Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing

This week’s topics

Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing

1. Unpacking the assignment brief and criteria
2. Finding and evaluating sources
3. Planning and referencing
4. Academic writing workshop

What you will be able to do

• 1.1 Analyse the term ‘intellectual property’.
• 1.2 Explain subject matters of intellectual property rights.
• 1.3 Evaluate types of intellectual property and associated laws.
• 1.4 Critically analyse the impacts of intellectual property on public interest.
• 1.5 Analyse issues relating to the breach of confidential information in the intellectual property.
• 2.1 Analyse the underlying principles of copyright.
• 2.2 Evaluate trademark and its various elements to protect words and symbols.
• 2.3 Compare and contrast the forms of copyright laws in the UK and internationally.
• 2.4 Analyse the framework of trademark law as operated in the UK, Europe and internationally.
• 2.5 Evaluate limits, enforcement and infringement of copyright and trademark.
• 3.1 Critically analyse the justifications for intellectual property.
• 3.2 Analyse law of industrial designs.
• 3.3 Compare and contrast the UK law national registered design right and an unregistered design right system.
• 4.1 Evaluate the application of sanctions for misuse of intellectual property including civil and criminal remedies.
• 4.2 Evaluate legal and administrative modes to apply for or to deal with infringement of industrial property rights.

Activity

Start with this week’s video, then: Plan the unit assignment against every criterion; source and reference the evidence.

Study materials

Videos

• Academic writing workshop · YouTube · University of Staffordshire Student Life · 14 min · for registered students

Further resources

• Writing for Success, ch. 8.1–8.3: Prewriting, outlining and drafting · PDF · Saylor Academy, textbook chapter; pp. 281–318 · for registered students
• Evaluating Information: Applying the CRAAP Test · PDF · Other, report · for registered students
• Harvard Referencing quick guide 2025 (York St John University) · PDF · Other, report · for registered students