Assessment item 4

Assessment item 4 

Assessment item 4: Report 
Value: 30% 
Due date: 07-Jun-2015 
Return date: 28-Jun-2015 
Length: 1500-2000 words (approximately) 
Submission method options 
Alternative submission method 
Task 
You are required to research, analyse, discuss and provide recommendations on the following topic, through the writing of an academic style report. 
Topic: ‘Plagiarism consequences in tertiary education and how they can be minimised’. 

Expected outcome 
You are required to conform to the appropriate standards for academic writing in your report by illustrating the following features: 
o You have adopted a point of argument. 
o Each section of your report is clearly defined and demonstrates your research into the topic. 
o Your report is between 1500-2000 words in length. 
o You have included in your report a Title Page, Abstract, Table of Contents, Introduction, Body, Conclusion and Recommendations. 
o You have referenced all material cited in your report (in the form of a Reference List), as well as material sourced although not referred to (in the form of a Bibliography). 
The process 
The following section breaks the process of report writing into a number of sequential steps. You should aim to spread these steps over three to four weeks. In particular you need to allow adequate time to obtain library materials. This time allows you to properly consider the questions, to conduct some research into the topic and to leave the tasks alone for a day or two, so that you can return to it with a fresh mind. Such rests are particularly important between spells of writing. 

Step 1: Analyse the question 
This assessment task has adopted the approach of posing the question where particular key words that direct you to the task (such as research, analyse, discuss) have been used. You should also note any key technical terms used (such as ‘plagiarism’). If you are unfamiliar with them, look up their meaning in a dictionary and keep notes. 

Step 2: Develop your plan 
Once you have fully identified with the topic, you need to begin to ‘brainstorm’ your ideas. It is here that discussion with your lecturer is a legitimate aid and will be of most use in helping you to formulate your own ideas. Make sure you have the question constantly in mind as it is easy to drift away from the question and to write about something you think, rather than what is being asked. 
You should be looking to group your ideas into section headings and paragraphs. You should also be considering what types of evidence, information and lines of argument you need to develop into your report. 
Step 3: Researching 
Your plan should guide your search for information. The references and resource materials provided will also form a foundation for your research. 
You should commence with topics, key words and some ideas of statistics and/or other data that you are seeking to support your discussion. Be sure to keep clear notes and the full bibliographic details of each source consulted. This information should be recorded in a notebook or exercise book kept especially for this purpose. 
Step 4: Writing a rough draft 
Always allow sufficient time to write at least one, preferably two drafts, of your report before you produce the final copy for submission. Be aware of technical accuracy and citation of all sources used. Be sure you are answering the question. Use sub-headings and avoid using personal pronouns and subjectivity (e.g., I think¼, We believe¼). Instead, be impersonal and objective (e.g., A common belief is¼). Use sentences and paragraphs to arrange your ideas and arguments. 
In your second draft you should pay special attention to the formalities of style and expression. Ask someone to read your first draft report and take note where your points are unclear, where your expression is verbose with care at this point being important. Identify and eliminate colloquialisms, abbreviations, spelling errors, grammatical errors. Report writing is a formal presentation of your written work. 
Step 5: Final presentation check list 
The final step that you need to go through is to check that you have not missed any important points requiring discussion. You will not be able to write a satisfactory report from your prescribed textbook alone, so you need to become familiar with the CSU Library and their searching systems. 
Be aware of the ease of plagiarising information. All sources must be acknowledged, correctly cited and fully referenced. The best way to make sure that you have all the information you need is to record as you progress with the full details of the information you collect. 

Rationale 
The ability to research, summarise and consolidate your information into a complex argument is developed through the demands of many forms of academic writing, which all requires students to reach out beyond the confines of the set texts and other provided materials. Working professionals inherently are exposed to a much wider range of working documents, reports and professional literature. 
An important survival skill for tertiary students is to learn the art of professional report writing. This assessment task is provided to allow you to learn more about the broader context of writing in a report format. Professional report writing requires the application of discipline in conformity with established conventions of presentation, expression, style and format. Learning to write well therefore becomes a life-long educational task. For students to be successful in their university studies, they should be developing skills in analysis and evaluation to improve their ability to think clearly, to document the arguments and findings made by others, and to compare and contrast different viewpoints. Report writing is one such method of assisting students to achieve these tasks. 
Students should be able to locate, paraphrase, summarise and comprehend simple to complex English texts; develop an effective academic argument based on information gained from a range of sources be able to write in a range of academic formats, following English writing mechanics and appropriate academic referencing styles. 

Marking criteria 

Marking criteria and standards of performance 

Criteria High Distinction (85-100%) Distinction (75-84%) Credit (65-74%) Pass (50-64%) Fail (0-49%) 
Content and development (25%) 
Demonstrates an understanding and appropriate use of critical concepts used in the subject with a clear point of argument having been adopted, analysed and discussed. An excellent point of argument has been adopted, analysed and skillfully integrated into the report. A high level of understanding is clearly evident and integrated into a coherent discussion. A strong point of argument has been adopted, analysed and integrated into the report. A high level of understanding is evident and integrated into a coherent discussion. A good point of argument has been adopted, analysed and included into the report. Level of understanding is evident and integrated into a coherent discussion. Point of argument is not fully evident; although analysis has been included into the report. Level of understanding is moderately displayed and included into discussion. Point of argument is not developed. There remains a lack of evidence of understanding. 
Organisation and structure (15%) 
Introduction, Body, Conclusion and Recommendations included that demonstrates an understanding of key topic issues and concepts, with formal academic language correctly used. Thorough and well-stated Introduction, Body, Conclusion and Recommendations provided. Content has been logically structured with formal academic language used to clearly communicate meaning. Detailed and well-stated Introduction, Body, Conclusion and Recommendations provided with all report writing components included. Content has been well structured with formal academic language used to clearly communicate meaning. Good Introduction, Body, Conclusion and Recommendations stated, which have all been well stated. All report writing components included. Content is well structured and presented in formal academic language to communicate meaning. Introduction, Body, Conclusion and Recommendations provided; although not clearly stated. All report writing components included; although content is loosely structured. Formal academic language to communicate meaning is observable. Introduction, Body, Conclusion and Recommendations are not clearly stated. Content is poorly structured and presented in an informal academic language that does not clearly communicate meaning. 
Research and critical thinking (25%) 
Demonstrates appropriate use of prescribed subject reading materials to support ideas, with citations and relevant quotations clearly displayed. Demonstrates evidence of critical thinking, through analysis and discussion, concerning key issues and concepts. Content is accurate, focused and exhibits a high level of knowledge concerning researched topic, which is fully supported through the use of subject reading material, which includes the prescribed textbook and two subject readings, supported with externally obtained academically valid sources. Critical thinking against researched topic is clearly obvious. Content exhibits a good level of knowledge concerning researched topic, which is well supported through the use of prescribed textbook and one subject reading, supported with externally obtained academically valid sources. Critical thinking against researched topic is obvious. Content exhibits a competent level of knowledge concerning researched topic, which is supported through the use of prescribed textbook and one subject reading, supported with externally obtained academically valid sources. Critical thinking against researched topic is evident. Content exhibits a minimum level of knowledge concerning researched topic, which is supported through the use of prescribed textbook and one subject reading, supported with externally obtained academically valid sources. Critical thinking against researched topic is vague. Content exhibits a negligible level of knowledge concerning researched topic, which is not supported through the use of prescribed textbook or subject reading material. Externally obtained sources are not academically valid. Critical thinking against researched topic is not evident. 
Writing mechanics, grammar and proofreading (15%) 
Clear writing consistent with academic style. Well laid out structure that follows report writing conventions. Student has demonstrated tertiary standards of academic literacy (written text is cohesive, uses correct sentence structure, paragraphing, punctuation and spelling). Report is cohesive and well laid out and has no spelling/ typographical and/or grammatical errors and is essentially error free. Report is cohesive and well laid out; although a few spelling/ typographical and/or grammatical errors are apparent. Report is cohesive and presented neatly; although some spelling/ typographical and/or grammatical errors. Report is presented neatly, but has several spelling/ typographical and/or grammatical errors Report is untidy and disorganised; lacks clarity and has numerous spelling/ typographical and/or grammatical errors consistently throughout student work. 
Referencing (10%) 
Student work demonstrates accurate use of APA referencing formats for in-text citations and final Reference List with a minimum of five (5) academically reputable references having been cited. An extensive range of relevant sources from scholarly sources have been evaluated and synthesized that substantially support arguments made. 
A minimum of five (5) academically reputable references have been cited and presented in accordance with APA referencing conventions, both in-text and in the form of a Reference List, which have been accurately and consistently applied. A broad range of relevant sources from scholarly sources have been evaluated and synthesized that largely support arguments made. 
A minimum of five (5) academically reputable references have been cited and presented in accordance with APA referencing conventions, both in-text and in the form of a Reference List have been applied; although some errors remain evident. A good range of relevant sources from scholarly sources have been evaluated and synthesized; although arguments are not fully supported. 
A minimum of five (5) academically reputable references have been cited and presented in accordance with APA referencing conventions, both in-text and in the form of a Reference List have been applied; although errors remain evident. An adequate range of relevant sources from scholarly sources have been evaluated and synthesized; although arguments are not fully supported. 
A minimum of five (5) academically reputable references have been cited and presented in accordance with APA referencing conventions, both in-text and in the form of a Reference List have been applied; although errors are clearly evident. An limited range of relevant sources from scholarly sources have been provided with limited evaluation and synthesis of arguments having been made. 
Less than five (5) references have been cited, which are not academically reputable, with submitted work not presented in accordance with APA referencing conventions. Reference List is minimal or non-existent. 
Overall presentation (10%) 
Report follows standard academic convention (i.e. contains Title Page, Table of Contents, Introduction, Body, Conclusion and Recommendations), as well as adhering to the word limit (i.e. 1,500 to 2,000 words approx). Report adheres to the word limit (i.e. 1,500 to 2,000 words approx). Well-developed Introduction that engages the reader and creates interest. Body clearly states a significant and compelling position. Conclusion effectively wraps up and goes beyond restating report topic with insightful Recommendations provided. 
Report adheres to the word limit and is neatly formatted and presented with introduction clearly 
Introduction creates interest and clearly states the topic being discussed. Body includes author’s position, which is evident through detail provided. Conclusion effectively summarises topic with thoughtful Recommendations provided. 
Report adheres to the word limit. Introduction creates interest and states the topic being discussed. Body includes author’s position with detail provided. Conclusion summarises topic and ties up loose ends with Recommendations provided. 
Report adheres to the word limit. Introduction adequately explains the topic. Body includes author’s position, but may lack detail. Conclusion is recognisable and ties up almost all loose ends. Recommendations require further detail. 
Report adheres to the word limit. Introduction is undeveloped and not explained. Body includes a random collection of information, unclear, or not related to the topic. Conclusion does not summarize main points. Recommendations are unclear or not provided. 
Report is substantially below the required word limit. 

Presentation 
The following subheadings outline what is generally expected in terms of the formatting of your report. Unless otherwise stated, reports not conforming to these requirements will qualify for a pass grade at best, as report writing is a precise business writing method. 

Page settings 
Allow wide margins for the marker’s comments (e.g. 30 mm on the left, and 25 mm on the right, top and bottom). Line spacing should be 1.5 or double. 
Include a proper page footer, which identifies each page of your report (i.e. page number). Include your name and Student Number. 

Font sizes and scripts ... 
Essays should be typewritten (word processed). Font size should be 12pt, although quotations may be 10pt and single spaced. The font style should be Arial or Times New Roman. Do not use script or Fancy fonts. Do NOT use underlining unless necessary for some technical purpose (it is a vestige of the days before computers). Italics should be used sparingly, if at all and the use of capitals for emphasis is not appropriate (IT LOOKS LIKE YELLING!). 
Only in the event of an absolute emergency (e.g. equipment failure) will hand-written essays be accepted. Handwriting must be clear and legible, double spaced (that is written on every second line only) and written in black or blue ink only. 

Readability 
You should strive to achieve readability by checking your report for clarity, a sensible order and sequence of argument, being to the point and not verbose, ensuring that you make relevant links between theory and application, provision of examples and illustrations, and the presentation of data in non-tedious and meaningful ways. 
Ensure that you have checked all of your assignment for spelling and grammatical errors, using the ‘spell checker’ function on your word processing program. 
AND 
Your report should be proof read for errors... the spell checker does not always pick up when you use the wrong word, nor American spellings. 

Getting the front bit right: Title, authorship and abstract 

Your report must have a title page that contains the following information: the title of your report, the subject title, a description of the assessment item which the report addresses, your name and student number, a contact address and ‘phone number (optional). 
An appropriate layout for the title page is shown below. 

Note: Please ensure you become fully aware and familiar with all required criteria within the Marking criteria and standards of performance information provided below. 

Requirements 
This Assessment item needs to be submited via Turnitin.