CVEN4003 Civil Engineering Research Project 1

ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK SPECIFICATION

Written Report

Activity Details/ Requirements: The Written Report demonstrates your progress so far. This will have been
produced under the guidance of your academic advisor and in accordance with the template provided on
Blackboard. Your Draft Thesis Literature Review should present a critical evaluation of academic texts that you
have located in your research and which have informed the project aims, research question and methodology.
The Written Report includes the following sections:

1. Progress Summary (3 page maximum excluding Gantt chart, approval/evidence document and DMP)
• Research Question
• Discussion of project development and progress, including preliminary risk to completion
identification
• Project Gantt chart
• Evidence of: Ethics approval OR Scope of Works approval OR Fieldwork Preliminary Risk
Identification Form
• Data Management Plan
2. Partial Draft Minor Thesis
• Draft Contents Page
• Draft Introduction (recommended maximum ~3 pages)
• Draft Literature review (recommended maximum ~12 pages)
• Draft Methodology (recommended maximum ~12 pages)
• References

See the CVEN4003 Written Report Marking Rubric below for more detailed guidelines and feedback

Weighting: Assessment contributes to 40% of marks for CVEN4003 – 10% for the Progress Summary and 30% for
the Partial Draft Minor Thesis.

Length: As shown above.

Submission details: See unit outline for submission deadlines

Turnitin
Submit via the portal on Blackboard.

December 2019 Written Report 1/5

 CVEN4003 Civil Engineering Research Project 1
Unit Learning Outcomes Assessed: 1, 2, 3, 4 *

*CVEN4003 Unit Learning Outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes EA S1C**

1. Identify, plan and commence a project that leads to the solution of an authentic civil engineering problem 1.4

2. Deploy an appropriate combination of knowledge, research, analytical methods, cross-disciplinary learning 1.1, 1.2, 1.3,
skills, and creativity to conceive, design, and develop solutions to complex engineering problems with 2.1, 2.3, 3.3,
intellectual independence 3.4

3. Develop a project management plan that outlines objectives, activities, resources, timeline and risk
2.2, 2.4, 3.1,
assessment to demonstrate self-discipline, self-management skills, personal responsibility and the ability to
3.5
set learning and achievement goals
4. Reflect upon and critically review project work and apply advanced communication skills to convey progress 3.1, 3.2

**Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies and Elements of Competency

1. KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL BASE
1.1. Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals
applicable to the engineering discipline.
1.2. Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin
the engineering discipline.
1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
1.4. Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.
1.5. Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.
1.6. Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific
discipline.
2. ENGINEERING APPLICATION ABILITY
2.1. Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
2.3. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
2.4. Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.
3. PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
3.1. Ethical conduct and professional accountability.
3.2. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
3.3. Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour.
3.4. Professional use and management of information.
3.5. Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
3.6. Effective team membership and team leadership

December 2019 Written Report 2/5

 CVEN4003 Civil Engineering Research Project 1
CVEN4003 Written Report Marking Rubric
Progress Summary- 25% of Written Report Assessment Item
Descriptor Unsatisfactory Satisfactory Competent/ Very Competent Above Expectation
Research The research question is not clear. No useful or useable outcomes can be The research question requires Research question is sufficiently specific and clearly identifies the Research question is refined,
Question identified. refinement to more clearly project scope. specific & appropriate in
Development articulate/identify the scope and scope. It identifies a project
potential useful and useable with useful and useable
2% outcomes of the research. outcomes.

0% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Plan a Gantt chart presenting the
project project completion plan is not
provided, or contains
5% insufficient detail to determine
feasibility, or does not relate to
the research or lead to
suggested outcomes.
Gantt chart is provided, but it requires additional detail to determine Gantt chart presents feasible/workable plan, but insufficient detail Gantt chart showing a
feasibility/ensure/manage/track progression. provided as to potential issues or how they may be overcome. feasible plan is presented
with a high level of detail and
convincing options
anticipated to overcome
potential problems.

0% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Commence a No numerical modelling Limited and/or unconvincing evidence of Clear evidence of ability to use Clear demonstration of familiarity and skill with chosen software or Significant progress made
project progress demonstrated software knowledge or own model software/develop own model but own model development. beyond expectation
development provided. limited details provided.
10% Ethics/SOW not approved. No Commencement of research activities, or significant preparation
evidence provided. Ethics/SOW Ethics/SOW Ethics/SOW approved. Evidence already complete for commencement.
submitted but not submitted, and provided.
yet approved. No correspondence
evidence provided regarding
provided. progress, but not
yet approved.

0% 30% 45% 50% 60% 70% 80% 100%

Critically Basic details of project progress provided, with no or insufficient reflection on Basic details of project progress A sufficiently detailed account of A very detailed account of the Demonstrated ability to
review the factors impacting project progress and progression. provided, with some reflection on the the project progress is provided project progress was given critically evaluate and
project work factors impacting project progress with some reflection on how to with areas for improvement improve results/outcomes
and progression. overcome factors impacting project clearly identified and, if already attained/achieved
8% progress and progression. appropriate, an adjusted and, if appropriate, further
project plan. refinement of the focus of the
originally specified project
outcomes.

0% 20% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

December 2019 Written Report 3/5

 CVEN4003 Civil Engineering Research Project 1
Draft Minor Thesis – 75% of Written Report Assessment Item

Descriptor Unsatisfactory Satisfactory Competent Very Competent Above Expectation

Identification of research-project context (Intro./Lit. Review) – 30%
Identify a The research problem is not clearly or The research problem is stated with an The civil engineering context and A well-developed project with useful The civil engineering context and
project adequately explained, justified and/or attempt to link to the civil engineering relevance of the project are described and useable outcomes has been clearly relevance of the project are clearly
linked to a civil engineering context. No context. and linked to the research problem. identified with links to the civil established and explicitly used to justify
10% consideration of professional/ engineering context and any relevant the research.
environmental/ethical/cultural impact of Useful or useable outcomes are The need for the research is stated and holistic aspects.
this research has been demonstrated. No mentioned. where appropriate its professional/ Clear evidence of the necessity for this
useful or useable outcomes have been environmental/ethical/cultural impact (i.e. research is presented with consideration
identified. holistic aspects) have been considered of relevant holistic aspects

Useful or useable outcomes are The scope, limitations and place within
identified. the field of endeavour are made clear.
Useful and useable outcomes are clearly
achievable.

ULO 1, 2 0% 20% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Interpret and Any of: No evidence of relevant research
apply research literature in the report; unreliable or
literature inadequate number of sources used;
incorrect interpretation of literature; cannot
express the research literature in own
20%
words; no apparent link between the
quoted research and the project; uncritical
summary of existing literature only, with
no interpretation/analysis/ synthesis
Insufficient number and/or range of
relevant sources identified but with some
attempt to synthesize these.
Further work required to
develop/articulate/evaluate connection
between quoted research and project
direction.
Provides clear interpretation with critical
evaluation of the relevant research
literature.
Links between the quoted research and
the project are made.
Relevant research literature to justify Comprehensive and insightful literature
the project and its methodology has review that is both linked to the project
been cited with a variety of work and identifies a clear hierarchy in
sources/authors used. the literature sourced and interpreted
and critically evaluated.
Clearly shows understanding of the
relevant research literature and is able
to provide a critical evaluation. Links
between the quoted research and the
project are clearly made.

ULO 2, 4 0% 20% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Conducting a research project (Methodology) - 25%

Appropriate Research methods not adequately Research method described that indicate Appropriate method described with Research method described in detail. Fully justified research approach and
research described or not able to provide relevant how relevant data and/or information can relevant data and/or information able to Relevant data and/or information can be rigor in methodology. Some relevant
methods data to solve the engineering problem. be obtained, but the link to how this be obtained and used to reinforce the obtained, with a clear link to how this data and/or information already obtained
contributes to the solution of the appropriateness of the methods adopted. contributes to the solution of the and used to critique or refine the
deployed to engineering problem is not clearly engineering problem. research methods being used, with
solve explained. Description of how this methodology discussion on the validity/limitations of
engineering contributes to the problem’s solution is Some reflection on the validity of the data to be obtained. Research utilises
problem presented. data and/or information obtained has technical knowledge and skills beyond
been undertaken. the undergraduate curriculum.
15%
Technical knowledge and skills required
to complete this research have built
upon undergraduate knowledge (i.e.
hasn’t been explicitly taught in the BEng
curriculum).

ULO 2, 3 0% 20% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

December 2019 Written Report 4/5

 CVEN4003 Civil Engineering Research Project 1
Descriptor Unsatisfactory Satisfactory Competent Very Competent Above Expectation
Demonstrate Research is essentially a replication of The research does not directly replicate There is clear evidence that the research Research explicitly demonstrates new A unique or novel research approach is
innovation, previous work without offering a new previous work. New results obtained, but does not replicate previous work and and novel results and/or methodological incorporated as part of the solution..
originality and contribution. Methodology/methods are the methodology/methods used are produces some new and novel results approach.
indistinct from previous work or doesn’t standard practice. and/or methodological approach.
creativity produce new findings.
10%

ULO 2, 4 0% 20% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Apply and integrate advanced communication skills - 20%

Argument The ideas/arguments are difficult to The ideas/arguments are mostly clear The ideas/arguments are presented in a Report is well-structured to provide clear, Report is very well-structured to provide
structure and interpret or poorly articulated. and logical albeit not concise. For the coherent, technical way. logical and convincing ideas/arguments. a clear, logical, convincing and
development most part, the report structure aids interesting argument on a complex topic.
Argument is unclear, vague or not concise. clarity.
Lack of, or inappropriate explanation of,
15% data/concepts/results.

Errors obscure meaning.

ULO 2, 4 0% 20% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Written Regular misuse of grammar, spelling and
communication punctuation leading to difficulty in
style discerning meaning. Informal tone and
language used often.
5% Non-compliance of template and
formatting. Incorrect or insufficient use of
the recommended referencing style
Use of informal tone and language.
Engineering language sometimes used
incorrectly. Misuse of grammar, spelling
and punctuation that mars the quality of
the prose.
Inconsistent compliance with template
and formatting. Inconsistent use of
prescribed referencing style.
Some use of appropriate
figures/diagrams to complement written
descriptions.
Some misuse of grammar, spelling and
punctuation but limited impact on
readability.
Rare incorrect application of template
and formatting. Appropriate use of
recommended referencing style.
Appropriate use of figures/diagrams to
complement written descriptions.
Professional and technically accurate The report demonstrates a high-level of
engineering language with an skill in all communication aspects: style,
appropriately formal tone used narrative, graphics, figures, referencing,
throughout. Correct use of grammar, format, etc.
spelling and punctuation throughout.
Minor thesis formatting and template
requirements fully complied with. Correct
use of prescribed referencing style
throughout.
Good use of well-constructed
figures/diagrams to complement written
descriptions.

ULO 4 0% 20% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

December 2019 Written Report 5/5