Business Analytics and the Blockchain

Business Analytics and the Blockchain

Contents

TOC o "1-3" h z uModule Details PAGEREF _Toc160632044 h 1Assignment Description PAGEREF _Toc160632045 h 2Learning Outcomes PAGEREF _Toc160632046 h 4Advice and Guidance PAGEREF _Toc160632047 h 4Further Support PAGEREF _Toc160632048 h 5How is this assessment marked? PAGEREF _Toc160632049 h 6Assessment Marking Criteria PAGEREF _Toc160632050 h 7Assessment Regulations PAGEREF _Toc160632051 h 9Assessment policies at York St John PAGEREF _Toc160632052 h 9Library support PAGEREF _Toc160632053 h 9Assessment limits PAGEREF _Toc160632054 h 9Late or non-submissions PAGEREF _Toc160632055 h 9Extension for exceptional circumstances PAGEREF _Toc160632056 h 9Appeals PAGEREF _Toc160632057 h 9Hyperlink Appendix PAGEREF _Toc160632058 h 10

Module Details

Module code: BMD4002M Level of Study: 4

Module Leader(s): Charles Taylor Credits: 20

Assessment format: Essay Method of submission: Turnitin (online)

Deadline or Assessment Period: 24th of May 2024 12:00 noon Feedback date and place: 17th of June 2024

Assessment limits: length, load, word count, etc. 1,750 words Component number and weighting: 2

50%

(Generative) Artificial Intelligence use: None Will this be marked anonymously: No

Assignment Description

Individually, you are required to write a 1,750 word critically essay which evaluates blockchain technology in modern business practice. You have freedom to select a question however, this combination MUST be from the lists provided below.

Essay QUESTION:

You must select ONE of the following essay questions:

Evaluate the scalability issue of blockchain technology and its implications for business applications: how can these challenges be addressed and what are the trade-offs involved in potential different solutions?

Critically evaluate the regulatory challenges businesses face when adopting blockchain technology: how do different regulatory frameworks in the UK impact the global adoption of blockchain by businesses?

Evaluate the challenges of integrating blockchain to disrupt traditional banking and financial services: what opportunities and risks do decentralised finance platforms present?

Evaluate the environmental impact of blockchain technology: what is the impact of the energy consumption associated with running and maintaining a blockchain platform?

Evaluate the implications of blockchain for data privacy in UK business operations: how could blockchain enhance or complicate business adherence to privacy and accessibility regulations?

Topic 2 Guidance

You have been asked to critically evaluate the use of blockchain using your chosen topic question. The questions above are designed in two parts, the first part is guidance about the general part you must research (using (1) as example, scalability of blockchain), then the second part asks a specific question which your essay debate should aim to develop a conclusive answer. Sticking with (1) as an example, your essay should address the challenges within scalability, discuss the trade-offs, leading to a conclusion where you directly answer the question. Your work must follow academic integrity guidelines and use Harvard referencing.

STRUCTURE

This is a critical essay so your work should be split into 3 main sections and a reference list, these are:

Introduction

Main body

Conclusion

Reference List

Please DO NOT use numbering or any kind of listing in your essay. You DO NOT need a contents page.

Further information is provided on Moodle and throughout the modules workshops.

The Cite Them Right Harvard Referencing system should be used (https://citethemrightonline.com/). For a quick guide, please also see this link.

You will be assessed on the presentation of the poster and your use of research and referencing throughout the presentation. Your work needs to be:

Underpinned by a range of contemporary academic and business research.

Critically appraised of the literature and theories relating to the issue under review; demonstrate awareness and the application of theory to practice.

Try to develop a cohesive and coherent piece of work in an academic style. Use the assessment details, marking criteria, and the support throughout the module to support you in this.

Submission and Presentation Information:

Work should be submitted to the requested link available on Moodle.

Please note that all information regarding dates and time is in Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). If you live in another time zone, please take this into consideration.

Learning OutcomesYou must successfully achieve the following Programme-level Learning Outcomes to pass this assessment:

LO.1. Develop your knowledge in business analytics and be able to apply them in real business data.

LO.2.Critically assess blockchain in the business environment by using different analytical techniques which include:

LO.3. Develop critical skills in verbal and written communication and critical analysis in essay:

Develop your knowledge in blockchain analytics and be able to apply them in real business data.

Develop your understanding and critical awareness of the key components of blockchain technology.

Develop your ability to analyse and critique the limitations of blockchain technology in your chosen topic.

Develop your knowledge in blockchain technology and application.

Advice and Guidance

There will be an opportunity to present a draft version of your assignment (please, see Moodle for more information) in seminar.

All tables, figures or graphs must include reference and label.

Given the format of the assignment, contents page and abstract are NOT required.

A failure mark will be awarded to assignments that omit discussion of key concepts and theories mentioned in assignment description.

More details on assignment will be provided in seminars and lectures.

Further SupportTutorials - you can book an appointment with me during working hours at c.taylor2@yorksj.ac.uk.

Assessment questions If you have any questions about assessment, please do not hesitate to either email me at c.taylor2@yorksj.ac.uk You can also book a tutorial for this.

Referencing

Please use the Harvard referencing style for referencing in the bibliography and for in-text citations. The University's Harvard Referencing Guide can provide you with instructions on how to use this in your work. Alternatively, by using your York SJ login, you can also use the 'Cite Them Right' website as a referencing guide. For further support and tutorials on referencing, you can also contact our academic librarian for Business School, (a.person@yorksj.ac.uk)

Researching and library support - please visit the Library Study and Digital Skills page for support and guidance with researching and connect with library services and support

Study Skills To support your study development you can book group tutorials or 1-2-1 support through the Study Development page as well as access self-help resources and guides.

Exceptional Circumstances If you feel you may require additional time, support or considerations regarding your assessed work, you may be able to request these through our Exceptional Circumstances process.

Learning Support Plans (LSPs) and Reasonable Adjustments- If you have an LSP please ensure you have shared this with your academic tutor and assessor to ensure your adjustments are in place for your assessment. If you have a disability that requires reasonable adjustments and do not have an LSP in place, please contact the Disabilities and Inclusion team for support Disability Support.

How is this assessment marked?Your work will be marked according to the assessment instructions provided within this document and the selected Programme-level Learning Outcomes (PLOs) (see above).

Furthermore, this assessment is marked in line with YSJs Generic Assessment Descriptors (GAD) or a rubric devised from the GAD (see below). Where a rubric has been used in place of the GAD, this is to further specify and enhance your understanding of the expectations of this assessment.

Please note, that you must meet the required baseline standards (40 49%) which will include the PLOs and minimum expectations of the assessment. Further still, you must ensure you meet the requirements of each grade boundary to progress to the next i.e. you should demonstrate your learning through the standards of a 3rd, 2:2, and 2:1 to achieve a 2:1 (60 69%). These standards are designed to scaffold and build your learning to achieve your fullest potential in each criterion being assessed.

Each criterion will be allocated a weighting for this assessment. This is to indicate our expectations of where and how you should focus your efforts, and how marks will be awarded.

Assessment Marking CriteriaPass Grade Bands (100 40) (Programme Learning Outcomes must be met)

Fail Grade Bands (39 0) (Programme Learning Outcomes are not met)

Assessors, please delete rows that are not relevant to this assessment and feel free to develop the characteristics described into a rubric that provides further detail and disciplinary specificity, etc. For more information on how transform the GAD to a rubric visit Marking CriteriaGeneral Characteristics 3rd

(40 - 49) 2:2

(50 - 59) 2:1

(60 - 69) First

(70 - 84) High First

(85 100) Borderline Fail

(30 - 39)

(Credits may be compensated)

Fail

(0 29)

(Credits may not be compensated)

Verbs Satisfactory Good Very Good Excellent Exemplary Not Successful Unsuccessful

Thinking skills The work has appropriately applied a range of thinking skills to demonstrate an evidence-led understanding of the core taught content. The work has successfully applied thinking skills to demonstrate a deeper understanding of the core taught content and of some of the additional taught content. Through critical thinking, this work has revealed new possibilities for or asked questions about the taught contents source material and / or responded to the taught content with curiosity and independent study. This work has successfully applied critical thinking to broader or more complex issues discovered during independent study. The work has proposed viable approaches to generating data and / or potential answers to questions. This work has combined existing knowledge(s) to create new in-depth personal insights beyond the taught content. The thoroughness of the thinking generates a broad range of challenges to or consequences for the works insights. The work applies some thinking skills appropriately, but these are drawn from a narrow range. It may be further limited by some misunderstandings, misapplication, or gaps in required areas of knowledge within the taught content. The work applies few or none of the required thinking skills to the required areas of knowledge identified within the taught content.

Research skills The work incorporates the core taught research methods. It uses these methods appropriately to attempt to solve problems and / or answer research questions presented. The work correctly applies research methods from the taught content to attempt to solve problems and answer research questions during directed activities and independent research. The work demonstrates how methods were selected and used to generate data and / or insights to solve complex problems or to answer bespoke research questions. The work demonstrates successful processing of and outputs from the research methods used. It demonstrates a broader understanding of how these research methods were selected and used as part of a thoughtful design. The work is supported by a research methodology which starts to consider the wider contexts and issues of research in the discipline. The work incorporates and uses some of the taught research methods but has not yet demonstrated secure understanding or application of these through answering questions or solving problems. The work address or applies few or none of the research methods discussed in the taught content.

Practical skills The work demonstrates a competency with the required core taught skills. The work demonstrates a competency with additional taught skills. Skills are appropriately selected and successfully applied to a given task. The work uses a range of taught and self-taught skills confidently and correctly. These skills operate as part of an emerging style or mode of practice. The work is nearing disciplinary / professional / industrial / commercial standards / expectations. Application of skills to tasks has created a recognisable style or mode of practice. The work presents an emerging professional practice, drawing on current research and / or scholarship, that is achieving results which are similar to relevant disciplinary / professional / industrial / commercial standards. The work uses some practical skills competently but there are gaps or skills that need further development before full competency can be demonstrated. The work has applied few or none of the required taught skills.

Communication The work is comprehensible. It has shown an awareness of relevant technologies and has attempted to use the conventions of the medium to meet the expectations of an audience. The work is clear, coherent and communicates appropriately to its intended audience. It shows an appreciation of relevant technologies and uses the technical conventions as required. The work engages with relevant technology and communicates using technically proficient language appropriate to the medium and its intended audience. The work communicates persuasively and engages ethically with relevant technology. It communicates complex ideas in ways that would be accessible to both specialist and non-specialist audiences. The work communicates with a flowing structure and uses relevant technology in a socially responsible way. It successfully communicates complex ideas in ways that would be understandable to a range of both specialist and non-specialist audiences. The work engages in some comprehensible communication with an intended audience, but this is partial and not wholly coherent. Only some of the media and technical conventions used are appropriate. The work attempts little or no coherent communication with an intended audience. Its media and use of conventions are not appropriate nor technically proficient.

Assessment RegulationsAssessment policies at York St JohnIt is an expectation of this assignment and all assignments that you demonstrate academic integrity in your approach to your work. Evidence of academic malpractice / misconduct (plagiarism, collusion, etc.) may contribute to a failing mark and result in a formal school enquiry meeting. Further details about such meetings and the possible consequences for academic malpractice findings can be found within Section 24: Academic Misconduct Policy of York St John Universitys Code of Practice for Assessment and Academic-related Matters [full].

There are resources available to help you identify and avoid potential academic malpractice.

Library supportYou are encouraged to view the Library and Learning Services document, Avoiding Plagiarism and the Fit to Submit sway. Additionally, you can organise a meeting with your academic tutor, module leader(s) and the academic liaison librarian.

Assessment limitsYou are required to keep to the assessment limits (such as word limits or presentation lengths) set for an assessment and should note that you may be subject to penalty if you exceed that limit. You are required to provide an accurate account on the cover sheet for each piece of work you submit.

Further details are available in Section 32: Agreed Penalties Policy of Universitys Code of Practice for Assessment and Academic-related Matters [full].

Late or non-submissionsFor late or non-submission of work by the published deadline or an approved extended deadline, penalties will be applied depending on lateness, from 5 - 10% of marks deducted, or a mark of 0 Non-Submission (0NS)being recorded for a non-submission. Where a re-assessment opportunity exists, a student will normally be permitted only one attempt to be re-assessed for a capped mark. Further details are available in Section 32: Agreed Penalties Policy of Universitys Code of Practice for Assessment and Academic-related Matters [full].

Extension for exceptional circumstancesAn extension to the published deadline may be granted to an individual student if they meet the eligibility criteria of the Exceptional Circumstances policy. Further information is available in Section 18: Exceptional Circumstances of the Universitys Code of Practice for Assessment and Academic-related Matters.

AppealsStudents have the right to appeal assessment decisions but please note that assessment decisions are processed and agreed through internal moderation and external examination to ensure the fairness of grades awarded and feedback given. Before raising an appeal, we strongly urge you to arrange a meeting with the assessor, your academic tutor or a trusted member of the learning support teams at YSJ, to discuss the grade, feedback and why you wish to appeal.

Further information on appeals can be found in Section 58: Appeals Policy of the Universitys Code of Practice for Assessment and Academic-related Matters.

Hyperlink AppendixFor use with non-digital formats. Do not hyperlink the full URL as this can be disruptive / distracting for screen readers.

Avoid Plagiarism -

https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/media/content-assets/student-services/documents/Avoiding-Plagiarism-Factsheet.pdf

Code of Practice for Assessment -

https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/policies-and-documents/code-of-practice-for-assessment/Academic Misconduct Policy - https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/media/content-assets/registry/policies/code-of-practice-for-assessment/24.Academic-Misconduct-Policy-2023-24.pdf

Agreed Penalties Policy - https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/media/content-assets/registry/policies/code-of-practice-for-assessment/32.Agreed-Penalties-Policy-2023-24.pdfAppeals Policy - https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/media/content-assets/registry/policies/code-of-practice-for-assessment/58.Appeals-Policy-2023-24.pdf

Exceptional Circumstances Policy - https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/media/content-assets/registry/policies/code-of-practice-for-assessment/18.Exceptional-Circumstances-Policy-2023-24.pdfDisability Support -

https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/health-and-wellbeing/disability-support/

Exceptional Circumstances -

https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/students/exams-and-assessment/exceptional-circumstances/

Fit to Submit sway - https://sway.office.com/dyk5F0sU7W38Zue7

Library Study and Digital Skills -

https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/library/library-study-and-digital-skills/Study Development Tutorials -

https://www.yorksj.ac.uk/library/library-study-and-digital-skills/study-development-tutorials