Final Research Project Artefact Marking Criteria (Secondary Research)

Completely focused throughout on the topic. outstanding and comprehensive coverage of subject matter.

Superbly skilful synthesis and evaluation of material in the literature review.

The student critiques in outstanding detail the methodology, methods and analysis of data from the chosen sources.

Examining the significance and limitations of own research, with succinct comments on the researcher’s experience/methods.

Findings are discussed in exceptional detail, with clear reference to the research questions and the literature, showing outstanding critical thinking skills.

Research questions are dealt with extremely comprehensively and sensible conclusions are reached.

Paragraphs outstandingly developed with excellent support.

Chapter introductions and conclusions are professionally developed.

Focussed and consistent and well-constructed use of topic sentences and signposting.

Accurate, appropriate, consistent referencing skills employed throughout.

Final references laid out professionally.

All sources cited in the text are given in the final reference list and vice-versa.

Academic writing style is of publishable level.

Graphical/visual data is publishable quality (incl. titles, key, labelling axes etc.).

Diagrams are used to outstanding effect in the text.

Addresses the title fully. Entirely focused throughout on the topic.

Extremely comprehensive coverage of subject matter.

Extremely skilful synthesis and evaluation of material in the literature review.

The student critiques in extremely fine detail the methodology, methods and analysis of data from the chosen sources.

Examining the significance and limitations of own research, with precise comments on the researcher’s experience/methods.

Findings are discussed in fine detail, with clear reference to the research questions and the literature, showing outstanding critical thinking skills.

Research questions are dealt with extremely comprehensively and sensible conclusions are reached.

Paragraphs developed with excellent support.

Chapter introductions and conclusions are evident.

Consistent and well-constructed use of topic sentences and signposting.

Accurate, appropriate, consistent referencing skills employed throughout.

Final references laid out correctly

All sources cited in the text are given in the final reference list and vice-versa.

Academic writing style is excellent.

Graphical/visual data is of highest quality (incl. titles, key, labelling axes etc.). Correct choice of appropriate diagrammatic style.

Addresses the title fully. Entirely focused on the topic.

Comprehensive coverage of subject matter.

Skilful synthesis and evaluation of material in the literature review.

The student critiques in outstanding detail the methodology, methods and analysis of data from the chosen sources.

Examining the significance and limitations of own research, with very thoughtful comments on the researcher’s experience/methods.

Findings are discussed in good detail, with clear reference to the research questions and the literature showing good critical thinking skills.

Research questions are dealt with comprehensively and sensible conclusions are reached.

Paragraphs developed with very good support.

Chapter introductions and conclusions are evident.

Consistent use of topic sentences and signposting.

Accurate, appropriate, consistent referencing skills employed throughout, with a few minor errors.

Final references laid out correctly with just one or two minor errors

All sources cited in the text are given in the final reference list and vice-versa.

Academic writing style is excellent with very few stylistic slips.

Graphical/visual data is of excellent quality (incl. titles, key, labelling axes etc.). Correct choice of appropriate diagrammatic style.

Addresses the title fully. Focused on the topic. Good coverage of subject matter.

Good synthesis and evaluation of material in the literature review though may seem over dependent on a few key sources.

The student critiques in great detail the methodology, methods and analysis of data from the chosen sources.

Examining the significance and limitations of own research, with thoughtful comments on the researcher’s experience/methods.

Findings are discussed, including good   detail in some parts.

Reference to the research questions and the literature shows critical awareness, though may be unclear or overly simplistic in places.

There is a strong attempt to deal with research questions and reach conclusions.

Most paragraphs show good structure and supporting statements.

Chapter introductions and conclusions may be evident.

Good use of topic sentences and signposting in most sections.

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Appropriate referencing skills are demonstrated most of the time, with some minor errors or one or two major errors (e.g. missing references).

Final references are largely correct with some minor errors or one or two consistent/ systematic errors.

Almost all sources cited in the text are given in the final reference list and vice-versa.

Academic writing style is very good, with some lapses which don’t undermine overall style.

Graphical/visual data is of very good quality (incl. titles, key, labelling axes etc.). Correct choice of appropriate diagrammatic style.

Addresses the title but may be unclear in parts. Identifies some relevant issues. Good coverage of most subject matter, though some areas may be overlooked or confused.

Shows some evidence of synthesis and evaluation in the literature review though may be somewhat simplistic or rely on too few sources.

The student critiques in detail the methodology, methods and analysis of data from the chosen sources.

Examining the significance and limitations of own research, with comments on the researcher’s experience/methods.

Findings are discussed simply with some detail.

There is a reasonable attempt to reference the research questions and the literature shows some critical awareness, though may be unclear or overly simplistic in places.

There is some attempt to deal with research questions and reach conclusions, though this may not always be satisfactory.

Most paragraphs show good structure and supporting statements; however, some paragraphs may be overly long/short and contain more than one idea

Chapter introductions and conclusions may be evident but may be too long/too short;

Attempts are made to use topic sentences and signposting in several sections, but this is often unclear.

Appropriate referencing skills are demonstrated, but inconsistencies and/ or errors are common.

Final references show understanding of Harvard referencing conventions but contain several inconsistencies and/ or errors.

Some sources cited in the text are given in the final reference list and vice-versa.

Generally acceptable academic writing style, though some elements may be weak.

Graphical/visual data is of good quality (incl. titles, key, labelling axes etc.). Choice of diagrammatic style may be inappropriate in some cases.

Diagrams used to good effect in the text.

Addresses the title but may have undeveloped grasp of the topic.

Key areas are covered but some may be are overlooked or confused.

Some evidence of attempts to evaluate or synthesise are evident in the literature review.

There may be gaps or omissions in literature.

The student attempts to critique the methodology, methods and analysis of data from the chosen sources though the depth may be limited.

Examining the significance and limitations of own research, with some comments on the researcher’s experience/methods.

Findings are discussed with some accuracy, but this section is overly simplistic.

References to the research questions and literature are present but are too brief or are unclear.

Conclusions are reached but may be limited or unsatisfactory.

Fair attempt made at paragraphing but there may be persistent errors with formatting

Introductions and conclusions are present, but some components may be missing or underdeveloped.

Links between sections may be underdeveloped at times.

Attempts are made to reference throughout, but skills are weak with frequent errors.

Final references contain frequent errors and/ or inconsistencies.

Several sources cited in the text are not mentioned in the final reference list and vice-versa.

Acceptable academic style, though not always consistent. Occasional use of personal and/or informal language.

Graphical/visual data is basic quality: (limited attempt at titles, key, labelling axes etc.). Choice of diagrammatic style may be inappropriate at times.

Demonstrates limited knowledge and weak understanding of the topic. Does not contain sufficient relevant material to pass.

Mostly descriptive. Only very little awareness of the necessity to synthesise and evaluate ideas is present in the literature review. No use of evidence for discussion

The student critiques in detail the methodology, methods and analysis of data from the chosen sources without clear understanding.

Limited examination of the significance and limitations of own research, with little comment on the researcher’s experience/methods.

Writing style is often inappropriate and language problems may limit intelligibility in many sections.

Graphical/visual data is of poor quality (incl. titles, key, labelling axes etc.). Choice of diagrammatic style may be inappropriate in most cases.

Diagrams used with limited effect in the text