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Marking the MInf Project Planning Course

Note to moderators (and 1st and 2nd markers)

The MInf project plan is marked on the basis of the submitted document. Considerations of how well the student worked cannot be used to alter the mark. This is particularly important for moderators to bear in mind - they must adjudicate without giving credit to considerations of this kind.

Marking Criteria

BASIC CRITERIA

• Understanding of the problem
• Completeness of the document
• Clarity of the document

ADDITIONAL CRITERIA

• Identification of problem and hypothesis
• Knowledge of the literature
• Critical evaluation of previous work
• Justification of proposed methods and techniques
• Justification of proposed evaluation methodology
• Clarity and quality of work plan

EXCEPTIONAL CRITERIA

• Evidence of originality
• Outstanding scholarship or potential for generating publishable research

Notes for Guidance

Your ultimate aim is to allocate an overall numerical mark on the University-wide scale:

Ord. < 40% ≤ III < 50% ≤ II.2 < 60% ≤ II.1 < 70% ≤ I

To arrive at a mark, follow the guidelines given below. These refer to the criteria listed in the Assessment Form.

0-19: Bad Fail

The plan is inadequate in each of the basic criteria.

20-29: Clear Fail

The plan is inadequate in more than one of the basic criteria, but not all.

30-39: Marginal Fail

The plan is inadequate in one of the basic criteria.

40-49: III

The plan is adequate on each of the basic criteria.

50-59: II.2

The plan is at least average on each of the basic criteria and is average on most of the additional criteria.

60-69: II.1

The plan is at least good on each of the basic criteria and is at least average and sometimes good or excellent on each of the additional criteria.

70-79: Low I

The plan is good or excellent on all the basic and additional criteria.

80-89: High I

The plan is good or excellent on all the basic and additional criteria and also has elements of the exceptional criteria.

90-100: Outstanding I

The plan is excellent on all the basic and additional criteria, and has strong elements of the exceptional criteria.

Interpreting the criteria

Many plans will not fit neatly into any category, e.g. strong on additional criteria, but weak on a basic one. In this case you are asked to trade one criterion off against another as best you can, bearing in mind that failure on a basic criterion is a serious fault.

The aim of the course is to develop the skills required to write a structured project proposal, including critical evaluation of research literature, identification of key hypotheses and methodological approaches, justification of experimental design choices, and attention to project management issues. The plan should be assessed on the evidence that these have been demonstrated.

Independent marking

Your mark should be arrived at without consultation with the other marker. However, markers are at liberty to discuss their assessments after recording their Independent Mark. Where an agreed compromise is readily obtained an Agreed Mark can be recorded.