Word Count: 1647
PRACTICAL REPORT FEEDBACK
This table is to help you understand (i) how you can improve and (ii) why you
were awarded your mark. Each section maps directly onto the departmental
marking criteria for practical reports
Narrative and Hypotheses The flow of the narrative is good, making your report easy to
read and follow. The introduction could be organized more
coherently. You discuss some evidence which may even be
relevant to building the rationale for the study, but it should be
better integrated. Overall structure is solid, with all main
components present and written concisely. Hypotheses are
clearly explained in the intro, however you should make sure
you link back to them in the discussion.
Description of Method and Well done ☺ Your method section is comprehensive as it
Design covers all of the key points which make it easy to allow for
replication. Good internal organization. One thing that could be
improved is describing the task in the material section rather
than in the Procedure (see my comment). Well done on
including the figures.
Analyses and Reporting of Tables and figures are used appropriately and show the results
Results clearly, and you refer to these in the text. However, you could
try to explain in your own words what those numbers mean.
For example, when you report the results of the Shapiro- Wilk
test you fail to say what it tells us and why we care about it.
The regression equation should go in this section rather than in
the discussion
Use of Evidence The evidence from the literature you chose was mostly
relevant. What needs to be improved is how you discuss this
evidence. You need to take a more critical approach when
describing the previous findings, illustrating strengths and
weaknesses, and explaining how they build up a strong
rationale for your study. You could improve the logical
transitions (e.g. when you move from talking about the cells in
the hippocampus to describing Hartley’s study).
Critical Reflection and Analytical There is little evidence of critical analysis of the evidence
Approach presented in the Introduction/Discussion. For example, you
could consider the weaknesses and strengths of current
literature – are there questions that still need to be
addressed? You do attempt to make some critical reflections in
your discussion but sometimes you focus on minor points or
simply you don’t elaborate enough (see my comments).
To improve…
You should aim to be more critical in your analysis of the relationship between hippocampal/RSC
volume and memory. To do this, you should consider what the implications of your results are
within the context of the current literature. For example, do your results challenge findings from
previous research? Do your results highlight further questions that need to be addressed?
, Word Count: 1647
Association between structural MRI measures and topographical memory: role of
hippocampus and retrosplenial cortex
Abstract
Previous research has found that hippocampal and retrosplenial cortical regions are strongly
associated with topographical memory consolidation. The current study aimed to replicate
relationships found between hippocampal and retrosplenial cortical regions and TM, and to
establish a predictor model for hippocampal volume based on TM ability. The procedure
used a behavioural task alongside neuroimaging techniques. Results consolidated previously
found correlations, whilst also establishing a linear regression model used to predict total
hippocampal volume.
Introduction
Topographical memory (TM) is an aspect of spatial memory defined as "the ability to
recognise a plane from its spatial layout as distinct from its local visual features" (Hartley &
Harlow, 2012, p. 2). Hippocampal and retrosplenial cortical regions (found in the limbic
system) are thought to be play a role in TM, and patients with lesions in such regions can
develop topographical amnesia and have issues with short-term TM, which has profound
implications in their day to day life (Hartley et al., 2006; Squire & Teng, 1999; Takahashi,
Kawamura, Shiota, Kashata & Hirayama, 1997; Bottini, Cappa, Geminiani & Sterzi, 1990).
Therefore the justification for studying the role of the hippocampus and retrosplenial cortex
in topographical memory is to aid the development of treatments for debilitating conditions
such as topographical amnesia. Commented [A1]: Here you are discussing the relevance of this
study (real world application). It would be more appropriate in the
discussion, when you interpret your findings critically
PRACTICAL REPORT FEEDBACK
This table is to help you understand (i) how you can improve and (ii) why you
were awarded your mark. Each section maps directly onto the departmental
marking criteria for practical reports
Narrative and Hypotheses The flow of the narrative is good, making your report easy to
read and follow. The introduction could be organized more
coherently. You discuss some evidence which may even be
relevant to building the rationale for the study, but it should be
better integrated. Overall structure is solid, with all main
components present and written concisely. Hypotheses are
clearly explained in the intro, however you should make sure
you link back to them in the discussion.
Description of Method and Well done ☺ Your method section is comprehensive as it
Design covers all of the key points which make it easy to allow for
replication. Good internal organization. One thing that could be
improved is describing the task in the material section rather
than in the Procedure (see my comment). Well done on
including the figures.
Analyses and Reporting of Tables and figures are used appropriately and show the results
Results clearly, and you refer to these in the text. However, you could
try to explain in your own words what those numbers mean.
For example, when you report the results of the Shapiro- Wilk
test you fail to say what it tells us and why we care about it.
The regression equation should go in this section rather than in
the discussion
Use of Evidence The evidence from the literature you chose was mostly
relevant. What needs to be improved is how you discuss this
evidence. You need to take a more critical approach when
describing the previous findings, illustrating strengths and
weaknesses, and explaining how they build up a strong
rationale for your study. You could improve the logical
transitions (e.g. when you move from talking about the cells in
the hippocampus to describing Hartley’s study).
Critical Reflection and Analytical There is little evidence of critical analysis of the evidence
Approach presented in the Introduction/Discussion. For example, you
could consider the weaknesses and strengths of current
literature – are there questions that still need to be
addressed? You do attempt to make some critical reflections in
your discussion but sometimes you focus on minor points or
simply you don’t elaborate enough (see my comments).
To improve…
You should aim to be more critical in your analysis of the relationship between hippocampal/RSC
volume and memory. To do this, you should consider what the implications of your results are
within the context of the current literature. For example, do your results challenge findings from
previous research? Do your results highlight further questions that need to be addressed?
, Word Count: 1647
Association between structural MRI measures and topographical memory: role of
hippocampus and retrosplenial cortex
Abstract
Previous research has found that hippocampal and retrosplenial cortical regions are strongly
associated with topographical memory consolidation. The current study aimed to replicate
relationships found between hippocampal and retrosplenial cortical regions and TM, and to
establish a predictor model for hippocampal volume based on TM ability. The procedure
used a behavioural task alongside neuroimaging techniques. Results consolidated previously
found correlations, whilst also establishing a linear regression model used to predict total
hippocampal volume.
Introduction
Topographical memory (TM) is an aspect of spatial memory defined as "the ability to
recognise a plane from its spatial layout as distinct from its local visual features" (Hartley &
Harlow, 2012, p. 2). Hippocampal and retrosplenial cortical regions (found in the limbic
system) are thought to be play a role in TM, and patients with lesions in such regions can
develop topographical amnesia and have issues with short-term TM, which has profound
implications in their day to day life (Hartley et al., 2006; Squire & Teng, 1999; Takahashi,
Kawamura, Shiota, Kashata & Hirayama, 1997; Bottini, Cappa, Geminiani & Sterzi, 1990).
Therefore the justification for studying the role of the hippocampus and retrosplenial cortex
in topographical memory is to aid the development of treatments for debilitating conditions
such as topographical amnesia. Commented [A1]: Here you are discussing the relevance of this
study (real world application). It would be more appropriate in the
discussion, when you interpret your findings critically
