LEEDS BECKETT UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT & ENGINEERING
QS Professional Practice – Level 7 Module Coursework Brief – Part 2
The assignment brief and instructions for presentation and submission are detailed below. The word count should be stated on the first page of the answer (word count includes all material except the bibliography).
Students must submit a digital version in MS Word format to the Turnitin portal on the My Beckett module page , where it will be checked for plagiarism. A print copy of the assignment is not required. The submissions should be strictly in accordance with the following instructions:
1) The submissions should be typed in Arial using font size 11
2) Single line spacing, but leaving a space between paragraphs.
3) Make copious use of sub headings which should be in bold type and underlined.
4) Lists of facts or items should be bullet pointed.
5) Where case law is used in the answer, the name of the case should be typed in bold italics. The full reference citation should be included as a footnote on each relevant page where the case appears.
6) All text should have both margins justified.
7) Do not make use of separate title pages or blank pages.
8) The submission must be written in the third person throughout (use of I, me, my, you, your, etc. are not to be used).
9) Students must proof read their work before submission for good grammar, use of English, choice of words and spelling, etc.
10) The assignments must be submitted by the due date and time to the Assignments Turnitin portal on My Beckett. Emailed attachments will not be accepted.
11) Marks awarded for presentation will reflect how closely the student has adhered to the above instructions.
ASSIGNMENT BRIEF
1. Task summary
This assignment requires you to produce a piece of written work, no longer than 3,000 words, on three aspects of QS Professional Practice: Tendering, financial control and reporting, and professional conduct.
See MyBeckett for the deadline dates
2. How to approach the assignment task
The following is an extract from a report in The Independent. (last accessed 24/01/2019)
‘The cost of the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project, intended to increase capacity between London, the Midlands and the north of England, is under fresh scrutiny.In a BBC Panorama programme, a former HS2 executive has claimed that early estimates of the value of properties along the route that needed to be bought were “enormously wrong”. Doug Thornton, former land and property director, said the figures underestimated the amount HS2 would have to pay, and that “thousands” more properties had not been budgeted for at all.
Using this headline, produce a report that analyses the key failings in the management of the project from a QS viewpoint.
In terms of content you must cover the following elements:
• Theoretical approaches to QS professional practice in the selected areas
• A brief discussion of each subject
• Key features
• Illustrate your work using the HS2 project as a reference point, and your work experience
• A critical evaluation of the arguments presented
Your work should include a short introduction to signpost what your work will address and its key arguments. It should end with a summary and conclusion that does not introduce new material or points. You should provide in-text citations and include a reference list or bibliography at the end in the Harvard style. Further guidance on academic writing is provided in the Skills for Learning web pages (available from your student portal via Library Online or at www.skillsforlearning.leedsbeckett.ac.uk)
3. Learning outcomes
This assignment assesses module learning outcomes (LO) 2, 3 and 4
LO1: Measure and describe a range of complex construction and design work in accordance with current rules of measurement for the quantification and costing of construction works
LO2: Research and evaluate professional advice for the application of Quantity Surveying contract practice and procedures
LO3: To identify and apply techniques for project financial control and reporting
LO4: Understand and apply conduct rules, ethics and professional practice
4. Tasks
4.1 Tendering
• Explain how as a private quantity surveyor you would assess tender submission risks
4.2 Financial control and reporting
• Identify and explain those elements that need to be considered when assessing the final estimate of cost Include a checklist of items which you would expect to include. Your answer should take into account the HS2 appointment arrangements.
• Critically analyse the key problems that exist and propose an appropriate post- contract cost control system to address/mitigate the issues the project faces
4.3 Professional conduct
• Critically evaluate the value of professional codes of ethics to construction professionals.
Assessment Criteria for each part of this assignment are as follows:
In completing this assignment, you should demonstrate:
• Critical appreciation and understanding of the context in which Quantity Surveying services are provided (20%)
• Identify key aspects of tendering, financial control and professional conduct in the provision of QS services (30%)
• Critically evaluate the application of QS services to construction
projects (20%)
• Critical awareness of practice and procedure differences between construction projects and the various ways in which contractual arrangements are implemented
20%)
• Appropriate assignment format, structure, presentation, clarity and quality of writing and correct Harvard referencing (10%)
This Coursework assessment component contributes a maximum of 60% to your Module marks.
Assessment will be in accordance with Leeds Beckett University’s descriptors:
CRITERIA FOR AWARD OF MARKS
These conventions are adopted by the University for the marking of assessed work and are supported by the prevailing University taxonomy as detailed in guidance issued by Quality Assurance Services
Excellent (70-100%) Distinction level
Coherent structure, well informed argument relevant to the subject Well developed analysis of concepts
Well developed ability to combine theory and practice in the analysis Evidence of wide reading and research around the subject matter
Clear understanding of reading and research and use of the correct method referencing woven into the writing
Strong evidence of an individualistic approach to writing New and original ideas around the subject matter
A range of examples from your own organisation or others.
Generally complies with the assignment brief and represents an excellent answer
Above average (60-69%) Merit level
Good understanding of the subject
Clear structure and appropriate use of argument relevant to the subject matter Coherent analysis of concepts
Good ability to combine theory and practice into the analysis Evidence of reading around the subject matter
An understanding of the reading around the subject and use of a referencing system Generally complies with the assignment brief and represents a very good answer
Average (50-59%) Pass level
An understanding of the subject but structure and argument less well defined Some analysis of the subject
Some attempt to combine theory and practice in the analysis Evidence of reading around the subject matter
Some understanding of the reading and limited use of referencing Limited evidence of individualist approach in the writing
Some examples in practice in your own organisation or others
This is a satisfactory answer representing a well-argued case but perhaps missing some key requirements of the assignment brief (possibly some problems with the Report format and with referencing omissions or errors)
Satisfactory (40-49%) Marginal pass level
Structure and argument poorly defined Limited analysis of concepts
Little evidence of reading around the subject
Poor understanding of any such reading and little referencing Individualistic approach lacking
This is a pass mark but with some deficiencies in the answer – for example, non-compliance with parts of the assignment brief or some apparent confusion in the answers provided – but represents a reasonable effort.
Unsatisfactory (less than 40%) Fail
The assignment remains misunderstood or not answered Response under number of words required
No evidence of reading around subject matter Central concepts not grasped
Errors in narrative of fact or of a very basic or key nature No evidence of how theory and practice is combined Plagiarism
There are some major problems with the answer. Likely causes include non-compliance with the assignment instructions, poor presentation, errors of fact and other inaccuracies.
NOTES ON TACKLING ASSIGNMENTS
Check list for all assignments
1.1 Check carefully the issue date and submission dates for all assignments.
1.2 Read carefully the instructions which usually give the terms of reference for assignments.
1.3 Follow the instructions and only deviate from them when this has been agreed with the tutor.
1.4 Give all tables a title and table number and then refer to these in the text.
1.5 Give all illustrations (drawings, photographs, graphs etc.) a title and a figure number and then refer to these in the text.
1.6 Put the table or illustrations into the text on the next available page after first referring to them.
1.7 Make sure that all pages are numbered (even in the case of essays) and the pages are in the correct order.
1.8 Make sure that all tables and figures are numbered consecutively and in the correct order.
1.9 With the exception of essays, make sure that there is a table of contents with page numbers indicated.
1.10 Make sure that your work is properly referenced and that a bibliography is included at the back of the assignment in the form that the reader could find the original sources. The Harvard system of referencing is recommended
1.11 You are required to prepare and submit your own work for assessment purposes. You should not use another’s work or collude in any way to meet the assignment criteria and deadlines. The University Regulations for cheating, plagiarism or other forms of unfair practice will be followed and applied where necessary.
Compiling a Bibliography and referencing using the Harvard System
You are required to acknowledge the sources you have used during the research and production of a written project or dissertation and so it is important that you adopt and become familiar with the use of a standardised method of bibliographical citation.
Quote, Unquote
Quote, Unquote is the Library’s guide to the Harvard Style of Referencing Published Material, including electronic information.
Online version of Quote, Unquote:
http://skillsforlearning.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/local/academic_communication/quote_unquote
_online/index.shtml
Skills for Learning website
www.skillsforlearning.leedsbeckett.ac.uk contains much useful information on referencing published material, research and research writing.
In particular please refer to the sections on Plagiarism and Referencing, as follows:
Academic integrity
Please refer to the ‘Assessment Responsibilities’ section on the Assessment page of this module.
A link to the booklet The Little Book of Academic Integrity can also be found there.
