Background
For this assessment task, you will write an essay on a cu
ent public health problem. You are required to choose a topic from the list provided (see below). If you have your own topic that you are interested in, you will need to email the Lecturer-in-Charge (LIC), to seek written approval. Your arguments must be supported by citing peer- reviewed academic literature and/or official statistical resources (e.g. ABS, WHO etc.) as appropriate.
Assessment specifications
Due date: Tuesday 3 May XXXXXXXXXX:00pm)
Weighting: 30%
Length and/or format: 1,200 words +/- 10% (includes in-text citations but excludes appendices and references)
Purpose: To enable students to describe and analyse contemporary public health issues and challenges, and the impact these issues have on the health of the population
Learning outcomes assessed: 1, 2,3
How to submit: Turnitin (via LEO)
Return of assignment: Marks and feedback will be returned to students
via LEO
Assessment criteria: See marking ru
ic below
Instructions
First, you will need to choose a topic from the following list.
1. Physical inactivity in Australia
2. Lower rates of childhood vaccinations in some areas of Australia
3. Heat waves in Australia
4. Availability of ‘junk’ food in Australia
5. Smoking rates in Australia
Specifically, your essay should include:
· A
ief introduction (1 paragraph):
PUBH100: Foundations of Public Health, 2022
Assessment Task 2: Public health issues
· Introduce the chosen topic, and outline what you will cover in your essay
1
· Body (all points should be supported by citing relevant literature):
· Describe the context and nature of the problem, and its impact on population health (i.e. why it is a public health issue)
· Identify which population groups are most vulnerable or affected, and any implications for health equity
· Identify the main players involved in addressing the public health issue, including their role, function and influence
· Discuss strategies and actions that could address the issue and improve the health and wellbeing of the population.
· Conclusion (1 paragraph):
· Summarise the key points/arguments
· What are the implications for the future?
· Reference list (APA7 referencing style)
You must search the literature, and explicitly refer to peer-reviewed academic literature and/or official statistical resources (e.g. ABS, WHO etc.) to support your description and discussion of the public health issue. A minimum of eight to ten references is expected, at least 6 of which should be peer-reviewed references (e.g. journal articles or book chapters).
Formatting requirements
· Word document
· Arial, Cali
i or Times New Roman font
· Size 12 font (headings and subheadings can be large
ond font if required)
· 1.5 line spacing
· Margins of at least 2cm left and right
Referencing
APA7 is the required referencing style for this assessment task. Please ensure that you are familiar with the formatting and usage requirements for this style. The Academic Skills Unit and Li
ary have resources to help with referencing.
Turnitin: Turnitin is a tool used to assist in the detection of referencing problems and/or plagiarism. Turnitin generates a similarity index for a document: that is, what percentage of the document contains material that is matched to accessible sources. Presence of similarity does not necessarily indicate plagiarism: there are many reasons why similar text is discovered in student documents. For example, Turnitin often classifies reference lists themselves as “similar”- this is similarity, but not plagiarism.
Assessment Policies and Procedures
Students should make themselves familiar with the University’s Assessment Procedures https:
www.acu.edu.au/handbook/handbook-2021/policies-and-general-information/assessment---policy-and-procedure/assessment-procedures
This link outlines how to apply for an extension or special consideration (under ‘Student responsibilities’ and ‘Processes when personal circumstances affect performance’). Extension requests (if you have a valid reason), should be emailed to the Lecturer-in-Charge, prior to the due date. Special consideration applications should be emailed to XXXXXXXXXX AND the Lecturer-in-Charge.
Note: Extension and Special consideration request forms are available under the Assessment Tile on LEO.
Please note that marks will be deducted for late submission of assignments (without an approved extension or special consideration), as per University policy. The policy states: “Assessment tasks submitted after the due or extended date will incur, for each whole or part of a calendar day that the work is overdue, a 5% penalty of the maximum marks available for that assessment task up to a maximum of 15%.
Assessment tasks received more than three calendar days after the due or extended date will not be allocated a mark.”
Marking criteria
In line with ACU’s Assessment Policy, all assessment marking and grading must be criterion-referenced and use standards-based grading. Assessment criteria and standards are related to unit learning outcomes. Student performance on a task is evaluated against each criterion, and according to the set standards of achievement for that criterion. Assessment criteria and standards for this task are provided in the following ru
ic. Each criterion is marked according to a five-point standard, from “poor” to “excellent”, with a descriptor for each standard. Within each standard there is a small marking range that further differentiates. Your final mark for the task reflects evaluation against all criteria.
See the ru
ic below for the marking criteria.
Learning outcomes assessed:
1. Define public health and outline its core functions and role in improving the health of the community
2. Describe the major public health challenges in Australia and internationally, and what role public health can play in addressing these challenges
3. Analyse the impact of diverse factors - such as gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic factors - on population health, especially in terms of inequities in health
4.
PUBH100 ASSESSMENT TASK 2 - MARKING RUBRIC
Marking criteria and relevant unit learning outcome(s)
Weight
Standard achieved
Excellent
Very good
Good
Fai
Poo
1. Knowledge of a contemporary public health issue
Describe the context and nature of the problem, and its impact on population health (i.e. why it is a public health issue)
2
Essay provides an excellent description of the context and nature of the problem, and its impact on population health
Essay provides a very good description of the context and nature of the problem, and its impact on population health
Essay provides an adequate description of the context and nature of the problem, and its impact on population health
Essay provides a partial description of the context and nature of the problem, and its impact on population health
Essay provides a poor description of the context and nature of the problem, and its impact on population health
LO1, LO2
(4½–5 marks)
(3½–4 marks)
(2½–3 marks)
(1½–2 marks)
(0–1 marks)
2. Population groups affected
Identify which population groups are most vulnerable or affected, and any implications for health equity
2
Essay provides an excellent discussion of which population groups are most vulnerable or affected, and any implications for health
equity
Essay provides a very good discussion of which population groups are most vulnerable or affected, and any implications for health
equity
Essay provides an adequate discussion of which population groups are most vulnerable or affected, and any
implications for health equity
Essay provides a limited discussion of which population groups are most vulnerable or affected, and any implications for health
equity
Essay provides a poor discussion of which population groups are most vulnerable or affected, and any implications for health
equity
LO2, LO3
(4½–5 marks)
(3½–4 marks)
(2½–3 marks)
(1½–2 marks)
(0–1 marks)
3. Assessment of main players involved in a public health issue
Identify the main players involved in addressing the public health issue, including their role, function and influence
LO1, LO2
2
Essay provides an excellent discussion of the main players involved in addressing the public health issue, including their role, function and influence
(4½–5 marks)
Essay provides a very good discussion of the main players involved in addressing the public health issue, including their role, function and influence
(3½–4 marks)
Essay provides a satisfactory discussion of the main players involved in addressing the public health issue, including their role, function and influence
(2½–3 marks)
Essay provides a limited discussion of the main players involved in addressing the public health issue, including their role, function and influence
(1½–2 marks)
Essay provides a poor discussion of the main players involved in addressing the public health issue, including their role, function and influence
(0–1 marks)
4
Marking criteria and relevant unit learning outcome(s)
Weight
Standard achieved
Excellent
Very good
Good
Fai
Poo
4. Discussion of public health approaches to address the issue
Discuss strategies and actions that could address the issue and improve the health and wellbeing of the population
3
Essay comprehensively discusses public health and/or population-based approaches that may address the issue, meeting or exceeding the level expected from a student in a foundations unit
Essay effectively discusses on public health and/or population- based approaches that may address the issue, commensurate with the level expected from a student in a foundations unit
Essay adequately discusses public health and/or population-based approaches that may address the issue, appropriate to the level expected from a student in a foundations unit
Essay barely discusses public health and/or population-based approaches that may address the issue, and is not quite at the level expected from a student in a foundations unit
Essay discussion of public health and/or population-based approaches that may address the issue is inadequate and falls short of the level expected from a student in a foundations unit
LO1, L02, LO3
(4½–5 marks)
(3½–4 marks)
(2½–3 marks)
(1½–2 marks)
(0–1 marks)
5. Clarity, coherence and professional presentation
Writing is clear, coherent, well-articulated and professionally presented and meets word limit requirements
2
Essay is of an excellent standard in all respects: clearly expressed, coherently argued, and professionally presented, and within word limit requirements.
Essay is of a very good standard in all respects: clearly expressed, coherently argued, and professionally presented, and within word limit requirements.
Essay is of a satisfactory standard but improvements are necessary in expression, coherence of argument, and professionalism of presentation. Within or close to word limit requirements
Essay requires substantial improvements in expression, coherence of argument, professionalism of presentation. Within or close to word limit requirements.
Essay requires extensive revision due to problems with expression, coherence of argument, and professionalism of presentation. Does not meet word limit requirements.
(4½–5 marks)
(3½–4 marks)
(2½–3 marks)
(1½–2 marks)
(0-1 marks)
6. Referencing
Paper adheres to academic conventions of referencing style (APA7)
Essay demonstrates excellent adherence to APA7 referencing style, and is free of e
ors. All references are acknowledged and co
ectly cited. A wide range of peer-reviewed
Essay demonstrates reasonably strong adherence to APA7 referencing style, with a few minor e
ors. Nearly all references are acknowledged and co
ectly cited. A good
Essay demonstrates a satisfactory adherence to APA7 referencing style, with multiple minor e
ors. A number of e
ors in acknowledging references and citations. There is a limited range of peer-
Essay demonstrates limited adherence to APA7 referencing style, with major e
ors.
Multiple e
ors in acknowledging references and citations. Few peer-reviewed
Essay demonstrates a poor understanding of APA7 referencing style