Assessment Guideline, Research Reports

A research report provides an in-depth analysis of a topic. The report is only useful to target readers if (1) it contains key information about the researched topic, (2) the information is correctly reported and (3) it is easy to read and digest. A report is particularly useful if it contains insightful analysis.

I use the following marking scheme:

• 0-9% Something submitted, but it is incomprehensible; there is some effort
• 10-19% Report difficult to read, student confused, but good effort shown
• 20-29% Report difficult to read but readable, student slightly confused, but good effort shown
• 30-39% Poor presentation, student confused, but report make some sense; good effort shown
• 40-49% Presentation may be weak, student may be confused, but good effort shown; report captures some of the key concepts in the researched topic.

Note: 50% is pass mark for postgraduate modules. A report would fail if it misleads the readers or it is poorly presented, or the report is incomprehensible

• 50-59% Weak report, but cover some of the key points, albeit plain and disorganised; most information reported must be correct though minor flaws will be tolerated; weak English tolerated
• 60-69% Good effort, most important concepts in the topic reported; all information reported must be correct; the report is well-organized; flaws tolerated

Note: 70% is distinction mark. A distinction report must have something *special*
Essential quality: The subject must be thoroughly researched. The presentation must look professional; it must be readable and spell checked. Something special must be present, e.g.: The report has:

• correctly summarised all the key concepts in the topic,
• provided insightful analysis on the topic, or
• professionally organised the material to make it easy to read and digest for those who have not conducted research on the topic.

• 70-79% as specified above
• 80-89% Something more special, e.g. insightful analysis is provided
• 90-100% Professional summary, easy to read and digest, insightful analysis