Assessment Information
Subject Code: MBA505
Subject Name: Business Psychology, Coaching and Mentoring
Assessment Title: Assessment 1 – Reflective Essay
Weighting: 40%
Total Marks:
Word-count:
40
2,000 words
Due Date: Monday of Week 7 at 11.55pm via turnitin
.
Assessment Description
During this subject so far, you have been exposed to various business psychology theories that
have an application to individuals, teams and organisations. Being able to apply these concepts
in a practical manner is a key outcome of this course.
Consequently, you are required to answer the following question:
Summarise the concept of job satisfaction/dissatisfaction. Then, choose one job that you
have had over your lifetime. This may be part-time or full-time, permanent or temporary, or
in the profit or not for profit sector. The job you choose however, must be one in which
you were either: ‘extremely satisfied’ or ‘extremely dissatisfied’. Then, by applying 3 (three)
theories of motivation, you are to analyse why you felt the way you did.
The purpose of the assessment is to write a reflective essay that includes a discussion of the
theories you have learnt, and how these may be applied to your own work history. Being able to
do so, will assist your ability to evaluate why it is that some people excel in the workplace, while
others may wallow.
A reflective essay is an academic analysis of your own experience. It still follows academic
conventions, for instance, it is structured with a beginning, middle, and end, and it should have a
logical series of paragraphs. Think of it as similar to a case study, but rather than analysing an
organisation, you are analysing yourself. You need to critically reflect on thoughts, feelings and
actions, then integrate these reflections with the theoretical concepts. A reflective essay should
be written in both the first and third person.
Your reflective essay should include:
A clear introduction defining scope.
A brief discussion of what job satisfaction/dissatisfaction is, including the appropriate
theory.
A description of the job you have selected. Outline the role, your tenure, the organisation
(under a pseudonym if confidential) and the context.
3 (three) theories of motivation applied to the selected job and analysed in relation to your
Assessment Information
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Copyright Regulations 1969
This material has been reproduced and communicated to you by or on behalf of Kaplan Business School pursuant to Part VB of the Copyright Act 1968 (‘Act’). The material
in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further reproduction or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection
under the Act. Kaplan Business School is a part of Kaplan Inc., a leading global provider of educational services. Kaplan Business School Pty Ltd ABN 86 098 181 947 is a
registered higher education provider CRICOS Provider Code 02426B.
own experience.
A clear conclusion that summarises your insights.
A reference list.
Further guidance:
This paper requires a significant amount of analysis and personal reflection. This means
that you should break down each theory of motivation into its constituent parts and reflect
on how the way you felt was influenced by the presence, or lack of presence, of the factors
within the motivation construct.
You should include a minimum of 10 references. At least 6 of these should be academic
journals. The rest can be textbooks and appropriate websites.
You should adopt the Harvard referencing convention throughout your essay as well as in
the reference list at the end.
It is recommended that you use the structure outlined above and adopt sub-headings
based on each bullet point.
The attached marking rubrics guides the marker when awarding marks for your essay. You
should review your paper in line with this to ensure there is nothing you have missed.
It is important to check your similarity in turnitin. All sentences highlighted must be either
paraphrased in your own words or put in quotes and referenced accordingly. You should
be aiming for as low a similarity score as you can. Similarity highlighted in a contents page,
reference list or appendices is nothing to be concerned about.
Some useful resources for reflecting writing include:
o https://student.unsw.edu.au/
o http://libraryguides.griffith.
o http://learnonline.canberra.
o https://emedia.rmit.edu.au/
o http://www.monash.edu.au/lls/
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Copyright Regulations 1969
This material has been reproduced and communicated to you by or on behalf of Kaplan Business School pursuant to Part VB of the Copyright Act 1968 (‘Act’). The material in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further
reproduction or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection under the Act. Kaplan Business School is a part of Kaplan Inc., a leading global provider of educational services. Kaplan Business School Pty Ltd ABN 86
098 181 947 is a registered higher education provider CRICOS Provider Code 02426B.
Criteria F (Fail)
0%-49%
P (Pass)
50%-64%
CR (Credit)
65%-74%
D (Distinction)
75% – 84%
HD (High Distinction)
85%-100%
Mark
Assessment Content (Subject Specific) OUT OF 80 MARKS
Introduction and Conclusion Provide poor context and does
not link to the assessment in a
clear and coherent way. May
be missing entirely.
Provide satisfactory context but
link to the assessment in only a
partially clear and coherent way.
Provide reasonable context
and link to the assessment in
a fairly clear and coherent
way.
Provide good context and link to
the assessment in a clear and
coherent way.
Provide excellent context and link
to the assessment in an extremely
clear and coherent way.
/10
Discussion of what job
satisfaction and job
dissatisfaction is
A poor definition of job
satisfaction / dissatisfaction
that is based on no expressly
stated academic theory.
Discussion of how the
definition will link to the
reflective content that follows is
not made.
A satisfactory definition of job
satisfaction / dissatisfaction that
is based on described academic
theory. Discussion of how the
definition will link to the reflective
content that follows is limited.
A solid definition of job
satisfaction / dissatisfaction
that is based on relevant
academic theory. Discussion
of how the definition will link to
the reflective content that
follows is occasionally made.
A clear definition of job
satisfaction / dissatisfaction that
is based on sound academic
theory. Discussion of how the
definition will link to the
reflective content that follows is
sufficiently described.
An extremely clear definition of
job satisfaction / dissatisfaction
that is based on well-articulated
academic theory. Discussion of
how the definition will link to the
reflective content that follows is
expressly stated and
unambiguous.
/15
Overview of job and context Overview of the job and
context is poorly written, not
thorough and identifies an
unsatisfactory amount of the
pertinent issues.
Overview of the job and context
is satisfactorily written, not very
thorough and only identifies a
few of the pertinent issues.
Overview of the job and
context is well written,
reasonably thorough and
identifies some of the
pertinent issues.
Overview of the job and context
is very well written, very
thorough and identifies most of
the pertinent issues.
Overview of the job and context is
excellently written, extremely
thorough and identifies all the
pertinent issues.
/10
Description of 3 theories of
motivation
Motivation is discussed using 1
or 2 key theories to frame an
answer that is incoherent and
does not link to the explanation
of job satisfaction /
dissatisfaction.
Motivation is discussed using 2
or 3 key theories to frame an
answer in a relatively coherent
way that partially links to the
explanation of job satisfaction /
dissatisfaction.
Motivation is discussed using
3 key theories to frame an
answer in a reasonably clear
way that links reasonably well
to the explanation of job
satisfaction / dissatisfaction.
Motivation is discussed using 3
key theories to frame an answer
in a coherent way that links
clearly to the explanation of job
satisfaction / dissatisfaction.
Motivation is discussed using 3
key theories to frame an answer
in an extremely coherent way that
links seamlessly to the
explanation of job satisfaction /
dissatisfaction.
/20
Analysis of selected job in
relation to theories of
motivation and your own
experience
Analysis using theory is not
significantly discussed nor
done so using any personal
reflections or powerful insights.
A very limited degree of selfawareness
is present in the
discussion.
Analysis using theory is
discussed but done so using
limited personal reflections and
powerful insights. A limited
degree of self-awareness is
present in the discussion.
Analysis using theory is well
discussed and done so using
some personal reflections and
some convincing insights. A
good degree of selfawareness
is present in the
discussion.
Analysis using theory is very
well discussed and done so
using personal reflections and
thoroughly described insights. A
high degree of self-awareness is
present in the discussion.
Analysis using theory is
comprehensively discussed and
done so using personal reflections
and powerful insights. An
extremely high degree of selfawareness
is present in the
discussion.
/25
Structure Format and Presentation (Consistent across all courses) OUT OF 20 MARKS
Answer clearly and logically
presented.
Answer presented is not clear
and logical.
Answer presented is somewhat
clear and logical.
Answer presented is mainly
clear and logical.
Answer presented is
substantially clear and logical.
Answer presented is exceptionally
clear and logical.
/3
Appropriate theory and
research used to answer
question posed.
Answer unsatisfactorily
incorporates, integrates and
applies theory and research.
Answer satisfactorily
incorporates but only minimally
integrates and applies theory
and research.
Answer partially incorporates,
integrates and applies theory
and research.
Answer predominantly
incorporates, integrates and
applies theory and research.
Answer skillfully incorporates,
integrates and applies theory and
research.
/4
Correct academic writing style
used, including correct
spelling, grammar and
punctuation.
Writing quality is an inadequate
standard with substantial
errors.
Writing quality is a reasonable
standard with moderate errors.
Writing quality is a good
standard with some errors.
Writing quality is a high standard
with minimal errors.
Writing quality is of an impeccable
standard with no errors.
/3
COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Copyright Regulations 1969
This material has been reproduced and communicated to you by or on behalf of Kaplan Business School pursuant to Part VB of the Copyright Act 1968 (‘Act’). The material in this communication may be subject to copyright under the Act. Any further
reproduction or communication of this material by you may be the subject of copyright protection under the Act. Kaplan Business School is a part of Kaplan Inc., a leading global provider of educational services. Kaplan Business School Pty Ltd ABN 86
098 181 947 is a registered higher education provider CRICOS Provider Code 02426B.
Format of answer consistent
with question requirements and
KBS guidelines.
Format of answer poorly
follows the question
requirement and KBS
guidelines.
Format of answer partially
follows the question requirement
and KBS guidelines.
Format of answer mainly
follows the question
requirement and KBS
guidelines.
Format of answer substantially
follows the question requirement
and KBS guidelines.
Format of answer faultlessly
follows the question requirement
and KBS guidelines.
/3
In-text referencing and
reference list follows Harvard
style and consistent with KBS
guidelines.
Frequent errors and/or
inconsistent application of
Harvard referencing
conventions.
Some errors and/or inconsistent
application of Harvard
referencing conventions.
A few errors and/or
inconsistent application of
Harvard referencing
conventions.
Minimal errors and/or
inconsistent application of
Harvard referencing
conventions.
No errors and/or inconsistent
application of Harvard referencing
conventions.
/5
Word-count is within +/- 10% of
requirement.
Word-count is not within +/-
10% of requirement.
Word-count is within +/- 10% of
requirement.
Word-count is within +/- 10%
of requirement.
Word-count is within +/- 10% of
requirement.
Word-count is within +/- 10% of
requirement.
/2
Comments: /80
/20
/100
