AES Coursework Assessment Brief (International Foundation Year)

What
Coursework 1:
The coursework for Academic English Skills is comprised of three parts:
In Part 1, you will:
- select an essay title related to your subject of study.
- be given two sources to start your reading for the essay.
- find six additional reliable sources related to your essay and include them in your reference list.
- write a short source evaluation for four of your sources, outlining how you know they are appropriate for academic
use, and how the source is relevant to your essay
- produce an outline of your essay, including key arguments you will include, and how these points will be supported
by sources.

This coursework is the first stage of your AES coursework portfolio. You will be required to present and answer
questions on your research in CW 2, and write a research-based essay of 1000 – 1500 words in CW 3. There is no
word limit for CW 1.
Why
CW 1 tests your ability to plan an extended research essay by:
- analysing an essay title and answering it with relevant points and ideas.
- finding useful, relevant, academic sources to support your ideas.
- linking these ideas together logically to form a strong argument.
- successfully integrating your own ideas with ideas from your sources.
- fully and accurately citing and referencing sources.

This assessment counts for 25% of your final mark for reading.
When
Stage 1) [ENTER DATE] Complete the CW 1 planning document and show it to your tutor for approval. This ensures
you have understood the requirements of the essay question correctly, and that your choice of sources is
appropriate before you go any further.
Stage 2) [ENTER DATE] Go through the CW 1 Checklist and Feedback Sheet to make sure you have completed the
assessment fully and correctly, and submit the draft of your source evaluation and essay plan.
Stage 3) [ENTER DATE] Your tutor will provide feedback on your draft in a tutorial. Make notes of your tutor’s
comments on the CW 1 Checklist and Feedback Sheet. Your tutor will advise you on whether your submission is
acceptable as a piece of academic work, or if further work is needed.
Stage 4) [ENTER DATE] Submit your CW 1.
How
Your work is submitted and marked electronically. Your tutor will give you the marking criteria and samples of
student submissions so that you can see how the assessment is marked.
Your work will automatically be checked by similarity software (Turnitin) to make sure you have submitted work in
your own words. You may be able to submit your work ahead of the submission deadline in order to check the
similarity score.
What if…
I don’t choose relevant or - Your tutor will check your sources before you write your first draft. Make sure
reliable sources? you have used the best source of information (if you find some interesting data
reported in a newspaper, follow up on the original source, rather than just citing
the newspaper, for example).
- Use the sources you are given as a starting point; follow up on references
mentioned in the texts, consult reading lists for your subject and ask in the library
for help finding relevant material.
my similarity score on Turnitin First, check your similarity report. Any wording on the template will be picked up
is high? as plagiarism, so your tutor will not count that. Check whether chunks of your
writing have been highlighted in the report; this indicates you have not
paraphrased effectively. Poor paraphrasing is a form of plagiarism, and will result
in your work being reported for academic misconduct. You should therefore revise
your work and resubmit it before the assessment deadline. This assessment
 requires you to identify and summarise key points from the text in your own
words; you should not just use direct quotations from sources in this assessment.
You can find further information on the Academic Misconduct process in your
Student Handbook.
I submit the coursework late? If you submit an assessment late, a penalty will be applied to your final mark. The
penalties for late submission are outlined in your Student Handbook.
I don’t pass CW 1? You should submit a draft of CW 1 so that your tutor can provide you with
feedback to improve your work before you submit it.
If you score below 40% on CW 1, you will be required to resubmit at the end of
the module. If your CW 1 needs improvement or development, you can resubmit a
re-working of your original submission. If you are awarded zero due to Academic
Misconduct (ie. you have submitted work which is not your own), you will be given
a new essay title to research and plan.
I don’t submit CW 1? You must submit CW 1 in order to demonstrate that you have met module
Learning Outcome 8; you cannot ‘pass’ the module unless you have met the
minimum standards for all learning outcomes. If you are unable to submit CW 1 by
the deadline, you will need to apply for mitigating circumstances. Further
information on mitigating circumstances can be found in your student handbook.
I miss part of CW 1? If you only submit part of CW 1 (you complete the source evaluation but the essay
outline is very brief, incomplete or missing, for example) your work will be
penalised according to the marking criteria. In this example, you would be
awarded zero for Use of Sources.
I don’t include the sources in In your source evaluation, you should explain how you are going to use the
my source evaluation in my arguments and information in your essay. You should therefore make sure you
essay outline? include these sources in your essay outline.
Can I…
choose the same title as Yes. You can choose the same title as other students, but you must not work
someone else in my class? together, as this is collusion, a form of academic misconduct. The work you submit
must be your own.
use sources that I am reading Yes. You should not submit the same assessment for two modules, as this is
for my subject? academic misconduct, but you are able to use material you are reading in your
subject module in the AES Coursework.
not use the sources I am given? Yes. You do not have to use the sources you are given; they are just there so you
have a starting point on the topic. If you find better sources of information for the
purposes of your essay, use those.

Related documents:

Overview presentation of CW 1
Samples of marked student submissions
CW 1 Checklist and Feedback Sheet
CW 1 Submission Template
How to complete the CW 1 Planning document
You need to complete the planning document to show your tutor like this:

Essay title or question:

Title:
Individual lifestyle habits have been identified as a factor in workplace productivity. Define healthy lifestyle habits
and discuss the reasons why some individuals do not have a healthy lifestyle. Discuss the extent to which it should be
the responsibility of employers to encourage their workers to have healthy lifestyle habits.
Add the key question words from your title and what they refer
to – this shows you have understood the question correctly.

Approach verbs Ideas to be explored

Define Healthy lifestyle habits

Discuss The reasons for some people not having a healthy lifestyle

Discuss the extent to which Whether it is employers’ responsibility to encourage a healthy lifestyle among
their staff.

Issues to be considered: You can write in note form, but make sure
it is clear what the key points / arguments
you are going to cover are.

 What is a healthy lifestyle? > balanced diet / healthy weight / healthy lifestyle – exercise
 What are the main causes of an unhealthy lifestyle? What kinds of sickness are common? > Poor diet / lack
of physical activity > being overweight
smoking/ drinking > heart / blood pressure issues
stress? > mental health issues
 Are any health issues related to work/ their employer? > stress? Number of hours worked? Has there been
an increase in health issues if working hours have increased??
 How do lifestyle habits affect workplace productivity? > time off for sickness = less productive
 What have some employers done? > sports teams? Healthy food? Time off?
 How would the employer benefit? > Healthier = more productive. Are healthy staff happier?
 KEY ISSUE: Should the employer be responsible? > If not them, who else? The government? The individual?
To what extent for each?

You don’t need to decide what your

position is yet; this will be informed by
your reading, but if your title asks for a
position, you should show that you plan
to include it.
List of sources: List at least six sources you plan to use. Do not
include the two sources you were given in your list
of six. Make sure you have formatted the references
correctly, and that they are ordered alphabetically.
Make sure the sources you include are appropriate
for academic use.

Asay, G.R.B., Roy, K., Lang, J.E., Payne, R.L., Howard, D.H. (2016) ‘Absenteeism and Employer Costs
Associated With Chronic Diseases and Health Risk Factors in the US Workforce’ Preventing
Chronic Disease Vol.13 pp.21 -35
Reference journal articles like this.

Galvin, R. (2002) ‘Disturbing notions of Chronic Illness and Individual Responsibility: Towards a
Genealogy of Morals’ Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness
and Medicine. Vol.6, Issue 2, pp.107-137

Harvard School of Public Health (2017) ‘Environmental Barriers to Activity’. [Online] Available at:
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/physical-activity
environment/ [Last Accessed 2.06.18]

NHS (2018) ‘5 healthy habits that could add more than a decade to your life’ NHS Choices [Online]
Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/news/lifestyle-and-exercise/5-healthy-habits-could-add-more-
decade-your-life/ [Last Accessed 2.07.18] Reference websites like this.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2012) ‘Workplace health’ Local government
briefing [Online] Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/advice/lgb2/chapter/costs-and-savings
[Last Accessed 25.01.18]

Shockey, K., Smith, C., Knudsen, E.A. (2017) ‘The Impact of Work-Life Balance on Employee
Retention’ The Wiley Blackwell Handbook of the Psychology of Recruitment, Selection and
Employee Retention. H. W. Goldstein, E.D. Pulakos, J.Passmore, C. Semedo (Eds.) John Wiley
Publishers: London

University of Cambridge (2014) ‘Price gap between more and less healthy food grows’ University of
Cambridge Research News [Online] Available at: http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/price-
gap-between-more-and-less-healthy-foods-grows [Last Accessed 3.07.18]

Wilkinson R. & Marmot M. (2003) Social determinants of health: the solid facts. 2nd Edition.
Copenhagen: WHO Regional Office for Europe.
Reference books like this.
How to complete the CW 1 document
Academic English Skills Coursework 1: Source Evaluation and Essay Outline

Name: Class: Date: Mark:

A. Student AES

Essay title or question:

Title:
Individual lifestyle habits have been identified as a factor in workplace productivity. Define healthy lifestyle habits
and discuss the reasons why some individuals do not have a healthy lifestyle. Discuss the extent to which it should be
the responsibility of employers to encourage their workers to have healthy lifestyle habits.

Part 1: Source Evaluation [Explanation of why you have selected the sources for use.]

Complete the table below for FOUR of the sources included in your Part 3 list. You should not use sources you
were given in this section.

EVALUATION 1
Reference: The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (N.D.) ‘Work Life Balance’ [Online]
Available at: http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/topics/work-life-balance/ [Last Accessed 25.06.18]

How do you know this source is suitable for academic use? Refer to the currency, authority, purpose, reliability of
evidence or data, objectivity, use of expected academic conventions.

Although no author is credited with writing this, it is a reliable source as the OECD is considered to be a reputable
organisation – it is an intergovernmental organisation which works internationally to advise on policies to improve
the economic and social well-being of people around the world.
The report discusses work-life balance in different countries and statistics are updated so it is very current.
There are no citations to external sources within the article which lowers its credibility somewhat- however the
OECD is generally considered to be a reliable source of comparable statistics and data.
How is the source relevant to your title? What are the useful points / arguments made in the text?

This source provides recognised reasons why poor work-life balance is detrimental to physical and mental health.
This information can help to support the point made in paragraph 2 that it could be considered impossible for people
to be solely responsible for their own health. By showing the difficulties of maintaining a healthy work-life balance
today and noting that government policies can help to alleviate these issues, this source suggests that government
schemes and also those implemented in the work place, can help in solving this issue so it is not all the individual’s
responsibility. Summarise the key points of the text in your own words so it is
clear they you have read and understood the source. You can use
Useful points made in the text are: bullet points to list the useful points.

Long working hours may have a negative impact on health and increase stress levels.

People are too tired when they get home after work- reduces leisure time and the benefits which are associated
with relaxation.

Government policies can help to support work-life balance e.g. UK child care subsidies.
EVALUATION 2
Reference: Harvard School of Public Health (2017) ‘Environmental Barriers to Activity’. [Online] Available at:
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/physical-activity environment/ [Last
Accessed 2.06.18]
How do you know this source is suitable for academic use? Refer to the currency, authority, purpose, reliability of
evidence or data, objectivity, use of expected academic conventions.

This source is reliable as it is published research from a reputable academic institution.

The article contains references to numerous other data and research, which adds weight to its academic credibility.
Synthesising from various studies, the article provides an overview of current research on environmental
determinants / impacts on healthy lifestyles.

How is the source relevant to your title? What are the useful points / arguments made in the text?

This source provides information which can be used to provide evidence towards the argument that there are a
number of environmental reasons contributing towards an unhealthy lifestyle and the obesity epidemic- it is not
merely down to individual preference and dietary choices. Findings from research show that a variety of
environmental factors, such as parental activity levels or the socio-economic background can be influential: poor
areas have fewer facilities and cost may play a role when facilities are available. In addition, people living in areas
where security is an issue also report decreased amounts of activity.

Physical exercise: Environmental factors which may determine / influence an individual’s activity levels
Influences can be:
- family
- work
- initiatives at school/ traveling to school/ using facilities afterwards
- neighbourhoods
- government policies
- use of space/ town planning/ access to infrastructure
EVALUATION 3
Reference: University of Cambridge (2014) ‘Price gap between more and less healthy food grows’ University of
Cambridge Research News [Online] Available at: http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/price-gap-between-more-
and-less-healthy-foods-grows [Last Accessed 3.07.18]

How do you know this source is suitable for academic use? Refer to the currency, authority, purpose, reliability of
evidence or data, objectivity, use of expected academic conventions.

This source is the University of Cambridge Research site, which publishes overviews of the research being conducted
by the University. The researchers involved in this study are from the Centre for Diet and Activity Research at the
University; data was collated over a ten year period from the Office of National Statistics, a reliable source of data,
and referenced it against the National Diet and Nutrition Survey. The study has been published in the peer-reviewed
journal PLOS One.

How is the source relevant to your title? What are the useful points / arguments made in the text?

The findings of the study directly link the increasing price of healthy food with ‘a deterioration in the health of the
population’. This is useful to support the point that not everyone has access to the balanced and varied diet
identified as key to a healthy lifestyle.

The researchers’ conclusions are also useful in supporting the point that the government intervention may be
needed to ensure that everyone is able to sustain a healthy lifestyle.
The researchers suggest that the following should be addressed
- agricultural policy
- food production
- retail pricing strategies

EVALUATION 4
Reference: Asay, G.R.B., Roy, K., Lang, J.E., Payne, R.L., Howard, D.H. (2016) ‘Absenteeism and Employer Costs
Associated With Chronic Diseases and Health Risk Factors in the US Workforce’ Preventing Chronic Disease Vol.13
pp.21 -35

How do you know this source is suitable for academic use? Refer to the currency, authority, purpose, reliability of
evidence or data, objectivity, use of expected academic conventions.

This is an academic study which has been peer-reviewed and is published by the Centres for Disease Control
Prevention, an American governmental organisation which is accountable and reputable. The study is current,
relevant and the information is fully referenced to academic articles. It is written as a guide for the general public, so
it is not written in an academic manner. However, the CDC is a reputable organisation, working on behalf of the US
government, so it is reliable enough for use.

How is the source relevant to your title? What are the useful points / arguments made in the text?

This study focuses on the impact of chronic diseases and unhealthy behaviours on work productivity, by looking at 3
risk factors: smoking, physical inactivity and obesity.
Annual absenteeism increases with the risk factors- and costs over $2 billion a year.

This source provides evidence for the argument that obese/ unhealthy workers take more sick days, which costs the
companies and society money. The information supports the idea that companies would benefit from getting
involved and assuming some of the responsibility in tackling lifestyle issues since by reducing poor productivity and
absenteeism, they would gain financially.
Marker’s Comments:

Source Selection: This list contains useful and reliable sources of information: academic journals, government
information websites and books, indicating a significant amount of research has been done. (Distinction)

Source Evaluation: All sources are clearly identified as being reliable considering a range of factors - currency,
authorship, purpose, academic conventions and objectivity. (Distinction)

Marker’s Comments:

Understanding of Sources: The relevance of all sources to the topic is clearly and fully explained in the student’s own
words, and the indication of how the source will be used to support points in the essay is explicit. The student is able
to effectively identify and summarise key points of the articles. (Distinction)
Part 2: Essay Outline

Provide a clear plan of your essay, including the key points you will include, and the sources you will use to
support your points. You can use the sources you were given, as well as your own sources.

Title:
Individual lifestyle habits have been identified as a factor in workplace productivity. Define healthy lifestyle habits
and discuss the reasons why some individuals do not have a healthy lifestyle. Discuss the extent to which it should be
the responsibility of employers to encourage their workers to have healthy lifestyle habits.

State the purpose of each paragraph – make sure it is clear

Plan for overall structure how it will add / develop your overall argument.
Introduction
P1. define healthy lifestyle habits (discuss key ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle)
P2. discuss reasons why an unhealthy lifestyle have become more common: work is a key factor
P3. Counter argument and rebuttal 1: government / society approaches to ill-heath – why they are wrong
P4. Argument 2: the ethical case of employers encouraging healthy lifestyles among their employees
P5. Argument 3: the business case for employers taking some responsibility for employee health
Conclusion Add more paragraphs to the template if you need them.

You don’t need to write out your introduction in full, but indicate how you will put the topic
into context, the structure of your essay, and your position.
Introductory paragraph structure
Background - increasing pace of modern lifestyles
- rising rates of obesity and related health issues
- health is a key factor in ability to work well and productively
Outline This essay will outline the key causes of an unhealthy lifestyle and its effects on productivity
and the economy at large
Thesis statement I will conclude that employers should take some responsibility for the health of their workers.

Paragraph 1 Topic sentence

Make sure your topic sentence is clear, and
There are five key elements to include in a healthy lifestyle. introduces the content of the paragraph.

Supporting points Evidence / example/ data Citation

- The five healthy habits are: not Study in US with 123,000 participants over 30 years NHS (2018)
smoking, maintaining a healthy published in the medical journal Circulation found
weight, undertaking moderate that people who adopted all five healthy habits were
exercise, eating a varied diet high in 74% less likely to die during the period of the study
fruit and vegetables and low in than those who adopted none. Women with healthy
saturated fat and sugar, limiting lifestyle lived 14 years longer, and men lived 12 years
alcohol intake longer than those with unhealthy lifestyle habits.

Bullet point the key points you plan to make, and include a reference
to support every point. Check all your references are in your list in
part 3.

Concluding / linking sentence

If individuals follow the points, they will maintain and improve their health and thus lead a happier and longer life.
Paragraph 2 Topic sentence
However, with an estimated 137.3 million working days lost due to sickness in the UK in 2016 (Office for National
Statistics, 2017), it seems maintaining a healthy lifestyle is not possible for all.
Support Evidence / example/ data Citation
- Environmental factors which affect Wilkinson & Marmot (2003)
health and are out of the control of
the individual:
- financial limitations / poverty
restricts access to sport and also
fresh food
- comparative cost of fruit and veg to University of Cambridge (2014)
processed food - Camb Uni study
between 2002 – 2012 showed
Try to include more than one citation in a
healthy foods were consistently
paragraph, as this makes it clear that you
more expensive than unhealthy food
are synthesising sources, rather than just
options, and the disparity in price
relying on one source of information.
has widened over the 10 year period.
- family / commitments such as - Lack of time leads people to eat fast Harvard School of Public Health
working extra jobs / convenient food, rather than good (2017)
- lack of security of local area may from fresh.
limit a person’s ability to be outside
- Key factors which affect health as: - Stress has a significant effect on American Psychological Association
- Lack of time to exercise and plan both mental and physical health. (2018); OECD (ND)
healthy meals, (poor work-life Davidson, Mostofsky & Whang
balance) which leads to tiredness / (2010, cited in American
lack of energy Psychological Association) – found a
- Stress direct link between reduced stress
and instance of heart disease.
- Stress may lead to negative habits,
such as increased alcohol
consumption and smoking, as well as
lack of sleep, which causes additional
mental and physical problems.
Concluding / linking sentence You may not need a linking sentence if the topic sentence of the
following paragraph refers back:
Paragraph 3 Topic sentence
Despite the evidence that work commitments and resulting stress can cause health issues, many companies, and
indeed governments, have argued that health is solely the responsibility of the individual.
Support Evidence / example/ data Citation
- government / society’s approach of - example: negative portrayal of Galvin (2002) (government
‘victim blaming’ - making people people unable to work in the media approaches)
who are unwell / incapacitated feel as ‘scroungers’ or ‘benefits cheats’
guilty / responsible for their
condition
- placing additional pressure on - during Dec 2011 and Feb 2014, Department for Work and Pensions
employees to get back to work or 2,380 people died after government (2015)
not report physical or mental illness work capability assessment found
is dangerous to the individual. they were fit for work
Concluding / linking sentence
It is clear that the individual cannot be held solely responsible for his or her physical and mental health.
Paragraph 4 Topic sentence
If it is not the sole responsibility of the individual, then the question of who should assume responsibility arises.
Employers should actively encourage healthy lifestyles among their workforce.
Support Evidence / example/ data Citation
- causes of ill-health (stress / lack of - long working hours have a negative The Organisation for Economic Co-
time / work-life balance) is often due effect on health and stress levels operation and Development (N.D.)
to work demands

- Worker ill-health leads to reduced - Research conducted in America Stevens (2013)

work output shows that workplace health
- ‘Presenteeism’ programmes reduce ‘presenteeism’,
i.e. reduced
productivity when at work
- benefits of a healthy workforce: - ‘healthy people are happier than Stevens (2013)
increased productivity unhealthy people, and work harder
as a consequence’

- the importance of work-life balance - study demonstrates that work-life Shockey et al. (2017)
in staff retention conflict is a primary reasons for
resignation (leading to additional
costs of recruitment and training),
and the significance of company
policies around work-family support
in staff retention.
Paragraph 5 Topic sentence
If companies need further incentive to take responsibility for the health and wellbeing of their staff, the financial
case is clear.
Support Evidence / example/ data Citation
- Saving on sick days to companies - Smokers take more sick days than Weng & Leonardi-Bee (2013); Asay
non-smokers et al (2016)
- Obese people take more sick days
than non-obese workers

- The yearly cost to the economy; - Estimated £32 billion loss to GDP Office for National Statistics (2017)
government should support
development of universal company
policies.
Conclusion
- Summarise: key reasons why individual is not able to ensure health alone; key reason for ill-health is work-related;
benefits for companies – therefore clear case that employers should take some responsibility to actively encourage
and support healthy lifestyles in its work force – should be backed by government policy to ensure all businesses
conform.

Marker’s Comments:

Development of an outline: The outline is incredibly detailed and is clear to follow. This is a fully developed essay
plan, including clear indication of how the sources will be synthesised and incorporated into the essay. (Distinction)

Use of sources: The outline clearly indicates how sources will be used to support points. The student has included
counter-arguments as well as supporting his/her points, taking a reasoned and balanced approach to the essay. All
sources cited as support which are included in the reference list. (Distinction)
 Make sure you include all the sources in your outline and evaluation. List the sources
Part 3: Sources alphabetically and tab under the surname so that it is easy to read. Remove any hyperlinks.

Write a reference list for at least SIX sources which you have found yourself. You should include the two sources
you were given if you plan to use them in your essay.

Asay, G.R.B., Roy, K., Lang, J.E., Payne, R.L., Howard, D.H. (2016) ‘Absenteeism and Employer Costs Associated With
Chronic Diseases and Health Risk Factors in the US Workforce’. Preventing Chronic Disease Vol.13 pp.21 -35

Department for Work and Pensions (2015) ‘Mortality Statistics: ESA, IB and SDA claimants’ Official Statistics [Online]
Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/mortality-statistics-esa-ib-and-sda-claimants [Last
Accessed 3.07.18]

Galvin, R. (2002) ‘Disturbing notions of Chronic Illness and Individual Responsibility: Towards a Genealogy of Morals’
Health: An Interdisciplinary Journal for the Social Study of Health, Illness and Medicine. Vol.6, Issue 2, pp.107-
137

Harvard School of Public Health (2017) ‘Environmental Barriers to Activity’ [Online] Available at:
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-causes/physical-activity environment/ [Last
Accessed 2.06.18]

NHS (2018) ‘5 healthy habits that could add more than a decade to your life’ NHS Choices [Online] Available at:
https://www.nhs.uk/news/lifestyle-and-exercise/5-healthy-habits-could-add-more-decade-your-life/ [Last
Accessed 2.07.18]

Office for National Statistics, (2017) ‘Sickness absence in the labour market: 2016’ ONS [Online] Available at:
https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/labourproductivity/articles/sicknessa
bsenceinthelabourmarket/2016 [Last Accessed 2.07.18]

Shockey, K., Smith, C., Knudsen, E.A. (2017) ‘The Impact of Work-Life Balance on Employee Retention’ The Wiley
Blackwell Handbook of the Psychology of Recruitment, Selection and Employee Retention. H. W. Goldstein,
E.D. Pulakos, J.Passmore, C. Semedo (Eds.) John Wiley Publishers

Stevens, M. (2013) ‘Rising sick bill ‘costs UK business £29bn a year’. [Online] Available at:
http://www.cipd.co.uk/pm/peoplemanagement/b/weblog/archive/2013/07/15/rising-sickbill-costs-uk
business-163-29bn-a-year.aspx [Last Accessed 5.06.18]

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (N.D.) ‘Work Life Balance’ [Online] Available at:
http://www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/topics/work-life-balance/ [Last Accessed 25.06.18]

University of Cambridge (2014) ‘Price gap between more and less healthy food grows’ University of Cambridge
Research News [Online] Available at: http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/price-gap-between-more-and-
less-healthy-foods-grows [Last Accessed 3.07.18]

Wilkinson R. & Marmot M. (2003) Social determinants of health: the solid facts. 2nd Edition. Copenhagen: WHO
Regional Office for Europe

Weng, S.F., Ali, S. and Leonardi-Bee, J. (2013) ‘Smoking and absence from work: systematic review and meta-analysis
of occupational studies’. Addiction Vol. 108, Issue 2, pp. 307–319

Markers Comments:

Referencing: The references are accurate throughout. (Distinction)

How CW 1 is marked
Source Selection and Evaluation Additional notes Understanding of Sources Additional notes
1. What type of sources have you chosen? 1. How is the source relevant to your title?
2. How have you identified the source as being 2. Have you identified useful points in the
reliable? text?
1. All sources are reliable and appropriate for 8 – 10 Distinction 1. Relevance of the texts to the research 8 – 10 Distinction
academic purposes. All sources included in reference list should be a logical and topic and title is explicit and clear. The relevance of the sources to the title is clear / there is an
2. Clear and sound evaluation of the reliability of useful source of information. There should be no unnecessary 2. Demonstrates thorough understanding of explanation of which aspect of the title the source is useful for (in
all sources provided. additions in order to make up the minimum number (including the relevant material and issues. brief – further detail should be included in the outline).
a dictionary reference, for example). There should be a brief summary of key arguments/ position of the
A ‘clear and sound evaluation’ will consider at least three author. For full marks, students should relate the source to other
aspects, for example: currency, authority (author/ source of arguments in order to show reading and connections between
information), purpose, accuracy (the evidence provided, use of sources relevant to the topic have been made.
academic conventions)
1. Reliable sources selected overall; one or two of 6 – 7 Merit 1. Relevance of the texts to the research 6 – 7 Merit
the sources may be of lower quality. On a list of 6 references, 1 lower quality source or incomplete topic and title is clear. The relevance of the sources to the title is clear, but it may be brief.
2. Sound evaluation of the reliability of sources. / inaccurate evaluation would receive a mark of 7, 2 would be 2. Demonstrates good understanding of the The summary / note of key points should indicate that reading has
Reasoning and detail may be clearer for some awarded 6 marks. relevant material and issues. been done (ie. points included should be beyond what could be
sources than others. written based on general knowledge / without any reading required).

1. Acceptable sources / material selected, though 4 – 5 Pass 1. Texts are relevant to the research topic 4 – 5 Pass
may be lower quality in some areas. 3 of the sources are appropriate, 3 are questionable. and title, though link may be less clear in Some sources may seem relevant to the topic, but not necessarily the
2. Evaluation of the reliability of the sources Student has attempted to evaluate sources, but either places. title.
present, but provides minimal detail which is weak, evaluation is incorrect (saying a source is current when it isn’t) 2. Demonstrates general knowledge of The summary should indicate that some reading has been done –
faulty or repetitive in some areas. or the student has identified a source as being of lower some areas but may lack detail. general points / positions of texts are stated, and some useful points
quality, but is still proposing to use it. identified.
1. Predominantly poor and/or inappropriate 2 – 3 Below pass 1. Texts are only generally linked to the 2 – 3 Below pass
material selected with selection appearing to be More than 50% of the sources on the list are not appropriate topic; the relevance to the title is unclear. Connection to the title is unclear; relevance to the topic is general,
random. for academic use, eg. newspapers, blogs (for subjects other 2. Demonstrates little or confused but possibly a stretch.
2. Weak / faulty evaluation of the reliability of the than Media), sources are out of date, are published by a understanding of content; student has The summary indicates either that reading has not been done (only
sources. corporation rather than an academic institution, etc. lifted parts of the text. very general or minimal comments made), or that the source has not
The evaluation may be incorrect, or only very brief – only been understood – this may be indicated by students simply lifting
stating that the source is current, for example, but parts of the text, or by seemingly irrelevant points being noted.
overlooking that the authorship is not reliable.
1. Poor and/or inappropriate literature/material 0 – 1 Fail 1. Texts are unconnected – no obvious 0 – 1 Fail
selected; required number of sources not included. focus for the reading. No clear relevance to the topic or the title.
2. No attempt to evaluate the reliability of sources. 2. Demonstrates no discernible knowledge Summary of key points is either missing, plagiarised or irrelevant.
or understanding.
Use of Sources Additional Notes Referencing Additional Notes
1. How well developed and relevant to the
question is your essay outline?
2. How will you use the sources in your work?
1. All aspects of the outline are clearly and fully 8 – 10 Distinction In-text citations and end of text 4 marks
developed in answer to the question. The outline is clear and logical. The reader can follow the argument references consistently clear and In-text citations and end of text references should be complete and in a
2. The value and use of all sources for the or discussion of the essay, main points are supported and developed accurate. consistent format. Minor typos, such as missing a full stop in one
research essay is clear in the outline. by relevant sub-points. reference should not be penalised. Page references are not required.
All of the sub-points are supported with reference to sources.

1. All aspects of the outline are clear and 6 – 7 Merit In-text citations and end of text 3 marks
relevant to the question, though some parts The outline is clear enough to be followed, but there may be areas references generally clear and Occasional minor errors refers to errors which are not systematic – ie.
may require further detail or development. which require further detail/ the development is not completely accurate; may contain occasional missing the year on some references, not putting journal titles in italics
logical / there may be too many points in a paragraph, or insufficient minor errors. in some references.
2. Clear indication of how sources will be used in
development.
research essay in the outline; sources
Sources to be used for support are included for the majority of points
appropriate to support points. – student may indicate that a source is required.

1. Most aspects of the outline are clear and 4 – 5 Pass In-text citations and end of text 2 marks
relevant to the question, but further The skeleton of a complete plan is present, but detail is missing. references included but with Some references could not be followed up easily – key information is
development is required. Sources are indicated for most of the points included in the outline, omissions or errors. missing (year of publication / URL), or some references are missing
2. Indication of how sources will be used in the but may appear reliant on one or two sources. from the list but included in the outline.
essay is generally clear, but may lack detail or
relevance in places.

1. The outline is only partly developed or does 2 – 3 Below pass Majority of citations / references 1 mark
not address the question at all. Parts of the plan are missing or completely undeveloped. missing or very unclear. Multiple references are missing, or the format is completely
2. Largely unclear how sources will be used to Source support is missing from many of the points, or do not seem inconsistent / reader is unable to identify or follow up the source.
support points in the research essay. relevant.

1. The outline is largely unclear or missing. 0 – 1 Fail No references included. 0

2. Unclear how sources will be used in the essay. Outline cannot be followed at all, or is not included. Referencing not attempted
Source references are missing or are just included without any
indication of the points they are supporting.