Students may earn up to a total of 5% through participation in nominated online or in-class unit related activities  (e.g., presentations in class, completing online questionnaires that will be used as the basis for tutorial discussion). Students must accumulate a minimum of 10 participation points (worth half a mark each) over the course of the semester to be eligible the full 5%. Note that some activities are compulsory and full marks for participation cannot be gained without completion of these activities. 

Additional participation may be taken into account where requests for special consideration are made. Planned participation activities are detailed below but additional activities may be announced throughout the semester. 

Participation points may only be earned for in-tutorial activities when students are attending their registered tutorial. Students attending out of their registered tutorial group will not be eligible for participation points allocated within that tutorial.

Please note that the end of semester ASGS questionnaire is compulsory and you may only earn a maximum of 8 points (4%) if you do not complete this questionnaire.  

Some participation points involve completion of online activities. We import the record of your completion of these activities by student number so it is critical that your student number is entered correctly. Once you have successfuly completed and submitted the online activity, you will receive a confirmation email at the address you provide. Keep a copy of this email. If you do not receive this email, you have not successfully submitted the activity. Claims regarding completion of online activities will not be considered without the confirmation email.

Activity

Date Due

Participation Points

*(1) Online registration for Psychic Personality Reading Experiment

AND 

*(2) Online rating of Psychic Personality Reading Experiment 

(Both tasks must be completed for allocation of any points).

(1) 9pm 5/8/16

AND

(2) 9pm 7/8/16

2

*Beginning of unit online completion of ASGS Questionnaire and Rotter's Locus of Control Scale

9pm 7/8/16

2

*Participation in in-class eyewitness memory experiment

Week 3

2

Bonus point for best ology

Week 5

1

Participation in preparation for bad science proposal

Week 7

2

Participation in presentation of bad science proposal (must assist in preparation in Week 7 to be eligible)

Week 9

2

Bonus point for best bad science proposal

Week 9

1

**End of unit online completion of  of ASGS Questionnaire 

9pm 6/11/16

2

Spokesperson reporting back on small group discussion (preference to students who have not previously presented)

Tutorials - Multiple opportunities

Multiple (2 points each)

Note: *Task may be linked to research data collection. Students may decline to have data included for research purposes but participation will still count.

**Task is compulsory and must be completed to be eligible for the full 5% for participation. If you do not complete this task, you will be eligible for a maximum of 8 participation points (4%). 

A total of 9 Topic Quizzes will be conducted and each will be of 5 minutes duration. They will typically consist of 5 multiple choice questions. These quizzes will assess key knowledge and understanding of required reading for the relevant tutorial (typically 3-4 questions) as well as key concepts from the preceding topic (typically 1-2 questions). For example, the quiz conducted in the second week of the semester will cover the reading for Topic 2 and the content of Topic 1. Please note that the required readings for the first quiz include the Unit Guide. Dates for quizzes and required readings are available in the Unit Schedule section of this guide.

The best 7 scores in these quizzes will count toward the final mark for this component of the assessment. Students may elect not to complete all of the Topic Quizzes but will be disadvantaged if they complete less than 7. The facility to disregard quiz scores is designed to allow for missed quizzes due to events such as lateness, illness, political or industrial action, religious or public holidays, PACE unit requirement, cancelled classes and other disruptions. 

There will be no provision for repeats of the Topic Quizzes under any circumstances as only 7 quizzes need to be completed. In cases where acceptable unavoidable disruption to study is documented for more than 2 missed quizzes, students may submit a request for special consideration via:

https://www.ask.mq.edu.au 

If you have documented unavoidable disruption to studies affecting more than two tutorials your overall result will be calculated by averaging your scores for the remaining quizzes up to a total of seven. 

Topic Quizzes will be conducted in the first 5 minutes of the session. Students arriving late may elect to attempt the quiz in the remaining time but no additional time will be allocated. Students may not complete the Topic Quiz and then leave a session. Sessions must be attended in whole or the quiz result will be discarded.

Full instructions will be issued at the beginning of each tutorial and any breach of these instructions may result in the score being discarded. The use of references or notes is not allowed during the Topic Quizzes and they must be completed individually. Students may only write on the answer card. Any collaboration or other misconduct may be referred to the University for disciplinary action. 

Feedback

The results of Topic Quizzes for students will be posted on the unit web site as soon as possible following the tutorial sessions for the week.

Answers to Topic Quizzes will be provided by the tutor in the week following the relevant quiz. You may also contact your tutor to review your quiz at any point during the semester. 

Performance Descriptors

The following performance descriptors will be used in the assignment of grades for the quizzes based on your 7 best results.

High Distinction: There is demonstration of complete understanding of key concepts covered in the unit and knowledge of key content considered in the readings.

Distinction: There is demonstration of near complete understanding of key principles covered in the unit and knowledge of key content considered in the readings. Only a very limited number of errors would be evident.

Credit: There is demonstration of extensive understanding of key principles covered in the unit and knowledge of key content considered in the readings. Only a limited number of errors would be evident.

Pass: There is demonstration of understanding of a majority of key principles covered in the unit and knowledge of a majority of key content considered in the readings.

Fail: There is demonstration of understanding of a minority of key principles covered in the unit and/or knowledge of a minority of key content considered in the readings. 

Quiz Grading

Raw scores for the best 7 quizzes completed will be totaled and moderated scores and corresponding grades will be allocated as indicated in the following table. For example, a raw score on your best 7 results of 29/35 will receive a moderated score of 65 and the corresponding grade of Credit. 

Raw Score / 35

Moderated Score

Grade

35

100

HD

34

84

D

33

80

D

32

75

D

31

71

CR

30

68

CR

29

65

CR

28

63

P

27

62

P

26

61

P

25

60

P

24

58

P

23

57

P

22

56

P

21

55

P

20

54

P

19

52

P

18

51

P

17

50

P

16

47

F

15

44

F

14

41

F

13

38

F

12

35

F

11

32

F

10

29

F

9

26

F

8

24

F

7

21

F

6

18

F

5

15

F

4

12

F

3

9

F

2

6

F

1

3

F

0

0

F

The assignment will be provided on the iLearn site at the beginning of Week 4. Details of the assignment and the form on which the assignment MUST be submitted will be provided in the Assessment section of the web site. 

The assignment will consist of two parts. In the first part you will be required to apply concepts covered in the unit to analyse a provided scenario and/or webpages, including analysis of possible red flags/signs of pseudoscience and/or features of a scientific approach. The second part will involve a conceptual question related to content considered in the first four weeks of the unit. 

​You need to cite sources used in your paper and provide a reference list for any references cited. You must use strict APA style for both citations and the reference list. A link to a style guide will be provided in the Assessment section of the web site. 

How Do I Submit My Assignment?

A link for assignment submission will be provided in the Assessment section of the web site. All assignments must be submitted via this link where they will he subject to a plagiarism check. 

What is the Word Limit?

Each question of the assignment has a word limit and the total maximum words for the assignment is 1,200. This includes in-text citations but excludes your reference list. The word limit for each section will be indicated. Markers will not read beyond the stated limit. 

Do I have to Complete the Assignment on the Provided Template?

Yes, you must complete the assignment in the provided template and you must complete all of the required details, including word counts where requested. There will be a 5% penalty where the template is not used or not fully completed, including word counts. 

Can I Submit a Late Assignment?

Assignments received after the due date will be accepted provided they are received no later than 10 calendar days late. Note that this is a period of grace, not a new deadline, and extension requests for events after the original due date will not be considered. No assignment will be accepted after 10 days, except when an extension has been requested before the due date and granted.

After the due date (unless an extension has been granted) a late penalty will be applied, leading to a reduction in the awarded mark. The late penalty is 5% of the total mark for each calendar day the assignment is outstanding beyond the due date. These penalties are imposed in fairness to students who submit assignments on time.

When is the Deadline?

The deadline is 11:59 pm on the due date. Note that this means you must submit BEFORE 11:59 pm. Note that it takes time to upload your assignment to Turnitin. This is normally quite quick but will depend on the speed of your internet connection at the time. The submission time is the time that assignment is recorded as received by Turnitin as we can not verify the time you started uploading. You need to allow time for the upload. Do not leave submission of your assignment to the last hours (or minutes).

What if My Assignment is Only 11 Seconds Late?

Late is late. Any submission after the deadline will be considered late.  Do not leave submission of your assignment to the last hours (or minutes).

What if My Hard Disk Crashed, My Pet Hippopotamus Ate My Computer, etc?

Computer problems will not be accepted as reasons for extensions. You are responsible for making sure your work is adequately backed up. Make sure your work is regularly backed up on a USB drive or to a cloud-based backup and don't leave your submission to the last minute. Most importantly, always keep your hippopotamus and computer in separate rooms. 

What if I Accidentally Submit a Blank Assignment, the Wrong Document, etc?

We can only mark what you submit. Make sure you re-download your assignment from the location that it was submitted and verify the correct document has been submitted. No consideration will be offered if you submit the incorrect document. You may submit your assignment as many times as you wish before the due date and only the last submitted version will be marked. 

Can  I Get an Extension?

Extensions may be granted In extenuating circumstances where documented unavoidable disruption to study occurs (see the University Disruption to Studies Policy in the Policies and Procedures section of this guide). Reasons for the extension need to be documented through the special consideration form accessible through http://ask.mq.edu.au and supported (e.g., a Professional Authority Form in the case of illness). Please note that medical certificates are NOT accepted as evidence of illness - a Professional Authority Form must be provided. 

Extension requests should be submitted before the due date. Post-due date applications for extensions will not be considered under any circumstances except when the student can provide documentary evidence that it was impossible to complete a special consideration form before the due date.

Note that:

• Extensions will only be considered on receipt of the completed form submitted through http://ask.mq.edu.au, plus relevant documentation. Extension requests via any other means (e.g., email) will NOT be accepted. 

• It is essential that you plan ahead and organise your study time effectively. Poor time management is not grounds for an extension

How do I Know My Assignment Submission was Successful? 

Given the size of the unit, staff will NOT respond to requests to confirm that assignments have been correctly submitted. You will receive an emailed receipt on successful submission of your assignment in your student email account. Make sure that this has been received and retain this receipt. No claims will be considered regarding missing assignments without this receipt. You can also re-download your assignment to double-check it was submitted (see above). Always keep a copy of your assignment. 

How will I get feedback on my assignment?

Your marked assessment task, along with feedback information, will be returned electronically. Comments will be offered on your assignment and the marking rubric and  grade will be returned via email to your student email account. 

Can I Resubmit an Assignment?

Students are required to gain an overall pass on the unit, but do not have to pass all assessment components. If you perform poorly on one component, you may compensate for this with an improved performance in the other components. Resubmission of assessments is not permitted.

Where is the Marking Rubric?

A copy of the marking rubric will be provided on the web site when the assignment is released. 

A two-hour examination will be held during the university examination period. It will be comprised typically of questions that require short answers. For the final examination all lecture, tutorial material and readings are examinable.

A sample examination paper will be provided at the end of the unit. 

Please note that exams are scheduled Monday to Saturday. University rules specify that students must ensure that they are available for the full duration of the final examination period.

Performance Descriptors (Rubric)

The following performance descriptors will be used in evaluating examinations. 

High Distinction: Responses demonstrate a complete understanding of all key principles, witnessed by descriptions, justifications, analysis and effective integration of relevant information. There is no evidence of consequential gaps in knowledge and/or understanding of concepts and no consequential misconceptions.

Distinction: Responses demonstrate an extensive understanding of all key principles, witnessed by descriptions, justifications, analysis and effective integration of relevant information. There is no evidence of consequential gaps in knowledge and/or understanding of concepts although very minor misconceptions may be evident. 

Credit: Responses demonstrate a strong understanding of the vast majority of key principles, witnessed by descriptions, justifications, analysis and effective integration of relevant information. Consequential gaps in knowledge and/or understanding are limited to a small minority of concepts.

Pass: Responses demonstrate a sound understanding of the majority of key principles, witnessed by descriptions, justifications, analysis and effective integration of relevant information. Consequential gaps in knowledge and/or understanding are only evident in a minority of concepts. 

Fail: Responses demonstrate a limited understanding of the majority of key principles, witnessed by descriptions, justifications, analysis and effective integration of relevant information. Consequential gaps in knowledge and/or understanding are evident for a majority of concepts.