HR0896 Assignment Semester 2 2012-13

Assessment Brief – Postgraduate

Module Code: HR0896

Module Title: Developing Self

Distributed on: Week One Hand in Date: Please see Postgraduate notice board

Instructions on Assessment:

In no more than 3000 words, you must demonstrate your critical understanding of the need for continuing self awareness and development. This will be achieved through the completion of the following tasks:

1. Using a range of relevant literature, explain how self awareness and continuous self development will help you to fulfil your role as a successful manager in the future. This is worth 30% of overall marks - approx 1000 words.

2. Using the attached template, write three separate critical incidents to reflect upon the findings and implications from three self analysis toolkits from the module (e.g. Belbin, Emotional Intelligence, Management Competencies, Personality tests). This is worth 45% of overall marks – approx 2000 words.

Please note you must: Ensure you use one critical incident from the residential weekend which demonstrates a clear

link to how you have met Postgraduate Goal Two (Be culturally and ethically aware) and Objective One (Demonstrate their ability to work in diverse groups and teams).

Attach the results of the toolkits you have chosen as an appendix to this assignment.

3. Complete a detailed personal development plan identifying three objectives and activities which could be used to enhance your key development areas. You must demonstrate how these activities reflect your preferred learning style and how they help you to achieve the postgraduate goals. A template is provided at the end of this document. This is worth 15% of overall marks.

Please note: This element is not included in the word count and should be attached as Appendix One. 4. In the Appendix you must include a photocopy of the assessment against the programme goals sheet from your logbook that was completed (and signed by your facilitator) at the Residential weekend. Please make a photocopy of this sheet rather than including the whole logbook.

5. The final 10% of the overall marks will be awarded for the presentation and structure of your assignment and the accurate referencing of your sources using the APA format.

The following resources have been provided to support the assessment process: A dedicated seminar in Week Seven Exemplars of critical incidents (visit the eLearning portal) Formative feedback on one draft critical incident (provided by your Tutor in

Week Seven) Links to the assessment throughout your residential weekend Assignment hand-in checklist (see Appendix One) Reflections on where students lost marks last year (visit the eLearning

portal)

Page 1 of 13


Important note about ARNA regulations

The regulations specify that students must complete every assessment component contributing to the modules on their programme. This applies to all forms of assessment as defined in the module descriptor. Please note that:

if any assessment component is not completed, students will be failed in the module even if the module pass mark has been achieved;

if the requirements for referral specified in section 5 of ARNA1 are met, a resit opportunity will be given;

if unable to complete an assessment component because of extenuating circumstances, students should follow the procedure described in the Student Guide to Extenuating Circumstances1.

This change was approved by Academic Board on 12 October 2009 in consultation with the Students’ Union. Students should consult their Programme Leader or Guidance Tutor if they have any queries. Independent advice and support is also available from the Students’ Union Advice & Representation Centre ([email protected]) or from a student adviser in Student Services.

1ARNA and the Student Guide to Extenuating Circumstances Affecting Assessed Work are available from http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/sd/central/ar/lts/assess/assproc/assdocstud/

Word limits and penalties for assignments

If the assignment is within +10% of the stated word limit no penalty will apply.

The word count is to be declared on the front page of your assignment and the assignment cover sheet. The word count does not include:

Title and Contents page Reference list Appendices Appropriate tables,

figures and illustrations Glossary Bibliography

Quotes from interviews and focus groups.

Please note, in text citations [e.g. (Smith, 2011)] and direct secondary quotations [e.g. “dib-dab nonsense analysis” (Smith, 2011 p.123)] are INCLUDED in the word count.

If this word count is falsified, students are reminded that under ARNA page 30 Section 3.4 this will be regarded as academic misconduct.

If the word limit of the full assignment exceeds the +10% limit, 10% of the mark provisionally awarded to the assignment will be deducted. For example: if the assignment is worth 70 marks but is above the word limit by more than 10%, a penalty of 7 marks will be imposed, giving a final mark of 63.

Students are advised that they may be asked to submit an electronic version of their assignment.

Time limits and penalties for presentations

The time allocated for the presentation must be adhered to. At the end of this time, the presentation will be stopped and will be marked based on what has been delivered within the time limit.

Submission of Assessment:

All assignments must be submitted via the Postgraduate Programme Office. Each assignment must be accompanied by an Assessed Work Form which must be completed in full. The assignment will not be accepted by the Postgraduate Programme Office unless the form is completed correctly.

Page 2 of 13

http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/sd/central/ar/lts/assess/assproc/assdocstud/

mailto:[email protected]


Marked assignments will be returned to students. It is advisable to retain a copy of your assignment for you own records. Your mark will be returned on the Assessed Work Form via the Postgraduate Programme Office.

Referencing your work

The APA method of referencing uses the author's name and the date of the publication. In-text citations give brief details of the work you are referring to in your text. References are listed at the end of the text in alphabetical order by the author's name. The general format of an electronic journal reference in the APA style is shown below:

Coutu, D. (2009). Why Teams Don't Work. Harvard Business Review, 87(5), 98-105. Retrieved 29th April 2012 from EBSCO http://searchebscohost.com

Author/s name and initials are listed first, followed by year of publication in brackets. Then there is the title of article and the journal where the article appears, which is in italics. Then state the volume and issue number (in brackets) along with the pages where article can be located. Finally add the date the article was retrieved and then the name of the database, followed by the web address. Wherever possible use the homepage URL rather than the full and extended web address.

For further information on why it is important to reference accurately go to the Referencing and Plagiarism topic in Skills Plus available from the Library website:

www.northumbria.ac.uk/skillsplus

You will find other useful help guides on Skills Plus to help you with the skills involved in writing your assessments and preparing for exams.

For further information on the APA style of referencing see the Concise Rules of APA style and the APA website http://www.apastyle.org/learn

Plagiarism and Cheating

Your attention is drawn to the University’s stated position on plagiarism. THE WORK OF OTHERS, WHICH IS INCLUDED IN THE ASSIGNMENT MUST BE ATTRIBUTED TO ITS SOURCE (a full bibliography and/or a list of references must be submitted as prescribed in the assessment brief).

Please note that this is intended to be an individual piece of work. Action will be taken where a student is suspected of having cheated or engaged in any dishonest practice. Students are referred to the University regulations on plagiarism and other forms of academic irregularity. Students must not copy or collude with one another or present any information that they themselves have not generated.

For further information on Plagiarism, see the Referencing and Plagiarism topic on Skills Plus.www.northumbria.ac.uk/skillsplus

Page 3 of 13

http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/skillsplus

http://www.apastyle.org/learn

http://www.northumbria.ac.uk/skillsplus

http://searchebscohost.com/


Mapping to Programme Goals and Objectives:

This assessment will contribute directly to the following Postgraduate programme goals and objectives. (Insert an ‘X’ in boxes where applicable, referring to appropriate programme specification for mapping details)

Goal One: Be independent, reflective critical thinkers

x 1. Demonstrate awareness of their personal strengths and weaknesses through critical reflective practice.

x 2. Understand and challenge personal patterns of thinking and behaving.

Goal Two: Be culturally and ethically aware

x 1. Demonstrate their ability to work in diverse groups and teams.

x 2. Reflect on their own ethical values.

Goal Three: Have developed leadership and management capability

x 1. Demonstrate their personal contribution to team effectiveness.

x 2. Communicate complex issues effectively.

x 3. Demonstrate decision making and problem solving skills.

x 4. Carry out presentations and lead discussions.

Goal Four: Have developed and applied knowledge of international business and management theory

1. Acquire, interpret and apply knowledge of international business, management and organisational functions.

Goal Five: Have developed a range of research skills and project capabilities

1. Plan and complete a major individual piece of research on a contemporary business, management or leadership topic of their choice.

2. Demonstrate skills of analysis and synthesis in the application of research methods to the exploration of contemporary business issues.

Goal Six: Have developed specialist knowledge about the theory and practice of your programme of study

1. Demonstrate specialist functional knowledge in relation to your programme of study.

Page 4 of 13


Assessment Criteria (NBS)

General Assessment Criteria

Trait 0Fail

1 – 39Fail

40 – 49Fail

50 – 54Pass

55 – 59Pass

60 – 69Commendation

70 – 100Distinction

Knowledge and Understanding

Work not submitted OR Work giving evidence of serious academic misconduct (subject to regulations in ARNA Appendix 1) OR Work showing no evidence of the knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to level 7. None of the learning outcomes are met.

Work is not acceptable and provides little evidence of the knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to level 7. Few of the learning outcomes are met.

Work is not acceptable in providing evidence of the knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to level 7. However a majority of the learning outcomes are met and others are nearly satisfied

Adequate work providing evidence of the knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to level 7 but only at a bare pass level. All learning outcomes are met (or nearly met and balanced by strengths elsewhere).

Satisfactory work providing evidence of the knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to level 7. All learning outcomes are met.

Commendable work providing evidence to a high level of the knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to level 7. All learning outcomes met, many are more than satisfied.

Excellent work providing evidence to a very high level of the knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate to level 7. All learning outcomes met, many at high level. Marks at the high end of this range indicate outstanding work where all learning outcomes are met at a high level.

Structure, Alignment and Research

Inadequate in some of the following aspects or seriously inadequate in at least one: use of relevant material; development of analysis and structure of argument; evaluation of theory; application of relevant theory, research methods and findings to the problem in question; presentation of information to the intended audience.

Adequate in most but not all of the following aspects: use of relevant material; development of analysis and structure of argument; evaluation of theory; application of relevant theory, research methods and findings to the problem in question; presentation of information to the intended audience.

Adequate in all of (or most of, with balancing strength elsewhere): use of relevant material; development of analysis and structure of argument; evaluation of theory; application of relevant theory, research methods and findings to the problem in question; presentation of information to the intended audience.

Satisfactory in all or most of: use of relevant material from a variety of sources; development of analysis and structure of argument; evaluation of theory; application of relevant theory, research methods and findings to the problem in question; presentation of information to the intended audience.

Good in all or most of: use of up-to-date material from a variety of sources; development of analysis and structure of argument; critical evaluation of relevant theory, research methods and findings to the problem in question; presentation of information to the intended audience.

Excellent in all or most of: use of primary sources of literature from a range of perspectives; development of analysis and structure of argument; critical evaluation and creative use of theory, research methods and findings; presentation of information to the intended audience.

Page 5 of 13


0-19%Fail

20 – 39%Fail

40 – 49%Fail

50 – 59%Pass

60 – 69%Commendation

70 – 100%Distinction

Areas for further development

Que

stio

n O

ne (3

0%)

No suitable references have been citedNo discussion of self awareness.No discussion of continuous self developmentNo discussion on the context of your future as a managerVery poor structure

Very few referencesPoor discussion of self awarenessPoor discussion of continuous self developmentPoor links to your future as a managerPoor structure

Insufficient referencesInadequate discussion of self awarenessInadequate discussion of continuous self developmentInadequate discussion of your future as a managerInadequate structure

Adequate use of referencesAdequate discussion of self awarenessAdequate discussion of continuous self development.Adequate discussion of your future as a managerAdequate structure

Commendable use of appropriate referencesDetailed insight into self awarenessDetailed into continuous self developmentStrong appreciation of the implications of your future as a managerGood structure with clear links between sections

Excellent and critical use of appropriate referencesCritical insight into self awarenessCritical insight into continuous self developmentExcellent discussion of the implications of your future as a managerExcellent structure with clear links between sections

An appropriate introductionUse of sub-headings to aid structureAnswering the question more directly A more critical approach to the literatureGreater appreciation of the contextUse of APA referencingUse of higher quality academic journals

0-5 marks 6-11 marks 12-14 marks 15-17 marks 18-20 marks 21-30 marks

Crit

ical

Inci

dent

1 (1

5%)

Failure to use the required templateFailure to provide a ‘critical’ incidentNo discussion of relevant toolkit findingsInappropriate identification of strengths and weaknessesNo discussion of future implications

Inappropriate use of templateNo recognisable ‘critical’ incidentFailure to select a suitable toolkitInappropriate or irrelevant discussion of toolkit findingsStrengths and weaknesses inconsistent Poor discussion of future career implications

The CI is unclearIncident is not sufficiently focused on selfChoice of toolkit is poor and/or not relevantDiscussion of findings is not detailed enoughStrengths and weaknesses not discussed sufficientlyInadequate discussion of future career implications

An adequate CI has been outlinedAppropriate toolkit selectedDiscussion of the toolkit findings is adequateIdentification of appropriate strengths and weaknesses Adequate reference to future career implications

A strong and detailed CI has been providedStrong focus on self in the CIDetailed discussion of toolkit findingsRelevant strengths and weaknesses are highlightedClear reference to future career implications

A very strong CI has been outlinedVery strong focus on self in the CIIdentifies patterns of behaviour within CICritical discussion of toolkit findings with supporting referencesExcellent analysis of strengths and weaknessesDetailed future implications are outlined.

Clearer CI(s)Stronger focus on self in CI(s)Use of more appropriate toolkit(s)More detailed discussion of toolkit findingsA more critical approach to findingsStronger discussion on future implicationsSupporting references to enhance arguments

0-2 marksThe student has not met PG Goal 2 Objective 1

3-5.5 marksThe student has not met PG Goal 2 Objective 1


7.5-8.5 marksThe student has met PG Goal 2 Objective 1

9-10 marksThe student has met PG Goal 2 Objective 1

10.5-15 marksThe student has exceeded PG Goal 2 Objective 1

Page 6 of 13


Crit

ical

Inci

dent

2 (1

5%)














Crit

ical

Inci

dent

3 (1

5%)














Page 7 of 13


PDP

(15%

)The PDP has not been completed appropriately in at least 5 of the following areas: Objective(s) Learning

preference(s) Activities Unrealistic

resources Lack of

measurement Target/review

dates

The PDP has not been completed appropriately in at least 4 of the following areas: Objective(s) Learning

preferences(s) Activities Unrealistic

resources Lack of


dates

The PDP has not been completed appropriately in at least 3 of the following areas: Objective(s) Learning

preference(s) Activities Unrealistic

resources Lack of


dates

All of the boxes on the PDP have been completed adequately.Two to three areas could have been developed further to provide a ‘good’ PDP: Overall objective(s) Learning activities Support/resources Success criteria Target/review dates

All of the boxes in your PDP have been completed to a good standard.At least two areas could have been developed further to provide an ‘excellent’ PDP: Overall objective(s) Learning activities Support/resources Success criteria Target/review dates

Clear SMART objectives have been identifiedObjectives are consistent with Q2Appropriate activities and resources (for preferred learning style) are detailedRealistic measurement criteria are identifiedThe time element is appropriate for the objective(s)

Provide 3 objectivesIndicate preferred learning style(s)Align objectives with CIs from Q2Be more specific about what you want to achieveThink more creatively about learning activitiesPresent a more detailed insight into resources neededProvide more specific measurement criteriaState target/review dates







Fina

l 10%

Poor presentation throughoutFailure to use professional formattingPoor structureNumerous spelling and grammatical errors Failure to use templatesRelevant toolkits not attachedFailure to cite references correctly in the main textNo reference list

Poor presentation in many sectionsMany sections not presented in a professional formatMany spelling and grammatical errorsFailure to use some of the templatesOmission of one or more toolkitsInconsistent use of APA referencing in the main text and/or references list

Inadequate presentation throughoutInconsistent approach to the way work is formattedA number of spelling and grammatical inaccuraciesSome but not all templates are utilisedFailure to cite all references that are used in the main textIncomplete list of references

Satisfactory presentation of work using professional formattingFew spelling and grammatical errorsMost of the templates have been completed appropriatelyKey appendices are attachedMost references are provided in the appropriate format in the main textList of references is accurate

Good presentation throughoutMinimal errors in spelling and grammarTemplates completed to a good standardAll key appendices are attachedFew errors in referencing the work of others

Excellent presentation throughout Excellent spelling and grammarAll templates completed to a high standardAccurate list of AppendicesAll appendices are includedAPA referencing used throughout main textAccurate list of references

Cite a full list of referencesProof-read work prior to submissionImprove the structure of your overall workUse provided templatesAttach all relevant toolkitsInclude your residential Cite the work of others correctly in the main text

0-1.5 marks 2-3.5 marks 4-4.5 marks 5-5.5 marks 6-6.5 marks 7-10 marksOverall Comments

Page 8 of 13


Q2. Template One

My chosen toolkit is: ______________________________________________________________

Summary of critical incident which demonstrates how you have achieved PG Goal Two: Be culturally and ethically aware and Objective One: Demonstrate their ability to work in diverse groups and teams.

How does this reflect the findings of your chosen self analysis toolkit?

Identify the key strengths and weaknesses identified within this critical incident

What are the implications for future career or personal development?

Page 9 of 13


Q2. Template Two


Summary of critical incident (use detailed critical incidents from your module activities, residential weekend, past experiences etc).




Page 10 of 13


Q2. Template Three


Summary of critical incident (use detailed critical incidents from your module activities, residential weekend, past experiences etc).




Page 11 of 13


Q3. Personal Development Plan (PDP)

Name: Date:

Your preferred learning style(s)

Honey and Mumford

and/or VARK (Fleming, 2001)

and/or Other (please specify)……………………...............

What do I want/need to learn? (SMART objective)

Which postgraduate goal(s) will this help you to achieve?

What will I do to achieve this? (learning activities)

What resources or support will I need? (practical and academic)

What will my success criteria be?

Target dates for review and completion

1. These boxes will expand as you type into them. Please use a new row for each objective.

2.

3.

Page 12 of 13


You are strongly advised to work through this checklist before you submit your assignment to the Postgraduate Office.

Main body of your assignment

You have created a title page which includes your word count (excluding Appendix).

You have answered question one and proof read your answer.

You have reviewed the sample critical incident (in the Assessment section of the elearning portal) to ensure that you are clear about what you have to produce

You have completed a template for critical incident 1 and ensured it demonstrates a clear link to how you have met Postgraduate Goal Two (Be culturally and ethically aware) and Objective One (Demonstrate their ability to work in diverse groups and teams).

You have completed a template for critical incident 2.

You have completed a template for critical incident 3.

Appendix to your assignment

You have answered question three and provided a copy of your full Personal Development Plan (worth 15% of your total mark) which links to the postgraduate goals.

You have included a copy of the completed toolkit that you have referred to in critical incident 1.



You have included a copy of both ‘Assessment against postgraduate goals’ pages from the residential logbook.

Finally...

You have reviewed the assessment brief and marking criteria for a final time to ensure that your work meets the requirements.

You have proof read your work carefully.

You have ensured that all of your references in the main text are presented in APA format and that page numbers have been provided for all direct quotes.

You have ensured that a full list of references is provided at the end of your assignment.

Page 13 of 13

Appendix One: HR0896 Assessment Checklist

Documents

HR0896 Assignment Semester 2 2012-13