Marking Matrix for BIOL2024/2924 Biodiversity Prac Report Student
Name:_____________________________
Mark:_____/100

Criteria   HD (+++=95, ++=90, +=85) D (+++=82, ++=79, +=76) CR (+++=73, ++=70, +=66) P (+++=62,++=57, +=52) F(+++=48, ++=28, +=18) 1. Content  (15%)   Exceptional achievement. All relevant facts correctly stated and fully focussed on
question/task. No irrelevant
material or errors.
Excellent achievement.
Relevant facts stated and
focussed on question/task.
No irrelevant material or
errors.
Solid achievement. Good
command and knowledge of
the material and focussed on
question/task. Little irrelevant
material, no errors.
Satisfactory achievement
showing threshold knowledge
but with limited cover of facts.
Some minor mistakes/
irrelevant material.
Unsatisfactory: significant
proportion of required facts
missing or incorrect.
2. Data  
Interpretation  
and    Analysis  (20%)    
Demonstrates an exceptional
analytical/discriminating
approach to the data,
describing and applying
statistics appropriately and
completely. Implications,
strengths and weakness of the
data are fully understood.
Suitable approach to all
data analysis and
interpretation. Excellent
understanding of
implications & strengths
and weakness of the data.
Suitable approach to most
aspects of data analysis and
interpretation. Solid
understanding of implications
& strengths and weakness of
the data.
Satisfactory but limited data
analysis and interpretation,
some minor errors. Limited
understanding of implications
& strengths and weakness of
the data
Unsatisfactory: Inadequate
data analysis and/or mis-
interpretation of the results
3. Understanding  
and  Evaluation  (25%)   Exceptional, detailed and comprehensive understanding of topic with discussion of theoretical concepts within
wider context. Full critical
evaluation with flawless
arguments supported by
evidence and examples.
Well-developed
understanding and
evaluation of the material.
Critical evaluation and
excellent arguments
supported by evidence
and examples.
Broad general understanding
of the material. Critical
evaluation and solid
arguments supported by
evidence and examples.
Satisfactory but relatively
limited understanding of the
material and concepts.
Limited evaluation and
restricted use of evidence and
examples.
Unsatisfactory: Inadequate
understanding of the topic.
4. Originality/  
Independent  
Thinking    (10%)  
Comprehensive critical
discussions. Evidence of
substantial valid independent
thinking, including own views &
making connections with other
subject areas.
Excellent and valid
independent thinking,
always used effectively.
Some substantially correct
independent thinking, used
effectively.
Some individuality within the
assessment, but limited and
not always used effectively.
Unsatisfactory: Inadequate
&/or inappropriate
independent thought
demonstrated
5. Use  of  
Literature  (15%)   Uses a wide, comprehensive but selective set of key references to support facts and arguments. References
incorporated appropriately
within text & bibliography.
Evidence of consulting
wide range of primary
references that are always
effectively incorporated
within text & bibliography.
Evidence of consulting limited
range of primary references
that are not always effectively
incorporated. References in
text and bibliography correctly
cited.
Evidence of consulting some
relevant primary references
but these are limited and not
always effectively
incorporated. References
sometimes incorrectly cited.
Inadequate reference to
primary literature. No/little
attempt to incorporate into
assessment. References not
or incorrectly cited.
Excessive use of websites. 6. General  
Communication  
Skills  (15%)  
Demonstrates a flair for
communicating. Writing is
clear, concise and a pleasure
to read. Layout of material,
including presentation of
figures & tables, is of
publication–standard. No
irrelevant material.
Excellent writing standard,
exhibiting clarity of
expression, concise plain
English and effective
layout of material.
Excellent use of relevant
visual material.
Solid presentation with good,
concise, plain English. Good
use of relevant visual
material.
Satisfactory presentation of
material with acceptable
standards of English. Style
may be inconcise and/or
unclear in parts. Some
inefficient use of space and/or
poor formatting. Basic use of
appropriate visual material.
Inadequate standard of
presentation, difficult to
comprehend. Graphs and
figures often have
substantial errors.