) Pass (59 – 50) REFER/FAIL (49 – 0) Executive Summary 1 A succinct statement outlining the topic, describing the methodology and summarising the results. A comprehensive statement that is within the word limit All points adequately covered Most points covered in adequate detail Part or poorly written statement Introduction 2 What you are going to do and why. The Management Report is placed in the wider context. Objectives are stated. Research question is stated. Clear statement of objectives with comprehensive and persuasive rationale Clear statement of objectives with rationale Clear statement of objectives and context Objectives mentioned but not clearly stated and not put in context. Context 3 The context in which your research is being carried out and to which field it will contribute. This usually relates to the specific industry to which the management problem relates. Takes account of complex context and selects appropriate technique. Recognises defined context and uses standard techniques for that context. Context acknowledged but not really taken into account. Context not recognised as relevant. Literature Review 4 Summary of findings from previous research, including a discussion of omissions and contradictions. The scope, breadth and relevance of these findings, the development of a rationale for the conceptual framework to underpin the work Evidence of a comprehensive understanding of the relevant literature and a convincing rationale for inclusion Evidence of a comprehensive knowledge of the literature with a rationale for inclusion Evidence of a satisfactory knowledge of the literature Evidence of a limited knowledge of the relevant literature Methodology and Methods 5 Specify the methodology and the process for the research with justification for choice. Evidence of a full knowledge and Evidence of a sound understanding of the Evidence of some understanding of Limited evidence of some use of
3 Summary of findings from previous research, including a discussion of omissions and contradictions. The scope, breadth and relevance of these findings, the development of a rationale for the conceptual framework to underpin the work. Evidence of a comprehensive understanding of the relevant literature and a convincing rationale for inclusion Evidence of a comprehensive knowledge of the literature with a rationale for inclusion Evidence of a satisfactory knowledge of the literature Evidence of a limited knowledge of the relevant literature Methodology and Methods 4 Specify the methodology and the process for the research with justification for choice. Evidence of coherence and rigour, appropriateness of methods of data collection and clear evidence of effective organising and sequencing of work. Evidence of a full knowledge and awareness of the possibilities and limitations of the methodologies being used Evidence of a sound understanding of the possibilities and limitations of the methodology being used Evidence of some understanding of methodologies used and how they are relevant to the situation Limited evidence of some use of methodology Results 5 The relevance of the investigation and the appropriateness of the data collected. The standard of presentation of the data and an appreciation of the limitations of the data. An ability to discover, understand and analyse Relevant information systematically obtained, well displayed and with a realistic appreciation of its limitations. Evidence of a high level of analysis which thoroughly explores the topic resulting in judgement based on evidence Relevant information clearly presented. Evidence of a sound level of analysis and judgement including a statement of the criteria Relevant information unprocessed. Evidence of a satisfactory level of analysis and judgement including a statement of the criteria Information of little relevance to the research question. Some evidence of analysis to back up ideas but the criteria not stated Discussion of Results 6 How the data integrates with, and questions, the issues raised in the literature. How the primary data relates to the literature. Where appropriate, justification for the choice of statistical techniques employed. An ability to bring together information and ideas and to evaluate them. There is an integration with issues raised in the literature As for Merit but with an ability to perceive a novel relationship Evidence of ability to collate information from a variety of sources and synthesis for new applications Evidence of ability to collate information from a variety of sources and construct meanings from it commenting on the weight of evidence and opinions Evidence of ability to collate information from a variety of sources and construct linkages but with limited comment on the evidence or opinion Conclusions
7 Presents overall findings from the analysis of the data. The conclusions and recommendations of flow from the analysis. The recommendations are relevant and clear. There is a critical evaluation of the application of the findings As for Merit but more incisive Evidence of emphasis on initial objectives and the weighting of these in forming a judgement about the transfer of knowledge from the study to new situations Evidence of possible transfer of knowledge from study to new situations Limited evidence of possible transfer of knowledge from study to new situations Creativity, Originality and Reflection 8 Ability to form a personal position on the subject by linking and combining different elements. There is reflection on the processes adopted and further implication and developments as a result of the study. As for Merit but with more flair and imagination Evidence of ability to state and defend on the basis of evidence a personal position on an issue Evidence of ability to state, on the basis of evidence, a personal position on an issue Evidence of preparedness to state a position on an issue but limited use of supporting evidence Coherence 9 Clarity of argument with supporting evidence. The validity of the study as a working document. As for Merit but commendably lucid Clear evidence of a selection of appropriate material with a logical structure and coherent argument Evidence of a selection of appropriate material with a logical structure and coherent argument Evidence of selection of mainly relevant material but with the argument not presented in a coherent form Format and Language 10 The layout is as specified in the regulations with appropriate use of language, spelling, grammar, diagrams, tables, references, and appendices. As for Merit but with more precision Clear and correct English usage, correctly formatted, with few precise statement and within the word target Correct English usage with precise statements and within the word target Correct English usage with some imprecise statements
Masters Assessment Criteria MBA Marking Criteria The purpose of these guidelines is to provide you with an indication of the general grounds on which marks are given for marking the Management Reports but can be used as a guide for coursework. The following is a non-exhaustive list of the criteria which will be applied by teaching staff in the marking of coursework. It is intended to provide you with guidance, rather than a set of “hard” and “fast” rules CRITERION Distinction (100 – 70) Merit (69 – 60) Pass (59 – 50) REFER/FAIL (49 – 0) Executive Summary 1 A succinct statement outlining the topic, describing the methodology and summarising the results. A comprehensive statement that is within the word limit All points adequately covered Most points covered in adequate detail Part or poorly written statement Introduction 2 What you are going to do and why. The Management Report is placed in the wider context. Objectives are stated. Research question is stated. Clear statement of objectives with comprehensive and persuasive rationale Clear statement of objectives with rationale Clear statement of objectives and context Objectives mentioned but not clearly stated and not put in context. Context 3 The context in which your research is being carried out and to which field it will contribute. This usually relates to the specific industry to which the management problem relates. Takes account of complex context and selects appropriate technique. Recognises defined context and uses standard techniques for that context. Context acknowledged but not really taken into account. Context not recognised as relevant. Literature Review 4 Summary of findings from previous research, including a discussion of omissions and contradictions. The scope, breadth and relevance of these findings, the development of a rationale for the conceptual framework to underpin the work Evidence of a comprehensive understanding of the relevant literature and a convincing rationale for inclusion Evidence of a comprehensive knowledge of the literature with a rationale for inclusion Evidence of a satisfactory knowledge of the literature Evidence of a limited knowledge of the relevant literature Methodology and Methods 5 Specify the methodology and the process for the research with justification for choice. Evidence of a full knowledge and Evidence of a sound understanding of the Evidence of some understanding of Limited evidence of some use of