Assessment Description
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Describe the concept of Change as it applies to organisations. Select an industry of interest
to you, and describe two internal and two external factors that have driven organisations in
that industry to adopt significant change. Identify and critically analyse, using examples,
three factors that challenge the change process.
Critical analysis
Critical analysis is a key skill for writing essays at university; it allows you to assess the various ideas
and information that you read, and decide whether you want to use them to support your points.
It is not a mysterious skill that is only available to advanced students; it is something we do everyday
when assessing the information around us and making reasoned decisions, for example whether to
believe the claims made in TV adverts. Nor does it always mean disagreeing with something you also
need to be able to explain why you agree with arguments.
Try this video tutorial from the University of Leicester on What it means to be a critical student.
Critical analysis involves:
1. Carefully considering an idea and weighing up the evidence supporting it to see if it is convincing.
2. Then being able to explain why you find the evidence convincing or unconvincing.
It helps if you ask yourself a series of questions about the material you are reading. Try using these
questions to help you think critically:
• Who is the author and what is their viewpoint or bias?
• Who is the audience and how does that influence the way information is presented?
• What is the main message of the text?
• What evidence has been used to support this main message?
• Is the evidence convincing; are there any counter-arguments?
• Do I agree with the text and why do I agree or disagree?
Some ways to get more critical analysis into your essays
Avoid unnecessary description – only include general background details and history when they
add to your argument, e.g. to show a crucial cause and effect. Practice distinguishing between
description (telling what happened) and analysis (judging why something happened).
Interpret your evidence – explain how and why your evidence supports your point. Interpretation is
an important part of critical analysis, and you should not just rely on the evidence “speaking for
itself”.
Be specific – avoid making sweeping generalisations or points that are difficult to support with
specific evidence. It is better to be more measured and tie your argument to precise examples or
case studies.
Use counter-arguments to your advantage – if you find viewpoints that go against your own
argument, don’t ignore them. It strengthens an argument to include an opposing viewpoint and
explain why it is not as convincing as your own line of reasoning.
You must use a minimum of 12 references:
• Text books :The prescribed text and at least 1 other text books
• At least 4 academic journal articles (found using EBSCO, Emerald, ABI/Proquest, Science
Direct, Informit etc)
• 2 other source of your choice : Blog, newspaper, magazine or other Internet source
• No more than 1 reference may be general Internet based sources.
• Wikipedia is not to be used and does not count as an academic reference.
Consider the following before handing in:
Focus
Is your assignment clearly focused on the topic you are addressing? Do you refer to your case study
organisation as a basis for discussion?
Definitions
Do you clearly define all theoretical terms and examples from empirical readings and/or your personal
experience?
Reference to Appropriate Theories and Models
Are theoretical references relevant to your argument? Do you cover a sufficient range of relevant material?
Structure
Does the assignment follow a logical sequence? Are different sections clearly delineated?
Do you draw together the threads of your arguments? Are there clear links among theories and examples?
Understanding and Insight
Does your essay demonstrate understanding and insight into the questions you have addressed and the
material you have included?
Referencing
Is your essay correctly referenced, both in-text and on the references page?