Assignment 1 – Individual Essay Requirements
Assignment: Students are required to submit an individually written essay, which addresses the question below. See below for the requirements of the essay. Weighting/Value: This assignment is worth 40% of your final mark for this unit
Date due: Wednesday 8 September, 5pm (Week 7)
Word limit: 2000 words (plus or minus 10% allowed)
Presentation requirements: See below (Use the Monash QManual to help you prepare this assignment)
Estimated return date: Assignments will be returned to students as soon as they have been marked and the final mark recorded.
Rubric: A separate rubric will be available for you to download in Moodle
Lateness penalty: 10% per day. Students should note that a weekend is 2 days and will be treated as such when penalties are calculated. After 10 days late assignments will be accepted but will not be given a mark.
Essay question:
Diagnosing, implementing, and institutionalising an organisational change intervention is difficult to achieve. Discuss the critical role of the organisational development (OD) consultant at each stage of the OD change process. In your discussion, consider the impact of factors such as the status of the change agent (internal versus external), level of trust, how quickly the change needs to be implemented, ethical issues and the values of organisational development. You should also discuss how these factors impact on the decisions and behaviour of the OD consultant in managing the process.
Learning objectives assessed: Tests learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5. (see above)
Turnitin Assignment: your assignment will be submitted via the TURNITIN software and you will be able to access a similarity report. Multiple submissions to TURNITIN will be allowed
up until the due date/time of submission. Make sure you change your final submission file from DRAFT to submit assignment when you are ready to submit.
Submission details: the essay is to be submitted by the due date and the time specified via the MGF3621 Moodle website (submission). No paper submission is required.
Please ensure you keep a copy of your assignment (and a backup copy).
Requirements:
1. An important requirement of this assignment is that you stay within the word limit. You are allowed a 10% margin above or below the word limit (2000 words).
2. The set textbook must be used, cited, and referenced. A minimum of 7 quality
(peer reviewed) articles or book chapters must be used in the preparation of this
paper.
3. There is no limit on primary sources, such as: websites, business press, newspaper articles, company reports), that you can use. Use these for your cases/examples.
4. Use 1.5 line spacing through the paper. Please number all the pages (except the cover).
5. Use headings to structure your paper (but don’t overuse them). Paragraphing: one idea per paragraph. Avoid very long paragraphs to keep your structure and argument readable. As a very rough rule of thumb 10-12 lines per para (just use your sense here).
6. Use the APA referencing system for citations and referencing.
7. Meticulous indication of all sources used is required via APA formatted citations.
8. Have a professionally presented cover sheet, with your name, student id., your tutorial day/time, your Teaching Associate’s name, the essay question (typed) exactly as above.
9. Answer the set question, including the sub-parts of the question.
10. Use this protocol for the name of your Word document. Don’t submit a PDF. YOUR SURNAME_FIRSTNAME_MGF3621-S1-Esssay, i.e.:
BLOGS_BILLIE_MGF3621-S1-ESSAY.docx
ADVICE ON HOW TO WRITE THIS ESSAY 1. Essay structure
(Essay guidelines taken from the Q-Manual)
There are two aspects to essay structure. One is the position or argument running through the essay; the other is the structure: introduction, body and conclusion. Each section has a different role.
1.1 Introduction
The introduction has two roles:
1. address the circumstances requiring the essay
2. state the position in addressing the circumstances, an introduction offers some or all the following elements:
? information about the specific situation (this may require separate paragraph/s);
? a rationale, or reason why writing about this issue is important;
? research questions where relevant;
? limits to the scope (which time or place or group?);
? analysis of key terms and the theories about them (this may require separate paragraph/s), & a brief outline of the essay to follow.
The writer includes the elements as relevant and in a logical order suiting the essay. The most important element of an introduction, and the only element, which is not optional, is the statement of your position in response to the assignment question. The rest of the essay supports you position. Your position statement should be presented in a concise manner, preferably in a single sentence, with no explanation or supporting detail – that is the job of the body of the essay.
1.2 Body of the essay
The body of an essay is the most important part because it presents the perspective, developed logically through as many paragraphs as necessary, as in Figure 12 above. It comprises most of your essay.
Each paragraph contains a topic sentence stating one of the reasons for your position; supporting sentences containing evidence and comments on the evidence; and a concluding sentence containing evaluation of the material and findings presented in the paragraph.
Each paragraph should follow the previous in a logical development of the argument and may also require a transition sentence guiding the reader from one paragraph to the next.
1.3 Writing the Conclusion
The conclusion, like the introduction, has two main roles:
1. to bring the argument to a convincing close and to reword (not repeat) your position 2. to consider the significance of the findings in the essay; for example (choose relevant items from the list below to suit your essay)
a. the importance of your findings regarding the issue itself
b. the importance of your findings for research in the field
c. brief recommendations
d. the consequences of implementing or not implementing your recommendations
e. any limitations of your research
f. suggested future directions
The conclusion should not introduce new material, but reflect on what has already been written. A final comment might refer back to the beginning of essay, or state the most significant consequence, or make a recommendation (for example, for further research). It should be a summary of the argument, rather than a detail restating of data/examples. Work on refining your conclusion – do not leave it until the last moment. It needs time. A well-crafted conclusion can make a big difference to the quality of your paper.
1.4 Citations and ReferencingThe APA referencing system must be used for this essay. Meticulous in-text correctly formatted citations are to be used whenever you draw on another author. Where you give a quotation, you need to provide a page number so we can check. Similarly, the reference list must be correctly formatted in author surname sequence. Where you reference an online source, you need to give author/organisation and other bibliographical details, the URL, with the date viewed. It is not enough to cut and paste the website into the list without any further (descriptive) bibliographical details. US the Qmanual to help you format your reference list. The EndNote bibliographical software is freely available via the University IT support Software Catalogue to all current students. Using this software makes citation and referencing virtually error free. Errors are limited to your typing the correct information into the reference library.
2 The essay writing process
As with all assignments there are various stages to work through to produce an essay:
? task analysis
? collecting sources
? reading, synthesising notes and planning your argument
? drafting and redrafting
? editing and proofreading
Each stage requires considerable time. It is wise to begin each assignment 5 to 6 weeks before the submission date.
[You need thinking time to complete this essay. Allow your thinking about the concepts, frameworks/models and techniques to develop as you plan write the essay. You will also need to read ahead in the schedule to locate the relevant sections of the set text, and the online reading. You are expected to collect both primary and quality secondary sources for the analysis of this essay. Please do not leave this till the last minute. You will probably need 2-3 drafts before you submit. The final draft should be a check of the English expression, presentation, citation and referencing. You should also check that the argument logically unfold, is very clear through the paper and especially the conclusion. Please don’t short change yourself on the conclusion. Make sure your conclusion, and your introduction are very carefully crafted. For a reader, and your markers, these are critical elements that we are looking at to ascertain your scoping, your argument, and that you have answered the set question].
2.1. Task analysis
The most important point is that you analyse your task in detail, so that you understand clearly what you are required to do. You need to identify all the demands of the task. Make sure you know which genre (type of writing) is required; for example, an essay. Also ensure you identify the actual question, especially if it is embedded in a series of sentences or instructions.
Identifying the key words and direction words in an assignment task is crucial because you are expected to independently research and address the relationships and subtleties of the topic. Key words, or important words, are never simple and a general dictionary no longer has enough detail; key words therefore indicate areas of research you need to carry out regarding concepts and theories about those concepts.
Direction words like “discuss”, “compare and contrast”, “explain” and so on tell you what to do about the key concepts; for example, present an argument regarding the relevance of
theory to a particular situation. See Appendix (of the Qmanual) for explanations of common instruction words. If you are not sure how to do a task analysis, factor time into your schedule to learn. Contact your Teaching Associate or a learning skills advisor for advice; task analysis is a required skill which you will need throughout your studies.
2.2. Collecting sources
When you are clear about what the task requires, you then need to find relevant information from the literature. You will use your critical thinking skills when you decide which publications, and which sections of these, are both relevant to your task and academically acceptable. You will need to search databases of current information and debates about your topic. If you are not sure how to conduct effective searches for academic literature, factor time into your schedule to learn.
Contact your subject librarian or register for a class through the library class booking system. Go to the Monash library website http://www.lib.monash.edu.au/endnote/ for more details. Classes can be booked on-line through your my.monash portal. Searching for and evaluating sources is a required skill which you will need throughout your studies.
2.3. Read and synthesise your information
Once you have identified the acceptable sources - or parts of sources - which are relevant to your task, begin to read carefully and to build a set of notes. You will need to read important material several times. The notes you take as you read should be in skeleton form; that is, use symbols, abbreviations, key words, diagrams and short phrases as much as possible but do not copy from the original sources. Use your own words to record information and to make your own comments on the information as you go. Your notes and comments are your interpretation of what you read. Simply highlighting parts of source texts is not suitable. Taking notes from sources and writing an essay from your argument plan (see below) and your notes will ensure that your voice is strong and that you do not plagiarise other authors’ ideas. Record the sources of information
It is also important to record all your sources when taking notes. Start a new document and keep an alphabetical list of all the sources as you use them. This includes sources such as video, sound, pictures or photos, blogs or podcasts, lectures or tutorials – any source of information; no matter what form it is in. Record the full publication details APA style: see Chapter 10 about referencing. This document can later be edited and included as your Reference List for the assignment. Alternatively, learn to use software such as Endnote. The software will assist you to prepare an accurate and complete reference list. Monash students can download Endnote software from Monash library and the library also offers Endnote classes throughout the year. Go to the Monash library website:
http://www.lib.monash.edu.au/endnote/ for more details. Classes can be booked on-line through your my.monash portal.
Remember to record the author and page number beside every note you take. This becomes really important as you add ideas or data from different sources to your notes. Synthesising your notes from different sources requires combining and grouping notes about particular ideas or data and commenting on how sources agree or otherwise and why. You should try to develop your own viewpoint in each of these mini-debates – do you agree with a particular source and why? Or would you combine aspects from various sources and why? Or do you have an entirely different opinion, and why? Make sure your notes are clear for later use, as you should use them along with your outline, to write your draft. If you are not sure how to build a synthesised set of notes, factor time into your schedule to learn. Contact your Teaching Associate or learning skills advisor for advice as this is a skill which you will need throughout your university studies
2.4. Plan your argument
At the same time as reading, interpreting and synthesising the information, plan your argument, so that you are presenting your position in response to the assignment task and explaining it clearly, logically and convincingly in the essay. Formulate a single, clear, succinct position statement.
In note form, gradually build a set of reasons for your thesis, each with its own supporting evidence. You might like to map out your claims on a large sheet of paper or in an electronic document, adding new points as you read. You might prefer to record each claim plus its supporting evidence on a separate piece of paper and arrange these in order later. When completed, decide on the order you will present the claims; for example, order of significance (most important to least important or the opposite), similarities and differences, positives and negatives, cause and effect, or other appropriate organisation.
Reading, synthesising your notes and building an outline all happen together over time and take a substantial amount of the time needed for the assignment process. Make sure you factor enough time for the size of your assignment into your schedule- work back from the submission date and begin your assignment early allowing two or three weeks for this stage so that material is comprehensively covered. If you are not sure how to build an argument, factor time into your schedule to learn. Contact your Teaching Associate or a learning skills advisor; this is a skill which you will need throughout your university studies.
2.5. Drafting and redrafting
Your first draft should be written from your notes and the plan of your argument. You should avoid using your original sources while writing your first draft; check details after you have completed your first draft in your own words using your notes and outline. An essay must represent the “writer’ s voice”. This occurs through the writer developing their own response to the task, using evidence from the literature to support the writer’s clearly expressed argument.
The first draft is the most difficult, but is rarely good enough for submission. Once the argument
has been written, it is important to work through it carefully at least two more times, to improve the draft. Most professional writers redraft several times in order to produce a quality text. Make sure you factor enough time for drafting and redrafting your assignment into your schedule – allow two or three weeks for this stage.
Whenever information is used from a source, whether as a direct quote or rewritten as a paraphrase or a summary, the source must be referenced APA style. As well as referencing in-text correctly in APA style, ensure that you comment on all supporting evidence – do not just include evidence without comment.
In essays for some units such as some Management and Economics units, it is suitable to use headings, in a similar way to the headings in a report. It is always necessary to ask your lecturer or Teaching Associate if headings can be used. If so, the headings must relate to and express succinctly the nature of the information that follows. If headings cannot be used, the links throughout the essay will need to be expressed in sentences.
2.6. Evidence
The evidence you collect from your sources may be in the form of data, examples, findings from a study, a direct quote from an expert in the field, a case study, an explanation, a definition or a claim from an expert in the field. Evidence should be:
? relevant to the reason you give in your topic sentence
? specific, that is, it is particular data or details. Avoid general statements
? sufficient – ensure that you have enough evidence to support every claim that you make
within a paragraph
? academically acceptable – make sure you have evaluated the authority of the source before using it, and that the evidence is current, valid, and reliable. If the evidence is from a peer reviewed article or academic book then you can accept that it has been checked before publication
2.7. Editing and proofreading
Final editing and proofreading before submission are vital. Once you have redrafted your essay several times, put it away for a few days. This will give you a fresh perspective from which to edit and proofread your work. Edit your essay for argument and logic. Proofread your essay for mechanics. A common reason for failing an assessment is that students do not answer the set question, so the single most important question to ask is: have I answered the question?
Penalties for late lodgement
A penalty of 10 percent of the mark allocated to this assessment task will be deducted for each day that the assessment is late. Students should note that a weekend is 2 days and will be treated as such when penalties are calculated. After 10 days late assignments will be accepted but will not be given a mark.
It is suggested that you plan on submitting the assignment before the due date to cover any unexpected delays you may encounter in finalising and completing the assignment. Excuses such as those relating to computer breakdowns are not acceptable. Students are advised to save to your hard drive as you work through your assignments and to keep a soft copy on USB/CD etc for safekeeping.
Assessment coversheet
Work submitted for assessment MUST be accompanied by a completed and signed assessment coversheet, available at:
https://business.monash.edu/students/admininformation/ application-forms