Description
Your task is to carry out and write up a detailed piece of research relating to a relevant issue concerning the disciplines of international shipping, logistics and supply chain management. Structure The following aspects should be included in your thesis: • Introduction, establishing your chosen topic, explaining the rationale for your research and justifying the subsequent structure of your project. This section should also include a formal Aim and a list of formal Objectives. • Literature review, critically contextualising your research topic • Methodology, outlining and justifying the research design, approach & strategy; detailing the data gathering techniques & data analysis methods that were used; explaining eventual research limitations; with a timeframe for all of the above • Coherent presentation and analysis of your results • Discussion and interpretation of the key findings in light of the aim and the literature review you have provided. This is where you prove whether you have achieved your aim and objectives or, if not, explain why you were unable to do so • Conclusion, summing up your contributions, its limitations, and providing recommendations for future research.
SOUTHAMPTON SOLENT UNIVERSITY
MARITIME AND TECHNOLOGY FACULTY
Assessment Brief
Assessment Details
Unit Title:
Project
Unit Code:
IMS709/EMA710
Unit Leader:
Dr Alex Dimitriadis
Level:
7
Assessment Title:
Project
Assessment Number:
AE1
Assessment Type:
Dissertation
Restrictions on Time/Length:
12000 words (+/- 10%)
Consequence of not meeting time/word count limit:
It is essential that assignments keep within the time/word count limit stated above. Any work beyond the maximum time/word length permitted will be disregarded and not accounted for in the final grade.
Individual/Group:
Individual
Assessment Weighting:
100%
Issue Date:
Week starting 20-Jan-20
Hand In Date: 14-09-2020
Planned Feedback Date:
within 20 working days of the submission date
(this does not apply to work submitted late)
Mode of Submission:
Online via turnitin
Number of copies to be submitted: Electronic upload via Turnitin
Anonymous Marking
This assessment will be exempt from anonymous marking as it falls within an exempt category under the University’s Anonymous Marking Policy.
Assessment Task
Your task is to carry out and write up a detailed piece of research relating to a relevant issue concerning the disciplines of international shipping, logistics and supply chain management. Please refer to the unit handbook for more information.
Structure
The following aspects should be included in your thesis:
• Introduction, establishing your chosen topic, explaining the rationale for your research and justifying the subsequent structure of your project. This section should also include a formal Aim and a list of formal Objectives.
• Literature review, critically contextualising your research topic
• Methodology, outlining and justifying the research design, approach & strategy; detailing the data gathering techniques & data analysis methods that were used; explaining eventual research limitations; with a timeframe for all of the above
• Coherent presentation and analysis of your results
• Discussion and interpretation of the key findings in light of the aim and the literature review you have provided. This is where you prove whether you have achieved your aim and objectives or, if not, explain why you were unable to do so
• Conclusion, summing up your contributions, its limitations, and providing recommendations for future research.
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Assessment Criteria:
1. Clarity and organization of research
2. Efficacy of the data gathering techniques employed
3. Collection and interpretation of evidence
4. The level of critical analysis
5. Presentation
Learning Outcomes Assessed:
Knowledge and Understanding
K1 Deploy systematic and in-depth understanding of existing knowledge and practice within a specialised subject area or field.
K2 Engage effectively with ideas, practices and methods at the forefront of the subject or profession and explore the boundaries of existing knowledge or current practice and potential developments.
Cognitive Skills
C1 Independently and critically synthesise, analyse and evaluate complex information, ideas, data or propositions that may be incomplete or contradictory and that include aspects of new knowledge or cutting-edge practice.
C2 Demonstrate initiative in designing approaches and methodologies to address complex problems, both abstract and practical, and show some originality in the solutions or conclusions reached and their justification.
Practical and Professional
P1 Display expertise and autonomy in conducting research tasks to a professional or equivalent level.
P2 Develop and produce an extended research project in a subject specific area, arguing or substantiating decisions convincingly.
Transferable and Key Skills
T1 Work autonomously to produce research that meets the requirements and expectations of a professional organisation.
T2 Engage competently in academic and professional communication with others
The learning outcomes listed above can be cross-referenced with the unit syllabus.
Extenuating Circumstances
The University’s Extenuating Circumstances procedures are in place if there are genuine circumstances that may have affected your academic performance. Remember however you need to be ‘fit to study’, this means that you can either submit your assessed work or declare extenuating circumstances, but you cannot do both.
A summary of guidance notes for students is given below:
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http://portal.solent.ac.uk/support/health-wellbeing/counselling-mentalhealth/our-policies/extenuating-circumstances.aspx
Academic Misconduct
Any submissions must be your own work and, where facts or ideas have been used from other sources, these sources must be appropriately referenced. The University’s Academic Handbook, includes the definitions of all practices that will be deemed to constitute academic misconduct. You should check this link before submitting your work.
Procedures relating to student academic misconduct are given below:
https://portal.solent.ac.uk/documents/academic-services/academic-handbook/section-2/2l-student-academic-misconduct.pdf
Ethics Policy
The work being carried out by the student must be in compliance with the Ethics Policy of the University. All students must complete an online Ethics Release Checklist. This should then be included as an Appendix within the Project.
https://portal.solent.ac.uk/portal-apps/ethics/ethics-form.aspx
Where there is an ethical issue, and your proposal does not satisfy the criteria for an Ethics Release you will automatically be prompted to complete a Request for Ethical Approval Form (REAF).
Assessment Prepared by ………………………Signature………………….. Date: ……
Internally Moderated by ………………………Signature…………………….. Date: ……
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Assessment criteria
Grade
Keywords used for grading
A1 – A4
The topic is highly relevant and innovative and the aim and objectives are both clearly stated and specific.
There is a comprehensive use of current and relevant literature, including its evaluation, application and use in discussing the specific research. Appropriate method(s) are selected, described and justified critically.
The methodology is applied fully and appropriate information is collected, and analysed in full. The results are presented clearly and can be replicated if other wish to do so.
The findings are evaluated critically and rigorously, and fully discussed in context with current literature.
There are analytical and clear conclusions, demonstrating complete appreciation of findings and context. Logical recommendations are developed, with the implementation fully considered.
The presentation is of a professional standard and includes an appropriate academic writing style; excellent grammar and spelling; and consistently accurate referencing to a recognised standard.
B1 – B3
The topic is relevant and the aim and objectives are both clearly stated and specific.
There is a clear and logical use of current and relevant literature, and application in discussing the specific research. Appropriate method(s) are selected, described and justified.
The methodology is applied and appropriate information is collected, and analysed. The results are presented clearly.
The findings are evaluated and discussed in context with current literature.
Clear conclusions are drawn based on the findings and context. Logical recommendations are developed.
The presentation is of a high standard and includes an appropriate academic writing style; a good standard of grammar and spelling; and consistently accurate referencing to a recognised standard.
5
C1 – C3
The topic is relevant and the aim and objectives are both clearly stated.
There is a logical use of current and relevant literature. Appropriate method(s) are selected and described, and this is applied to collect information, which is then analysed. The results are presented.
The findings are evaluated and discussed in context with current literature.
Conclusions are drawn based on the findings and context and recommendations are developed.
The presentation is of a reasonable standard and includes an appropriate academic writing style; a good standard of grammar and spelling; and accurate referencing to a recognised standard.
D1 – D3
The topic is relevant and the aim and objectives are stated.
There is a logical use of current and relevant literature though relevant areas are missing.
Method(s) are selected and described, and this is applied to collect information, which is then analysed. The results are presented. The methods lack justification and the presentation of the results is overly simplistic.
The findings are considered but the discussion lacks depth and is superficial in nature.
Conclusions are drawn based on the findings.
The presentation is weak with numerous grammatical and/ or spelling errors. The academic writing style is appropriate but referencing is poor.
F1 – F4
There is no clear aim and objectives and the focus of the research is vague.
The work lacks significant elements.
Inappropriate method(s) are employed, with no attempt to develop or justify selection. The results are too limited to ascertain any meaningful findings and subsequently both analysis and evaluation is weak.
Structure and presentation disorganised, with significant number of typographical errors. Poor use of language and grammar. Referencing not to a recognised standard
