CQUniversity Unit Profile
MGMT20135 Critical Thinking and Managerial Decision-Making
Critical Thinking and Managerial Decision-Making
All details in this unit profile for MGMT20135 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit is designed to introduce the importance of critical thinking and the benefits of using decision-making processes to assess and solve business, managerial and organisational problems. The key aspects of critical thinking and reasoning, including knowledge, comprehension, analysis, self-reflection and application are considered. You will learn how to critically analyse data and information related to typical business decisions. You will develop significant skills in building effective arguments by constructing, analysing, and critically evaluating the views and position adopted by stakeholders in the process of effective decision-making. The aim is to develop your ability to make effective and timely decisions, to communicate complex concepts and ideas, to influence and persuade others to adopt new strategies when required, and to constructively collaborate with others in order to generate solutions to multi-faceted business problems. You will also be introduced to the decision-making techniques leaders and groups use to solve problems in real-life business situations.

Details

Career Level: Postgraduate
Unit Level: Level 8
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 2 - 2022

Brisbane
Melbourne
Online
Sydney

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Practical and Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
2. Presentation and Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
3. Written Assessment
Weighting: 40%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Self-reflection; informal student feedback

Feedback

Some students sought extra support, in addition to the timetabled workshops.

Recommendation

Additional consultation sessions (via zoom) have been held to provide added support; it is recommended that this approach be continued in future, as it also allows for addressing of questions related to assessment briefing.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Evaluate and reflect on the importance of critical thinking and the benefits of using decision-making processes to assess and solve business, managerial and organisational problems
  2. Develop a body of knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to key aspects of critical thinking and reasoning
  3. Critically analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply creative decision-making approaches to address business issues and problems
  4. Develop the capability to make effective and timely decision
  5. Communicate complex concepts, ideas and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences with the aim to influence and persuade others to adopt new positions.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 30%
3 - Written Assessment - 40%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Knowledge
2 - Communication
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills
4 - Research
5 - Self-management
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility
7 - Leadership
8 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 - Practical and Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 30%
3 - Written Assessment - 40%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Think Smarter - Critical Thinking to Improve Problem Solving and Decision Makin Skills

(2014)
Authors: Michael Kallet
Wiley and Sons
Hoboken Hoboken , New Jersey , USA
ISBN: 978-1-118-72983-0
Binding: Hardcover

Additional Textbook Information

This book is Out of Print, so no longer available at the CQUni Bookshop. Students can buy this book online. No e-book is available, but second-hand copies are available.

The Unit Coordinator will post extra reading materials for each week. Students can buy the prescribed text from the sites below:

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
  • Students must have access to a digital device with audio-visual capabilities to participate in online classes and seminars
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Andrew Roberts Unit Coordinator
a.d.roberts@cqu.edu.au
Quamrul Alam Unit Coordinator
q.alam@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1: An introduction to Critical Thinking Begin Date: 11 Jul 2022

Module/Topic

Introduction to critical thinking, creativity and problem-solving.

What is critical thinking and what is it not?

Characteristics of managers who are critical thinkers.

The importance of critical thinking as a way of enhancing decision making.

Chapter

Kallet (2014). Think Smarter, Chapters 1 & 2.

Additional Readings:

Taylor and Hunter (2020), Critical Thinking and Business Decision Making, Scholars Press, Chapter.1.Moore and Parker (2017) Chapter 1

Paul & Elder (2014) Chapter 1

Loes & Pascarella (2017). Collaborative Learning and Critical Thinking: Testing the Link, The Journal of Higher Education, VOL. 88, NO. 5, 726–753 http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00221546.2017.1291257

Events and Submissions/Topic

Introducing the unit's weekly activities.

Formation of groups for assignment 2.

Discussion on weekly workshops


Week 2: Evaluating Arguments and Reasoning Begin Date: 18 Jul 2022

Module/Topic

Understanding Argumentation and Reasoning

Stages of critical thinking
Components of critical thinking
Characteristics and competencies of critical thinking

Deductive and Inductive reasoning.

Chapter

Kallet, (2014) Chapter 16 & 17

Additional Readings:

Taylor and Hunter (2020), Chapter. 4.

Moore and Parker (2017) Chapter 9-11.

Paul & Elder (2014) Chapter 6

Events and Submissions/Topic

Discussion on an argument map in Taylor and Hunter (2020), Chapter 4, page 145.

Discussion on a case study.

Week 3: Self Awareness, Reflection and Critical Thinking Begin Date: 25 Jul 2022

Module/Topic

Understanding the self and the importance of decision making.

Assessing learning styles and habits.

Reflection and its importance in decision making.

Chapter

Taylor and Hunter (2020), Chapter. 2.

Paul J. Silvia and T. Shelley Duval (2001) Objective Self-Awareness Theory: Recent ent Progress and Enduring Problems, Personality and Social Psychology Review, 2001, Vol. 5, No. 3, 230-241.

Kallet (2014). Chapter 19 & 20.

Additional Readings:

Paul & Elder (2014) Chapter 4

Gosling & Mintzberg (2003), The five minds of a manager, Harvard Business Review., Nov, Vol 8111):54-63.

Mintzberg (1990), The Design School: Reconsidering the Basic Premises of Strategic Management, Management Journal, Vol. 11, 171-1 95 (1990).

Kolb and Kolb ( 2013), The Kolb Learning Style Inventory 4.0: Guide to Theory, Psychometrics, Research & Applications.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Case study for discussion at the workshop: Peter Burke.

Week 4: Sense Making in a Real World Context Begin Date: 01 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Understanding real-world contexts.

Changes in the business context: The post-Covid 19 business environment.


Chapter

Moore and Parker (2017) Chapter 3

Brown, A.D, Colville, I., and Pye, A (2014), Making Sense of Sensemaking, Organisational Studies.

Taylor and Hunter (2020), Chapter 1.

Ancona (2017) Sensemaking: Framing and Acting in the Unknown.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Discussion on business trends in a post-COVID environment.

Case study for discussion at the workshop.

Australia Post: COVID-19 health and safety Strategy.

Week 5: Decision Complexity and Problem Solving Begin Date: 08 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Managerial decision making.

Understanding the causes of problems.

Importance of complexity and problem-solving techniques.

Importance of argument and reasoning in decision making.

Chapter

Kallet, (2014) Chapter 6.

Additional Readings:

Paul & Elder (2014) Chapter 9.

Taylor and Hunter: (2020), Chapter 3.

 Okrglicka (2014), Improving Decision Making in Complexity Environment, 21st International Economic Conference 2014, IECS 2014, 16-17 May 2014, Sibiu, Romania.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Case for discussion at the workshop:

Tough Decisions at Rockwell International

Article for class discussion.

Hugh Bachmann, Dominic Skerritt, and Elizabeth Young McNally (2021), How capability building can power transformation, McKinsey & Company, March 2021.

Case for discussion at the workshop.

Bharti-Walmart Break Up: Co-evolution is not easy, as Indian and American companies discover.

Vacation Week Begin Date: 15 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

No classes in MGMT20135 this week.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6: Decision Making Models and Limitations Begin Date: 22 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Understanding the differences between subjective and objective perspectives in decision making.

Models of decision making:

- Rational model

- Satisfying model

- Incremental model
-.Mixed Scanning model
- Rubbish-bin model

Chapter

Kallet (2014) Section V: Decisions.

Taylor and Hunter (2020), Chapter 4.

Moore and Parker (2017) Chapter 7 & 8

Paul & Elder (2014) Chapter 10.

Burns and Roszkowska (2016), Rational Choice Theory: Toward a Psychological, Social, and Material Contextualization of Human Choice Behavior, Theoretical Economics Letters (2016), Vol. 6, 195-207.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 1 Submission Due

A critical review of the decision-making process of two organisations.

Two case studies will be posted in the Assessment Tile ( one on aviation industry and the other on retail).



Critical Review of Decision making of two Selected Organisations Due: Week 6 Friday (26 Aug 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 7: Evidence Based Management Begin Date: 29 Aug 2022

Module/Topic

Definition and Scoping: Evidence-Based Management (EBM).

Component of evidence-based management.

Assessing information and accuracy.

Advantages of EBM.

Chapter

Taylor and Hunter (2020), Chapter 7.

Additional Readings:

Brodbeck et al., (2014)

Pfeffer & Sutton (2006). Evidence-Based Management, HBR, January, 84(1):62-74, 133.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Case for discussion at the workshop.

Crashed in the Bogongs: An individual worksheet (will be posted on the Moodle site).

Exercise:

How to use the Fishbone model in exploring decision options.


Week 8: Decision Making Frameworks and Tools Begin Date: 05 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Examination of various diagnostic tools for decision making

Kepner-Tregoe Methodology

Lau (2011) six-step good decision-making process

Group decision-making model

Fishbone approach

Benjamin Franklin method

SWOTs Matrix  

Chapter

Lee (2015) Decision-Making Styles: A Systematic Review of Their Associations with Parenting, Adolescent Research Review 1(1), August.

Additional Readings:

Kallet (2014). Chapter 3.

Taylor and Hunter (2020), Chapter 2.

Burns, T., and Roszkowska, E (2016) Rational Choice Theory: Toward a Psychological, Social, and Material Contextualization of Human Choice Behavior, Theoretical Economics Letters, 2016, 6, 195-207

Events and Submissions/Topic

Case for discussion at the workshop.

Case Study – UNIQLO GOES GLOBAL

Fishbone approach and SWOT analysis.

Week 9: Decision Making Frameworks: Ethical Reasoning Begin Date: 12 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Ethical Decision-Making Frameworks.

A review of consequentialism, deontology and virtue approaches to decision making.

Chapter

Kallet (2014). Section III: Conclusions.

Additional Readings:

Moore and Parker (2017) Chapter 12.

Ferrell et al.,( 2018) Chapter 5 & 6.

McDonald (2015) Chapter 10 & 11.

Taylor and Hunter (2020), Chapter 5.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Case for discussion at the workshop.

How does Zara's CSR policy ensure sustainable development of the society and environment?  (CSR Policy of ZARA).

Leading strategy for Shire Pharma.


Week 10: Group Presentation and Report Submission Begin Date: 19 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Group Presentation.

Each team member must make an in-person presentation this week along with other team members in class.

The Unit Coordinator will moderate the session.


Chapter

There is no prescribed text chapter for this week. 


Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment 2 Submission is due 

Presentation and Written Report Submission.



Presentation and Written Assessment Due: Week 10 Monday (19 Sept 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 11: Cognitive Bias and Rational Decision Making Begin Date: 26 Sep 2022

Module/Topic

Definition of cognitive bias.

Types of cognitive biases.

How do cognitive biases affect decision making?

Cognitive determinants of decision-making.


Chapter

Kallet (2014). Chapter 4

Additional Readings:

Moore and Parker (2017) Chapter 8

Robert B. Cialdini, RB., and Goldstein, NJ (2004), Social Influence: Compliance and Conformity, Annual Review of Psychology, Vol 55; 591-622.

Gigerenzer, G and   Selten, R (2002), Bounded Rationality: The Adaptive Tool Box Vol 1, MIT Press.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Case for discussion at the workshop.

Bernhard Günther (2017), A case study in combating bias

Starbucks Commits to Raising Awareness of Racial Bias. 


Week 12: Leading Issues in Critical Thinking and Managerial Decision Making in the Post-COVID 19 Pandemic Begin Date: 03 Oct 2022

Module/Topic

Leading Issues in managerial decision making.

The COVID 19 pandemic and its impact on managerial decision-making in a new global business environment.


Chapter

Readings:

McKInsey Quarterly (2022), COVID-19: Briefing note, #87, January 12, 2022.

McKinsey Report (2022), The Fourth Industrial Revolution will be People Powered, January 2022.

UNCTAD (2021), World Investment Report (Executive Summary). Report 2021

World Economic Forum Report 2022.


Events and Submissions/Topic

Discussion on decision-making complexity in the Post-COVID Pandemic.

Disruption in managing people and work.

Experience in the airline industry.

Experience in the retail sector.


Discussion on Assessment  3 



Submission of Assessment Three Begin Date: 10 Oct 2022

Module/Topic

Submission of Assessment 3

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Submission Date and Time.

Due Date: 12 October 2022.

Time: 11:45 PM



Written Assessment- Reflective Essay Due: Review/Exam Week Monday (10 Oct 2022) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Begin Date: 17 Oct 2022

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Practical and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Critical Review of Decision making of two Selected Organisations

Task Description

Weighting: This assessment item accounts for 30% of your final grade for this unit and must be completed by students individually.

Length: The review must be 1500 words in length excluding the list of references.

Cover page: The essay must include a cover page that contains your name, student number, resident campus, assessment title, lecturer and word count.

A critical review of the decision-making process of two organisations.

Two case studies will be posted in the Assessment Tile on Moodle (one on the aviation industry and the other on retail).

Task: Students are to examine two cases and to analyse critically a key decision or series of decisions made by the organisations. The specific questions will be determined by the unit coordinator. Using appropriate critical thinking and decision-making models, students are required to analyse the decisions made by the organisations and explain whether the decisions were sound and justified.

Both on-campus students and distance students must write a review article and submit it online via Moodle by the due date.

Format: Text should be word-processed, Times New Roman, 12 size font and line spacing (1.5). Please save/upload your file in a Word format (.doc or .docx).

Task Description: The purpose of this task is for you to demonstrate your ability to critically analyze, synthesize and evaluate information and present that information in a written format. You are expected to analyse the arguments using information from the cases.

Two articles on cases will be available for you to on the unit’s Moodle site for you. Questions relating to critical thinking and decision-making are listed on Moodle (Assessment title) 



Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Friday (26 Aug 2022) 11:45 pm AEST

You must submit your assessment with a cover page on Moodle by the due date. A late penalty applies of 5% per day for assignments submitted after the due date.


Return Date to Students

Week 8 Monday (5 Sept 2022)

Feedback will be provided via Feedback studio


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

  • A clear and structured report including introduction, main body and conclusion.
  • Use of key critical thinking, problem-solving, and argumentation as the basis for analysing the nominated cases.
  • Identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the article on cases against the critical thinking concepts.
  • Providing a clear perspective of the practical value of the articles to management practice.
  • Using a minimum of 12-quality references made up of recommended texts and academic journal articles so as to demonstrate breadth and quality of research, including citation of the recommended texts.
  • The use of the APA in-text referencing system to correctly cite academic sources.
  • Ensuring a list of references used in the written report.

This is the minimum standard expected for this assignment. Students who only meet the minimum should expect to receive the minimum pass grade.

As Masters students, you are required to engage in research as per the Australia Quality Framework (AQF) guidelines. Two specific requirements need to be considered.

Students need to demonstrate “a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in the discipline and/or area of professional practice, and demonstrate "knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to a field of work and/or learning”.

Each topic in your unit has a number of required weekly readings in terms of academic texts, journals and business publications that represent the appropriate body of knowledge and recent developments referred to by the AQF.

In order to demonstrate the ability to engage in appropriate research, students should read and utilise these texts and journals and publications, and as Masters students, indicate a willingness to research beyond this minimum standard through additional texts, journals and studies that demonstrate an ability to engage in independent research.

A detailed rubric and audio file is available in the Assessment folder on the Moodle site that provides further information regarding this assessment.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Evaluate and reflect on the importance of critical thinking and the benefits of using decision-making processes to assess and solve business, managerial and organisational problems
  • Critically analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply creative decision-making approaches to address business issues and problems
  • Communicate complex concepts, ideas and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences with the aim to influence and persuade others to adopt new positions.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility

2 Presentation and Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Presentation and Written Assessment

Task Description

Weighing: This assessment item accounts for 30% of your final grade for this unit and must be completed by students as a group. This assessment consists of two parts:

(1). A summary group report (15%)

(2). An individual presentation (15%).

Each team member must make an in-person presentation at the scheduled workshop along with other team members.

 Length:  The written group report must be 1200 words in length excluding the list of references. 

Cover page: The report must include a cover page that contains your name, student number, resident campus, assessment title, lecturer and word count.

The presentation (individual) is about 10 minutes long depending on the size of the group.

There is a minimum of 10-15 peer-reviewed journal articles in APA style

Submission of group report: Only ONE (1) member of the group must submit. If more than one member of the group submits, then a high overlap score will be generated. Please save and upload your written report in a Word format (.doc or .docx) via the assessment link on Moodle. Please also submit ONE (1) PPT slide per group on Moodle. This is the minimum standard expected for this assessment. Students who only meet the minimum should expect to receive the minimum pass grade.

As Masters's Students, you are required to engage in research as per the Australia Quality Framework (AQF) guidelines. Two specific requirements need to be considered.

Students need to demonstrate “a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in the discipline and/or area of professional practice, and demonstrate "knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to a field of work and/or learning”.

Each topic in your unit has several required weekly readings in terms of academic texts, journals and business publications that represent the appropriate body of knowledge and recent developments referred to by the AQF.

To demonstrate the ability to engage in appropriate research, students should read and utilise these texts and journals and publications, and as Masters Students, indicate a willingness to research beyond this minimum standard through additional texts, journals and studies that demonstrate an ability to engage in independent research.

A detailed rubric and audio file are available in the Assessment folder on the Moodle site that provides further information regarding this assessment.


Assessment Due Date

Week 10 Monday (19 Sept 2022) 11:45 pm AEST

Both written report and presentation slides are to be uploaded to the Moodle site


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Monday (3 Oct 2022)

Feedback will be provided via Feedback Studio


Weighting
30%

Assessment Criteria

Students are to demonstrate knowledge of the subject matter, and effective presentation skills by:

  • Providing a concise and structured presentation with an introduction, main body, and conclusion.
  • Effectively using audiovisuals and verbal communication delivered within the time allocation (15 mins per group)
  • Use of key critical thinking, problem-solving models, concepts, and theories as an analytical frame.
  • Identifying company strengths and weaknesses against these analytical frames.
  • Providing a clear set of recommendations supported by literature (if and when appropriate)
  • Demonstrating a commitment to professional business presentation standards, paralleling those of professional consulting firms.
  • Ensuring all group members make a balanced contribution to the presentation.
  • Providing a copy of the presentation slides to the unit coordinator prior to the presentation session.

Students are to demonstrate knowledge of the subject matter and effective written skills by:

  • Providing a concise overview of the content of the presentation of approximately 1200 words
  • Providing a clear set of recommendations supported by literature (if and when appropriate).
  • Using a minimum of 12-16 quality references made up of recommended texts and academic journal articles so as to demonstrate breadth and quality of research, including citation of the recommended texts.
  • The use of the APA in-text referencing system to correctly cite academic sources.
  • Ensuring a list of references used in the presentation is attached to the summary report.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online Group

Submission Instructions
Only ONE (1) written report and ONE (1) PPT Slide need to be submitted per group.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Develop a body of knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to key aspects of critical thinking and reasoning
  • Critically analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply creative decision-making approaches to address business issues and problems
  • Develop the capability to make effective and timely decision


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Communication
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Research
  • Self-management
  • Ethical and Professional Responsibility

3 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Written Assessment- Reflective Essay

Task Description

Weighting: This assessment item accounts for 40% of your final grade for this unit and must be completed by students individually.

Length: The essay must be 2000 words in length excluding the list of references.

Cover page: The essay must include a cover page that contains your name, student number, resident campus, assessment title, lecturer and word count

Referencing: A minimum of 12-15 academic references are required.

Submission: Please save and upload your file in a Word format (.doc or .docx) via the assessment link on Moodle. There will be a late penalty of 2 marks (5% of 40) for each day late.

Task Description: The objectives of this reflective essay are for students to:

(1) summarize, critically review and reinforce key concepts and theories learned from week 1 to week 11 of this unit.

2) reflect on these concepts/theories' potential impact on your decision making, and how this learning is being applied and could be applied in your current jobs, development of future career and/or your life generally. You will also complete at least two diagnostic tools related to learning styles and critical thinking and reflect on the results.

(3) reflect on new insights gained about oneself as a result of learning the unit, and propose a plan for self-development.

You are expected to reflect on four topics covered from week 1-11 and evaluate the topics that inspired your thinking and influenced your decision making.   Each topic needs to contain a CONVINCING and PERSONAL justification of why these topics are chosen and how the mentioned topics have changed/might change your thinking or the students’ decisions.

Are the following questions well addressed? What have you learned about yourself through the course activities? What skills do you possess and what skills are you lacking? How are you going to improve your decision-making in the future? (Self-knowledge and self-development) You should tie all your arguments/insights together at the end of your paper, highlighting how you think you will be able to use your learnings in your future

For example, you could identify the topic of “automatic versus critical thinking” as a theme for one week’s reflection, and illustrate with personal examples how having learned about the differences has enabled you to be more effective in making a certain decision at work. Close to the end, the essay needs to reflect on self-knowledge and highlight implications for future self-development.

To successfully complete this assessment task, you should answer the following reflective essay questions:

  • Which concepts/theories from which week’s learning activities are significant or important to you?

  • Why are these concepts/theories you have identified important or significant to you? (Theoretical review)

  • How are the concepts/theories you have learned influencing/impacting your decision-making in relation to your current interpersonal relationships, professional workplaces and/or personal life? (Practical Application)

  • What have you learned about yourself through the unit activities? What skills do you possess and what skills are you lacking? How are you going to improve your decision-making in the future? (Self-knowledge and self-development)



Assessment Due Date

Review/Exam Week Monday (10 Oct 2022) 11:45 pm AEST

Students are to submit reflective essay via the Moodle site. Please note a late penalty of 5% per day is applied for assignments submitted after the due date.


Return Date to Students

Marks for assessment 3 will not be published before the exam results are finalised. Written feedback will be posted on the feedback studio.


Weighting
40%

Assessment Criteria

You should tie all your arguments/insights together at the end of your reflective essay, highlighting how you think you will be able to use your learning in your future career and in life generally.

  • A well-structured reflective essay that demonstrates key aspects of critical and rational thinking.
  • Utilise and reflect on the results of a minimum of two diagnostic tools to assess personal learning styles and approaches to decision making
  • Discuss the four selected topics and provide clear reflection linking personal preferences in the light of the diagnostic results.
  • Utilise key critical thinking concepts and models to describe and analyse their own positions or beliefs.
  • The use of between 12 quality references that includes key readings and recommended texts, using
  • Use of APA referencing and include a reference list.

These are the minimum requirements. You should note that satisfactorily meeting the minimum requirements will typically result in the minimum pass grade being awarded

A detailed rubric and audio file are available on the Moodle site that provides further details for this assessment task.

Refer to the unit Moodle site for further details.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Please save and upload your file in a Word format (.doc or .docx) via the assessment link on Moodle

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Evaluate and reflect on the importance of critical thinking and the benefits of using decision-making processes to assess and solve business, managerial and organisational problems
  • Develop a body of knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to key aspects of critical thinking and reasoning
  • Develop the capability to make effective and timely decision
  • Communicate complex concepts, ideas and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences with the aim to influence and persuade others to adopt new positions.


Graduate Attributes
  • Knowledge
  • Cognitive, technical and creative skills
  • Self-management

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?