LO1 Evaluate appropriate evidence on a subject relevant to Health and Social Care.

CRITERION 

Distinction 70%+ 

Merit 60 – 69% 

Pass 50 – 59% 

Refer 30—49% 

Fail 0-29% 

Argument:  

Skilled use of information/evidence to sustain the argument. Level of consistency. An awareness of strengths and weaknesses. 

Mark:  /10

An exceptional level of consistency makes the project a convincing piece of work, which addresses the original research question. There is evidence of originality of thought. Extensive use of information/evidence gathered to support argument. The student shows a critical awareness of the strengths and limitations of the study.

There is good evidence of a high degree consistency, which relates to original question with evidence of convincing lines of argument. There is very good use of valid information/evidence gathered to support the argument. The student shows a clear awareness of the strengths and limitations of the study. 

Some consistency is evident, which relates to original question, but with some weaknesses in the integration of different sections. Use of valid information/evidence gathered but with some weaknesses in the integration of evidence. Some awareness of strengths and weaknesses 

There is limited evidence of consistency in the study, which relates weakly to the original question, with significant weaknesses in the integration of different sections. Limited use of valid information/evidence gathered to sustain the argument with significant weaknesses in the integration of evidence. Limited discussion of strengths and weaknesses. 

There is a widespread lack of consistency in the study with a poor level of relation to the original research question. Very limited use of valid information /evidence gathered to sustain the argument with serious weaknesses in the integration of evidence. No awareness of limitation of the dissertation. 

Research or project question & focus: 

Question formulation; 

Professional/field focus; 

Research rationale. 

Mark:  /15

The research question has been very clearly formulated and the focus is relevant to the student’s field of study. There is an excellent and convincing rationale for the research question. Very good evidence is given of the process of formulation and clarification of the research question, based on what is currently known in the area.  

For a project, very clear aims have been articulated. These have been justified within their context. 

There is a clearly formulated research question with a good focus on the field of study. The research question has a clear and well thought out rationale. Good evidence is given of the process of formulation and clarification of the research question, based on what is currently known in the area. 

For a project, clear aims have been articulated.  

The research question is competently formulated, and the research question has some evidence of field of study focus. A competent rationale is provided of the process of formulating and clarifying the question based on what is currently known in the area. 

For a project, somewhat clear aims have been articulated.  

The research question is partly invalid either due to a lack of clarity, specificity or being well research already. The question posed lacks clear focus on the field of study and the rationale given is poorly articulated and inadequately justified by what is already known in the area. 

For a project, the aims that have been articulated are not clear nor justified.  

An incoherent, muddled or ambiguous research question is posed. There is no or very little, evidence of the formulation and clarification of the research question. An inadequate account is given of how the research question relates to what is already known in the area. 

No aims have been articulated. 

Use of theory:  

Critical awareness of relevant theory; 

Analysis and evaluation of theory in relation to the study area, design and research paradigm. 

Mark:  /15 

There is extensive and critical awareness of relevant theory in the planning and implementation of the study. There is convincing evidence of an ability to analyse, evaluate and apply theory to research practice. The research paradigm is clearly and accurately explained and justified showing a high level of understanding of how this has influenced the study design.

A clear and critical awareness of theory and how it relates to the study is evident. There is very good evidence of an ability to analyse, evaluate and apply theory to research practice. The research paradigm is clearly explained and justified showing a very good level of understanding of how this has influenced the study.

A clear awareness of how theory relates to the study is evident. There is good evidence of an ability to analyse, evaluate and apply theory to research practice. The research paradigm is adequately explained and justified with some indication of how this has influenced the study. 

There is some awareness of how theory relates to the study, but this is not indicative of a clear understanding. Little evidence of an ability to analyse, evaluate and theory to research practice is included. The research paradigm is either indicated briefly or not at all/is inaccurate/not justified.

Little awareness of the influence of theory is shown There is inadequate evidence of an ability to analyse, evaluate and apply theory to research practice. Very little/no reference made to the research paradigm. Evaluate appropriate evidence on a subject relevant to Health and Social Care. 

Use of Literature:  

Searching for and evaluating relevant research literature; Range and depth of reading; use of relevant literature to develop design and topic; use of independent sources 

Mark:  /10

Highly extensive and appropriate reading undertaken as appropriate to the topic and design. The literature has been thoroughly critically evaluated and explicitly related to the research question and design of the study. The range and depth of reading shows a highly developed sense of relevance and creativity. 

Very good evidence of independent research for sources of understanding. 

Extensive reading undertaken as appropriate to the topic and design. The literature has been critically evaluated and clearly related to the research question and design of the study. Good evidence of independent research for sources of understanding. 

Appropriate reading has been undertaken with some evaluation. This is not consistently clearly related to the research question or design. There is some evidence of independent research for sources of understanding. 

There is a reliance on limited source of literature and a lack of evaluation. The literature is poorly related to the research question and/or design. Little evidence present of independent research for sources of understanding. 

There is an over reliance on a restricted range of literature and no attempt to evaluate this. The literature cited is not related directly to the research question and/or design. There is very little evidence of independent research for sources of understanding. 

Methodology: 

Understanding of methodological issues; 

Rationale for research approach; data collection and analysis; 

Awareness of study limitations. 

Mark:  /15 

An appropriate design is selected for the research or project question posed. There is a highly developed appreciation of the relevant methodological issues of the chosen design. A sound and valid rationale for the research approach is given. The methods of data collection and analysis methods are appropriate, highly systematic and imaginatively documented. There is a highly developed critical awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of the approach taken.

An appropriate design is selected for the research or project question posed. A very good appreciation of the relevant methodological issues of the design chosen is demonstrated. A clearly presented and valid rationale is given for the research approach adopted. The methods of data collection and analysis are appropriate, competently carried out and well documented. There is a good awareness of strengths and weakness of approach taken. 

An appropriate design is selected for the research or project question posed. There is an understanding of the major methodological issues of the design chosen. A competent rationale for the selected research approach is outlined. Data collection and analysis stages are identified and documented. There is some awareness of the strengths and weaknesses of the approach taken. 

A reasonably appropriate design is selected for the study. There is limited awareness of methodological issues of the design chosen/a design is not easily identifiable. Little rationale is given for the design selected. Some evidence of data collection and analysis is evident but this is not developed sufficiently.  Little awareness of strengths and weaknesses of approach taken. The methodological problems with the study are retrievable at resit. 

The design selected for the study is not evident/inappropriate. Little/no awareness of the methodological issues of the study design is evident. An inappropriate or non-existent rationale presented for the research approach. It is difficult to discern a clear research process of data collection and analysis. The study is not likely to be retrieved at resit. 

Discussion, synthesis, creativity and reflection: 

Bring together and evaluate information and ideas; 

Form a personal position; 

Reflect on “self” as researcher. 

Mark: /15 

Ability to perceive a novel relationship and to collate information from a variety of sources and synthesize it for new applications. 

Ability to state and defend a personal position with flair and imagination and on the basis of evidence. 

Ability to collate information from a variety of sources and synthesize it for new applications.

Ability to state and defend a personal position on an issue, on the basis of evidence.  

Ability to collate information from a variety of sources and construct meanings by commenting of the weight of evidence and opinions. 

Ability to state a personal position, on the basis of evidence. 

Some limited ability to collate information from a variety of sources and construct linkages but with limited comment on the evidence or opinion. 

Some preparedness to state a personal position, on the basis of evidence. 

Limited ability to collate information or construct linkages.  Limited comment on evidence or opinion. 

Limited evidence of preparedness to state a position on an issue and limited use of supporting evidence 

Ethical Awareness: 

Gain approvals as required; highlight ethical issues raised by the study and document measures taken to mitigate these; consideration of diversity and inclusion. 

Mark:  /10 

The work demonstrates a deep appreciation and understanding of the ethical and inclusion implications of health/social care research and research governance or project governance.  Demonstrates highly insightful, sensitive and skillful ways of responding to actual and/or potential ethical or diversity problems/concerns.  The methods illustrate a deep appreciation of the diversity and complexity of the chosen research context and reflect others’ work accurately where indicated 

The work demonstrates a well-developed understanding of the ethical  and inclusion implications of health/social care research and research governance or project governance.  It demonstrates effective and skillful ways of responding to actual and/or potential ethical and diversity problems/concerns raised by the research process or data reviewed.  The methods explicitly acknowledge the diversity and complexity of the chosen research context or reflect others’ work clearly. 

The work demonstrates an understanding of the ethical and inclusion implications of health/social care research and research governance or project governance.  It identifies ways of responding to actual and/or potential ethical and diversity problems/concerns raised by the research process or data reviewed.  The methods recognise the complexity of the chosen research context or reflect others’ work adequately. 

The work demonstrates a limited understanding of the ethical and inclusion implications of health/social care research and research governance or project governance.  There is little awareness of actual and/or potential ethical and diversity problems/concerns related to this research process or data reviewed.  The methods fail to adequately convey recognition of the complexity of the chosen research context or represent others’ work accurately. 

The work shows no appreciation of the ethical and inclusion issues raised by the study. 

No awareness is demonstrated of the ethical and inclusion implications of health/social care research. 

Presentation of thesis: 

Preparation and presentation of final document; grammar, spelling and punctuation; clarity of expression and fluency. 

Mark  /10 

Fully and appropriately referenced, well presented. Excellent use of language. 

Very good referencing, well presented and clear use of language 

Generally well referenced, well presented and clear use of language but with some errors 

Inconsistencies in referencing. Adequately well presented. Clear use of language but with significant errors. 

Poorly referenced, poorly presented and very unclear language with serious errors