Proforma for Undergraduate Work Assignment

Title of Module / Information Technology
Module Leader / Nick Barnett
Assessment Task / Radio Frequency Identification Tags (RFIDs) are being used in ever greater numbers for an increasing diverse number of applications, from libraries to retail shops to Oyster cards.
Your task is to analyse how RFIDs are being used to improve the efficiency and quality of organisations, their products and services.
Provide referenced examples showing these aspects in practice.
Assessment format / Word
Word limit / 2,000 (+/-10%)
Learning outcomes to be examined in this assessment /
  • Understand the central role of Information Systems in organisations
  • Demonstrate knowledge of IT structures and emerging technologies
  • Comprehend the Internet and its place in the Information age

Assessment criteria / Explanatory comments on the assessment criteria / Maximum marks for each section
Content, style, relevance, originality / Feature rich practical solutions / 30
Format, referencing, bibliography / Well structured, use Harvard Reference System / 10
Constructive critical analysis, introduction, conclusion / Consideration of the major benefits of IT systems / 60

Indicative content

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a generic term that is used to describe a system that transmits the identity (in the form of a unique serial number) of an object or person wirelessly, using radio waves. It's grouped under the broad category of automatic identification technologies.

RFID is in use all around us. If you have ever chipped your pet with an ID tag, used Oyster when travelling in London, you've used RFID. In addition, RFID is increasingly used with biometric technologies for security.
Unlike ubiquitous UPC bar-code technology, RFID technology does not require contact or line of sight for communication. RFID data can be read through the human body, clothing and non-metallic materials.

Please use the following structure for your report

Title Page

Assignment title, module code, full name and student code, as well as submission date.

Executive Summary

Provide a brief statement of overall aims and the specific objectives of the report. It should also include methods and procedures used, key findings and a synopsis of the conclusions and recommendations. Reading a good executive summary will provide an overview of all aspects of the report.

Table of Contents

A list all the chapters, sections, headings and sub-headings. Appendices and Figures should be provided as well as all page numbers as clearly as possible.

Introduction

This should show that you have understood the brief and that you will cover everything required.

Findings and Analysis

  • This is the substance of your report. The structure will vary depending on the material being presented. Headings and sub-headings should be used to indicate clearly the different sections
  • The following headings may help to add structure: situation; problem; solution; evaluation. It is not sufficient simply to describe a situation. Analysis and a critical approach are essential
  • Charts, diagrams and tables can be used to reinforce your arguments, although it may be better to include the more complex ones as an appendix.

Conclusions

These draw out the implications of your findings. Deductions are based on the facts described in the findings and analysis. Remember not to include any new material here.

References

All the named sources you have quoted from or reproduced in your report. Please use The Harvard System for all references as follows:

Author(s), editor(s) or the institution responsible for writing the book

Date of publication (in brackets)

Title and subtitle (if any) underlined, highlighted or in Italics but be consistent throughout

Series and individual volume number (if any)

Edition (if not the first)

Place of publication (if known)

Publisher

For example:

Spence, B. ed. (1993) Secondary school management in the 1990s: challenge and change. Aspects of Education Series, 48.London, Independent Publishers

or

Mohr, L.B. (1996) Impact analysis for program evaluation. 2nd ed. London, Sage

Website references should have the address cited and the address and date accessed in the reference list, for example: Citation – Reference accessed 1 September 2012.

Bibliography

It contains all reading you have conducted in preparation for writing the report but have not used in reference. It allows the reader to assess whether the background reading undertaken was balanced and a variety of courses utilised.

Appendices

Detailed documentation of points made in the findings. Examples include: technical data, questionnaires, letters sent, tables, charts or leaflets. An appendix contains supplementary information that you consider to be too long, complicated or not quite relevant to include in the main section of the report, but is still relevant to your reader. Each appendix should be referred to in your text. You should not include something as an appendix if it is not discussed in the report.