Assessment 1
10. ASSESSMENT DETAIL
Assessment 1
Assessment Type The Integration of Counselling TheoriesLiterature Review
Due Date Week 7, Monday at 4.00pm (AEST/AEDT)*Learning Outcome a) Appreciate the development of counselling theories over the past 100 years and identify significant current developmentsb) Analyse the relationship between scientific metatheories and psychotherapy integrationc) Examine different approaches to operationalising the Common Factors of psychotherapy
Weighting 50%
Length 2000 words (+ / - 10%)
*Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST)/Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time (AEDT). Check yourtime zoneto ensure that you submit your assessment on time. If required, use atime zone converter.
Assessment Details and Instructions
Purpose:
The purpose of this task is for students to construct a literature review on the topic of: the integration of counselling theories for practicing counsellors in contemporary times.
Process:
In contemporary counselling practices, counsellors are often called upon to identify research literature and support their practice. This is a required skill when submitting funding applications*. For this assessment task, students are to write a literature review on the topic of: the integration of counselling theories for practicing counsellors in contemporary times. To undertake this, students are required to identify a client demographic to inform their research of the application of integration in contemporary times. Students will identify, compare and contrast two approaches to integration as supported by the literature.
A literature review examines and critically evaluates the most relevant, recent and scholarly research on a particular topic. The content of a literature review centres around conveying what knowledge is available on a topic and analysing the material found. Therefore, your literature review needs to:
identify existing scholarly knowledge on a particular topic
compare and contrast current research
evaluate the research and support your evaluation
identify problems or gaps in existing knowledge
To complete this task, students will access, think critically and analyse the available academic literature on the topic of the integration of counselling theories (use a MS Word document).
The integration of counselling theories in contemporary times is founded on the body of understandings of technical eclecticism, assimilative integration, theoretical integration, and common factors approaches to psychotherapy integration. Choose two approaches to integration for your literature review.
Structure
A literature review has the same basic structure as an essay: an introduction, a series of body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
The introduction should define the topic (the research topic), provide an appropriate context for reviewing the literature (why are you reviewing the literature), and explain the organisation of your literature review (how you approach the review, what are the themes/topics and search parameters).
The body should be organised on the basis of ideas, rather than authors. In other words, the literature should be grouped according to common themes. Ways to group studies meaningfully are suggested in the writing guide (see link below). You may be able to use headings and subheadings to organise your work (check this with your teacher).
The conclusion should summarise the major findings of the literature review. The conclusion should also make an evaluative statement about the current literature on the topic, point out major gaps or flaws, and outline areas for future study.
For more information on writing a literature review, refer to the resources on the ACAP Student Learning Support website.
*NB In this assignment, students are tasked with integrating the skills and knowledge acquired throughout their counselling degree. By this point of the journey, they are expected to have developed the skills to independently delve into existing literature on integration, applying various approaches to a specific client demographic and then presenting their findings. No scaffolding will be provided for this task. Evaluation will be based on the students' ability to effectively organise their review findings and draw meaningful conclusions, as outlined in the marking criteria.
Marking Criteria
Standards
Criterion High Distinction Distinction Credit Pass Did Not Achieve Learning Outcomes
Content:
Demonstrate
knowledge on the topic of counselling theory integration, with a focus on contemporary application approaches.
10 marks Sophisticated demonstration knowledge withhighly accurate and detaileddefinitions ofcounselling theory integration approaches for contemporary counselling practitionerssupported byrelevantexamples. Comprehensive demonstration of knowledge withaccurate and detaileddefinitions ofcounselling theory integration approaches for contemporary counselling practitionerssupported byrelevantexamples. Effective demonstration of knowledge withdetaileddefinitions ofcounselling theory integration approaches for contemporary counselling practitionerssupported byrelevantexamples.
The definition of the topic requires more refinement. Adequate demonstration of knowledge with definitions ofcounselling theory integration approaches for contemporary counselling practitionerssupported byrelevantexamples.
The definition of the topic and focus requires more refinement. Unsatisfactory demonstration of knowledge with unsatisfactory or inaccurate definitions and insufficient or irrelevant examples.
Application:
Demonstrate knowledge and skills in the structuring the organisation and content of the literature review to address the task requirements.
10 Marks Sophisticated demonstration of knowledge and skills in adhering to the structure of a literature with a clear and concise introduction demonstrating the importance of the topic, well structured, cohesive body paragraphs, and effective discussion of findings and conclusions.
All ideas are supported by the highly effective, consistent inclusion of relevant academic sources and pertinent examples throughout the literature review. Comprehensive demonstration of knowledge and skills in adhering to the structure of a literature review with an introduction with a clear introduction explaining the importance of the topic, well structured, cohesive body paragraphs, discussion of findings and conclusions.
All ideas are supported by the highly effective inclusion of relevant academic sources and examples throughout the literature review. Effective demonstration of knowledge and skills in adhering to the structure of a literature review. The introduction works to explain the topic, but may be slightly vague or broad, cohesive body paragraphs which for the majority link and discussion of findings and conclusions.
The majority of the ideas are supported by inclusion of relevant academic sources and / or examples throughout the literature review. Adequate demonstration of knowledge and skills in adhering to the structure of a literature review. The majority of the components of a literature review are included although at one or two areas require improvement.
The ideas are inconsistently supported by relevant academic sources and / or examples throughout the literature review. Unsatisfactorydemonstration of knowledge and skills inadhering to the structure of a literature review. The majority of the components of an academic essay are not included and more than three areas require significant improvement.
The ideas are inconsistently or not supported by relevant sources and / or examples.
Critical Evaluation:
Demonstrate knowledge and skills in:
analysing and evaluating the differences and commonalities among the themes within the literature
discussing the strengths, limitations and implications in relation to the topic.
10 Marks
Sophisticated demonstration of knowledge and skills in:
Critically analysing and evaluating all of the differences and commonalities among the themes within the literature;
Critically discussing all of the strengths, limitations and novel insight and depth of understanding of the implications in relation to the topic. Comprehensive demonstration of knowledge and skills in:
Critically analysing and evaluating the majority of the differences and commonalities among the themes within the literature;
Critically discussing the majority of the strengths, limitations and implications in relation to the topic. Effective demonstration of knowledge and skills in:
Analysing and evaluating most of the differences and commonalities among the themes within the literature but more critique is required;
Discussing many of the strengths, limitations and implications in relation to the topic but more refinement and critique is required. Adequate demonstration of knowledge and skills in:
Drawing attention to some key differences and commonalities among the themes within the literature but more analysis is required;
Identifying some of the strengths, limitations and implications in relation to the topic but more refinement and critique and discussion is required. Unsatisfactory demonstration of knowledge and skills in:
Analysing some key differences and commonalities among the themes within the literature;
Identifying some of the strengths, limitations and implications in relation to the topic.
Evidence:
Demonstrate skills in finding and presenting supporting literature for the topic with:
a balanced viewpoint and varying perspectives
coherency of themes related to the topic and other studies
breadth and depth of studies
10 marks
Sophisticated demonstration of knowledge and skills in identifying literature which:
Offers a wide variety of perspectives where all sides of the topic can be critically and effectively explored and varying perspectives argued;
Contains interrelated themes where each cited study relates both to the topic and the other included studies;
Offers a richness in breadth and depth through a wide variety of current and authoritative studies demonstrating critical attention to detail about the topic Comprehensive demonstration of knowledge and skills in identifying literature which:
Offers a variety of perspectives where all sides of the topic can be explored and varying perspectives argued;
For the majority the themes are connected where each cited study mostly relates both to the topic and the other included studies;
Offers a breadth and depth with the use of current and authoritative studies demonstrating attention to detail about the topic Effective demonstration of knowledge and skills in identifying literature which:
Mostly explores a variety of perspectives and considering different sides to the topic;
The themes are mostly connected where each cited study relates somewhat both to the topic and the other included studies;
Offers a breadth and depth with the use of literature to mostly demonstrate attention to detail about the topic but more refinement is required. Adequatedemonstration of knowledge and skills in identifying literature which:
Explores some of the perspectives, however more emphasis is required in relation to the different sides to the topic;
There are some themes connected where each cited study relates somewhat both to the topic and the other included studies but more refinement is required in this area;
The use of literature demonstrating some attention to detail about the topic but more refinement is required through the use of relevant and authoritative studies. Unsatisfactorydemonstration knowledge and skills in identifying scholarly literature on the nominated topic, with:
Limited balance and variation among perspectives;
Minimal coherency among the themes;
Significant lack of breadth and depth of studies.
Academic literacies:
10 marks Written and presented to anexemplary academic standardi.e., diligent command and adherence to the specified genre; the communication is clear and logical.
No errorsin grammar, punctuation and or spelling.
No errorsin APA referencing and formatting.
Written and presented to ahigh academic standardi.e., strong command and adherence to the specified genre; the communication is logical.
Very few (<2) errorsor repeated errors in grammar, punctuation and spelling. Meaning is not impeded.
Very few (<2) errors minor repeated errorsin APA referencing and formatting Written and presented to asatisfactory standardi.e., mostly adheres to the specified genre with at least one minor error; the communication is mostly clear.
Few errors (<4)or repeated errors in grammar, punctuation and spelling. Meaning is mostly clear.
Few (<4) minor repeated and unique errorsin APA referencing and formatting. Written and presented to anadequate standardi.e., there is some adherence to the specified genre although more refinement is required; the communication is adequate.
Some errorsor repeated errors in grammar, punctuation and spelling. Meaning somewhat impeded.
Some errors (>4)in APA referencing and formatting. Written and presented to anunacceptable standardi.e., unsatisfactory adherence to the specified genre; the communication lacks logic & clarity.
Considerable errorsin grammar, punctuation and spelling. Meaning unclear.
APA referencing and formatting contain unacceptable number of errors.
Total Mark:Grade: /50
Feedback/Comments:
