The development of students’ employability skills whilst studying at university

Description

Just follow the assignment file, no student account needed.
The deadline is 02/09/2020 9:00 UK time.

Assessment brief

Module code and name: EMB1004/5: ILSC
Assessment title: Individual Research Report
Weighting: N/A
Pass mark: 40%
Assessment submission deadline: Before 9:00AM (UK Time) 14th August 2020. Submissions to be emailed to the-college@swansea.ac.uk before the deadline.

Brief: Working individually you must prepare and write a 1,500-word research report based on the scenario below.

Scenario:
The Student Enhancement committee at The College has asked you to conduct research into the development of students’ employability skills whilst studying at university. They are interested in knowing the views of professional bodies on the subject (e.g. the QAA, the CBI, the NUS) as well as an overview of current published research into the subject (e.g. academic journal articles and textbooks).

They would also like you to research what services Swansea University offer students and to compare theses services with a selection of other UK universities of your choice (you will need to justify your choice of universities used for comparison purposes).

You must present your research in a formal, structured report.

Research part 1 – conduct a literature review

• Review current literature regarding the importance of students developing employability skills whilst studying in the UK higher education sector.
• You should use a range of academic/qualified sources which are referenced using APA 6th style citations. (A full reference list is also required).

Research part 2 – Conduct secondary research

• Research the services currently in place to improve the employability levels of students and graduates at Swansea University and at other UK Universities (at least three universities should be used for comparison purposes).
• Present your findings in tables that summarise what each university offers (APA 6th style citations required).

Research part 4 – Discuss your findings

• Compare and contrast the strategies at each of the universities researched in part 2.
• Determine whether these systems are currently effective.
• Identify what further investigation around this topic is needed.
•

• Discuss any gaps in existing literature and the advantages/disadvantages of conducting primary research.

You will need to:
• Present your research in a report format (coursework submission sheet and student declaration, cover page, executive summary, table of contents, introduction, methodology, literature review, findings, discussion, conclusion, recommendations and reference list).
• Write using formal, academic style language.
• For further guidance please refer to the report writing template and PowerPoint on Canvas.

Objectives: Learning Outcomes to be assessed and Marking Criteria

Learning Outcomes
1. Apply research and referencing techniques to avoid plagiarism.
2. Search for and evaluate sources of information using library and online sources (iFind, Google Scholar).
3. Produce a structured research report incorporating secondary research.

Assessment submission policy:
Please note that this assessment may only be submitted via the Turnitin function on your module’s Canvas page. You will be given instructions in class, however, please note the following:
• You must use The College’s Coursework Submission and Student Declaration cover sheet.
• You are advised to submit a draft copy of your assignment in advance of the deadline so that you can check the originality report that it creates following submission. Further submissions can be made up until the deadline (note that after the first submission there is a 24-hour delay before the next similarity report is generated, so please leave enough time between the draft and final submission of you work).
• Turnitin will only accept file types that it can check for similarity (you are advised to submit a Microsoft Word document or equivalent document type).
• Turnitin submission time is 9AM.
• Turnitin automatically rejects late submissions.
• Turnitin will e-mail you with a receipt to acknowledge successful submission.

Late assessment submission policy
• Submissions rejected by Turnitin are awarded a mark of zero (0%)
• Candidates who fail to submit work by the deadline shall be awarded a mark of zero (0%)
• Candidates who are prevented from meeting such deadlines due to extenuating circumstances may apply to The College for consideration to be granted an extension.
• Requests will need to be made by submitting an extenuating circumstances form. You can request a form from the-college@swansea.ac.uk).
• All requests must be supported by formal evidence e.g. a Doctor’s note/prescription.
• Late submission will not be authorised because of problems using Turnitin or not being able to access a computer etc. It is your responsibility to ensure that you know what to do and to do so in good time before the deadlines!

Word Limit policy
This policy has been developed to ensure that no student gains an unfair advantage as a result of failing to adhere to the specified word count.

Submissions that are 5% above or below the stated word count will be penalised 5 marks of their final grade.

All students are required to display a word count on the front page of all assignments. The word count includes only the main body (from abstract/introduction to conclusion/recommendations) of the assignment. It does not include:
• Coursework Submission and Student Declaration cover sheet
• The contents page
• Acknowledgements
• Footnotes, tables, figures,
• References
• Appendices.

Proof Reading policy
Proof reading is defined as “the careful reading of a (yet to be finally submitted) document to detect any errors in spelling, punctuation, grammar, formatting and layout in the text”. Proof reading does not involve:

• Editing the text
• Rewriting elements of the work
• Correcting errors in referencing
• Altering the meaning or the content of the work
• Translating the work
• Offering advice about what to add or leave out of the work
• Checking or correcting facts, data, formulae or equations
• Asking another to write the work in total (this is classed as commissioning and is academic misconduct)

Third parties are persons other than your Lecturer/Academic Supervisor, marker or examiner who may proofread a student’s work in the sense defined above. Many students utilise the services of friends or family for the final proof reading of their work, whereas other students utilise professional proof-reading services. Where students make this request of a third party, they must be clear about the service being requested.

• You must complete the proof-reading declaration on the Coursework Submission and Student Declaration cover sheet
•
To achieve the following grades, you need to demonstrate:
Grade Criteria
Strong 1st class degree

86% -100% • All areas of the marking scheme are addressed, and the report is exceptional in all aspects.
• The assessment brief has been addressed to a very high standard.
• Demonstrates a clear understanding of report writing – is exceptionally well organised, showing a high level of preparation and planning.
• Referencing and application of research is exceptional, demonstrating a full understanding of secondary research/APA referencing.
• The report is exceptionally well structured and develops logically, with appropriate terminology and structure associated with report format.
1st Class Hons.
70-85% • All areas of the marking scheme are addressed, and the report is excellent in all aspects.
• The assessment brief has been addressed to a high standard.
• Demonstrates a clear understanding of report writing – is very well organised, showing a high level of preparation and planning.
• Referencing and application of research is excellent, demonstrating a full understanding of secondary research/APA referencing.
• The report is very well structured and develops logically, with appropriate terminology and structure associated with report format.
2:1
60-69% • Most areas of the marking scheme are addressed, and the report is very good in all aspects.
• The assessment brief has been addressed and considered.
• Demonstrates a clear understanding of report writing – is well organised, showing some evidence of preparation and planning.
• Referencing and application of research is very good, demonstrating an understanding of secondary research/APA referencing.
• The report has a very good structure and develops logically for the most part, with appropriate terminology and structure associated with report format.
 
2:2
50-59% • Some areas of the marking scheme are addressed, however overall the report is of a reasonable standard.
• The assessment brief has been addressed.
• Demonstrates some understanding of report writing – is well organised, showing some evidence of preparation and planning.
• Referencing and application of research is good, demonstrating an understanding of secondary research/APA referencing, however this needs work.
• The report has a good structure and develops logically for the most part, with appropriate terminology and structure associated with report format.
3rd Class Hons
40-49% • Some areas of the marking scheme are addressed, however overall the report does not meet the required.
• The assessment brief has been addressed.
• Demonstrates some understanding of report writing – is well organised, showing some evidence of preparation and planning.
• There is evidence of referencing and application of research, however this needs work.
• The report has some structure, however there are errors in presentation and style.
F
0-39%
• Poor understanding of the assessment criteria.
• The report does not meet the required.
• The assessment brief has not been addressed.
• Lacks an understanding of report writing.
• Lacks content and structure.
• Shows very little understanding of secondary research methods.
• There are errors in presentation and style.

 
Marks will be awarded as follows:
Element Requirements (Marking criteria)
Overall layout of report • Suitable font(s), font size, formatting used.
• Headings & subheadings, page numbers, effective use of white space.
• Correct order of sections and sections are appropriate.
• Spelling, grammar and punctuation are correct throughout.
• Language style is appropriate for target audience.
• Layout of report facilitates quick location by reader of specific information. 20
Executive summary • A standalone summary, including background & purpose of report, main points covered, the significant findings, conclusion.
• Should be an adequate substitute for the complete report. 5
Introduction • Includes purpose of the report, background, aims and objectives and an outline of the research approach. 5
Methodology • Rationale for choice of secondary research.
• Advantages/disadvantages of secondary research. 5
Literature review • Sub sections are appropriate for researched topic.
• Research is summarised with key information being presented in a succinct format. 20
Findings • Tables are used to clarify and organise results and information. 5
Discussion • Analysis and interpretation of key information and gaps in existing literature.
• Captions and cross referenced where appropriate.
• The advantages/disadvantages of conducting primary research. 15
Conclusion • Summary of main points.
• Link back to purpose of the report. 5
Recommendations • Based on findings 5
References • APA Style (in text citations and reference list).
• Evidence of correct referencing of a variety of academic/appropriate sources. 15

Grade Awarded

Word count

Final grade