Capstone Research Report Marking Guide

Guidelines for the H1 Laboratory Report (80-84)

In the standard H1 laboratory report the Introduction will consist of a clearly justified and articulated rationale for the
research design and hypotheses based on a succinct review and critical analysis of the existing literature. Each
subsequent section of the report will be clearly linked to the introductory rationale, providing a sustained and coherent
narrative structure throughout the entire report. The Discussion section will show clear evidence of independent thought
and critical analysis. The student will have gone beyond the references provided and will have integrated the information
from these sources effectively to enhance their introductory arguments and to interpret and consider the limitations of
the results in the Discussion. The writing will be clear and succinct, not exceeding the word limit, and the paper will be
formatted correctly according to APA style.

A. (5%) Title and Abstract:

• The title will concisely state the central topic and should identify the actual variables or theories under
investigation.
• The abstract should summarise clearly and comprehensively the background, methods, results and
conclusions of the research in 120-200 words.

B. (20%) The Introduction to the report will:

• Provide a clear statement of the research question and an explanation for why it is important
• Succinctly and critically review the essential empirical and theoretical literature pertaining to the research
question/s;
• Define any terms specific to the research with relevant distinctions between terms;
• Develop a clearly expressed and cogent rationale for the proposed research plan taking into account the
relevant literature;
• The introductory arguments should lead to a concise statement of hypotheses. Each hypotheses should not
require further supporting argument as these will have been covered in the introduction.

C. (10%) The Method section provides sufficient detail to enable independent replication, including:
• A description of the sample, including sample size, age-range, gender, participant selection and any other
sample information relevant to the research questions.
• A description of the study design, including variables as related to research question and analyses
• The materials should be listed and described to enable replication (may include reference to an appendix
containing full materials).
• A concise overview of the procedure, including how tasks were administered and any relevant information
relating to coding of responses for tasks.

D. (20%) The Results section will:

• describe and represent the data accurately and clearly using APA conventions;
• analyse the results accurately utilising methods appropriate to address the research questions/hypotheses;
• report and interpret the analyses accurately and with clear reference to each of the research hypotheses.

E. (30%) The Discussion section will:

• Summarise the research findings in relation to research questions;
• Interpret the research findings with clear reference to the research problem and to the theories/models and
prior empirical work reviewed in the Introduction. When results deviate from what was predicted and/or
from previous research then some attempt to explain the discrepancy must be considered;
• Consider the implications of the research findings for the theories and models referred to in the Introduction;
• Reflect on the rationale, research methods and results to address any possible concerns that might qualify the
validity of the arguments;
• Identify issues that remain unresolved by the present study and suggest avenues for future research.

F (10%) In-text citations and the reference list should conform to current APA style

G (5%) Gestalt - The rationale and arguments should be integrated throughout the report

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Grade & Range Guide for awarding of grades. Letters in bold refer to items A-G in H1 Benchmark
criteria (above). Variation in scores within grade bands reflects variation in the clarity
of writing and thematic integration over sections.

H1 high Meets all benchmark H1 criteria A-G to an exceptional standard plus evidence of:
(90-100) 1. sophisticated evaluation of research findings and their implications in E;
2. highly developed original thought (e.g., insightful suggestions for improvements
in the research design for future work; reasoned suggestions for modifications to
an existing theory or model; the reasoned derivation of new research hypotheses
from a model or theory; etc.)
H1 mid Meets benchmark H1 criteria A-G, plus shows clear evidence of a sophisticated level of
(85-89) original thought in E.
H1 low Meets the benchmark H1 criteria A-G.
(80-84)
H2A There is a weakness in ONE of the sections B-E, or these sections are not as clearly
(75-79) written or as well integrated as would be expected for an H1.
H2B TWO of the sections B-E have weaknesses and it is likely that the clarity of writing and
(70-74) integration of the work are sub-H1 standard;
H3 There are significant weaknesses in E and weaknesses B, C and D. It is likely that there
(65-69) are significant weaknesses in the clarity of writing and the integration of the report
Pass There are significant weaknesses in all sections A-E and weaknesses in the writing
(50-64) and integration of the report.
N (<50) All sections A-E have serious weaknesses and the work is very poorly written. There is
a total failure to communicate a coherent research question and to describe the
rationale research; the results are incoherent and inaccurate; the discussion is
minimal and provides neither an interpretation of the results nor any critical analysis
or meaningful suggestions for future work.