FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT & COMMERCE

DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS MANAGEMENT

STUDENT HANDBOOK

2024

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Table of Contents
1. Overview .............................................................................................................. 3
2. Tutorial Regulations (First year modules only) .................................................... 3
2.1 Attendance .................................................................................................... 3
2.2 Tutorial Task Submission .............................................................................. 4
3. Assignments and Academic Writing Requirements ............................................. 4
3.1 Assignment Presentation and formatting ...................................................... 4
3.2 Assignment Content ...................................................................................... 5
3.2.1 Academic Writing Criteria for Assessing Assignments............................... 5
3.2.2 General assignment writing tips ................................................................. 6
3.3 Plagiarism ..................................................................................................... 7
3.4 Categories of plagiarism and penalties ......................................................... 9
3.5 SafeAssign .................................................................................................... 9
3.6 Referencing ................................................................................................... 9
4. Duly Performed (DP) Requirements (for 2nd and 3rd year students only) ........... 10
5. Test Regulations ................................................................................................ 10
5.1 Leave of Absence (LoA) .............................................................................. 10
Appendix A – Leave of Absence Form ..................................................................... 12
Appendix B – Plagiarism Declaration Form (for paper-based .................................. 13
Appendix C – Academic Writing Stages ................................................................... 14
Appendix D – Assessment Criteria for Evaluating Assignments .............................. 17
Appendix E – Meanings of Terms or Expressions .................................................... 19
Appendix F – APA referencing Basics...................................................................... 25
Appendix G - Plagiarism by Undergraduates ........................................................... 27
Appendix H - Plagiarism by Postgraduates .............................................................. 31
6. Reference List.................................................................................................... 32

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1. Overview

Welcome to the Department of Business Management. We trust that you will find
studying Business Management interesting, meaningful and enriching to your
academic life.

It is important that you adopt a positive attitude and give your best to ensure that you
pass each module.

Please feel free to consult the Lecturer, Course Co-ordinator, Tutorial Co-ordinator
and Tutors whenever you encounter a problem with any aspect of the modules offered
by the Department.

2. Tutorial Regulations (First year modules only)

2.1 Attendance
• Attendance at tutorials is an important part of studying Business Management.
• It is not the Department's policy to excuse students from scheduled tutorials to
attend tests, seminars, lectures, field trips or practicals organised by other
Departments.
• Only a Leave of Absence (LoA) (Appendix A), authorized by the Course Co-
ordinator/Lecturer, will be accepted.
• The DoBM will only grant a LoA for one of the following reasons:

Reason for LoA Supporting Documentation required

Illness, hospitalization or accident Medical certificate
Bereavement of nuclear family Death certificate
Participation in provincial or national Original or certified letter from an
sports authorized representative.
Exceptional employment requirements Original or certified letter from an
authorized employment representative.

Attendance of tutorials is compulsory.

Failure to attend will impact the overall semester
class/DP mark.

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2.2 Tutorial Task Submission

Maximum support and guidance will be given for assignment writing within the tutorial
programme and you will be expected to submit tutorial tasks on Blackboard regularly
throughout the year.

Please see the BEC1 Tutorial Guide on Blackboard for more detailed information
about all tutorial related matters.

3. Assignments and Academic Writing Requirements

Assignments in the Department of Business Management can be in the form of

academic assignments, reports or group exercises.

Writing a good academic assignment requires particular skills. It is suggested that you
go through certain stages in the process of writing to help you master these skills. For
first year students, these will be discussed during your tutorial sessions. For senior
students, please contact the Teaching and Learning Centre (TLC) or your lecturer if
you are not confident and would like more assistance with assignment writing.

Most Business Management assignments will be submitted via Blackboard, but this is
at the discretion of the lecturer. For paper-based submissions, a plagiarism declaration
must be attached (see Appendix B).

3.1 Assignment Presentation and formatting

• Cover Page - You must include your FULL name (1st name and surname), your
student number, module name, date of submission, name of lecturer, your
tutorial group number (if 1st year), the assignment number and the assignment
topic on the outside cover of the assignment.
• The assignment must have a Contents page.
• Typing Requirements - ALL assignments are to be typed (Arial font, size 12,
1½ spacing, full justification).
• Length – the specific assignment’s requirements must be fulfilled.
• Spelling & Grammar – this needs to be of a high standard – use MS Word Spell
Check and/or the TLC Writing Centre.

It will often be appropriate to present information in graphic form through the use of
tables or graphs. Tables should be numbered consecutively (e.g. Table 1, Table 2,

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etc.) and should have a short title describing what they represent. Graphs and
illustrations should also be consecutively numbered (e.g. Figure 1, Figure 2, etc.) and
should also have a title.

3.2 Assignment Content

• The specific assignment’s requirements must be fulfilled.
• Your assignment must comply with the following guidelines:
o successfully cover all aspects/tasks of the question
o shows that you have read the prescribed reading of the assignment
o demonstrates a sound theoretical understanding of the topic – see the
tips below.

Sources used must be of an academic nature.

Consult your lecturer regarding the
internet sources that
may or may not
be used for a particular assignment.

3.2.1 Academic Writing Criteria for Assessing Assignments

The following are some of the questions considered by markers in assessing
assignments. For a more detailed outline of assessment criteria see Appendix D
attached.

• Has the assignment successfully covered all aspects of the question? (See
writing tips below and Appendix C&E attached for some guidelines)
• Does the assignment show that the student has read widely and thoroughly in
the field of the assignment?
• Does the assignment demonstrate a sound theoretical understanding of the
topic?
• Has the student developed the argument in an orderly, logical manner?
• Has the assignment been appropriately structured into an introduction,
body/discussion and conclusion?
• Is the language used in the assignment clear and grammatically correct?
• Is the assignment well presented in terms of the following factors:
o layout and spacing;
o headings and subheadings;
o use of paragraphs; and
o Spelling?
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 • Is there evidence of originality in the assignment?
3.2.2 General assignment writing tips

The tips listed below are based on the more common writing errors found in
assignments.

If you keep these in mind while writing, your work will be much better – and you will
gain a better mark. Check for them when you edit too – you may even consider keeping
them as a checklist. If you keep track of the errors you keep making when writing, it’s
easy to check for them later.

1 Write for the Make sure that the point of what you are writing is always
reader. clear to the reader. If in doubt, explain it further.
2 Say only what is Avoid fluff! Don’t explain the really obvious. Reread your
necessary. written work – if you can say the same with fewer words –
do so!
3 Avoid writing in the Using the first person means writing with a type of “I”.
first person (self- Rather write in the third person.
references). For example:
• “I argue that …” or “My findings show ….”
(first person – not acceptable in the Department of
Management
• “The author argues …” or “The author/researcher’s
findings show …”
(third person – preferred writing style in the
Department)
4 Don’t overuse This will not make it easy for the reader to understand.
technical terms Use technical terms and jargon only if they are the only
and jargon. way to say something.
5 Introduce This means that at first usage, in each section, the item to
abbreviations be abbreviated must be written out in full, with the
properly in every abbreviation behind it in parenthesis.
section. For example, “The South African Qualifications Authority
(SAQA) is responsible for …”
Don’t overuse abbreviations – you don’t want your reader
trying to read an indecipherable alphabet soup!
6 Avoid Indeterminate language includes: ‘often’, ‘many’, ‘few’ etc.
indeterminate As well as ‘it seems that …’ and ‘it would appear …’
language. Does the reader clearly know what you mean?
It’s your work – readers expect you to tell them, not make
them guess!
7 Avoid absolutes Absolutes are words like ‘never’, ‘completely’, ‘perfectly’
etc.
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 They allow no exceptions. Is this ever really true? No! So
your statement will then be regarded as 100% incorrect
by the reader.
8 Headings on a Ensure that when there is a heading that at least two lines
page of text follow on the same page. A page that ends with the
heading (and no writing underneath) is ugly and careless.
9 No jokes and/or
puns
10 No shortened Correct: Incorrect:
words Do not Don’t
Is not Isn’t
Cannot Can’t
11 Do not use Correct: Incorrect:
American spelling Organisation Organization
Labour Labor

3.3 Plagiarism

PLEASE READ THE UFH PLAGIARISM POLICY AND

THE DEPARTMENTAL GUIDELINES FOR ACADEMIC
DISHONESTY
Both are available on Blackboard

Explanation and definitions

It is essential to acknowledge where you have obtained information and ideas both
within your assignment and in a reference list at the end of your assignment. Failure
to do this is considered plagiarism and will result in your receiving a mark penalty for
the assignment.

Plagiarism, in an academic university context, may be defined as taking and using

the ideas, writings, works or inventions of another, from any textual or internet-
based source, as if they were one’s own (University of Fort Hare (UFH) Policy on
Plagiarism, 2009).

Plagiarism is literary theft.

It is an academic crime and is taken very seriously by 7
UFH and by the department
According to the UFH Policy on Plagiarism, it will be regarded as plagiarism if any of
the following are done:
 Using the direct words of another without using quotation marks (even if the
passage is referenced);
 The unacknowledged copying of a sentence or two of text; copying more
extensive blocks of text;
 The syndication of a single piece of work by more than one student (unless
the assignment task is a legitimate group assignment);
 The borrowing and using of another person’s assignment (with or without their
knowledge and permission);
 Stealing an entire essay from another person or from the Internet; or infringing
copyright.

The intention, negligence or innocence of a person is

not relevant to the finding as to whether plagiarism, as a
fact, has occurred (UFH Policy on Plagiarism, 2009).

However, the state of mind of the person will be highly significant in determining how
to deal with the case as far as taking remedial action or imposing a penalty is
concerned.

Some Tips and Techniques to make sure you don’t plagiarise

• At the end of each paragraph, ask yourself “WHERE DOES THIS
INFORMATION COME FROM?”. You may have got it from two or three
different sources. EVERY SOURCE MUST BE ACKNOWLEDGED IN ALL
PARAGRAPHS.
• Every paragraph MUST HAVE AT LEAST ONE SOURCE. When you read over
your work, if you see a paragraph that does not have a single reference, YOU
MUST ASK YOURSELF AGAIN “ Where does this information come from?”.
And then you must find the source and reference it!
• Remember, you cannot rely on your own experience or knowledge in an
academic assignment. ALL OF THE IDEAS AND CONCEPTS THAT YOU
DISCUSS AND PRESENT MUST COME FROM A CREDIBLE ACADEMIC
SOURCE and this source must be referenced.
• OVER-REFERENCING (i.e. providing too many references) might cost you a
few marks, but UNDER-REFERENCING (i.e. not referencing when you should
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 be OR PLAGIARISING) could cost you ALL your marks AND your academic
career.
• If you are in any doubt about how to reference, HAND YOUR WORK INTO THE
PASS VENUE BEFORE YOU HAND IT IN TO THE LECTURER. The PASS
consultants are senior students who are especially TRAINED in referencing
techniques.

3.4 Categories of plagiarism and penalties

(Source: UFH Plagiarism Policy, 2009)

Students are to familiarize themselves with the UFH Plagiarism Policy which is
available on Blackboard. According to the UFH plagiarism policy, there are three
categories of plagiarism, and each one is dealt with differently. Appendix G and H
explain the different categories of plagiarism for undergraduate and postgraduate
students, and clarify how each one is penalized.

Should a student commit plagiarism, the lecturer/department/faculty will deal with it

according to these guidelines. Please also see the Departmental Academic
Dishonesty Guidelines on Blackboard, which outline the departmental process for
dealing with these offences. A departmental plagiarism committee is set up to deal
with cases where students have plagiarized.

Please note: the policy provides a guidelines and some discretion is used on the part
of the lecturer (for first time offences) and the departmental plagiarism committee. In
each instance, cases of plagiarism will be dealt with individually and a decision from
the range of penalties will be applied.

3.5 SafeAssign

• SafeAssign is an online software programme that detects plagiarism. Most

assignments in the DoBM will be submitted via Blackboard and must include a
SafeAssign report.

3.6 Referencing

• Students must pay special attention to Citation and Referencing in your

assignments - ONLY the APA system of citation and referencing is to be
used for Department of Business Management assignments.
• All referencing must conform to this method, in order to avoid penalties (refer
to the Graded Penalty System above). For more information on referencing,
please see Appendix F as a brief guide. For a full in-depth understanding of
APA, please refer to the following websites:
www.apastyle.apa.org
https://owl.purdue.edu/

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 https://www.scribbr.com/apa-style/apa-seventh-edition-
changes/

4. Duly Performed (DP) Requirements (for 2nd and 3rd year students
only)

Students have to obtain a 40% year DP (Due

Diligence) mark in order to qualify to sit for the
module’s semester examination.

• It is the student’s responsibility to raise any issue or discrepancy with a DP mark

with the associated Lecturer within the time-frame provided by the Lecturer.
• Failure to do so could result in the student not being eligible to sit for the
semester examination.

5. Test Regulations

All students (whether undergraduate or postgraduate) will be required to

write/complete modular tests as required for a particular module on the date and time
as set out in the relevant module Learning Guide.

Make-up tests (“sick tests”) are at the discretion of

the lecturer and are not automatically allocated

5.1 Leave of Absence (LoA)

• Applications for Leave of Absence (LoA) for tests in writing per the official Leave
of Absence application forms and should conform to University guidelines.
• The DoBM will only grant a LoA for one of the following reasons:

Reason for LoA Supporting Documentation required

Illness, hospitalization or accident Medical certificate
Bereavement of nuclear family Death certificate
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 Participation in provincial or national Original or certified letter from an
sports authorized representative.
Exceptional employment requirements Original or certified letter from an
authorized employment representative.

• Should the LoA be approved, the student must liaise with the lecturer as to the
way forward.
• If a student, in advance, applies in writing to miss the test for reasons which do
not comply with the permissible reasons as set out, and the leave of absence
is not granted, the student will be awarded 0% in the case of non-attendance
at the test.
• In the event of a student missing a test and failing to give reasons in writing,
alternatively retrospectively giving inadequate reasons, the student's DP
certificate may be withdrawn.

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Appendix A – Leave of Absence Form
Tut Grp:
(Not for Exam Purposes)

Student’s Name:

Student Number:

Tel No Tel No (w):

(h):
Cell No: Parent’s Tel
No:
E-mail address:
Module Code Affected:

Absence requested from: Tutorial(s)

(tick the appropriate option) Term Test
Term Assignment
Blackboard Test
Absence Date Date To:
From:
Reason for Absence: Illness, hospitalization or accident
(tick the appropriate option) Bereavement of nuclear family
Participation in provincial or national sports
Exceptional employment requirements
Supporting Documentation: Medical certificate
(tick the appropriate option) Death certificate
Original or certified letter from an authorized
CHECK THAT THIS representative.
DOCUMENT Original or certified letter from an authorized
IS ATTACHED! employment representative.

Note: This LOA does not automatically absolve a student from fulfilling the departmental
requirements for the award of DP certificates and/or any other requirements that may affect the
final examination results.

Students are therefore urged to consult their Lecturer/Course Co-ordinator as soon as possible to
ensure that they will not be penalized in respect of:
• Not earning marks towards the class mark
• Not writing assignments and/or tests, the marks of which will be utilized in determining the
final examination result.
• Not attending tutorials.

Student’s Signature: Date:

Approved? Rejected?
Course Co-ordinator Date:
Signature:

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Appendix B – Plagiarism Declaration Form (for paper-based
assignments)

Department of Business Management

PLAGIARISM DECLARATION
1) Plagiarism is taking and using the ideas, writings, works or inventions of another
as if they were one’s own.
2) I understand that plagiarism is wrong and that the University of Fort Hare
regards plagiarism as an offence.
3) I have used the APA method as the convention for citation and referencing.
Each significant contribution to and quotation in this assignment/report/project,
from the work of other people, has been attributed and has been cited and
referenced accurately.
4) This assignment/report/project is my own work.
5) I have not allowed, and will not allow, anyone to copy my work with the intention
of passing it off as his/her own work.

Student’s Name:

Student Number:

Signature:

Module Code:

Title of Assignment/Report/Project:

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Appendix C – Academic Writing Stages

1) Analysing the topic

When faced with an assignment topic, it is important to analyse the question carefully
in order to determine exactly what is required of you. To do this, you can underline
task words and topic words. Task words indicate the task you must perform, for
example discuss, describe etc. Topic words define the topic which you need to write
about.

For example, in the following assignment topic, the task words have been underlined
and the topic words are in italics:
Discuss the characteristics of a good manager and explain the four functions of
management.

There may be many topic words and it is important to take note of every aspect of the
topic. You need to make sure that you understand exactly what is required by the task
words. Refer to Appendix E for meanings of terminology commonly used in
assignment questions.

Sometimes what is required in an assignment question is not immediately clear. In

these cases you need to ask yourself what it is that the lecturer actually expects in this
assignment and possibly break the topic down into manageable sections.

2) Planning
Now that you have established what your purpose is, you need to collect relevant
information to use in your assignment. You may be given specific references for an
assignment but you are also required to look for extra reference material in the
University library.

While you are reading, make notes of information relevant to the assignment question
and keep a note of the reference which it comes from.

Jot down an outline of a structure for your assignment. This could be in point form or
in the form of a diagram. You can fill in the points you want to make in your assignment
under this structure. This plan can be used as a starting point which can change as
you develop your ideas.

3) Drafting
Once you have planned your assignment, you can write a first draft. An academic
assignment needs to have a basic structure of an introduction, discussion and
conclusion.

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(i) Introduction
The introduction leads the reader into the assignment. In an introduction, it is useful to
give a brief outline of what you will discuss in the assignment. You may define or
explain one or more of the terms used in the assignment topic. You may give the
context of the topic. Think about what type of introduction would be most useful for the
particular assignment which you are writing.

(ii) Discussion
There needs to be a clear, logical flow of ideas, which is referred to as argument,
throughout your assignment. You can begin working on this in the structuring of ideas
in your plan, and you can also check on this in the revision stage of the process. You
need to structure your information into paragraphs, using each paragraph to develop
one main idea. You are encouraged to make use of headings and sub-headings which
help to structure your assignment and guide the reader through your assignment. The
use of signpost words or terms helps to state your argument clearly. These are terms
such as “firstly”....; “secondly”...; “however”...; “the arguments for ... are”.

(iii) Conclusion
Conclusions often refer back to the assignment question itself. This gives the
assignment a sense of unity and shows the reader that the assignment question has
in fact been answered. You may briefly sum up the main points of the assignment.
You may want to state what the main outcome/s of the discussion is for you.

4) Revising
Good writers read over what they have written and ask themselves certain questions.
Examples of the types of questions that you can ask yourself are:
o Have I answered the question?
o Does the assignment flow in a logical way?
o Have I linked the ideas together?
o Does it contain irrelevant or repetitious material?
You will need to write at least one more draft to make the changes which you have
identified as necessary.

5) Editing
The processes of revising and editing have been intentionally separated. Whereas
revising is concerned with the development of argument, editing is the process of
checking for grammatical, punctuation and spelling errors. It is suggested that you first
revise for meaning and then edit as a final checking process before writing the final
draft.

6) Final draft

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When preparing your final draft for submission it is important to pay attention to how
you present your assignment. All assignments to be typed. Neat, clear presentation
and legibility are very important for Business Management assignments.

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Appendix D – Assessment Criteria for Evaluating Assignments

Grade Criterion % General Description

1 Authoritative & 95 Outstanding coverage of relevant
integrative use of material and background literature in
prescribed reading and argument, organisation, originality and
other recommended style. Demonstrates complete mastery of
background sources. material and full understanding.
Originality & clear critical 88 A good first, with outstanding coverage
insight demonstrated. but lacking very slightly in some area (e.g.
organisation, overall presentation, style,
linguistic fluency etc.).
80 A first with reservations. Good
presentation of relevant material with
good organisation and good critical
argument. Good integration of prescribed
sources. Very minor omissions. Evidence
of originality/clear insight/solid depth of
understanding.
2A Contact with additional 72 Competent coverage of relevant material.
reference sources with Sound critical argument. Fair integration
good integration and of prescribed reference material.
critical argument Satisfactory organisation. Evidence of
insight and original thinking, but lacking
total mastery/understanding.
Minor weaknesses. Contact with literature
other than prescribed reading.
2B Evidence of contact with 67 Satisfactory coverage of relevant
prescribed references material. Satisfactory organisation.
with moderate Contact with prescribed reference
integration material with moderate integration.
Minor errors/omissions/confusion.
Lacking mastery but arguments having
critical depth.
62 Satisfactory coverage of relevant
material. Moderate comprehension.
Moderate organisation. Contact with
reference material but weak integration.
Some omissions, minor errors/confusion.
Lacking originality.

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 Grade Criterion % General Description
3 Adequate & relevant 57 Adequate coverage of relevant material.
material. Arguments lacking clarity, lacking insight.
Contact with prescribed Some evidence of contact with reference
reference material. Weak material. Omissions with errors. Areas of
organization. confusion. Tendency towards rote
repetition of lectures.
52 Just adequate coverage of relevant
material to pass with errors/omissions.
Arguments unclear, vague, shallow,
lacking thought. Rote repetition.
Organisation weak. Poor contact with
prescribed reading. Just enough
comprehension indicated to pass.
F2 Little relevant material 42 Some relevant material presented, but
insufficient argument weak, narrow,
simplistic or confused. Poor organization.
Conceptual misunderstandings.
36 Contains some relevant material but
either insufficient, muddled, disorganised
or containing major errors or omissions.
Poor organisation. Weak argument.
30 Some meaningful content but little
relevant argument of material, muddled
badly organised or major errors.
Fundamental conceptual
misunderstandings.
F3 Very little/no relevance 20 Very little relevant material, embedded in
no organisation predominantly irrelevant or muddled
material. No organization.
10 An attempt at some relevant
argument/material OR little relevant
material overwhelmed by severe
misunderstandings and errors. No
organisation.
0 Nothing relevant or anything that is able
to elicit a charitable gesture from the
marker.

This marking schedule is intended as a rough guide. There will be occasions when
Lecturers must use their own discretion.

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Appendix E – Meanings of Terms or Expressions

The following is a list of the meaning of terms or expressions which indicate

requirements for preparing tutorial tasks and/or assignments or which stipulate what
is required to answer an examination/ test question.

NOTE: It is important to remember that the terms used for work set during the year
and for examination questions are carefully selected, indicating that a particular
approach is wanted and that you therefore need to answer the question AS
REQUIRED in order to succeed.

ACCOUNT FOR
Give reasons for; explain why things are as they are.

Give an ACCOUNT of
Tell or recount (e.g. a series of events up to a certain point or time). Observe any
limits carefully - where to begin and where to end.

ALLUDE TO
Refer to; mention. This does not require a full retelling - just enough must be included
to reveal that you know what is required.

APPROPRIATENESS/APPROPRIATELY
Aptness; suitability; relevance. COMMENT on or include something, depending on the
instruction, indicating why it is or why it is not suitable or relevant.

ARGUMENT
To put the case for or against something. This is usually necessary in a DISCUSSION-
TYPE answer or assignment (see DISCUSS). Either deal with all the pros and then
with all the cons, and sum up afterwards or deal with the pro and con of each point in
turn, with a summing up after each point. It is sometimes permissible to put only one
side of a case, but in all cases, your argument must be supported in full by
explanation/appropriate references/facts/statistics.

ARGUMENT OF
This can be used to refer to the central hypothesis or point of a case - it does not
necessarily mean that something is controversial.

COMMENT ON
The range of possible answers here is great - it depends on the individual case. Try
to assess the amount of comment expected. Relevant possibilities include
explanation/allusions/significance/cause/effect.

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COMPARE AND CONTRAST
Comparing two things means pointing out all those aspects in which they are similar,
and also those aspects in which they are dissimilar. Contrasting them is pointing out
just the dissimilar aspects. Include as many RELEVANT items as possible.
Question example:
o COMPARE AND CONTRAST the MBO (Management- by-Objectives) method
of personnel performance appraisal with other performance methods known to
you.

CONCISELY
Conciseness is a great virtue in examinations. It does not mean sketchiness,
telegraphic writing, carelessness, untidiness or even necessarily brevity. It means that
all that is relevant to the answer must be put down as clearly and as briefly as possible.
Avoid repetition. Keep sentences short.

CONTEXT
(Also CIRCUMSTANCES). Questions referring to the context of something require you
to place something within a particular environment/circumstances/time.

CRITICALLY
Criticism does not mean deriding something: it means judging, evaluating, assessing
and appreciating the good points as well as noting any weaknesses. (See
DISCUSS/EXAMINE)
Question example:
o CRITICALLY EVALUATE Herzberg’s theory of motivation.

DEDUCTION
What conclusion can you draw from? What further facts can you work out without
being told?

DEFINE
Definitions must sometimes be learnt with examples and illustrations. A good
definition will include indications of: general type, idea belonging to; sub-group;
purpose/effect; distinctive features and connotations; and an example.
Question example:
o DEFINE the marketing concept in a brief, underlined statement of no more than
two sentences.

DESCRIBE
Give a description of. Decide carefully whether you are required to depict (e.g.
outline), narrate or give features of characteristics.
Question example:
o DESCRIBE the personnel selection process.

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DISCUSS
(See ARGUMENTS/EXAMINE)Discussion demands not only a setting forth of the
various facts of a case, point by point, but also some COMMENT on and assessment
of their strengths and values. It allows for both subjective and objective approaches,
depending on circumstances.

CRITICALLY DISCUSS
Set out the various facts/aspects of a case, point by point, and judge, evaluate, assess
and appreciate its good points as well as indicating any weaknesses: i.e. discuss the
merits of the case.
Question examples:
o The appointment of a Human Resources Manager or equivalent is an important
step in the development of any business organisation. DISCUSS this
statement.
o Different patterns of strengths and weaknesses (in an organization) lead to very
different strategic choices. Therefore, the accuracy of the internal analysis is
crucial in selecting the right strategy. CRITICALLY DISCUSS this statement
and show how a business organisation might go about conducting an accurate
internal analysis.
o Objectives are an essential part of the planning process. DISCUSS the extent
to which the concept of management by objectives can assist an organisation
to become more effective.

DISTINGUISH
Point out the differences (see COMPARE AND CONTRAST).

ASSIGNMENT
A literary composition with a wide range of types and characteristics. If you are asked
to write an assignment, you should almost certainly DISCUSS the topic, with a balance
between objective facts systematically presented and subjective COMMENT - your
opinions, impressions, criticisms, suggestions.

EVALUATE
Assess; appraise; or, in numerical terms, ascertain amount of
Question example:
o Modern management is analogous to a river which consists of different sources
and tributaries all flowing together and providing tremendous power when
combined into a consistent and directed flow. It is important to note that
management today is not restricted to narrow pools of knowledge but involves
the flowing together of many ideas from varied sources. In the light of this
statement EVALUATE the contributions of the management pioneers, Fayol
and Taylor, to modern management thought.

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EXAMINE
Inquire into the nature of/condition of. You are usually required to make a careful
inspection, including all relevant items and to COMMENT on these.
Question example:
o The 21st century will belong to the customer. Technology is transforming choice,
and choice is transforming the marketplace. As a result, we are witnessing the
emergence of a new marketing paradigm (model) - a knowledge and
experience-based marketing that represents the once-and-for-all death of the
salesman. DISCUSS this statement fully. In so doing EXAMINE the
implications for marketing management in South Africa.

EXPAND
Amplify; give full details of something that is merely alluded to. Close to EXPLAIN.

EXPLAIN
One of the most common instructions. Avoid merely repeating what you are asked to
explain (see COMMENT). Show how it refers to the situation in question, and relate
it to the CONTEXT. It can also mean give reasons for. Observe carefully whether
explain is modified by briefly, concisely, fully, etc. and answer accordingly.
Question examples:
o The use of incentives and rewards is the single most powerful tool at
management’s disposal to win strong employee commitment to carry out the
strategic plan. True or false? EXPLAIN.
o Briefly EXPLAIN the difference between operating and financial leverage.
o EXPLAIN why both partnerships and trusts are business structures that are
particularly well-suited to the South African situation.

IDENTIFY
Usually in scientific terms, put into CONTEXT (environment), indicate significance,
relationship, characteristics. Give enough information to avoid any possible doubt or
ambiguity.
Question example:
o Write an ASSIGNMENT developing a scenario of the impact of AIDS on South
African business during the period 2000 - 2013. IDENTIFY what you think will
be the key issues that will require strategic management action, and DISCUSS
effective strategies that should be implemented.

ILLUSTRATE
(See ALLUDE) Give examples of. To illustrate you must refer to RELEVANT items.
Question example:

22
 o The family is unanimously agreed to be central in the field of consumer
behaviour. EXPLAIN why this statement is correct in the majority of cases.
ILLUSTRATE your answer with one or two brief, suitable examples.

IMPLY
(See DEDUCTION, SIGNIFICANCE) Infer; suggests, hints at something. The reader
is left to work out something for himself. Implications also come close to meaning
results, consequences.

JUSTIFY
(See YOUR OWN OPINION, ARGUMENT) Show that something is what it is claimed
to be. In a scientific answer, full reasons/explanations/illustrations must be supplied
to support your ARGUMENT.
Question example:
o South African managers must forget the Human Resources approach to
managing people as we have an over-abundance of labour anyway. What we
really need is an emphasis on efficiency of production and scientific
management principles. DISCUSS the above statement. JUSTIFY your
ARGUMENTS with reference to the theories contained in these two schools of
thought, that is, the Scientific Management and Human Resources schools of
management thought.

LENGTH
Observe closely the stipulations on length. Not more than - what it says exactly.
Between x-amount and y-amount - what it says exactly. About - some leeway either
way - but not too much.

MEANING
(See EXPLAIN) Give RELEVANT facts/implications to EXPLAIN the significance of
something.

NUMBERING ANSWERS
If asked to give reasons (plural) be sure to give at least two!
Question example:
o For what REASONS, other than the need to raise outside finance, might a
private company take the necessary steps to secure a stock exchange
quotation (listing)?

RELATIONSHIP
In scientific answers, how things are connected/interact.

RESULT

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(See IMPLY) That which follows because it has been brought about by an earlier
situation or action.

SIGNIFICANCE
(See IMPLY, MEANING) The importance/meaning of something within a specific
CONTEXT or in relation to something else.
Question example:
o OUTLINE, and EXPLAIN the SIGNIFICANCE of, the main points which should
be considered when deciding upon corporate dividend policy.

TO WHAT EXTENT DO YOU AGREE?

Your answer must show whether you agree entirely, not at all, or in part only.

YOUR OWN OPINION

You are often asked to express your own (subjective) view, reaction, opinion. Do so
in the confidence that everything RELEVANT and intelligent will be given credit. But
always substantiate (see DISCUSS).
Question examples:
o What is marketing? You are asked this question by someone who is totally
uninformed as to the nature and scope of marketing. Provide a clear and logical
answer for this person and in so doing develop and JUSTIFY YOUR OWN
definition of marketing. What do YOU UNDERSTAND by the conversion
process in operations management?
o An understanding of marketing principles is a vitally important quality for any
business person to have. DEBATE this statement by:
o (a) Presenting two ARGUMENTS OF YOUR CHOICE in favour of it.
o (b) Presenting two ARGUMENTS OF YOUR CHOICE against it.
o (c)Presenting an OBJECTIVE JUDGEMENT of marketing’s value and
RELEVANCE based upon the evidence YOU DEVELOPED under (a)
and (b) above.

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Appendix F – APA referencing Basics

1. Basic in-text referencing (referencing in the body of your essay):

• The APA reference style uses the (Author surname, date) format.
EXAMPLE
Managers have a direct impact on every aspect of organisational life, including team
performance and behaviour (Hickman, 2021).

• For direct quotations: include a page number(s) and use the author’s exact
words inside the quotation marks, as below:
EXAMPLE
…the result of this is a “technical super identity” (Erikson, 2013, p. 20).

• If there are two authors, they must both be cited each time:
EXAMPLE
Flourishing at work means that you enjoy your work and function well in all aspects of
your job (Rautenbach & Rothmann, 2017).

• If there are three or more authors, ONLY the first author’s surname name is
used with et al. and the year
EXAMPLE
Flourishing employees are more committed, more engaged, hardworking, and don’t
take as many sick days as employees who are languishing (Redelinghuys et al., 2019).

2. References page (full reference information is provided at the end

of your essay on a separate page):

All references must follow this format:

• Use a hanging Indent Format with the first line flush to the left margin and all
other lines indented.
• Be in alphabetical order according to the first authors’ SURNAME

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 • For journal articles, references must include surname and initials of every
author, date, article name, journal name in italics, journal volume, page
numbers, DOI (this is the equivalent of a URL and provides a direct link to the
article online)

Ahlstrom, D., Arregle, J. L., Hitt, M. A., Qian, G., Ma, X., & Faems, D. (2020). Managing
technological, sociopolitical, and institutional change in the new normal. Journal
of Management Studies, 57(3), 411–437. https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.12569

• For books, references must include surname and initials of every author, date,
book name in italics, name of publisher

Seligman, M. E. (2011). Flourish: A visionary new understanding of happiness and

well-being. Simon and Schuster

If you are accessing electronic resources, such as a website, newspaper articles, or

conference proceedings, please consult the correct APA websites for guidance on
referencing these.
www.apastyle.apa.org
https://owl.purdue.edu/
https://www.scribbr.com/apa-style/apa-seventh-edition-
changes/

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 Appendix G - Plagiarism by Undergraduates
CATEGORY A (dealt with by staff member / course lecturer / course co-ordinator)
Form of Plagiarism Suggested Penalty

1st Year (bearing in mind that Subsequent years

students need time to
understand what is required of
them
Minor plagiarism from textual / Student to be counselled and Student to be given a final warning,
internet sources in an assignment warned of future consequences. and the student must where
that simply counts for SM purposes, Where suitable, the student should suitable, be given an alternative task
but not for marks (eg tutorial work be given an alternative task to do for to do for DP purposes.
that must be handed-in, and which DP purposes.
is assessed for feedback purposes
alone).

Minor plagiarism from Mark penalty of up to –40% off the Mark penalty of up to –50% off the
textual/internet sources in minor mark that the student would have mark that the student would have
assignments (e.g. tutorial received if there had been no received if there had been no
assignments or practical reports) plagiarism. The extent of the penalty plagiarism. The extent of the penalty
that count less than 10% of the final depends on how much assignment depends on how much assignment
mark for the course. counts towards the final mark. counts towards final mark. Student
Student to be counselled and counselled and warned of
warned of consequences of future consequences of future conduct.
conduct.

Minor plagiarism from textual Mark penalty of up to –30% off the Mark penalty of up to –40% off the
sources in major assignments (e.g. mark that the student would have mark that the student would have
full research essays) that count received if there had been no received if there had been no
more than 10% of the final mark for plagiarism. The extent of the penalty plagiarism. The extent of the penalty
the course. depends on how much the depends on how much the
assignment counts towards the final assignment counts towards
mark. The student must be the final mark. The student must be
counselled and warned of counselled and warned of
consequences of future conduct. consequences of future conduct.

Minor examples of a student using Mark penalty of up to –30% off the Mark penalty of up to –40% off the
another person’s copied words mark that the student would have mark that the student would have
without quotation marks, but giving received if there had been no received if there had been no
a reference. plagiarism. The extent of the penalty plagiarism. The extent of the penalty
depends on how much the depends on how much assignment
[* By “minor” is meant a few assignment counts towards the final counts towards the final mark. The
sentences up to about 15% of the mark. The student counselled student must be counselled and
and warned of consequences of warned of consequences of future
assignment.]
future conduct. conduct.

Cases of *syndication in work 0 and/or SM warning, and the 0 and/or SM warning, and the
that does not count for marks, or students must be called in and students must be called in and
where the exercise counts less warned of the consequences of warned of the consequences of
than 5% of the final mark. future conduct. Such cases can future conduct. Such cases can
easily be considered category B, and easily be considered category B,
can be referred for a hearing, if the and can be referred for a hearing, if
Department deems appropriate. the Department deems appropriate.
*Syndicated assignments are where two students submit identical pieces of work, or work that
contains identical paragraphs. Group assessment tasks are excluded from the definition, unless
two groups submit identical assignments. Here both students/groups should be sanctioned.

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 CATEGORY B (to be heard by a Departmental Plagiarism Committee)

1. Plagiarism from textual / internet Suggested Penalty (in all cases below, the decision must be recorded by the
sources Department as a Category B finding).

1st Year Subsequent years

Second offences in Category A. 0 and the student could be asked to 0 and the student could be asked to
complete another assignment for SM complete another assignment for SM
purposes, not for marks. purposes, not for marks.

Major plagiarism in an assignment that The student should, if possible, The student should, if possible,
simply counts for SM purposes, but not complete another assignment for SM complete another assignment for DP
for marks. purposes, and a case of category B purposes, and a case of category B
plagiarism to be recorded plagiarism to be recorded

Approximately 20-30% of the 0 and the student should, if possible, 0 and the student should, if possible,
assignment plagiarised in an complete another assignment for SM complete another assignment for SM
assignment counting less than 10% of purposes, not for marks. [Range: The purposes, not for marks.
the final mark for the course. student should, where possible,
complete another assignment, to count
Approximately 20-30% of the for ½ to ⅓ the value of the marks of the 0 and the student should, where
assignment plagiarised in an original assignment; or up to 0 plus possible, complete another assignment
assignment counting 10-20% of the final another assignment for SM purposes for SM purposes, not for marks.
mark for the course. later in the year.]

Approximately 20-30% of the 0 and the student should, where Range: The student should, where
assignment plagiarised in an possible, complete another possible, complete another assignment,
assignment counting 20% or more of assignment for SM purposes, not for to count for ⅓ the value of the marks of
the final mark for the course. marks. the original assignment; up to 0 plus
another assignment for SM purposes.

Approximately half the assignment Range: 0 and the student should, Range: 0 and the student should, where
plagiarised (all cases). where possible, complete another possible, complete another assignment
assignment for SM purposes, not for for SM purposes, not for marks; up to 0
marks; up to 0 + SMWP by the second + SMWP.
semester.
75 to 100% of the assignment (as above) 0 + SMWP
plagiarised (all cases)

Serious examples of using another Depending on extent, range from Depending on extent, range from
person’s copied words without quotation mark penalty; to another assignment to mark penalty; to another assignment to
marks, but giving a reference. count for less marks; to 0. count for less marks; to 0.

Second offences of plagiarism of 0 + SMWP 0 + SMWP

approximately 25% of the assignment

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 CATEGORY B continued: to be heard by a Departmental Plagiarism Committee

2. Syndication counting 5% Suggested Penalty (in all cases below, the decision must be
or more of final mark recorded by the Department as a Category B finding).
1st Year subsequent years

Syndicate assignments are where (a) The students worked together, (a) The students worked together,
two students submit identical pieces then reproduced the same material, then reproduced the same material,
of work, or work that contains but without proof of collusion: but without proof of collusion:
Range - Depending on extent of Range - Depending on extent of
selected passages that are
syndication, complete another syndication, complete another
identical. Group assessment tasks assignment for a lesser value of assignment for a lesser value of
are excluded from the definition, marks (if feasible), up to 0 and marks (if feasible), up to 0 and
unless two groups submit identical complete another assignment for SM complete another assignment for
assignments. Here both students / purposes, if feasible. SM purposes, if feasible.
groups should be sanctioned.
(b) The assignment counts for marks, (b) The assignment counts for
and the students knowingly marks, and the students knowingly
reproduced the same material: reproduced the same material:
Range - Depending on the extent of Range - Depending on the extent of
the syndication, 0 (in which case the the syndication, 0 (in which case the
students should, where possible, do students should, where possible, do
another assignment for SM another assignment for SM
purposes), up to 0 + SMWP purposes), up to 0 + SMWP

Copying from another student

without that student’s knowledge

Situations where a student submits

work that is identical to another 0 + SMWP AND refer the matter to 0 + SMWP AND refer the matter to
student/group, or work that contains the Senior Prosecutor for potential the Senior Prosecutor for potential
disciplinary proceedings. disciplinary proceedings.
selected passages that are
identical, but this time because the
student/group has appropriated the
work from another student/group
without the other student/group’s
knowledge or collusion. This can
include agreeing to hand in the
other student’s essay, and then
taking material from the original
essay, breaking into a res room,
hacking into computer files, stealing
printing from a printer, stealing a
flash stick, and so forth.

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 CATEGORY C (to be heard by a Senate Plagiarism Tribunal)

Form of Plagiarism Suggested Penalty (to be recorded

as a Category C finding)
Serial offences of minor plagiarism at the undergraduate level (a 3rd time All these offences have the potential to attract
or more), indicating a total disregard for the rules, and an unwillingness to serious penalties, ranging from mark penalties to
make the effort to remedy the problem despite several previous sanctions. re-doing work to DPWP to exclusion (whether
suspended or not).
Second offences of major plagiarism in major assignments at the
undergraduate level (cases of plagiarism of 50% or more of a subsequent If permanent exclusion is recommended, this
assignment). must be confirmed by Senate and Council.

Second offences of syndication and/or taking and copying from another

student’s work without permission.

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 Appendix H - Plagiarism by Postgraduates
Ordinarily, plagiarism by a postgraduate, unless extremely minor, would not be
classed in Category A.

CATEGORY B (to be heard by a Departmental Plagiarism Committee)

Form of Plagiarism Suggested Penalty (to be recorded

as a Category C finding)
Plagiarism from textual sources in Honours coursework and Master’s 0 (in which case another assignment should,
coursework assignments. where possible, be re-done for SM purposes, but
not to count for marks) to 0 + SMWP.

Relatively minor plagiarism from textual sources in Honours research In such situations, SMWP should normally only
papers. apply to that component of the course, not the
entire Honours year.

CATEGORY C (to be heard by a Senate Plagiarism Tribunal)

Form of Plagiarism Suggested Penalty (to be recorded

as a Category C finding)
Second offences, including situations where the student has committed All these offences have the potential to attract
plagiarism as an undergraduate. serious penalties, ranging from mark penalties to
DPWP to exclusion (whether suspended or not).
Serious plagiarism in Honours research papers. If permanent exclusion is recommended, this
must be confirmed by Senate and Council.
Taking and copying material from another student in Honours and
coursework Master’s.

Any plagiarism in Master’s dissertations and in PhD theses.

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6. Reference List

Hofstee, E. 2006. Constructing a Good Dissertation. Johannesburg, South Africa:

EPE.

University of Fort Hare. 2009. Policies and Procedures on Plagiarism.

Van Dyk, T. & Coetzee, M. 2010. Make Sense of Referencing – The APA, APA and
Vancouver methods and the footnote system. Stellenbosch: Stellenbosch University
Language Centre.

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