GEOS 1701 ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS AND PROCESS T2
WATER USE REPORT MARKING RUBRIC STUDENT GUIDE
Your Water Use Assignment will be marked using a marking rubric. When your Assignment is
returned you will be given feedback for each of the criteria below based on a Below UNSW
Standard/Fair/Good/Excellent assessment and not a mark value.
You will also be given some general comments about your Assignment and then given an overall
mark out of 100 which will then be converted based on the 25% value of the course grade of the
Water Use Final Report (remember that the Data Summary you are asked to submit in Week 6 is
worth 5%)
We are providing you with this very detailed rubric in advance to help you prepare your final
assignment knowing what standards are expected. The final rubric might be somewhat different
and simplified, but this at least gives you an idea of our expectations.

Style/Structure

Below UNSW
Standard
Fair Good Excellent

Overall
Presentation
Inconsistent and/or poor
font selection, spacing and
pagination. Black and
white and lacking cover
page. No page numbering.
Some inconsistent use of
fonts and spacing.
Mostly black and white
including cover page.
Mostly consistent use of
fonts and spacing with use of
colour and includes a cover
page.
Consistent and appropriate use
of fonts, spacing, colour, and
pagination. Illustrative cover
page. Professional quality.

Organisation,
Flow and
Clarity
Sections and sub-headings
absent and/or merged or
disjointed. Poorly organise
ideas and arguments
vague. No particular flow
or coherence around
themes is evident.
Some incorrect content
in sections. Central
argument(s) not clear
and flow of report needs
improving. Lacks
organization and
continuity.
Some material digresses
from central themes and
some results and discussion
mixed. Not all ideas logically
follow each other.
Logically organised and well-
structured displaying a
beginning, body and conclusion.
Critical thinking skills are evident.
Grammar and
Spelling
Multiple spelling or
grammar errors that
significantly reduce
readability.
Multiple spelling or
grammar errors that
detract from readability.
Only minor spelling or
grammar errors that don’t
detract from readability.
Virtually no spelling or grammar
errors.
Presentation of
Tables &
Figures
Major problems with
Tables and/or Figures in
terms of presentation,
appropriate numbers,
titles and captions.
Multiple problems with
Tables and/or Figures in
terms of presentation,
appropriate numbers,
titles and captions.
Minor problems with Tables
and/or Figures in terms of
presentation, appropriate
numbers, titles and captions.
Tables and Figures well
presented with appropriate
numbers, titles and captions.
Use of
References and
Citations
Lack of proper citation
and/or reference list
Multiple errors in
reference citations or
details in reference list.
One or two errors in
reference citations or details
in reference list.
All references are cited correctly,
and references list details are all
correct.
Word Limit
Considerably below or
above.
Significantly below or
above (several hundred
words).
Slightly above or below +/-
100 -200 words.
At, or close to.

Specific Items

Below UNSW
Standard
Fair Good Excellent
Abstract Absent and/or does not provide required
information.
Does not provide all
required information.
Provides most required
information.
Provides all required information.

Introduction
Absent and/or does not
provide adequate
overview of background
information, statement of
the problems, or correct
aims/objectives.
More than one of
background overview,
statement of the
problem or
aims/objectives done
poorly.
One of background overview
or statement of problem
done poorly.
Includes an overview of key
concepts/issues, statement of
the problem, and
aims/objectives.
General
Methods
Most methods not clearly
or fully explained or
section is absent.
Several methods not
clearly or fully explained.
A few methods not clearly or
fully explained.
Succinct, clear and
comprehensive outline of all
methods used.
Chart Method
No chart method used
and/or not explained.
Basic/limited effort
lacking explanation.
Good effort lacking in some
explanation and examples.
Comprehensive use of chart
method that is well explained.
Examples included in Appendix.
Results

Summary
Tables and
Figures
Few Tables or Figures
presented. Key data
lacking. Formatting of
Figures and Tables
incorrect. Captions missing
or lacking in detail.
Some data variables
lacking. Numerous
inconsistencies or errors
in Figure and Table
formatting.
Some inconsistency or errors
in Figures and Tables
formatting, including
captions.
Appropriate summary Tables and
Figures are provided with correct
format, titles/captions and
integrated into text.
Main trends
and/or
differences
No attempt to identify
trends, averages or
differences/outliers in
Tables/Figures.
Some attempt to
identify trends,
averages, differences
and outliers.
Most trends, averages and
differences reported for key
variables.
Clearly identifies averages, main
trends, and variability for key
variables.
Volumes
Not calculated or
reported.
Some calculated are
reported. Some errors.
Most calculated and
reported correctly.
All key volumes calculated
correctly and reported.

Water use types
Many types not identified
and reported.
Minimum types of water
use reported using
provided use estimates
only.
Main types of water use
identified and reported with
some examples of extra
measurement.
Wide range of types measured
and reported. Many examples of
independent/specific
measurement.
Climate data
Not included or
insufficient.
Some variables not
reported or location
identified.
All relevant climate data
reported using closest BOM
data.
All relevant climate data
reported correctly with evidence
of DIY measurement.
Water yield and
water balance
Not included or incorrect. Included but lacking
detail and/or with some
errors.
Included and correct, but
lacking some detail and
explanation.
Included and correct with
explanation of data and good
attempt at long-term
Calculations,
Units, Sig Digs
Incorrect, inconsistent
and/or absent throughout.
Numerous examples of
inconsistent and
incorrect use.
Some minor examples of
inconsistent and incorrect
use.
Correct and consistent
throughout.

Discussion
Lack of coherent
arguments. Evidence and
reference to data in
Tables/Figures lacking.
Mixing of Results and
Discussion.
Some attempts to
explain data, but
arguments limited and
basic use of external
references.
Solid arguments referring to
data, but limited usage of
external reference material.
Strong and clear arguments using
cited evidence, reference to data
and Tables/Figures. All material
relevant.
Conclusion
Absent or very short
without including key
findings and addressing
main aims/objectives.
Key findings identified
without adequate
connection back to
aim(s) and/or too much
extraneous information.
Key findings identified
relating back to aim(s), but
too much unnecessary
detail.
Succinct, clear identification of
key findings relating back to
aim(s) and objectives.

Appendices
Not provided. Calculations
template not provided.
Were provided but
either missing key
material or lacking in
detail.
Provided, but lacking in
some detail/explanation.
All necessary and were referred
to and provided with appropriate
presentation.

Research Effort
Little evidence of external
research. Few and/or poor
references. Lack of rigour
throughout.
Minimum amount of
references provided.
Some sections lacking
scientific rigour.
Decent selection of
references.
Strong scientific rigour
throughout, evidence of
research, and use of relevant
referenced material.
Initiative and
Creativity
Little to none exhibited. Some attempt evident. Several attempts evident. Strong examples of student going
beyond expectations.


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