Assignment Brief 2023-24
Programme:
BSc (Hons) Psychology
BSc (Hons) Psychology with Criminology
Module Code:
PY0661
Module Title:
Neuropsychology and Cognitive Science
Assessment title
Assignment
Submission Time
and Date:
Word Limit:
3,500 words.
Weighting
This coursework accounts for 100% of the total mark for this module.
Submission of Assessment
This assignment should be submitted electronically.
It should be submitted online via Turnitin by the given deadline. You will find a Turnitin link on the module's eLP (Blackboard) site in the Assessments/Reassessment folder. The link is labelled as ASSIGNMENT MAIN and says 'SUBMIT YOUR FINAL ASSIGNMENT HERE' underneath it. It must be formatted as a Microsoft word document (.doc) or a PDF.
It is also your responsibility to ensure you obtain proof from Turnitin confirming your submission. When you successfully submit to Turnitin you will see a screen that states Submission Complete! You will see your submitted assignment after the Submission Complete! screen disappears. You are advised to click the digital receipt icon to download a digital receipt. This receipt is a record and evidence of your submission date and time. This is what you will need to produce if there is any query about your submission (including date and time) and where it was submitted to. Your digital receipt will not be automatically emailed to you. If you do not have this digital receipt from Turnitin assume your work has not been successfully submitted.
If you cannot submit your assignment on time
If you cannot submit your assignment on time please contact Ask4Help through the Help and Support section of the Student Portal to apply for an extension of time (Late authorisation (LA)) or Personal Extenuating Circumstances (PECs). Note that your Module Tutor cannot grant you an extension to the submission date and time.
Students with a
DSSR
If your DSSR allows for negotiated deadlines for coursework / assignments (consistent
with programme requirements and subject to published procedures) please follow the
university guidance in relation to Late Authorisation requests and make your request
for an extension via your Student Portal.
Assessment regulations, policies and guidance
Please see the final page of this assignment brief for details of assessment regulations,
policies and guidance.
Assignment Brief 2023-24
ASSIGNMENT QUESTION
MAIN
Using the evidence discussed in the module, provide an argument supporting an INTERACTIVE view of the human brain and mind.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE ASSESSMENT:
This assignment requires you to write a single essay with the main goal of demonstrating your ability to discuss common themes and topics across the individual lecture blocks. As such, its main focus is on your ability to (1) understand theoretical aspects common in all three lecture blocks, (2) identify topically relevant content in each lecture block, (3) expand this content with individually sourced literature, (4) demonstrate your integration and generalization skills by bringing the evidence from different sources to support the theoretical claim specified in the essay topic.
The overall assignment is worth 100% of the total mark for the module. It is limited to 3500 words.
This assignment will assess your ability to:
1. Discuss relevant theoretical and empirical evidence discussed in the three lecture blocks.
2. Discuss relevant independently sourced scientific literature.
3. Assess your ability to identify, integrate, and generalize theoretical and empirical evidence from the individual lecture blocks relevant to the essay question.
4. Provide a well-structured and logical argument grounded in state-of-the-art scientific literature.
Each tutor will provide students with detailed guidance as to the requirements/notes specific to their lecture block's content.
Appropriate referencing is required in this assignment. All references must be in accordance with APA guidelines.
ASSESSMENT MARKING CRITERIA AND RUBRIC
The assessment criteria (used in conjunction with the marking rubric) for this assignment.
A successful answer should be based on the following:
1. A comprehensive discussion of the main theoretical concept.
2. A thorough and systematic discussion of the relevant data discussed in the lectures and in the suggested reading materials.
3. Inclusion of additional individually sourced evidence.
4. A clear, organized, and logically structured argument.
5. Developed academic writing style.
6. Ability to integrate information from different sources to support the theoretical claim specified as the essay topic.
7. A summary offering conclusions, discussing gaps in research and open questions, and suggesting future research directions.
Assignment Brief 2023-24
The marking rubric used for this assessment is
Clear First
Theory
Assignment is firmly grounded in theory. Existing theoretical approaches are discussed with regard to their predictions, methodological strengths, and data support.
Marginal First
Upper Second
Lower Second
Third
Marginal Fail
Clear Fail
Assignment is grounded in theory. Most theoretical approaches are discussed. Minimal discontinuities in relating data to theory.
Some theoretical considerations are omitted. Theoretical approaches are discussed but not always linked to data, methods, etc. Discontinuities in relating data to theory.
A satisfactory but not comprehensive rendition of theoretical debates and considerations. Discontinuity between data and theory.
Minimal reference to the topical theoretical debates. Unsubstantial links between theory and data.
Assignment fails to make proper reference to theory and does not reveal student's understandin g of theoretical debates/issu es. Student fails to see connection between theory and data.
No or little theoretical consideration S.
Data
Student offered a thorough and systematic discussion of the data discussed in the lectures and in the suggested reading materials. Enough empirical research is discussed in the context of existing
Student offered a systematic discussion of the data. For the most part, research is discussed in the context of existing theories. The data interpretation is
A discussion of the data is present but a bit sketchy or incomplete. Empirical research is discussed with some connection to existing theories. The
The minimal data from lectures and readings is included. There are substantial gaps between theory and data. Some irrelevant data discussed or major relevant data
Little data from lectures and readings is included. Little understanding of the data/theory relevance and the conceptual links.
Text misses most of the relevant data. Student fails to demonstrate understandin g of basic concepts.
Bare minimum or no data discussion.
Assignment Brief 2023-24
theories. The data interpretation is accurate and relevant. The links between data and theory are clearly made.
accurate and relevant. The links between data and theory are made.
data relevance may be minimally compromised. The links between data and theory are a bit weak.
omitted. Weak links to theory.
Individual contribution
Student discussed plenty of individually sourced evidence. Student voiced their own opinion firmly grounded in the available evidence and theory. Student's critical thinking is reflected in their answers.
Many individually sourced evidence included. Student's opinion transpires throughout but it may be somewhat disconnected from evidence and theory.
Student included sentences that reflect their opinion and critical thinking. Some individually sourced evidence. Student's opinion and critical thinking is minimally evident.
Student included some individually sourced evidence. Student's opinion is minimal and it's weakly grounded in the available evidence and theory.
Student's individual contribution is minimal. Aspects of critical thinking is not evident.
Student's individual contribution is nearly absent.
Student's individual contribution is absent.
Presentation Very clear and logical academic writing style. All points discussed clearly and succinctly. Assignment is perfectly structured with logical and connected
Clear academic writing style. Most points discussed in a coherent fashion. Assignment is well structured with logical and connected presentation of individual parts.
Satisfactory academic writing style. Some points are clearly and succinctly organized and discussed with others presented in a disjointed manner.
Academic writing style is compromised. Problems with clarity, logic, and overall coherence.
Academic writing style is substantially compromised. Disconnected and/or incomplete sentences. Substantial problems with clarity, logic,
Poor academic writing style throughout. Little clarity, logic, and overall coherence.
Very poorly written text, difficult to understand.
Assignment Brief 2023-24
presentation of individual parts.
Assignment is structured but with gaps in logic and overall coherence.
and overall coherence.
Integration
Overarching aspects/similaritie s are properly addressed. Overall summary is excellent. Common theoretical issues are identified and discussed. Gaps in research and open questions are identified. Excellent description of future directions.
Overarching aspects/similariti es are addressed. Overall summary is good. Common theoretical issues are identified and discussed. Gaps in research and open questions are identified. Good description of future directions.
Some overarching aspects/similariti es are addressed. There is a summary. One or two common theoretical issues are identified and discussed. A gap in research and open questions is identified. Some description of future directions.
Few overarching aspects/similariti es are addressed. Little or no summary. Attempt at identifying common theoretical issues. Gaps in research and open questions are not properly identified. Little description of future directions.
There's little effort in finding overarching aspects/similar ities. No identifiable summary. Common theoretical
issues are unclear. Gaps in research and open questions are not identified. No description of future directions.
No overarching aspects/simil arities. No identifiable summary. Common theoretical issues are unclear. Gaps in research and open questions are not identified. No description of future directions.
No evidence of an effort to integrate individual sections.
Module Learning Outcomes
The Module Learning Outcomes that this assignment assesses can be found in the module specification for this module which can be found on the eLP (Blackboard) site for your module. By satisfying this assignment brief you will have addressed the module learning outcomes.
Programme Learning Outcomes
The Programme (level) Learning Outcomes that this module contributes to can be found in your Programme Handbook which is on your Programme eLP (Blackboard) site. By passing this module it means you have contributed to meeting the learning outcomes for the applicable level of your programme.
Assignment Brief 2023-24
ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS AND GUIDANCE
ASSESSMENT REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND GUIDANCE
The University has a number of policies for assessment. You are advised to read the guidance for students regarding assessment policies. They are available online here.
LATE SUBMISSION OF WORK Where coursework is submitted without approval, after the published hand-in deadline, the following penalties will apply.
· For coursework submitted up to 1 day (24 hours) after the published hand-in deadline without approval, 10% of the total marks available for the assessment (i.e.100%) shall be deducted from the assessment mark. For clarity: work that is submitted up to 24 hours late that would have scored 65%, 55% or 45% had it been handed in on time will be awarded 55%, 45% or 35% respectively as 10% of the total available marks will have been deducted.
. Coursework submitted more than 1 day (24 hours) after the published hand-in deadline without approval will be regarded as not having been completed. A mark of zero will be awarded for the assessment.
These provisions apply to all assessments, including those assessed on a Pass/Fail basis. The full policy can be found here.
WORD LIMITS AND PENALTIES
The word count is to be declared on the front page of your assignment.
If the assignment is within +10% of the stated word limit no penalty will apply.
Note that the word limit INCLUDES the abstract, the main body of text, in text citations [e.g. (Smith, 2011)], direct secondary quotations [e.g. "dib-dab nonsense analysis" (Smith, 2011 p.123)] and footnotes. However, the word limit DOES NOT INCLUDE a title page, contents page, direct quotations from primary or secondary source material arising from qualitative research, tables, figures, illustrations, references list or appendices. If you wish to include appendices, they must be clearly numbered, labelled, and referred to appropriately in the text. The purpose of appendices is to provide context or verification for the marker.
The full Word Limit Policy is available here.
Students must retain an electronic copy of this assignment (including ALL appendices) and it must be made available within 24 hours of them requesting it be submitted.
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
The Assessment Regulations for Taught Awards (ARTA) contain the Regulations and procedures applying to cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct. The full policy is available here You are reminded that plagiarism, collusion and other forms of academic misconduct as referred to in the Academic Misconduct procedure of the assessment regulations are taken very seriously. Assignments in which evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic misconduct is found may receive a mark of zero.
Avoiding academic misconduct
Student guidance to avoiding plagiarism can be here
As Turnitin is also a plagiarism detection tool you are advised to submit a draft version of your assignment to Turnitin to check your work before submitting the final version to Turnitin for marking. Your assessment tutor will give details of how and where to submit a draft assignment. The originality report for your final marked submission will be made available to the marker via Turnitin.
