Assignment: Project Pitch Criteria Comments Introduction (10%) • • Introduces the problem or area of interest. • • Explains the relevance of the topic and field of knowledge. • • Provides smooth transition to the next section of pitch. Statement of Problem or Question (10%) • • Specifies clearly the problem or purpose of the project pitch. • • States concisely the research questions, including strong business case. • • Provides smooth transition to the next section of project pitch. Literature Review (25%) • • Summarizes concisely 5‐10 literature items (what, when, where, how). • • Avoids excessive use of direct quotes. • • Develops a storyline among the conceptual theories that links each item to the problem. • • Critiques, analyzes, and synthesizes the literature. • • Identifies the gaps, problems and issues unresolved by the literature. Methodology (25%) • • Describes and justifies research paradigm, data gathering methods and design of research. • • Describes the sample, context, planned data analysis, and timeline. • • Justifies the methodology in relation to the research topic or problem. Significance of the Project Pitch (20%) • • Convinces the reader of the importance of the project pitch. • • Identifies the theoretical and practical significance of the pitch. • • Speculates on implications of anticipated findings. Writing Qualities (10%) • • Writing is clear and concise. • • Subheadings used to clarify organization. • • Length appropriate ‐ no more than 500 words. • • Writing is in active voice, future and present verb tense as much as possible. • • Your voice is present and distinct from article authors. • • Grammar, spelling, and punctuation are correct. • • Harvard format is followed for writing, citations and bibliography. Subject to approval by the external examiner Consultancy Project Report Marking Criteria Distinction (70%+) Merit (60-69%) Pass (50-59%) Fail (0-49%) Scoping of the Strategic challenge (max 15 marks) • Excellent scoping of the consultancy project brief in the context of the client’s strategic challenges • Comprehensive background information, definitions and rationale. • Project aim and objectives effectively identified. • Very good scoping of the consultancy project brief in the context of the client’s strategic challenges • Good background information, definitions and rationale. • Clearly identifies project aim and objectives. • Sufficient scoping of the consultancy project brief in the context of the client’s strategic challenges • Some good background information but lacking in some aspects. • Identifies project aim and objectives but lacking detail, clarity or appropriateness in some aspects • Limited scoping of the consultancy project brief in the context of the client’s strategic challenges • Background information has some relevance but is lacking in some key aspects • No or limited identification of project aim and objectives Research Design and Data Collection Process (max 20 marks) • Demonstratesavery clear synthesis of academic rationale for research design. • Methodshighly relevant to purpose with evidence of exploring alternative methods and choices well justified. • Criticalevaluation • Overallapproachvery well planned and executed. • Demonstratesaclear synthesis of academic rationale for research design but perhaps not always well articulated. • Methodslargely relevant to purpose with evidence of exploring alternative methods but incomplete justification. • Somecritical evaluation • Generallywellplanned and executed. • Someacademic rationale for research design but lacking detail in areas. • Methodsnotrelevantto purpose in all aspects but has some good aspects. Justification for choice is limited. • Allelementsof sampling theory adequately addressed • Evaluationhasbeen attempted but is limited in terms of a critical approach. • There may be shortcomings in the planning and execution. • Limitedmethodological rationale. • Methodshavesome relevance to purpose but have been insufficiently planned and executed. Justification for choice is very limited. • Samplingtheory addressed but limited with omissions. • Evaluationisattempted and applied but is poor. • Overallplanningand execution weak. Data Analysis and Analytical Framework Used (max 30 marks) • Clear and unambiguous presentation of data. • Relevant, rigorous and thorough analysis. • Very critical discussion and evaluation of findings. • Excellent choice of analytical frameworks used with clear rationale • Excellent understanding and application of analytical frameworks employed • Clearpresentationof data with few errors. • Relevantandthorough analysis. • Gooddiscussionand evaluation of findings. • Goodchoiceof analytical frameworks used with a reasonable rationale • Goodunderstanding and application of analytical frameworks employed • Generallyclear presentation of data but some errors. • Relevantanalysisbut lacks thorough approach. • Discussionand evaluation of findings lacks rigour but some useful findings. • Reasonable choice of analytical frameworks used but not all of them are the most suitable; rationale for employing the frameworks chosen is not clear/missing • Basic understanding and application of analytical frameworks employed • Presentationofdatais limited or lacks clarity. • Analysisisbasicinmany areas. • Discussionand evaluation is superficial or relies on unsupported assertions. • Choiceofanalytical frameworks used is inappropriate; rationale for employing the frameworks chosen is missing or irrelevant. • Limitedunderstanding and application of analytical frameworks employed with gaps or flaws Consultant Recommendations and Conclusion (max 25 marks) • Very clear & fully logically following from the analysis • Highly relevant & valuable for the client • Clear & following from the analysis • Relevant & valuable for the client • Sound recommendations • Partially relevant or somewhat feasible for client • Limited or superficial recommendations • Irrelevant or not feasible for client Overall coherence & presentation, Executive Summary (max 10 marks) Excellent structure& signposting & balance between text & visual data. Application of highly appropriate language & terminology. Excellent referencing. Excellently written executive summary which is to-the-point and • Very good structure, signposting & balance between text & visual data. • Application of appropriate language & terminology. • Good referencing • Executive summary contains key issues • Attemptstofollowan acceptable style and fulfils most of the requirements. • Notpresentedwith maximum clarity and sometimes difficult to follow the argument. • Acceptablereferencing • Acceptable executive summary that contains • Attemptstofollowan acceptable style and fulfils some of the requirements. • Presentedwithlimited clarity and difficult to follow the argument in many places. • Inappropriate/inadequate referencing or referencing is missing contains all key issues that are supposed to be covered that are supposed to be covered most key issues that are supposed to be covered but could be better articulated and more to-the-point Executivesummarynot appropriate or missing