Module code: BMAF000-20

Module title: Academic Study Skills

Assignment: S1. Individual Report
Word count: 3000 words
Contribution to module 100% of overall grade
mark:
Submission deadline: 15/01/2024 (Time: 23:59)/TBC
Learning outcome By successful completion of the module, you will be able to
assessed: demonstrate:

LO1: Time management, organisation skills and listening skills for

note taking.
LO2: Integration of information from appropriate sources of
literature to enhance and support your academic writing.
LO3: An understanding of academic integrity, plagiarism and
referencing.

Assessment Task

Task 1: Report

Select ONE from the following 4 academic writing topics as your report topic and conduct
research on your selected topic.

1. A foreign visitor has only day to spend in your country. Where should this visitor go
on that day? Why? Use specific reasons and details to support your choice.

2. Nowadays, electric cars have become popular. In your opinion, what are the
advantages and disadvantages of electric cars? Use specific reasons and examples to
support your answer.

3. Due to COVID-19, most university classes are now delivered online. From your
experience, what are the advantages and disadvantages of online learning? Use reasons
and examples to support your answer.

4. 2021 saw the continuation of a decade of growth in the UK organic market. What’s
the future of organic food in the UK? Use specific reasons and examples to support your
answer.

Having gathered the relevant and appropriate information on the topic, you will now be
required to complete an individual report (Max. 2000) presenting the research you have
conducted and your views on the question based on this evidence. You must include in your
report an introduction, main body with balanced arguments and a conclusion with
comprehensive references of books, journals, and webpages.

Task 2: Essay

Include at the end of your report a self-evaluative journal (Max. 1000 words) to reflect on
your learning of this module and also the above research you conducted. You are required to
explain what you have learned following the completion of your research and reveal your
learning difficulties you have encountered when studying this module including the academic
challenges faced, lesson learned, knowledge acquired, and the skills that you need to
improve in order to enhance your future research and learning.

Criteria:

The individual Report will be marked according to the following criteria:

 Knowledge and Understanding (30%): Show knowledge and understanding of topics

to be discussed.
 Argument (30%): Integration of information from appropriate sources of literature to
enhance and support your academic writing.
 Reflection, Structure and Communication (20%): Reflection on achievement of
module outcomes, module-related tasks, key points, examples.
 Referencing and use of language (20%): Use appropriate Harvard Referencing style
and in-text citations.

Assignment Structure: Report:

Cover Page
 This should clearly follow the cover page template in your Module Handbook: your
student ID, student name, module name and code, assignment name, and the word
count.

Introduction (1 page)
 Outline the content of the report.
 Briefly provide the background to the topics you will write about.

Main Body (2-4 Pages)

  Present your findings for each topic.
 Include a balance of supporting and refuting statements.

Conclusion (1 Page)
 Summarise the main points.

Self-Evaluation (1-2 Pages)

 What problems/challenges did you face when finding research for this assignment?
 What did you enjoy about this assignment?
 Identify the lessons learnt and highlight any area for potential improvement.

References (1-2 Pages)

 Your assignment should be Harvard Referenced and show a range of sources. You
must demonstrate at least 6 references, of which 4 must be from academic journals/
articles/textbooks. This is an academic report; therefore, appropriate referencing is
expected.

For all policies regarding submission of your work please refer to the Programme and Student
Handbooks.
 Fail 0-39 D. 40-49 C. 50-59 B. 60-69 A. 70-79 A. 80-100
Poor quality Satisfactory Sound quality Good quality Excellent quality Outstanding quality
quality
Knowledge and 30% The submission A basic and Sound synthesis of A good answer to the An excellent As before plus:
understanding is of poor descriptive relevant question, with review of the an outstanding
(LO1/2) quality and summary of a contributions. examples of critical topic, where a synthesis, with
presents very very limited However, these are discussion. You have rich set of argumentation and
adequate little or no number of basic limited, and you are demonstrated a good relevant sources materials/evidence
coverage of the relevant contributions/ comparing them in a ability to evaluate is effectively originally and
subject area material. key points. Very simple manner. different perspectives organised and critically compared
Very little or no little discussion or Greater clarity of on the issue. compared and analysed.
the clarity and discussion on meaningful the discussion However, some helping to An exemplary
depth of the the topic. evaluation of needed. The ideas arguments presented achieve the submission.
discussion Arguments are perspectives. presented need to could have been assessment’s
poorly Greater focus be expanded upon. further developed objectives.
ability to presented and needed on Less descriptive and/ or better Excellent and
evaluate based on little structuring approach is supported with unbiased
different or no evidence. arguments that required. examples/evidence. evaluation of
perspectives are supported by Sound attempt to different
evidence. support the points perspectives. A
ability to present with academic deep and
a well- evidence. However, engaging
structured and there is room for discussion.
balanced improvement.
argument based
on academic
evidence

Argument 30% No Largely misses Some attempt at Very good awareness A critical, A critical, analytical,
(LO2) comprehension the point of the analysis but a of underlying analytical, and and sophisticated
of the question, asserts tendency to be theoretical and sophisticated argument that is
Integration of implications of rather than descriptive rather methodological argument that is logically structured
information the question argues a case; than critical; issues, though not logically and extremely well-
from and no attempt underdeveloped Tendency to always displaying an structured and supported with
appropriate to provide a or chaotic assert/state opinion understanding of how well-supported. elements of
sources of structure. No structure; rather than argue on they link to the Evidence of originality.
literature to attempt at evidence the basis of reason question. A generally independent Outstanding
enhance and analysis. mentioned but and evidence or critical, analytical thought and evidence throughout
support your Limited, used argument not argument, which ability to ‘see of independent
academic uncritical, and inappropriately sustained by choice shows attempts at beyond the thought and ability
writing generally or incorrectly. of evidence; independent thinking question’. to ‘see beyond the
confused Very little structure may not and is sensibly Evidence of question’. Evidence
account of a attempt at be entirely clear or structured and reading widely of reading
very narrow analysis or logical. Some generally well beyond the exceptionally widely
range of sources synthesis, tending attempt to go supported. Clear and prescribed beyond the
towards beyond or criticise generally critical reading list and prescribed reading
excessive the ‘essential knowledge of creative use of list and creative use
description. reading’ for the unit relevant literature; evidence to of evidence to
Limited, but displaying use of works enhance the enhance the overall
uncritical, and limited capacity to beyond the overall argument;
generally discern between prescribed reading argument; demonstrates the
confused account relevant and non- list; demonstrating demonstrates ability to synthesise
of a narrow range relevant materials the ability to be the ability to appropriate
of sources selective in the range synthesise principles by
of material used, and appropriate reference, where
the capacity to principles by appropriate, to
synthesise reference, where primary sources and
rather than describe appropriate, to knowledge at the
primary sources forefront of the
and perhaps discipline.
some knowledge
at the
forefront of the
discipline
Structure, 20% Little or no logic The report lacks The report is sound The report is very The report is of Outstanding
effective in the structure clarity and is not in clarity and clear. Care and an excellent integration of
communication, of the report. always easy to structure. The thought have gone standard - very content throughout
and reflection The overall flow follow. The overall flow of the into the structure and clearly and the report, logical
of the report is structure and report is reasonable smooth flow of the professionally and easy to follow
Reflection on confusing and flow of the report and rather report. delivered, structure.
achievement of unconvincing. is quite poor and convincing. Good reflection on logically Communication at
module Poor unconvincing. A Sound reflection on the achievement of structured. its highest standard.
outcomes, communication simple and the achievement of module outcomes An excellent Outstanding
module-related skills. descriptive module outcomes with a good example of example of
tasks, key Very little or no approach to with some discussion on module- professional reflection, where
points, evidence of discuss the evaluation of related tasks/key communication. evidence is
examples. reflection. module-related positives and points. The Excellent combined to
experience. negatives. However, engagement with reflection across demonstrate original
Limited reflection there’s a limited set interpersonal a range of issues, thinking and
on relevant of examples and dimensions is which advanced reflecting
points lacking in evidence supporting supported using demonstrates skills.
clear examples of your points and at relevant examples. deep insight into
some lessons times the approach However some more own practice
learnt. is descriptive. work on clarity and through the
Reflection on including greater critical use of a
possible future detail throughout is diverse set of
strategies is clear still needed. evidence. Future
but could be more strategies are
detailed. skilfully
described.

Referencing 20% The submission A very limited An adequate range A broad set of A rich set of Outstanding
and presents very number of basic of relevant sources relevant academic relevant sources. synthesis, with
accuracy of little or no contributions. presented, i.e., sources used. Good Excellent materials originally
language relevant References are minimum of 6 referencing which referencing - and critically
(LO3) material. You used, but in a references used, 4 supports the report very accurate, compared and
have not met very poor of which are from well; however, with skilful, and analysed.
range of the minimum manner (i.e., 6 academic journals/ minor mistakes in the appropriate. The An exemplary
relevant requirement of references used, articles/textbooks. application of the sources submission. Flawless
materials and the number of but fewer than 4 However, the Harvard Referencing excellently referencing, an
data sources are academic; reference list could style. support the outstanding range of
specified. and/or poor in- be broader. Sound There are hardly any report. sources.
appropriate Major errors in text referencing). referencing with errors in grammar, No noticeable There are no errors
Harvard referencing or Major some mistakes in vocabulary, spelling, errors in in grammar,
Referencing no referencing. improvement the application of punctuation. grammar, vocabulary, spelling,
style Harvard needs to be the Harvard vocabulary, punctuation.
Referencing made to one of Referencing style. spelling,
accuracy of the Style not used. these areas: Few issues with one punctuation.
language Exceedingly grammar, of these areas:
(grammar, high number of vocabulary, grammar,
vocabulary, language spelling, vocabulary, spelling,
spelling, errors. punctuation. punctuation.
punctuation)