MNG81001 MANAGEMENT COMMUNICATION Assessment 2 EVALUATION Document design Memo format Due Date Friday 18TH AUGUST 11.59PM (QLD time) Length 750 words (+/- 10%) Weight 25% As discerning individuals, we frequently engage in an evaluation process. For example, before we make any major purchase, be it a house, a car, or a computer, we will evaluate/compare the purchase by examining similarities and differences between two or more items that make the most sense based on our own perceptions of value for money. Even a decision on which restaurant to eat at will involve comparing different features between restaurants such as the menu choice or ease of parking. For this assessment, you will engage in a thorough evaluation/comparison and write an internal document (memo) based on your findings. The purpose of this assessment is to teach you the skills of writing an effective evaluation/comparison. This is Assessment task Managers in almost every organisation have incorporated the Internet as a part of their information technology strategies. Most large organisations, and many small ones, are involved in some type of e-business (commonly defined as any business that takes place by digital processes over a computer network). Your boss, the CEO of Silk Road Furnishings, a retail business that imports premium home furnishings from China and India, selling them through their stores in Melbourne and Sydney, is considering expansion; however, there are two schools of thought. One is to duplicate the success with more ‘physical stores’, by expansion to Brisbane and Auckland. Others feel that the expansion and investment should be through the establishment of an online store. Until now, the online presence has been just a small website without even much of a catalogue. In order to make a decision between these two strategies, your boss has asked you to review the online presence and physical store presence of any retail company already operating in these two markets. The aim of the evaluation is to identify the similarities and differences of having an online and physical store presence. You will need to visit the selected physical store. While there, take notes about the strengths and weaknesses of the operation based on your selected criteria that you will use to compare with the online presence. Each student will need to select a different retailer to avoid duplication. Based on your evaluation, you will need to inform your boss if expansion should be more physical stores or not. Your conclusion will form the thesis for your evaluation. Please note that your task is to evaluate, not make recommendations. Please follow these guidelines to complete the assessment: 1. Whenever you are asked to evaluate something, the first step is to identify appropriate criteria (note: criteria is plural; criterion is singular) or perspectives. Your selected criteria will be the standard by which the specific features of the sources of information you review will be evaluated. As such, your selected criteria needs to reflect the desired standard; for example, ‘start-up costs’, ‘service’. 2. Generate a short list of ideas for each perspective. 3. Use the point-by-point structure. A point-by-point structure takes each point related to the central question in the writing task in turn. It compares the items in the writing task in relation to each point. (This will be discussed in your tutorial session). Online students will be sent guidelines. 4. Organise your ideas into a memo format. 5. Write your introduction. 6. Write the body of the memo using your structure and outline. Include language of comparison and contrast. 7. Write your conclusion. 8. Submit Assessment 2 to Turnitin via the Blackboard site no later that the due date: Friday 18th August, 11.00pm (QLD time). 9. Refer to the Marking Criteria Guide and Marking Rubric located in this document. 10. Your methodology should include both personal observation based on a visit to a retail store, as well as Internet research.   PRIOS/CDT brief for Assessment 2: 1. Purpose: The purpose for this document is to evaluate libraries and the Internet as the two main sources of information for use in academic research 2. Readers: Your boss (the CEO of Silk Road Furnishings). 3. Information: Based on Internet research. 4. Organization: Direct order approach (start with you most significant criterion, etc.) 5. Style: Formal. Focus on being clear and concise, not flowery or overly-descriptive. Be sure to proofread carefully to ensure that there are no sentence-level errors such as spelling mistakes, wrong word choice, incorrect punctuation, etc. 6. Channel choice: Written document. 7. Document design: Memo format. 8. Length: 750 words. (covered in lecture and tutorials – Reading 4)   Please note: 1. All applications for Special Consideration need to be submitted before the due date of the assessment item. For more information see http://scu.edu.au/students/index.php/30 and Rule 3 - Coursework Awards - Student Assessment and Examinations http://policies.scu.edu.au/view.current.php?id=0014 Computer failure will not be accepted as a reason for missing an assessment deadline: you are strongly advised to backup all of your work, for example on a USB flash drive, to ensure that you are still able to submit to a deadline in the event of a computer related failure. 2. In cases where there are no accepted mitigating circumstances as determined through Special Consideration procedures, late submission of assessment tasks will lead automatically to the imposition of a penalty. Penalties will be applied for late submissions as soon as the deadline is reached. 3. Students are reminded of the extremely serious view the University takes with regard to plagiarism and are strongly advised to read the university’s policies on academic integrity and the penalties associated with academic misconduct (see: https://policies.scu.edu.au/ view.current.php?id=00142, as well as information in the UIG).   Marking criteria/weighting Evaluation criteria Task Weighting 1.Purpose & Audience Understanding and addressing the question Has the student understood the task and covered the key points? Does the response adequately address the topic and task? Does this document take into account the needs of the audience? Does this document provide adequate information for the reader? Does the writer thoroughly address any potential questions from the reader? 40% 2. Structure & Organisation Thesis/argument, introduction, conclusion, paragraphs. Using referencing in your writing (paraphrasing, synthesising and quotations). Is there a clear structure to the response? Does the introduction, body and conclusion contain all the identifying features ? Do the paragraphs contain one main idea that is explored using relevant evidence? 30% 3.Research & Language Integrating evidence (paraphrasing, synthesising and quotations) Referencing – in-text (citing) and reference list. Sentences – spelling, punctuation, grammar. Is there evidence of research? Is it properly referenced? Are source materials properly integrated and referenced in-text? Is there a range of vocabulary? Are sentences grammatically correct? Are sentences accurate and complete? Has a spell check been used? Is spelling accurate? 30% Fail Pass Credit Distinction High Distinction 0 - 49 50 - 64 65 - 74 75 - 84 85 - 100 <12.5 12.5 – 15.5 16 – 18 18.5 – 20.5 21+ Multiple parts of the assignment are missing or incomplete. Student fails to answer the question. Essential elements are imprecise or absent. Work at a level that would be considered basic. Key elements are presented but could be further developed and given ore depth. Most aspects included in a final, well-developed form. The assignment contains all required elements and is of the highest order.   1. Purpose and Audience (40%) 2. Structure and Organisation (30%) 3. Research and Language Use (30%) High Distinction (34 – 40) High Distinction (25.5 – 30) High Distinction (25.5 – 30) All aspects of the assessment are comprehensively and appropriately explored, supported and covered. The writer’s position and/or purpose is clear and fully developed throughout the assessment. All ideas are relevant and appropriate for the audience. Reference to required number of relevant sources. The specified word length is met (750 words +/– 10%). Writing communicates meaning clearly and achieves purpose of the task. The introduction is solid and thorough and includes all identifying features. Strong and relevant thesis statement with controlling idea(s) linked to topic sentences. Conclusion clearly relates back to the title, thesis statement and main points. Presents a well-defined summary of the whole paper. Well-defined argument. Information and ideas are logically organised and easily followed. Cohesion between sentences and paragraphs is highly effective, and all internal headings are used effectively and sufficiently. Paragraphing is used appropriately and skillfully. Format enhances readability of the paper. Paraphrases and synthesises information in own words; cites the originating author(s) and provides the corresponding reference. Quotes (where appropriate) used sparingly and cited correctly. Information is correctly referenced following the SCU Harvard style for both in-text and end-of-text referencing. A wide range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately (for audience); spelling is correct. A wide range of grammatical structures are used accurately and appropriately throughout with no errors (incl. punctuation errors. Distinction (30 – 33.5) Distinction (22.5 – 25) Distinction (22.5 – 25) All aspects of the assessment are addressed and supported sufficiently and appropriately. The writer’s position and/or purpose is clear and well-developed. The specified word length is met (750 words +/– 10%). Information and ideas are relevant and appropriate for the audience (minor lapses may occur). Writing communicates meaning to a satisfactory level and achieves purpose of the task. The introduction is clear and appropriate and includes all identifying features. Appropriate and relevant thesis statement with controlling idea(s) linked to topic sentences. Conclusion clearly relates back to the title, thesis statement and main points. Presents a good summary of the whole paper. The organisation of information and ideas is logical (only minor lapses/loss of coherence occur). Cohesion between sentences and paragraphs is often very effective, and internal headings are often effective and sufficient. Paragraphing is appropriate. Each paragraph has one clear main idea (lapses are rare). Paraphrases and synthesises information in own words; cites the originating author(s) and provides the corresponding reference. Quotes (where appropriate) used sparingly and cited correctly In-text and end-of-text referencing is mostly accurate (some minor inconsistencies/inaccuracies) A range of vocabulary is used accurately and appropriately (for audience); minor spelling errors. A range of grammatical structures are appropriately used; some minor errors, (incl. punctuation errors).   Credit (26 – 29) Credit (19.5 – 22) Credit (19.5 – 22) Nearly all aspects of the assessment are addressed with appropriate support (although more support may be needed in some areas). The writer’s position and/or purpose are generally developed and clear. The specified word length is met (750 words +/– 10%). Most information and ideas are extended sufficiently, but there may be a minor lack of clarity or focus and/or relevance in some supporting ideas/material. Writing generally communicates effectively but logic and meaning not always clear. The introduction is adequate; outlines identifying features but greater clarity required. The thesis statement makes an overly broad claim and is somewhat ambiguous in meaning. Conclusion addresses most main areas adequately. Information and ideas are generally organised logically (lapses/loss of coherence may occur). Cohesion between sentences and paragraphs is helpful (although errors, repetitive use, or underuse occur), and some internal headings are well-managed. Paragraphing is generally effective and appropriate but may not always be logical, and/or the main idea of the paragraph may not always be clear. Most attempts at paraphrasing and synthesising are sufficient, accurate, and appropriate; cites the originating author(s) and provides the corresponding reference. Quotes (where appropriate) used sparingly and mostly cited correctly. Some errors in the SCU Harvard reference style - in-text and end-of-text referencing. Vocabulary is generally used adequately, accurately and appropriately (for audience), some spelling errors. Grammatical structures are generally used accurately and appropriately, although errors (incl. punctuation errors) occur, and these may impede communication. Pass (20 – 25.5) Pass (15 – 19) Pass (15 – 19) Most major aspects of the assessment are addressed (minor aspects may be missing), but some parts lack appropriate support and/or extension. The format of the assessment may not be appropriate and/or the specified word length (750 words +/-10%) is not met. The writer’s position and/or purpose lacks clarity. Information and ideas may be insufficiently extended for the audience, and there may be a lack of clarity and/or relevance. There may be some repetition. Writing generally communicates adequately but logic and meaning not always clear. Some aspects of the introduction are sufficient; although at times overly vague with broad generalisations; greater clarity and direction needed. Thesis statement makes an overly general claim and is somewhat ambiguous in meaning. Conclusion attempted but does not appropriately sum up findings or link back to the Information and ideas may not always have a clear progression, and there may be a lack of coherence in some areas. Cohesion between sentences and paragraphs is sometimes helpful (although errors, repetitive use, or underuse occur), but internal headings may be missing and/or inappropriate. Paragraphing is evident but may not always be logical and/or the main idea of some paragraphs is unclear. Most attempts at paraphrasing and synthesising are insufficient, inaccurate, and/or inappropriate; not all originating author(s) cited with corresponding reference. Overreliance on quotes (where appropriate); some errors in citation. In-text and end-of-text referencing lacks accuracy and/or consistency. Vocabulary is adequate but is sometimes used inaccurately and/or inappropriately (for audience), and spelling errors may occur. Grammatical structures lack accuracy, and errors (incl. punctuation errors) impede communication.   Fail (0 – 19.5) Fail (0 – 14.5) Fail (0 – 14.5) The requirements of assessment are not sufficiently covered and/or supported. The format of the assessment is not appropriate. The specified word length exceeds 825 words/is less than 675 words. The writer’s position and purpose often lacks clarity. Information and ideas are insufficiently extended and/or supported for the audience. Those presented are often irrelevant, repetitive and/or inadequate. Logic and meaning not clear. The introduction is poorly written; does not address the main identifying features (purpose, thesis statement and blueprint). No thesis statement provided. No logical conclusion. Fails to summarise the main ideas which have been discussed or make a final comment about the paper’s main idea. Information and ideas lack a clear progression and coherence. Cohesion between sentences and paragraphs is often erroneous or missing, and internal headings are missing and/or inappropriate. Paragraphing may be missing, and the main idea of paragraphs is often unclear. Evidence of paraphrasing plagiarism; original author's words moved around, while summarising the main ideas; fails to cite the original author(s) and to provide the corresponding bibliographic reference. Overreliance on (>10%) or no quotes. Fails to follow Harvard referencing style for both in-text and end-of-text referencing. Vocabulary is often inadequate, inappropriate (for audience) and inaccurate; words often incorrect or incorrectly used; substantial spelling errors. Grammatical structures lack accuracy, and errors (incl. punctuation errors) strain communication. Attempts at paraphrasing are insufficient, inaccurate, and/or inappropriate.