Using an Online Portfolio in Postgraduate Training

The overall word limit for assignment A (i and ii) is 1500 words +/- 10%.

Harvard referencing should be used throughout and the word count specified at the end of the content page.

NB: Examiners will ignore any material in excess of the given word count.

The assignment should be paginated. The following sequence is not mandatory but all elements must be included:

You are asked to:

i. Succinctly outline the study design; labelled the approach taken and methods used (not to exceed 100 words).

ii. Made informed judgements about: The coherence between the aim, the design, methods etc. The methodological rigour of the study. The robustness of the findings/conclusions

iii. Presented a balanced critique throughout the assignment by identifying strengths as well as flaws and deficits.

iv. Used appropriate literature to support arguments and assertions. There are numerous guides for critically appraising a research paper/article.

Below are some guidelines that you may find useful when analysing a paper.

 What did the authors set out to do? Is it clear? Is it consistent throughout the paper?

 Consider the theoretical approach/methodology Recognise which theoretical position the authors should be working within. Recognise what they are working within. Is it appropriate for the aims of the study? Is it appropriate for the question(s) asked?

 Consider the research design/method Recognise what it is. Are the researchers doing what they say? What compromises have the researchers had to make? Are these acceptable? Is the sample/population appropriate? Make comments about methodological rigor.

 What conclusions did the researchers draw and were they justified? What is the significance of the findings? Were the limitations of the study explored? Consider statistical analysis where appropriate. Does the researcher use appropriate tests? Are the results clearly expressed? If used, is the measurement scale appropriate, accurate etc.? Is the speculation appropriate/proportionate?

 What other approaches might have been used?

 Are there any ethical issues and have these been addressed adequately?

 Consider also the presentation of the paper and the style that it is written in.

Marking criteria:

-Includes all aspects of the assessment and all assertions are correct.

-The candidate applies a systematic, methodical approach in the deconstruction and critical appraisal of the paper.

-Comprehensive knowledge and judgment are demonstrated through the selection and discussion of the most significant issues to emerge from the paper and by linking interrelated features together.

-Literature is judiciously used to support arguments and illustrate points.

-The content is presented in a writing style that is clear and elegant.

-Citations and Harvard referencing have been applied consistently and correctly.