Capstone case studies are aimed to introduce you to a real-life work environment which is largely unstructured. You are required to do 4 cases relating to the 4 topics (modules) outlined in the Week One document and Lecture 1 . While the first three cases are the responsibility of the entire group, the fourth case (the technical paper) is the sole responsibility of the individual. In this way, you will obtain experience at working both in groups as well as independently.
Each report will quire you to summaries the outcome and recommendation of your (or your group’s) independent research In a very succinct manner -? skills that are valuable both for industry practice and postgraduate study. An assessment guide for each case study Is available on Blackboard to Inform you on how to score a top grade In this subject. SUPPORT There will be multiple avenues to support you throughout the course: face-to-face lectures and tutorials/workshops; and outside class consultation times.
WORKING IN A TEAM ENVIRONMENT For the group reports, you are required to work in a group of 3-5 members. All group embers must come from the same tutorial class. You choose your own group members. The Ideal team will consist of members who can bring to the group diverse knowledge, skill sets (such as writing, excel, research skills) and other attributes so as to attain the highest quality report. You will be assessed on your ability to demonstrate effective team skills in order to contribute appropriately to the production of group output.
A potential problem that may arise in team work is the presence of free riders. A “free rider” is a team member who is always happy to enjoy the credit of team successes but who never actually does anything to contribute to the group work. In order to minimize the occurrence of free-riding, and to ensure that free-riders are rightfully penalized, we have put in place a number of mechanisms in the assessment process.
As is often the case, the effectiveness of mechanisms such as these depends highly on the cooperation of all group members. The self and peer evaluation of your contribution to the group work will be used as the basis for determining your own (individual) mark for each group case. It cannot assigning various parts and tasks to individual group members. A list of who’s doing what should be prepared and distributed to all group members at the end of each group meeting.
Keep evidence of all communication. Corroborative evidence provided by your tutor and the minutes of the meetings will also be considered in this assessment. Your own reflection on teamwork effectiveness (submitted on Blackboard) for each group case will contribute to 10% of the final grade. As a general rule, your report for each case should contain a cover page displaying the group number and details (name and student number) of all team members.
The main document (“the report”) will have the following headings: – Title – Abstract – Introduction Statement of the problem(s) – Outline alternative solutions to the problem(s) Includes theoretical backup Includes analytical or empirical backup – Recommendation and Conclusions Justification of your choice Statement of conclusion – References There is a strict upper limit of 5 typewritten pages (12 point font size, 2 line spacing, 2 CM margin on each side) on the length of the project (or approximately 1,000 words). This limit does NOT include tables, figures, appendices and the reference list.
