Coursework Information Sheet

To be supplied to students when they receive the coursework assignment task

Unit Co-ordinator: Pauline Loewenberger
Unit Name: Theory into Practice 2016-17 S1
Unit Code: SHR060-6 and pathways SHR071-6; SHR072-6; SHR073-6; SHR074-6;
SHR075-6; SHR076-6; SHR077-6
Title of Coursework: Assignment 1: Poster Presentation
% weighting of final unit grade: 20%
Feedback details
The university policy is that you will receive prompt feedback on your work within 15
working days of the submission date. Exceptionally where this is not achievable (for
example due to staff sickness) you will be notified as soon as possible of the revised
date and the reasons behind the change.
10 am 24th October 2016 (coursework)
Poster presentation week commencing 24th October
th
Feedback Date: 14 November 2016
Details of how to access the feedback: Via BREO
Submission Date:

Note the Learning Outcomes

Poster presentations will take place in Week 4. You will be advised of the day and
time of your slot.

You will need to upload your introduction to BREO by the deadline.

Your work will be assessed using the assessment criteria grading grid on the final
page.

Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate a critical appreciation of theoretical knowledge and understanding from diverse
elements of your MBA studies and integrate to create a tangible deliverable.
3. Demonstrate your ability to synthesise theory and practice through secondary research and
analysis skills.

To achieve the learning outcomes you will need to:

Justify a choice of project and appraise its feasibility.

Formulate a plan for a major project by developing aims and objectives and designing an
outline method of analysis.

Determine theories that may be appropriate for the project.

The TIP Project deepens your exploration of the implementation of business decisions. The
assessment requires you to consider in depth one aspect of the implementation of decisions.
You will be offered a selection of topics or you may select your own, subject to approval by
your tutor. For Assignment 1 you will need to develop the introduction for your project and
present this as a poster (or a single PowerPoint slide) that clearly outlines the plan under the
following headings:

rationale, scope, aim, objectives, theoretical underpinning, method of

analysis and evidence. These will be discussed in the briefing sessions designed to support
you in progressively developing your project through each of these stages.
Assignment 1 General Guidelines
1. Choose a topic which is concerned with the contemporary application of theory into
practice.
2. Interpret this as meaning that the topic should examine the problems of
implementation of strategy or some other major plan to inform decision making and
change. This will integrate different areas of the MBA. For students on pathways
this must integrate the pathway specialism.
3. You have a lot of freedom in choosing a topic. This will be discussed in the briefings.
4. You must start off with a clear rationale, scope, aim and careful, welldefined objectives
5. You must consider the method of analysis (not methodology) and availability of evidence
(data) to meet the aim and objectives
6. You will need to demonstrate the relevance and feasibility of your project
7. Referencing must be complete and in the Harvard format.

Planning your project is essential to successful completion:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Choose a topic (mind map).

What is the area of interest and the scope of your project?
Why is this important?
Will this lead to useful insights?
Set one clear Aim and clear Objectives
Select an appropriate method of analysis
Identify relevant source of evidence (data)

Present your planned project as a poster/one single

PowerPoint slide to effectively communicate:

Potential for insightful critical evaluation

Scope, aim and objectives

Application of theory to practice

Evidence

Method of Analysis

A second PowerPoint slide should include the full

bibliographic details of sources in Harvard format

Assessment evaluation criteria

Criteria

Theory in Practice

Excellent
Justifies a precisely
relevant choice of
project and clearly
appraises its
feasibility. Insightful
critical evaluation of
appropriate and recent
theory (ies) and with
good evidence of
independent reading.

Commendable

Good

Satisfactory

Justifies a good choice of

project and clearly
appraises its feasibility.
Insightful and critical
evaluation of recent theory
(ies) and with some
evidence of independent
reading.

Justifies a reasonable
choice of project and
appraises its feasibility
Critical evaluation of
recent theories but with
limited evidence of wider
reading.

Justifies a choice of
project and appraises
its feasibility.
Critical evaluation of
appropriate recent
theories. Lack of
clarity about practical
implementation issues.

Weak application of
appropriate recent
theories. Fails to
demonstrate detailed
understanding.

Formulates a plan for a

major project by
developing aims and
objectives and designing
an outline method of
analysis. No real
originality or organisation..

Formulates a plan for

a major project by
developing aims and
objectives and
designing an outline
method of analysis.
Some gaps in
reasoning.

Based on assertions
and uncertain
evidence. Arguments
are weak and cannot
be sustained. A
random collection of
statements with little
attempt to use
evidence to support
the arguments

A random colle
of statements w
attempt to u
evidence to su
the argume
Nothing of va
the task.

Identification of sources of
evidence and method of
analysis. Aligned to aim
and objectives.

Identification of
sources of evidence
and method of
analysis. Alignment to
aim and objectives is
not entirely clear.

Sources of evidence
and/or method of
analysis unclear.
Lacking alignment to
aim and objectives.

Fails to iden
relevant sourc
evidence an
method of ana

Scope, Aim,
Objectives

Formulates a plan for

a major project by
developing aims and
objectives and
designing an outline
method of analysis.
The strategic issues
regarding
implementation issues
are rigorously linked.
Clear evidence of
originality

Formulates a plan for a

major project by
developing aims and
objectives and designing
an outline method of
analysis. The clarity of
argument is clear although
perhaps with less
evidence of originality.

Method of Analysis
and Evidence

Clear identification of
appropriate sources of
evidence and method
of analysis. Precisely
aligned to aim and
objectives.

Clear identification of
appropriate sources of
evidence and method of
analysis. Aligned well to
aim and objectives.

Marginal Fail

Fail

Very little or
attempt to a
relevant rec
theories. N
evidence
understanding
issues and con
No evidence f
support of theo
practice