CHSTM Policy on Marker Assignment and Mark Moderation

Policy on Marker Assignment and Mark Moderation

Essays and similar coursework on this programme are generally assigned a mark and feedback by a single marker who has teaching responsibilities on the relevant unit, and a knowledge of the specialist literature relating to the title. It is normal for several markers to mark different essay titles on the same unit.

To ensure consistency in scoring between different markers, we follow a process of mark moderation:

For each unit, a single moderator will review a random sample of coursework at the end of the semester. The moderator must not be a marker on the unit.
As University regulations require a minimum of 10 scripts to be reviewed, this “sample” will in practice comprise all of the scripts for smaller units. For larger units, it will be 10 scripts including any Fails and an even distribution of scripts from across the available mark ranges.
The moderator should note any differences in judgment from the marker, but cannot propose to vary individual marks. (Doing so would be procedurally unacceptable because, for larger units where sampling is used, it would involve potentially advantaging/disadvantaging some students over others based on random sample selection.) The moderator’s role is to keep a check on the validity of the marking process and the overall fairness of the marking. The moderator can, if necessary, recommend reconsideration of the whole mark set, and can record any specific points for the external’s attention.
The External Examiner can, likewise, recommend reconsideration of the whole mark set, and can advise remarking of individual scripts if s/he has scrutinised the whole set. All marks are provisional until confirmed by the External Examiner.

Moderation generally takes place after the end of the teaching semester and following the final return of marks.

This policy applies to essays and similar pieces of coursework. It does not apply to dissertations and other large research-based submissions, which are usually fully double-marked; or to non-text assessments such as oral presentations, for which clear alternative marking arrangements will be notified in advance.