Critical Literature Review - Assessment Instructions and Assessment Criteria Instructions As a starting point for your research project you will need to review the research literature in y
Critical Literature Review - Assessment Instructions and Assessment Criteria
As a starting point for your research project you will need to review the research literature in your chosen topic area. Your literature review needs to justify the importance and originality of any future proposal to undertake research in the field, thus it needs to clearly establish what research has already been conducted in your chosen area of interest. This will enable you to articulate your own potential original contribution to knowledge.
Your literature review will demonstrate your familiarity with your field of interest through your ability to comprehensively describe key problems, methods, debates and controversies. It will demonstrate your capacity as a credible social work researcher to situate your research within a field of knowledge and to review this knowledge from a critical social work perspective.
Suggested Structure - 2,200 word literature review
• Title - brief title that captures the focus of the literature review
• Introduction - research topic, background to the issue/problem, focus and structure of the critical literature review (450 words)
• Method - outline the approach taken to conduct the literature review (e.g., aim of the review, search terms, databases, grey literature) (350 words)
• Literature review - synthesis of key themes, debates, strengths and limitations of current research on your identified topic. Can use sub-headings to help structure discussion of literature. (1200 words)
• Conclusion (200 words)
Not included in word count:
• References - APA style referencing.
• Annotated Bibliography
Assessment Criteria |
7 (8.5-10 marks) |
6 (7.5 - 8 marks) |
5 (6.5 - 7 marks) |
4-3 (4.5 - 5 marks) |
2-1 (0-4 marks) |
Critical, informative and strategic
literature review demonstrating appropriate
research skills in systematic, comprehensive information retrieval. Ability
to synthesize a large volume of high quality literature, observe and
critically evaluate patterns, strengths and weaknesses in existing knowledge and draw appropriate conclusions. 10 marks |
A sophisticated review of
the chosen topic area demonstrates a thorough and systematic search of the
literature as well as an ability to discern robust sources. Crucial patterns
in existing knowledge are observed and related strengths and limitations are
identified and substantiated. Compelling conclusions are drawn based on the
evidence presented. |
A review of the chosen topic
area demonstrates a thorough and
systematic search of appropriate literature. Significant patterns in existing
knowledge are observed as well as related strengths and limitations. Useful conclusions are drawn based
on the evidence presented. |
A review of the chosen topic
area demonstrates a systematic
search of the literature. Patterns in existing knowledge are observed as well
as related strengths and limitations. Conclusions are drawn based on the
evidence presented. |
A review of the chosen topic
area is provided. The search
strategy is limited and only limited patterns in existing knowledge are
observed. Conclusions are made. |
A rudimentary review of the
chosen topic area is provided based on a
superficial approach to inquiry and scholarship. |
Clear and compelling identification of a gap in
existing knowledge which requires social work research attention. 10 marks |
A deep comprehension of existing
knowledge is demonstrated which identifies a clear gap in knowledge and
facilitates a compelling case for new social work research to fill this gap. |
Strong comprehension of existing
knowledge is demonstrated which identifies a gap in knowledge and facilitates
a strong case for new social work research to fill this gap. |
Comprehensio n of existing
knowledge is demonstrated which identifies a gap in knowledge and facilitates
a case for new social work research to fill this gap. |
Limited use of existing
knowledge identifies a contestable gap in knowledge and a case is made
for research to fill this gap. |
A rudimentary understanding
of existing knowledge is evident which does not provide an adequate basis to
argue for new research. |
The approach to the literature review reflects the
values and aspirations of the social work profession. 10 marks |
The critique of existing knowledge demonstrates a sophisticated social and political awareness and strongly
reflects the values and aspirations of the social work profession. |
The critique of existing
knowledge demonstrates a social and political awareness and reflects the
values and aspirations of the social work profession. |
The description of existing
knowledge reflects the values and aspirations of the social work profession. |
Existing knowledge is
reviewed from a generic perspective, but is not incongruent with social work
values. |
Existing knowledge is
reviewed in a manner which is incongruent with social work values. |
|
Assessment Criteria |
7 (8.5-10 marks) |
6 (7.5 - 8 marks) |
5 (6.5 - 7 marks) |
4-3 (4.5 - 5 marks) |
2-1 (0-4 marks) |
Professional, concise |
Structure and |
Structure and |
Structure and |
Structure and |
Structure and |
language. |
format facilitate |
format facilitate |
format are |
format are |
format are |
Appropriate |
strong reader |
clarity of |
appropriate. |
functional. |
inappropriate or |
structure/ |
engagement. |
communication. |
Quality of |
Quality of |
unclear. Quality |
format and |
Exceptional |
Sentences are |
expression is |
expression |
of expression |
referencing |
mastery of |
clear and |
somewhat |
lacks cohesion |
substantially |
utilised. |
language. |
concise. |
inconsistent, |
and clarity. |
impacts on the |
Quality of |
Sentences are |
Minimal |
less than |
Significant |
ability of the |
expression, |
clear and |
spelling, |
concise, and |
spelling, |
reader to |
(including |
concise. Very |
grammatical, |
contains a |
grammatical, |
comprehend |
spelling, |
minimal or no |
punctuation or |
distracting level |
punctuation or |
the ideas |
grammar and |
spelling, |
referencing |
of spelling, |
referencing |
communicated. |
punctuation). |
grammatical, |
errors. |
grammatical, |
errors. |
Substantial |
10 marks |
punctuation or referencing errors. |
|
punctuation or referencing errors. |
|
spelling, grammatical, punctuation
or referencing errors. |
TOTAL Marks/ 40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|