Demonstrate the knowledge and understanding the nature and applications of academic conventions in higher education required to source the journal articles on any chosen subject and understand the academic protocol for citing them.

ASS065-1 Skills for the Social Sciences

1 Portfolio

A two part portfolio evidencing academic and study skills acquired by reflection as well as a demonstration of learning on how research is used for social enquiry.

40

2000 words

1. Demonstrate the knowledge and understanding the nature and applications of academic conventions in higher education required to source the journal articles on any chosen subject and understand the academic protocol for citing them.

2.  Recognize and differentiate between quantitative and qualitative research procedures and their methodological implications; the sociological approaches and philosophical underpinnings of positivism and interpretivism and have an understanding of the fundamental features of Modernism, Critical Theory and Post-modernism.

1 Evidence of knowledge and understanding of academic writing styles and general academic skills

Correctly identified academic writing styles but not discussed them sufficiently or identified their importance.

There are also issues with grammar and/or sentencing structures. There is small scale evidence of poor academic practice.

Correctly identified academic writing styles and briefly discussed their importance. However, expression is quite limited and work contains some grammatical mistakes.

Correctly identified academic writing styles and their importance. Well-written in general but contains a few grammatical mistakes.

Correctly identified and sufficiently discussed academic writing styles and their importance.

Work is well-written and shows evidence of thorough proof reading.

2 Understanding- Concepts, Introduction and Topic

You have not correctly identified ALL articles as qualitative: interpretivist and/or quantitative: positivistic.

Weak introduction and limited knowledge of the topic you are investigating.

You have correctly identified ALL articles as

qualitative: interpretivist and quantitative: positivistic. Your introduction could be stronger with more facts although you have shown a good understanding of the topic.

You have correctly identified ALL articles as

qualitative: interpretivist and quantitative: positivistic. Your introduction is good and although you show a good understanding of the topic, this could have been done in more depth. 

You have correctly identified ALL articles as

qualitative: interpretivist and quantitative: positivistic. You have written an excellent introduction and show a very good understanding of the issue under investigation.

3 Summary and Discussion

The articles are not analyzed adequately or are misinterpreted and the student has drawn flawed conclusions.

There is clear evidence that the articles have been analyzed and understood although the presentation of the conclusions drawn is limited.

The student has clearly synthesized the findings of the articles and has made some interesting points. However, drawing on other sources could strengthen these.

Excellent discussion and synthesis strongly supported with other relevant sources.

4 Information gathering and research

Has used a minimum of 8 sources with each of the 6 in section two being journal articles from primary research.

Work contains at least 8 sources and the student has shown some evidence of wider reading.

Work contains more than the minimum of 8 sources and there is a good mix of other credible types of sources.

Work contains and exceeds the minimum of 8 sources and there is a very good range of sources, which are all linked and relevant to the assignment brief.

5 Referencing

Referencing technique is poor and there are issues with missing references.

Referencing technique is okay, but work contains some referencing mistakes

Referencing technique is good but there are some minor referencing mistakes.

Excellent referencing technique.