Emerging Argument: A Descriptive Approach?

The assignment content is a grading rubric that assesses student performance based on various criteria such as sense of emerging argument, visual presentation, calculations, and application of numerical and statistical methods. The rubric provides clear guidelines for evaluating student work, with specific requirements and expectations at different levels (0-15%, 16-29%, 30-39%, etc.).

Coursework Assignment Brief
Semester: Autumn 2016
Module Code: FACI4024
Module Title: Financial Accounting 1
Programme: BSc (Honours)
Level: 4
Awarding Body: Plymouth University
Module Leader: Rita Davies Ukachi-Lois
Format: Report
Presentation: No
Any special
requirements:
All work should be submitted to the Student Portal along with an
acceptable Turnitin Report
Word Limit: 2,000 words (with 10% plus or minus leeway)
Deadline date for
submission:
Thursday 17 November 2016 (2 pm)
Learning outcomes to
be examined in this
assessment:
Explain the context, purpose and users of financial reporting.LO1
Describe the qualitative characteristicsoffinancialinformation. LO2
Percentage of marks
awarded for the module:
This assignment is worth 50% of the total marks for the module
Assessment criteria: Explanatory comments on the assessment
criteria
Maximum marks for
each section
Knowledge and
Understanding of
Subject:
Factual and conceptual knowledge and
understanding; use of class materials;
independent reading
45%
Cognitive/Intellectual
Skills:
Critical thinking; conceptualisation; creativity;
synthesis, analysis and evaluation;
application; problem solving and
research/investigation.
30%
Graduate –
Transferable,
Employability and
Written, oral and presentation skills;
interpersonal, group and teamwork skills;
leadership skills; numeracy; digital skills;
25%
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Practical Skills: practical, professional and academic skills
(including referencing/presentation etc.)
Candidates must clearly label their ID Number on additional separate reference, formula or
answer sheets.
Assignment Task:
You are required to research a company that would be your ideal company you would like to
work for.
You should write a report to the newly appointed chairperson of the companies, addressing
the following issues:
a) Identify six different groups of users of financial statements, who would be interested
in these companies(ensure that both internal and external users are fairly
represented). Provide a brief summary of these users and a brief description of the
purposes for which they will use the financial statements.
b) Obtain the latest five consecutive years of the published Income Statement
andStatement of Financial Position (Balance Sheet) for this company; most
importantly the company should be listed on the London Stock Market (these
accounts should be included as an appendix to the coursework).
Your analysis should include:
 A brief summary of the chosen company.
 Calculations of various ratios which will be used to analyse the company’s
performance over the years, choosingat least threefrom profitability,
liquidity, working capital and solvency ratio.
 Provide an analysis on each ratio calculated.
 Summarise your findings in the conclusion and make recommendations on
your findings of the company’s performance.
Total marks for assignment: 100
Marking Scheme:
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What is expected within students’ answers
Ability to introduce the report, by including assignment objectives, companies selected, and
financial statements obtained (the income statement and the statement of financial position
should be attached in the appendices).
Write a brief history of each company selected, to provide the reader with some background
information about these companies.
The description of the user groups and purposes for which they use the financial statements
should demonstrate a clear understanding of the issues.
Analysis and calculations of relevant and specific financial informationthat reflect the
company’s performance from the perspective of each of the user groups identified should
demonstrate the ability to relate theory to the real world.
Arguments should be clearly summed up to reach a conclusion.
Clear, professionalevidence of wide research should be provided.
Marks Awarded
Introduction and relevance of materials 10
Identification of Users: Group of financial statement 18
Ratios: formula and calculations 16
Ratio analysis – of the company(s) for the periods 26
Conclusion and recommendation 10
Presentation: Content style and originality 10
Clarity 5
Format, referencing, bibliography 5
Total marks 100
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Page 4 of 12

GENERIC ASSESSMENT MARKING CRITERIA LEVEL 4
KNOWLEDGE &
UNDERSTANDING
INTELLECTUAL &
COGNITIVE SKILLS
Graduate Skills: transferable,
employability, practical and academic
skills
Factual and
conceptual
knowledge and
understanding; use
of class materials;
independent reading
Critical thinking;
conceptualisation;
creativity; synthesis,
analysis and evaluation;
application; problem
solving and
research/investigation
Written, oral and presentation skills;
interpersonal, group and teamwork
skills; leadership skills; numeracy;
digital skills; practical, professional
and academic skills (including
referencing/presentation
MARKING
BAND
MODUL
LEARNING
OUTCOMES
CLASSIFICATION WEIGHTED AT 45% WEIGHTED AT 30% WEIGHTED AT 25%
86 - 100% Achieved at
this level
FIRST (1ST) Includes all required
factual content,
accurately
summarised.
Well developed, relevant,
reasoned introduction and
conclusions.
Within word count or presentation time.
Includes relevant
factual content only.
Clearly and logically
structured material.
Accurate spelling, grammar, punctuation,
paragraphing.
Accurate identification
of relevant concepts,
theories and/or
principles, appropriate
to this level.
Information or data selected
from a good range of
primary and secondary
sources, and categorised,
analysed or evaluated using
relevant methods or
techniques.
Fluent, interesting writing style,
appropriate to the assignment OR
engaging, confident, audible and well-
paced presentation.
Excellent
understanding of
factual and conceptual
material, relative to this
level.
Well developed, coherent
arguments, referencing
primary and secondary
literature.
Appropriate visual presentation, including
font, spacing, margins, headings,
graphics, images and appendices.
Calculations are
accurate, clearly set
Well-developed integration
of theory and practice, for
Correct use of academic conventions,
references and bibliography.
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out, with explanations. this level, using defined
conceptual frameworks.
Independent, wide-
ranging reading and
research, from both
primary and secondary
sources, appropriate to
this level.
Very good application of
numerical and statistical
methods to defined
problems.
Outstanding, consistent delivery of group
work obligations, for this level.
Substantiated, relevant
recommendations. Very
good awareness of ethical
issues, where relevant.
Insightful reflection on own strengths and
weaknesses in relation to defined
professional and practical skills.
70 - 85% Achieved at
this level
FIRST (1ST) Includes all required
factual content,
accurately
summarised.
Well developed, relevant
introduction and
conclusions.
Within word count or presentation time.
Includes relevant
factual content only.
Clearly structured material. Accurate spelling, grammar, punctuation,
paragraphing.
Accurate identification
of relevant concepts,
theories and/or
principles, appropriate
to this level.
Information or data selected
from relevant primary and
secondary sources, and
categorised, analysed or
evaluated using relevant
methods or techniques.
Fluent writing style, appropriate to the
assignment OR engaging, audible and
well-paced presentation.
Very good
understanding of
factual and conceptual
material, relative to this
level.
Coherent arguments,
referencing primary and
secondary literature.
Appropriate visual presentation, including
font, spacing, margins, headings,
graphics, images and appendices.
Calculations are
accurate, clearly set
out, with explanations.
Very good integration of
theory and practice, for this
level, using defined
conceptual frameworks.
Correct use of academic conventions,
references and bibliography.
Independent, wide-
ranging reading and
research, from both
Good application of
numerical and statistical
methods to defined
Very good, consistent delivery of group
work obligations, for this level.
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primary and secondary
sources, appropriate to
this level.
problems.
Relevant recommendations.
Good awareness of ethical
issues, where relevant.
Good reflection on own strengths and
weaknesses in relation to defined
professional and practical skills.
60 - 69% Achieved at
this level
UPPER SECOND
(2:1)
Includes most required
factual content, mostly
accurately
summarised.
Relevant introduction and
conclusions.
Within word count or presentation time.
Includes relevant
factual content only.
Clearly structured material. Mostly accurate spelling, grammar,
punctuation, paragraphing.
Mainly accurate
identification of
relevant concepts,
theories and/or
principles, appropriate
to this level.
Information or data selected
from some relevant primary
and secondary sources,
and categorised, analysed
or evaluated using relevant
methods or techniques but
with some gaps or
misunderstandings.
Mainly fluent writing style, appropriate to
the assignment OR mainly engaging,
audible and well-paced presentation.
Sound understanding
of factual and
conceptual material,
relative to this level.
Mostly coherent arguments,
referencing primary and
secondary literature.
Mostly appropriate visual presentation,
including font, spacing, margins,
headings, graphics, images and
appendices.
Calculations are mainly
accurate, mostly
clearly set out, with
mostly good
explanations.
Good integration of theory
and practice, for this level.
Mostly correct use of academic
conventions, references and bibliography.
Independent reading
and research from
sufficient and mostly
authoritative primary
and secondary
sources, appropriate to
this level.
Mainly good application of
numerical and statistical
methods to defined
problems, with some gaps,
errors or
misunderstandings.
Consistent delivery of group work
obligations, for this level.
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Some relevant
recommendations.
Satisfactory awareness of
ethical issues, where
relevant.
Clear reflection on own strengths and
weaknesses in relation to defined
professional and practical skills.
50 - 59% Achieved at
this level
LOWER SECOND
(2:2)
Includes essential
required factual
content, but with some
gaps or
misunderstandings.
Adequate introduction and
conclusions.
Within 10% of word count or presentation
time.
Includes some
irrelevant factual
content.
Mostly clearly structured
material.
Some mistakes in spelling, grammar,
punctuation, paragraphing.
Some identification of
relevant concepts,
theories and/or
principles, appropriate
to this level.
Information or data selected
from mainly secondary
sources, and categorised,
analysed or evaluated using
mostly relevant methods or
techniques but with gaps or
misunderstandings.
Writing style is appropriate but not always
fluent OR a presentation that is not
always engaging, audible or well-paced.
Adequate
understanding of
factual and conceptual
material, relative to this
level.
Limited arguments,
referencing mostly
secondary literature.
Inconsistent visual presentation, including
font, spacing, margins, headings,
graphics, images and appendices.
Calculations may have
inaccuracies, or issues
relating to set out and
explanation.
An adequate attempt to
relate theory to practice, for
this level, using defined
conceptual frameworks.
Inconsistent use of academic
conventions, references and bibliography.
Some independent
reading and research
from mainly secondary
sources, appropriate to
this level.
Adequate application of
numerical and statistical
methods to defined
problems, with gaps, errors
or misunderstandings.
Inconsistent delivery of group work
obligations, for this level.
Basic recommendations.
Satisfactory awareness of
Some evaluation of own strengths and
weaknesses in relation to defined
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ethical issues, where
relevant.
professional and practical skills.
40 - 49% Marginal
achievement
at this level
THIRD (3RD) Includes limited
required factual
content, with many
gaps or inaccuracies.
Basic introduction and
conclusions.
Within 10% of word count or presentation
time.
Includes considerable
irrelevant factual
content.
Unevenly structured
material.
Frequent mistakes in spelling, grammar,
punctuation, paragraphing.
Limited identification of
relevant concepts,
theories and/or
principles, appropriate
to this level.
Information or data selected
from secondary sources,
and poorly categorised,
analysed or evaluated using
inappropriate methods or
techniques.
Awkward or inappropriate writing style OR
a presentation that is not engaging,
audible or well-paced.
Limited understanding
of factual and
conceptual material,
relative to this level.
Sense of emerging
argument, mainly
descriptive or personal
opinion, with little reference
to literature.
Clear but inappropriate visual
presentation, including font, spacing,
margins, headings, graphics, images and
appendices.
Calculations are often
inaccurate, with many
issues relating to set
out and explanation.
Limited attempt to relate
theory to practice, using
defined conceptual
frameworks.
Inconsistent or incomplete use of
academic conventions, references and
bibliography.
Limited independent
reading and research
from secondary
sources, appropriate to
this level.
Weak application of
numerical and statistical
methods to defined
problems, with many gaps
or errors.
Unreliable delivery of group work
obligations, for this level.
Recommendations lack
clarity or may be
incomplete. Little
awareness of ethical
issues, where relevant.
Limited reflection on own strengths and
weaknesses in relation to defined
professional and practical skills.
30 - 39% Marginal
failure at this
FAIL. POSSIBLE
COMPENSATION.
Includes insufficient
required factual
Incoherent or irrelevant
introduction and
More than 10% outside word count or
presentation time.
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level content, with significant
gaps or inaccuracies.
conclusions.
Includes substantial
irrelevant factual
content.
Incoherently structured
material.
Serious mistakes in spelling, grammar,
punctuation, paragraphing.
Very limited or
inaccurate
identification of
relevant concepts,
theories and/or
principles, appropriate
to this level.
Little selection of
information or data, and
little attempt at collation,
categorisation, analysis or
evaluation.
Poor writing style OR a presentation that
is not engaging, audible or well-paced.
Very limited
understanding of
factual and conceptual
material, relative to this
level.
Little or no argument,
entirely descriptive or
personal opinion, with no
reference to literature.
Poor visual presentation, including font,
spacing, margins, headings, graphics,
images and appendices.
Calculations are mostly
inaccurate, or
incorrectly set out or
explained.
Theory only sporadically
related to practice, using
defined conceptual
frameworks.
Inaccurate or incomplete use of academic
conventions, references and bibliography.
Minimal independent
reading and research,
appropriate to this
level.
Very weak application of
numerical and statistical
methods to defined
problems, with significant
errors.
Poor delivery of group work obligations,
for this level.
Irrelevant
recommendations. Little or
no awareness of ethical
issues, where relevant.
Very limited reflection on own strengths
and weaknesses in relation to defined
professional and practical skills.
16 - 29% Not achieved
at this level
FAIL. NO
COMPENSATION.
Includes almost no
required factual
content, and with very
significant
inaccuracies.
Incoherent or missing
introduction and
conclusions.
More than 10% outside word count or
presentation time.
Includes mainly Very incoherently structured Serious and extensive mistakes in
Page 10 of 12

irrelevant factual
content.
material. spelling, grammar, punctuation,
paragraphing.
No identification of
relevant concepts,
theories and/or
principles.
No evidence of the
selection, categorisation,
analysis or evaluation of
information or data.
Incoherent writing style OR an inaudible,
poorly paced and unengaging
presentation.
No understanding of
factual and conceptual
material, relative to this
level.
No argument, entirely
descriptive or personal
opinion, with no reference
to literature.
Very poor visual presentation, including
font, spacing, margins, headings,
graphics, images and appendices.
Calculations are
inaccurate, with no
explanations.
Theory not related to
practice.
Very inaccurate or no use of academic
conventions, references and bibliography.
No independent
reading and research,
appropriate to this
level.
Minimal application of
numerical and statistical
methods and techniques to
defined problems, with
significant errors.
Very poor delivery of group work
obligations, where relevant.
No recommendations. No
awareness of ethical
issues, where relevant.
Minimal or no evaluation of own strengths
and weaknesses in relation to defined
professional and practical skills.
0 - 15% Not achieved
at this level
FAIL. NO
COMPENSATION.
Does not include
required factual
content.
No introduction and
conclusions.
More than 10% outside word count or
presentation time.
Includes entirely
irrelevant factual
content.
Very incoherently structured
material.
Serious and extensive mistakes in
spelling, grammar, punctuation,
paragraphing.
No identification of
relevant concepts,
theories and/or
principles.
No evidence of the
selection, categorisation,
analysis or evaluation of
information or data.
Incoherent writing style OR an inaudible,
poorly paced and unengaging
presentation.
No understanding of
factual and conceptual
material.
No argument, entirely
personal opinion, with no
reference to literature.
Exceptionally poor visual presentation,
including font, spacing, margins,
headings, graphics, images and
appendices.
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