LD7201 Academic and Employability Skills and Research Methods Dissertation Semester 1, 2025/26

Length

Weighting

Part 1: Academic Report

750 words

40%

Part 2: Self-analysis and action plan

750 words

40%

Part 3: Portfolio Tasks (Appendices A – F)

n/a

10%

Professional presentation

n/a

10%

Total

1,500 (+/- 10%)

100%

Marking Criteria

0-39%

Standard Not Met 1

40-49%

Standard Not Met 2

50-59%

Meets Standard 1

60-69%

Meets Standard 2

70-79%

Exceeds Standard 1

80-89%

Exceeds Standard 2

90-100%

Exceeds Standard 3

Part 1 –

Demonstrates very

Displays inadequate

Demonstrates

Indicates satisfactory

Shows solid

Displays a high level

Demonstrates an

Report

poor knowledge and

knowledge and

somewhat limited

knowledge and

knowledge and

of knowledge and

exceptional depth of

Content

understanding of the

understanding of the

knowledge and

understanding of the

understanding of the

understanding of the

knowledge and

chosen field. Analysis

chosen field. Analysis

understanding of the

chosen field. Analysis

chosen field. Analysis

chosen field. Analysis

understanding.

is absent or entirely

is minimal offering

chosen field. Mostly

presents a basic

offers insights into

provides

Analysis is insightful

superficial. Critical

little insight into

descriptive. Analysis

exploration of

opportunities and

multifaceted views of

and offers nuanced

evaluation of sources

opportunities and

may lack depth or

opportunities and

challenges. Critical

opportunities and

perspectives. Critical

is missing.

challenges. Critical

insights into

challenges. Critical

evaluation of sources

challenges. Critical

evaluation of sources

Arguments are non-

evaluation of sources

opportunities and

evaluation of sources

is present, assessing

evaluation of sources

is thorough,

existent or

is missing. Arguments

challenges. Critical

is evident though

strengths and

is effective,

identifying strengths

incomprehensible.

lack development

evaluation of sources

limited. Arguments

limitations.

recognising strengths

and limitations.

and meaningful

is weak or absent.

are adequately

Arguments are

and limitations.

Arguments are well

support.

Arguments lack

supported by some

adequately

Arguments are well

crafted and

coherence or strong

relevant sources.

developed and

developed and

supported by a wide

support.

supported by

supported by

range of relevant

relevant sources.

relevant sources.

sources.

Score

1 -4

5-7

8 -9

10-11

12-13

14-15

16

Part 1 - Report

Introduction is

Introduction lacks

Introduces the topic

Introduces the topic

Presents a well-

Introduces the topic

Demonstrates

Structure

unclear or missing,

clarity or structure,

but may lack clarity

and maintains

structured

clearly and organises

exceptional clarity in

making the structure

affecting overall

in structure.

organisation with

introduction and

the report

introduction and

difficult to discern.

organisation.

Transitions could be

clear headings.

body, with clear

coherently.

structure, guiding the

Transitions are

Transitions between

smoother to improve

Transitions are

headings, allowing

Transitions are

reader seamlessly

absent or severely

ideas are unclear,

flow. Conclusion

mostly smooth,

the reader to

smooth, facilitating

through the report.

disrupt the flow.

impeding

summarises points

guiding the reader

navigate the report.

easy comprehension.

Logical flow and

Conclusion is absent

comprehension.

but may lack

through the report.

Adequate transitions

The conclusion

transitions enhance

or does not

Conclusion may not

conciseness.

The conclusion

maintain logical

concisely reiterates

readability.

summarise

effectively

Paragraphs and

restates main points.

progression.

important aspects.

Concluding summary

effectively.

encapsulate main

cohesion could be

Paragraphs and

Conclusion

Paragraphs and

encapsulates key

Paragraphing and

points. Paragraphs

more effective.

cohesion are

summarises key

cohesion contribute

insights effectively.

cohesion hinder

and cohesion need

adequately used.

points satisfactorily.

to readability.

Paragraphs and

readability.

significant

Paragraphs and

cohesion are

improvement.

cohesion are used

masterfully

appropriately.

employed.

choices.

Score

1 -4

5-7

8 -9

10-11

12-13

14-15

16

Part 2 - PDP Communicatin g Ideas

Style is informal or inappropriate.

Coherence is severely lacking rendering writing nearly incomprehensible.

Pervasive grammar and syntax errors hinder any meaningful communication.

Style may be inappropriate and inconsistent.

Coherence is inconsistent making writing challenging to follow. Frequent grammar and syntax errors obscure clarity.

Style is mostly appropriate (formal and personal in reflection), but lapses may be evident. Coherence issues may intermittently disrupt readability. Errors may occasionally hinder comprehension

Style is mostly appropriate (formal and personal in reflection), with only occasional lapses.

There may be occasional lapses in coherence. Errors rarely affect comprehension.

Adopts an appropriate style for reflective statement. Writing is generally coherent. Minor errors do not impede comprehension.

Maintains a consistently appropriate style. Coherent, clear and organised writing. Expression is consistently accurate resulting in clear communication.

Employs an appropriate style throughout.

Coherence is impeccable, enhancing overall readability. Clear and precise expression.

Score

1 -2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Part 3 Portfolio Tasks

Fewer than two tasks attached. Evidence of timely submission may not be present.

Fewer than four tasks attached. Evidence of timely submission may not be present.

At least four tasks are attached as appendices some may lack evidence of timely submission (Turnitin receipt of submission).

At least five tasks are attached as appendices. Some may lack evidence of timely submission (Turnitin receipt of submission).

All six tasks are attached as appendices. Two may lack evidence of timely submission.

They are good quality

All six tasks are attached as appendices. One may lack evidence of timely submission.

They are very good quality.

All six tasks are attached as appendices with evidence of timely submission. They are of exceptional quality.

Score

1-2

3-4

5

6

7

8

9-10

Professional presentation

Presentation and formatting throughout are completely insufficient.

Frequent spelling and grammatical errors. Failure to cite references correctly in the main text. No reference list.

Presentation and formatting throughout are insufficiently professional.

Citations and/ or reference list are inadequate.

All parts are submitted as one document in an appropriate order. Presentation and formatting are adequate. Most in- text citations are presented consistently and appropriately. List of references is mostly accurate.

Good presentation throughout. Very good referencing throughout.

Consistent and mostly accurate list of references.

Very good presentation and formatting throughout. APA referencing used throughout the assignment.

Excellent professional presentation and formatting throughout. APA referencing used well throughout. Mostly accurate references.

An outstandingly crafted piece of work which is professionally presented throughout. APA referencing used with precision throughout the text and list of references.

Score

1-2

3-4

5

6

7

8

9-10