Technical Writing in the Life Sciences (5 ECTS) Continuous Assessment Report | TUD

5 ECTS Assignment Brief

Assignment Overview

This assignment will satisfy the criteria for the completion of 100% of the module outcomes (see point 3). You will find a podcast on a topic of your choosing within the life sciences industry (science, biotechnology, any supporting topic, AI, digitalisation etc), you will then choose another piece of media (article, other podcast, book, regulations, CSO etc) and compile a technical report which communicates on the topic, the report having an objective of your choosing but will have at least 1 graphical element. You will choose your podcast and evaluate it using the CRAAP methodology and submit a reflection on PowerPoint. Use the marking scheme as a guideline for your assignment content. This is very important.

Assignment Instructions

There are 3 elements (A, B and C). Marks are allocated for element B and C. Please pay particular attention to the instruction on usage of Generative AI. Where AI is used to support the assignment in Part B – should be declared in your reflection.

A) Choosing your topic (no marks allocated)

1. Choose a podcast episode

2. Choose a supporting media (article, other podcast, book, regulations, CSO etc)

3. One or both should have a data element that you can portray as a graphical piece of information

B) Writing your report (50% marks allocation)

4. Write a technical report with the below headings:

a) Title
b) Introduction
c) Body of Report (further broken down with titles appropriate to content)
d) Graphic
e) Conclusion
f) References

Submission:

Format

• Complete and submit the above in a Microsoft word document saved as a PDF
• Page limit: 3

AI usage

• Generative AI is permitted in the initial draft (formatting, refining, finding appropriate language) of the technical report, the content in the report coming from your initial information gathering from your podcast and supporting material.
• The final version of your report is to be reviewed by you as a technical writer to ensure all aspects covered in lectures are incorporated and meet the standard required for an effective communication by demonstrate the correct use of language, regulated environment demonstrate proficiency in technical writing by developing and presenting a technical report.
• AI usage should be declared in your reflection where used (Part C).

C) Critical Thinking (50%)

CRAAP Evaluation (40%) and Reflection (10%)

Task:  Complete a CRAAP evaluation of your podcast (if you have chosen 2 podcasts, pick 1 only). For each criterion (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose), rate from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) and provide a brief justification. This should be a PDF and separate file to your report.

Suggested Template:

Submission:

Format

• Complete and submit the above in a Microsoft word document saved as a PDF
• Use the template or similar
• Refer to lecture notes closely to do this

AI usage

• Generative AI is NOT permitted in Part C and any use in generating your critical piece using Gen AI is considered academic misconduct.

 Reflection (10%) 

Task:

Make a presentation (3-5 slides depending on your AI declaration) on your learning experience while completing this assignment using the following titles, each slide should have a voice recording explaining the content.

• Discuss any challenges, insights, or skills developed for Part A, B and C.
• Discuss how you decided on your graphical element and how it was appropriate for the infographic, on this slide you should include this graphical element to provide context.
• If you used AI tools in the development in Part B (such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, or others), describe how and why you used them, and reflect on their impact on your work (ie, effectiveness, difficulty, how you feel it affected time spent on writing a report etc). If you have not, state any reflections on why you have not availed of these for Part B.

Submission:

Format

• Complete and submit the above in a PowerPoint presentation with voiceover each slide (60 seconds max per slide)
• Recording is a function in PowerPoint (see screenshot)

AI usage

• Generative AI is NOT permitted under any circumstances for this portion of the assignment.

NOTE: the reflection is where AI usage should be declared for part B as per brief.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module, learners will be able to:

1. Describe the purpose and the key elements of a range of technical documents used in the Life Science Industry.
2. Discuss the principles and techniques for effective technical writing.
3. Demonstrate the correct use of language in a highly technical, regulated environment.
4. Demonstrate proficiency in technical writing by developing and presenting a technical report.

Assessment Criteria

This module is 100% Continuous Assessment, there is no final exam. This assignment is worth 100% of your marks. The assignment is broken down into three parts which will be submitted together at the end of the module.

The breakdown is as follows:

1. Technical Report (50%)
2. CRAAP Evaluation Template (40%)
3. Reflection (including AI use declaration) (10%)

Submission Guidelines

All submissions need to go through the submissions portal on the module page. Turnitin will be used.

Academic Integrity

Plagiarism is a serious offence. Please read and ensure you understand the college policy on plagiarism. Sources which have been used, referred to, or which have in any way influenced the preparation of this assignment, must be identified and properly attributed. Where this is not the case, or where work has been knowingly plagiarised, a zero mark may be awarded.

The assignment must not have been previously submitted for assessment, nor should it contain any portions that are copied, in whole or in part, from the work of others, including fellow students.

In addition, AI text generators or websites may not be used to prepare any parts of this assignment on the students behalf without being declared in the personal reflection portion of the assignment.

Specific guidelines on AI usage:

*Declaration of use should appear in your reflection (Part C) as per the brief

Additional Notes

There are many resources available in the Learner Hub or in the Library to support your academic journey. Please reach out to the lecturer or librarian for academic support.

Marking Scheme and Rubric:

Report Total: 50%

Each Section is marked out of ten.

CRAAP evaluation Total: 40%

Each criterion is marked out of ten.

Reflection: 10%

This section is marked by Criterion but an overall score will combine all criterion as a presentation.