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Paper Instructions:

Executive Summary Following preparation of the fully written submission, students should prepare a one page resume in a style which will present senior management (or the intended audience) with information and understanding as a basis for decision making. The executive summary should precede the main report and does not form part of the word count. The executive summary should consider the intended audience and summarise the assignment/report purpose. It should describe the key findings and be able to standalone from main report/assignment. This is a key element of the assignment as it will form in the assessors mind the direction of the report. The executive summary should not be treated as ‘an introduction to the introduction’. It is also not a selection of highlights, a preface or an abstract. The executive summary should be structured and include: · An opening statement providing background information and context of the issue at hand · The purpose of the report/assignment · The methods of analysis used · Overview of findings · Conclusions with a list of recommendations · A note of any limitations to the study 5 marks are available. Introduction This section should put the assignment into context and demonstrate good understanding of the brief. It should indicate the purpose of the assignment and (if appropriate) who it is aimed at (e.g. a Local Authority Education Committee). This section should also explain the approach that is being taken by the student in addressing the assignment brief, including the aims & objectives and how they will be achieved. 10 marks are available. Main Body This section forms the main body of the report and should address the problems or issues set out in the brief. It should identify and analyse evidence and arguments for and against, demonstrating valid sources of primary and secondary information where appropriate. Personal opinions, suggestions and findings would be expected to feature in this section, together with justification. Where appropriate, examples should be provided to back up arguments or to aid understanding. This section should be broken into sub-headings in accordance with the questions asked in the brief, in order to provide clarity and encourage logical argument which can be easily followed. 60 marks available. Conclusions and Recommendations This section should clearly set out the position arrived at by the student and should follow logically from the facts and arguments set out in the main body of the report. Where called for, recommendations for future action should be expressed here, based on facts presented and justifiable personal opinions (reasonable, logical and defendable). This section represents an important but often overlooked aspect of the brief and is a key element of the report which will be read first in conjunction with the Executive Summary by the assessor. The conclusions and recommendations have to be immediately readable, preferably short and should not involve discussion – that is done in the main body. 15 marks available. Referencing At the end of the written submission there must be a reference section in accordance with convention set out in the course handbook. The reference list is not included in word count. 5 marks are available, with marks being given for their citation and use. The Harvard Style of referencing must be used otherwise the assignment will be referred. Comprehensive guidance on Harvard Referencing can be found at: http://guides.lib.strath.ac.uk/ld.php?content_id＝31947640