SPPHL assignment guidance

Dr Dawn Clarke
 To come…
• Assignment
• Module aims
• Learning outcomes – their relevance
• Check the Rubric – how it works
• Constructing your assignment – what to include.
• Top tips
• Further support – tutorials and formative
assessment
 Assignment
Paying particular attention to the implications of
effective leadership and management, ‘critically
analyse a public health or social policy using a
policy analysis framework of your choice.’
 Submission
• Submission date: 12.1.21 by 12 noon
• Where: On Line via canvas
• How many times: you can submit as many
times as you wish in order to check your
Turnitin report. The assignment that will be
marked is the final submission by 12 noon on
12.1.21
• Marks and feedback: released on 9.2.21 on
line via canvas
 Module aims
1. To develop an in-depth critical understanding of the key concepts
of social policy using policy analysis frameworks.

1. To develop an in-depth critical understanding of the impact of

social policy initiatives for public health policy and implications for
development of effective leadership and management strategies
necessary for future practice

1. To develop an in – depth critical understanding of the impact of

contemporary policies on the health and well being of specific
populations and groups.

1. To develop critical insight into the policy drivers employed

necessary to strengthen public health systems in different
contexts.
 Learning outcomes – what are they?
• Learning outcomes are designed to ensure
you can develop your knowledge to meet the
aims of the module.
• Learning outcomes are used to underpin the
taught content and the
assessment/assignment.
• Your assignment is designed to enable you to
demonstrate your knowledge and
understanding.
 SPPHL: Learning Outcomes (LO).
Upon successful completion of this module, you will be
able to demonstrate achievement of the following
learning outcomes:

1. Demonstrate an in-depth critical understanding of the

key concepts of social policy and its implications for
the development of effective leadership and
management strategies in Public Health.
2. Demonstrate an in-depth critical understanding of the
impact of social policy for contemporary public health
policy and practice.
 Learning outcomes cont…
3. Critically debate the impact of social policy
on the health and wellbeing of a specific
population or group.
4. Critically research and evaluate the practical
and ethical issues that arise out of social
policy and the implication for public health.
 Learning outcomes cont…
5. Demonstrate skills of analysis, synthesis and
articulate a sound argument for identifying the
impact of social policy on the health of specific
populations or groups using a policy analysis
framework.
6. Retrieve, apply and evaluate appropriate
information on demographic, epidemiological
and social date relating to social policy and
health for a specific population or group.
How to use the LOs to your benefit
• When planning and writing your assignment refer
to the learning outcomes to direct your thinking,
study, and critical discussion.

• If you become confused with your assignment

refer to the LOs for direction – see the module
handbook

• Once you think you have completed your

assignment check the LOs to ensure you have
demonstrated your knowledge of each one.
 The Marking Rubric
• These are used to standardise the marking to
ensure that it is consistent and comparable.

• Please familiarise yourself with the rubric

which can be found on canvas: canvas – SPPHL
module – rubric on the menu bar –
assignment level 7.
 The Rubric – 3 main categories
Structure and academic style: style, expression, spelling,
grammar, referencing – is it easy to understand? Does it
flow? Does it make sense? Has the work been correctly
referenced? Up to 20 marks.

Learning outcomes, application and relevant content:

relevant content, application of knowledge, key issues
addressed, application to practice. Up to 40 marks

Level of reasoning, intuition and perception: Critical

analysis, synthesis, perspective and argument. Up to 40
marks
 Constructing your assignment
Always include: an introduction, a main
discussion and a conclusion, all sections to be
fully referenced.
• It should be written in the 3rd person.
• It has to be fully referenced using the Harvard
referencing guide.
 The introduction
• This is designed to inform the reader of the
content of the paper. It is used to set the
scene, almost like a road map.

• Write the introduction when you have

completed the main discussion and
conclusion. It is at this point that you will
know what you wish to sign post to the reader
 Main discussion
Treat the reader as if they know nothing, this will enable
you to be clear about your assignment direction.
• Introduce Social Policy: what is it? What is it designed
to achieve? Why is it important? What are the
drawbacks? LO 1, 2, 6
• Introduce your chosen social policy and explain its
importance LO2, 3, 6
• Critically discuss and analyse the impact of social policy
on the health of a specific population using a policy
analysis framework LO 5, 6
• Discuss your chosen framework – Professor Anand
suggests the capability framework is the most suitable.
 Main dicsussion cont…
Critically discuss the implication of social policy
for effective leadership and management
strategies LO1, 6

Critically evaluate the practical and ethical issues

that arise out of your chosen social policy. What
are the implications for practice? LO4, 6
Main discussion, things to include:
• Inequalities - LO:2, 3, 4, 5, 6
• Social determinants – LO: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
• Power – LO:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
• Use theories to underpin all of your discussion –
LO:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
• Apply to practice and the implications for
effective leadership and management – LO: 1, 2,
4, 6
• Ensure your references are relevant and
appropriate – LO:6
 Conclusion
• The conclusion summarises and brings the
discussion together and draw it to a close.
• It should not contain any new information.
• It should be fully referenced.
 Reference list
• Only include the reference for those used in the
assignment

• It should be in alphabetical order regardless of the

source

• It needs to be constructed according to the Harvard

referencing guide.

• Do NOT use wikipedia, free dictionary etc as a

referenced source.
 General advice
• Reference before every full stop unless your discussion
indicates the point is your own opinion.
• Grammar and spelling: use your spell checker, seek advice
from the Academic Skills Service or Language Centre
• Top tip: as a general rule 2 pieces of information per
sentence. If there are more consider breaking up the
sentence into smaller ones. Use paragraphs which are
approx 30 – 50 sentences long, if they only consist of a few
sentences they are incomplete.
• Make it clear and easy to read –suggested font – Arial, size -
12pt, line spacing – double, quotes – referenced, including
the page number and indented, all justified
• see the example under the assignment guidance section
 General advice cont…
• Keep within the word count, if your
assignment exceeds the word count a penalty
will be imposed – see the module handbook
• References, models, graphs and tables do not
add to the word count.
• Under the word count will not be penalised
but if your work is too short it may not
demonstrate your knowledge and meet all the
LOs.
 Further support
• Group tutorials will be held on the 24.11.20. They will start at 9am
prompt and will be online due to Covid restrictions.
• It is your responsibility to attend, but it is not compulsory.
• Come prepared.
• Formative Essay plan and chosen framework discussion – max 500
words – 7.12.20
• Submit via assessment on canvas: SPPHL module – assessment.
• Indicate in the assignment comment box the areas you would like
feedback on. This can be: grammar, referencing, content. This is not
extensive feedback as received on summative assessments. It is
designed to give you direction and will be brief.
• Submission is your responsibility, it is not compulsory, late
submissions will not be accepted.
• Feedback will be provided within 5 working days.
 The handbook
• For full details please refer to the module
handbook.
 Summary: this presentation has
addressed
• Assignment
• Module aims
• Learning outcomes – their relevance
• Check the Rubric – how it works
• Constructing your assignment – what to include.
• Top tips
• Further support – tutorials and formative
assessment