Course: - MSc. Occupational & Organizational Psychology.
Module: - The Psychology of Leadership and Decision-Making.
Common Ground Paper Brief
The Common Ground paper is a written analysis of one of the debate issues discussed during the live sessions of the module (assigned randomly by means of a lottery draw) in which you will show an understanding of possible opposite views (with citations of the relevant literature), explain common ground and how it is reached, and derive lessons for your own development as a leader/decision-maker in readiness for a career as a practitioner psychologist.
Assessment name: Common Ground paper (with Passport attachment)
Assessment type: Coursework
Word-count: 3,000 words, excluding References and attachments
Weighting: 100%
Submission time and date: May 23, 2022
The Common Ground paper will be marked and moderated based on the rubrics given below.
In full Mostly Generally Somewhat Barely Not at all
Opposite views
[Max points 25]
The author clearly articulates possible opposite views on the
issue assigned, supporting both
views with relevant literature and frameworks/models/empirical evidence.
[21 to 2 5]
[16 to 20]
[11 to 15]
[6 to 10]
[1 to 5] The author does not clearly articulate possible opposite
views on the issue assigned or, shows a lack of
understanding for a particular point of view and does not support it with the relevant literature and
frameworks/models/empirical evidence.
[0]
Common ground
[Max points 25] The author explains what common ground may exist
between the seemingly opposing
views on the assigned issue, how it is reached, and what are the
implications for the effectiveness
of organizations. All explanations are supported by references to the research literature and are
based on thorough and easy-tofollow logical arguments. [21 to 25]
[16 to 20]
[11 to 15]
[6 to 10]
[1 to 5] The author does not explain common ground that may
exist between the seemingly opposing views on the
assigned issue, how it is
reached or what makes it impossible, limiting the discussion of common
ground to unsubstantiated sources and opinions.
[0]
Selfdevelopment
[Max points25] The author explains how the issue affects their own development as a
leader/decision-maker in
readiness for a career as a
practitioner psychologist. This is argued with high quality
references to the research
literature, experiences during the module, and real-life workplace
situations, including from publicly
available sources of information. [21 to 25]
[16 to 20]
[11 to 15]
[6 to 10]
[1 to 5] The author does not explain how the issue affects their own development as a
leader/decision-maker in
readiness for a career as a
practitioner psychologist.
[0]
Presentation and style
[Max points 10]
The assignment is well-structured and is written in a good standard of English. Explanations and
arguments are presented logically
and easy-to-follow. Correct and consistent referencing is used throughout.
[9 to 10]
[7 to 8]
[5 to 6]
[3 to 4]
[1 to 2] The assignment is poorly structured and/or is not
written in a good standard of
English. There is evidence that the author did not proof read and spell check the
assignment, including the references.
[0]
Passport attachment
[Max points: 15] Passport is attached, and it documents how the author
accumulated at least 100 points
with the inclusion of specific and verifiable information.
[15]
[0]
[0]
[0]
[0] Passport is not attached, or it is attached with information
that is incomplete/amounting to less than 100 points
accumulated, and/or difficult to verify.
[0]
Tips on how to do well:
• Plan your Passport early, make sure you understand what independent study, guided learning, and live sessions will take place as part of the module and how these prepare you for the Common Ground paper assignment. Ask the module leader questions if anything is unclear.
• Attend all debates, and take an active role in supporting your debate team based on your preparation or as the team’s speaker. Alternatively, make sure you are prepared to judge each debate based on the required readings of the module and additional research you may identify as relevant to the issue of the debate.
• Submit preparatory notes for all debates to the appropriate assignment folder (it may serve you as legitimate evidence to include in your Passport attachment).
• Reflect on each debate post-live session, and make notes summarising the opposite views espoused, and the literature/frameworks/models/empirical evidence invoked. Consider what may bridge the opposite views, and what literature may support your reasoning about the possible common ground.
• Make frequent contributions to the Common Ground Discussion Forum, including with tentative thoughts and questions, to give rise to discussions that may aid you at the time of planning/writing your Common Ground paper.
• Take an active part in the Common Ground Roundtables, as these will help you rehearse arguments you may end up using in your Common Ground paper once you get assigned a particular issue to analyse.
• Keep in mind the rubrics for the assessment of the Common Ground paper, and for each issue, keep probing what it means for your self-development as a leader/decision-maker in readiness for a career as a practitioner psychologist.