Assiself-Assessment Checklist

Self Assessment Checklist

3637 Human Biology I

Assessment portfolio items previously submitted by students have shown deficiencies in key scientific writing skills, including the ability to clearly and concisely define a topic, organise and logically link data, define unfamiliar scientific terms and provide supporting evidence and explanation of theories and factual statements. It has also been noted that many students do not appear to edit or critically review the content of an assignment once the initial draft has been written. Therefore, as part of portfolio item 4, all students must self-assess their item of work against a checklist of the attributes expected in a piece of scientific writing. This exercise is aimed at increasing student awareness of the basic elements of scientific writing and the need to critically appraise one’s own work (as well as that of other scientists). The self-assessment exercise will contribute 1/3 of the marks allocated for assessment portfolio item 4, i.e. 5% of the total mark for Human Biology I.

Instructions: How to Self-Assess Your Portfolio Item

1. The assignment checklist on the reverse side of this page asks a series of questions about the attributes expected in a piece of scientific writing submitted as part of the Human Biology I course. For each question in the checklist, review your assignment for the attribute mentioned and tick either the “Yes” box or the “No” box. 2. Once you have completed the checklist, sign and date the declaration at the bottom of the page, attach it to your self-assessed assignment and lodge both the checklist and assignment in the assignment cupboard outside Room N114 by no later than 4.00pm, Friday 5th October 2001 (week 9 of semester 2). 3. If you have answered “No” to five (5) or more questions in the checklist, you must revise your assignment, rectify the deficiencies identified and submit an amended final draft in addition to the self-assessed draft. 4. The final (amended) draft must be received no later than 4.00pm, Friday 19th October 2001 (week 11 of semester 2). Please note that this is the final deadline for all assessment portfolio items for 2001. 5. Students who fail to complete a self-assessment of their assignment will be deemed not to have met the minimum course requirements for Human Biology I and will receive a grade of IF (incomplete fail).

Declaration:

I have self-assessed my assignment titled …………………………………………………....

…………………………………………………………………………………………………... in accordance with the instructions provided above.

Student Name: ______Signed: ______

Date: ______

EJP – 3637, 2001 D/Teaching/HBI/Assessment Self Assessment Checklist

Checklist

Attribute Yes No Does the title of the assignment describe/reflect its scientific content?

Does the assignment begin effectively, i.e. is there an adequate introduction of the subject material that provides the background to, or context of, the intended study?

Does the introduction include an explicit aim that is addressed in the body of the assignment?

Are statements of fact supported by evidence or explanation? (Have you elaborated on why or how, or directed the reader to previous studies on the topic?)

Have all scientific terms been defined?

Has enough detail of the subject material been provided to enable the reader to follow the train of thought and fully understand the topic?

Does the content flow? Are sentences and paragraphs clearly and logically linked, without the reader needing to back track or hunt for the intended meaning?

Is the meaning of each sentence clear? Are information and ideas presented in the most concise format possible without loss of vital content? Is all of the information presented relevant to the stated aims of the assignment? Have all unnecessary words and interesting but irrelevant ideas been eliminated?

Are the ideas, interpretations and data of other individuals explicitly acknowledged in the text? Are figures and tables numbered and linked to the relevant points in the

EJP – 3637, 2001 D/Teaching/HBI/Assessment Self Assessment Checklist text? Do the figures and tables support or contribute to the scientific content of the assignment? [If no, delete from the assignment.]

Have spelling and grammar been checked and is the assignment free of errors?

Is the tense consistent? Is the assignment written in the third person? Does the assignment end effectively, i.e. is there a conclusion or summary that reiterates the main findings and their significance and relates them back to the stated aims of the assignment?

Is there an accurate reference list that includes all sources cited in the text? Has the Harvard system of reference citation been used?

EJP – 3637, 2001 D/Teaching/HBI/Assessment