ENG7142 Research Methods CWK INPER Assessment Brief 2024-25 | BCU

ENG7142 Assessment Information

The module aims to provide you with a foundation for academic research skills employed in all modules, but particularly the master's dissertation. This assessment enables you to demonstrate effective delivery of your research findings in the form of an Academic Poster delivered to 2 academics - one will be a subject matter expert.

Assessment Summary (with type): In-Person Academic Poster Presentation

You will need to present the development and findings of the literature review by means of an academic poster presentation and then an academic paper.

Assessment Title: Academic Poster Presentation

Things to include: A one-page academic poster prepared as MS PowerPoint presentation.

Completion of this assessment will address the following learning outcomes:

3 Design a poster presentation, outlining integrated and analysed data using appropriate research methods & techniques.

Task: Preparation and in-person presentation of an Academic Poster

Style: Presentation format

Rationale: The delivery and assessment of this module will involve researching, presenting and writing of a literature review, demonstrating critique, author analysis and evidence of academic underpinning.
You are to consider a topic within a subject area or choose from a suggested list, and critically evaluate, applying appropriate research methods in the development of a literature review with a supporting academic poster.
Description: Like the literature review paper, the poster should be designed with intention of presenting to subject matter experts in the field, such as conference proceedings.

ENG7142 Additional information:

What is a poster session?

A poster session is a common term used in conferences. It enables people to present their academic work without having to make a formal presentation, in the form of a poster. The poster is not exactly like an advertising poster but some of the techniques could be used to your advantage.

You are to produce an A3 poster focusing on your literature review. You will present and defend your findings in a 10-minute pre-determined time slot in the classroom.

You may consider the following:

1. What was the aim of my assignment?
2. Why did I choose the subject?
3. What background information did I find useful?
4. What problems did I encounter?
5. What conclusions did I draw?

The main purpose of the assessment is not to judge the beauty of the posters (though a nice poster will always be appreciated). We want to see how well you are able to summarise the major features and achievements of your literature review in a very tightly constrained way. We also want to see how well you can articulate and justify what you have done.

A suggested (logical) structure would be:

Title of the poster

• Keywords
• Introduction (background information of your topic. Your motive/rationale and problem statement. Aim, research objectives and/or research questions
• Methodology: Systematic Literature Review Methodology, summary of your findings at each step
• Findings: Key items/findings/themes with evidence from literature, preferably in graphical/visual form.
• Results: Critical analysis of your findings (agreements / disagreements)
• Conclusion and Recommendations: Summary of key discussion points. What have you learnt? What will the future look like for the chosen topic? How did you overcome your limitations? Your recommendations to future researchers.
• References: Use Harvard Referencing Style For your consideration:
• This will be the piece of work which will encapsulate the whole of your assignment; so, present yourself and your poster in the best possible way.
• Prepare your poster for an audience of non-experts: use clear language.
• Try to think what elements of your work will be most interesting to your audience.
• You do not have much space so include only the things that are important in your assignment.
• If you borrow a diagram, make sure it's referenced

Presentation hints:

• Keep the material simple.
• Be concise and DO NOT WAFFLE. Practice makes perfect!

Do not cram the poster full of info - messy.

• A picture can say more than 1000 words.
  Be selective.
• Be prepared to defend your work.
• Give yourself enough time to be successful!

Note! If you want to keep a permanent record of your poster, it is suggested that you arrange to have it photographed.

ENG7142 Marking Process and Marking Criteria:

This assessment is marked in three parts:

1. Your performance in the module throughout the term will be assessed based on the activity reports you submit, which will be marked out of 15 points.
   
2. Your peers will mark your poster presentation performance, and this will be marked out of 15 points.
   
3. Your tutor and a second tutor will mark your poster performance based on the four criteria below, which will be marked out of 70 points.