Assignment 2: Critique of the literature

Assignment 2: Critique of the literature

Task overview

Item Details

Course HSC6050 Research Methodology for the Human Sciences

Assessment Type Critique

Brief task description You will review literature relevant for your identified topic and research question (developed during engagement with the Asynchronous Discussion (Assignment 1 online forum) and apply criteria to critique the literature using the Critical Appraisal Framework tool on your StudyDesk.

Note: the topic for this assignment (critique of the literature) is the same topic as the Asynchronous Discussion: You can choose your own topic

Rationale for assessment task This assignment is designed for students to demonstrate their ability to be a critical reader of research literature and write a quality review of the literature.

Successful completion of the assignment contributes to the USQ graduate attributes by preparing you to be a well-informed individual, critical and creative thinkers, and effective communicators and collaborators.

Due Date TBA

Length 2000 words [+/-10%] (word length includes written critiques and in-text referencing but excludes your reference list and appendices).

Marks out of:

Weighting: This assignment will be marked out of 40 marks.

This assignment is worth 40 % of the total assessment for this course.

Course Learning Outcomes (CLO) measured Course Learning Outcomes measured in this assessment

CLO1 Critically appraise the current methodological debate taking into consideration the different philosophical bases of different approaches to research

CLO 5 Identify and refine an area of concern by framing it into a clear problem and developing a focused research question;

CLO7 Analyse and critically appraise literature in a field of specific interest

Task information

Item Details

Task detail This assignment must be on the same topic as your asynchronous discussion assessment. That is: it will be based on your chosen research question.

Assignment Tasks

Select a minimum of 4 research articles (these must be primary research, not reviews of the literature) identified in your search.

Complete the Critical Appraisal Framework tool (it must be this Tool only) for each of the articles.

Write up your critique of each of the articles, justifying and supporting your evaluation.

Prepare an overall synthesis of the evidence from this literature (that is, the 4 articles you critiqued).

Essential Requirements

For each article you choose to critique, you should briefly describe what was done or written by the researchers (a description of the research study with enough details so your assessor has some context for your article) and then an evaluation of the study including the worth or value of what was done (your critique based on your critiquing tool). Be sure to offer your opinion throughout your critique; and justify and support your critique.

For each critique include commentary on the appropriateness of the chosen approach (qualitative or quantitative) and how theory is used (or not) to underpin the study.

In the introduction you must include the research question you are using to guide your literature critique as well reference to the Critical Appraisal Framework Tool.Attach the articles (as an additional file) for checking purposes only (with your name and ID). These can be scanned as one file

Attach a WORD document copy (available on the StudyDesk) of your assignment (with your name and ID filled in).

Be sure to use APA in-text referencing as appropriate.

Resources available to complete task The Critical Appraisal Framework tool and exemplar assignments can be accessed from the StudyDesk.

Support for academic writing and referencing is available from the Learning Advisor and Liaison Librarian, you can contact them via their site: https://www.usq.edu.au/library/usq-libraries/contactStudy Support can be found at: https://www.usq.edu.au/library/study-supportStudy and Support for Health and Community Program students can be found at: https://open.usq.edu.au/course/view.php?id=321Writing Style This assignment should be written in academic style in the form of an essay with an introduction and a conclusion. Headings can be used. The assignment should contain rationale and support for your critique as well as illustrations from the article.

Formatting Style Written essay style including an introduction and a conclusion.

Follow and use the sub-headings set out the marking matrix

Font: 12 pt, times new roman

Spacing and margins: double spacing and 2.54 cm margins on all sides

Include page numbers: in bottom right corner

Referencing/ citations For this assessment you will use APA 7th referencing style.

Sources: your reference list must include scholarly sources with the majority no older than 10 years old.

In text citations: You must include intext citations in the body of your work. Each new point or piece of evidence must be attributed (via in-text citation) to the source.

Submission information

What you need to submit A total of THREE files are to be submitted to the submission link on the course StudyDesk:

File 1 - One electronic Microsoft Word document that contains the following items:

Title page including student name and student number; course code and name; year and semester; assignment number and assignment title, and word count

Literature critique and synthesis

Reference list

File 2 - One electronic PDF file of your 4 articles

Note: Do not include the marking criteria

File Name Conventions

Save your document with the following naming convention:

Lastname_Firstname_studentnumber_coursecode_A1.doc/docx/pdf

e.g., Jones_Grace_0003216_HSC8050_A1.docx

Marking & Moderation This task will be marked against marking criteria available at the end of this document.

All staff who are assessing your work meet to discuss and compare grading decisions before marks or grades are finalised.

Academic Integrity & Misconduct Students should be familiar with, and abide by, USQs policy on Academic Integrity and the definition of Academic Misconduct . Penalties apply to students found to have breached these policies & procedures.

Artificial intelligence is not to be used in this assessment item beyond basic editing features (spelling and grammar) in standard word processing tools. No automation of written text allowed. Failure to adhere to this requirement will result in a referral to the Academic Integrity Unit (AIU) for investigation.

Turnitin has been enabled so that students can check for similarity matching within their assessment and make amendments prior to the due date to demonstrate academic integrity.

Assessment Policies & Procedures Information and links regarding USQs assessment policy/ procedure; extensions and late submissions; academic integrity & misconduct and marking are found on your course StudyDesk Assessment page.

Note on Late submission & extensions: Applications for an extension of time will only be considered if received in accordance with the USQ Assessment procedure and the Assessment of Compassionate and Compelling Circumstances Procedure. Refer to the links on StudyDesk for copies of these procedures.

Criteria Referenced Assessment (CRA)/Rubric

Assignment 1 - A critique of the research Literature Marking Criteria, Semester 1, 2023 Student Name:

Student Number:

Criteria (5) (4) (3) (2) (1-0) Grade

Introduction Thoroughly outlines arguments and points that are inset. Contains a brief general statement that relates to bigger issues or to the Assignment objectives, e.g. a background. This is followed by a thesis statement, which is a concise response to the assignment task. An above average outline of arguments and points that are inset. Statement that relates to bigger issues or to the Assignment objectives, e.g. a background is present but requires minor clarity. This is followed by a thesis statement, which is an acceptable response to the assignment task but requires minor clarity A sound outline of arguments and points that are inset. Statement partially relates to bigger issues or to the Assignment objectives, e.g. a background is present but requires major editing. This is followed by a thesis statement, which is a partially acceptable response to the assignment task but requires major clarity

An average outline of arguments and points that are inset. Reader finds it difficult to relate to bigger issues or to the Assignment objectives. This is followed by an attempt at a thesis statement, which requires major revision. Inappropriate or absent introduction.

Student needs to visit

http://www.usq.edu.au/learningcentre/assignment-skills/writing-assignments/essay-writing /5

Comments

(15) (11-14) (10-7.5) (3-7) (0-2) Description and critique of background to the research?

Description and critique of methodology and method?

Identification of biases that undermine validity or credibility Description and critique Data Collection and Analysis

Ideas of the article (mainly the significance that the background has to the articles research question) are presented accurately, thoroughly, and concisely

Methodology and method has been carefully described, considered and critiqued. Interpretations a correct.

Identification of biases that undermine validity or credibility of the research have been thoroughly recognized.

There is a clear description about how the data was collected and the approach taken to analysis the type of data collected.

The appropriateness of this data collection and analysis is carefully described, considered and critiqued. Ideas of the article are presented accurately. Omissions of content are minor. (the significance that the background has to the articles research question has sufficiently been explored with some minor omissions)

Methodology and method is mentioned and critiqued. Omissions of content are minor. Interpretations contain some minor errors.

Identification of biases that undermine validity or credibility of the research have been recognized, but with some minor omission.

There is a reasonably clear description about how the data was collected and the approach taken to analysis the type of data collected. However, there were some minor omissions.

The appropriateness of this data collection and analysis is described, considered, and critiqued, but does have minor omissions.

Major/key ideas of the article are presented. Omissions/inaccuracies of content are minor. Further elaboration on the significance of the background in relation to the question is required

Methodology and method is mentioned, but not critiqued. Omissions of content are minor.

Minor errors in interpretation. Interpretations are partially correct.

Identification of biases that undermine validity or credibility of the research have been partially recognized only with some minor omission and/or misinterpretation.

Data collection and analysis are mentioned, but there are minor omissions and some misinterpretation.

There is no genuine attempt to critique. Major/key ideas of the article were not presented. Omissions/inaccuracies of content are major.

Methodology and method approach is weak and not critiqued.

Major errors in interpretation

Identification of biases that undermine validity or credibility of the research have been poorly recognised with some major omission and/or misinterpretation.

Data collection and analysis representation is weak and not critiqued.

Major errors in interpretation Major ideas mentioned are only marginally relevant and are largely undeveloped.

Methodology and method approach is absent or under-represented

No clear interpretation

Identification of biases that undermine validity or credibility are absent or under- represented.

Data collection and analysis are absent or under-represented /15

Comments (5) (4) (3) (2) (1-0) Ethics The student has made a clear statement about ethical committee approval

The student has made a clear description about the required core principles of ethics. The student has made a mostly clear statement about ethical committee approval

The student has made a clear description about the required core principles of ethics., but with some minor omissions The student has made a sound statement about ethical committee approval

The student has made a clear description about the required core principles of ethics. but with some minor omissions, and some misinterpretation Ethics representation is weak and not critiqued.

Major errors in interpretation Inappropriate or absent acknowledgement of ethics /5

Comments

(5) (4) (3) (2) (1-0) Written Expression/ Grammar High standard of written expression.

Language is appropriate and of a high academic standard.

Well-written and well-structured paragraphs.

No breaches of grammar or spelling.

Punctuation/tenses and use of person are of a high standard.

An above average standard of written expression.

Language is appropriate and of a high academic standard with minor error.

Well-written and well-structured paragraphs with minor error.

Minor breaches of grammar or spelling.

Punctuation/tenses and use of person are of an above average standard. A good sound standard of written expression.

Language is appropriate and of a sound academic standard with major error.

Unstructured paragraphs with many errors.

Many breaches of grammar or spelling.

Punctuation/tenses and use of person are of a sound standard. An average use of written expression that requires significant work.

Language is not considered to be at an academic standard.

Inconsistent use of paragraphs with only minimal structure evident.

Major breaches of grammar or spelling.

Punctuation/tenses and use of person are of an average standard. Poor written expression. Reader must reread sections to understand content.

Poorly written paragraphs without any structure.

Uses dot points.

Uses colloquial language.

Changes tenses.

Changes 'person' (i.e. switches from 2nd person to 3rd person).

Incomplete sentences.

Run on sentences.

Uses first person.

Inappropriate punctuation.

Misspelled words.

Inappropriate abbreviations. (i.e. SMS language) /5

Comments

(5) (4) (3) (2) (1-0) Appropriate Referencing/ Appropriate synthesis of evidence:

In-text and

Reference list Consistently correct in-text referencing as per USQ guidelines.

Correct use of APA Referencing.

Correct expression of secondary citations.

Assignment acknowledges source of all referenced materials.

There is high level integration of evidence to help build the students arguments Minor errors in referencing throughout. But consistent with requirements.

There is a good level integration of evidence to help build the students arguments, however further evidence could be used to build arguments. Many inconsistencies with style of in-text referencing (those in the body of the paper)

Many Inconsistencies with reference list

Moderate issues identified with referencing.

There is a sound level integration of evidence to help build the students arguments, where more extensive evidence could be used to build arguments. Average use with style of in-text referencing (those in the body of the paper)

Many Inconsistencies with reference list

There is a poor level integration of evidence to help build the students arguments, where the student has simply listed single authors with no associated connection in building an argument. Inappropriate or absent acknowledgement of cited material.

Inappropriate paraphrasing from published literature'

Incorrect secondary citation.

Incorrect use of 'et.al.'

Reference List is not in alphabetical order.

Format not consistent with APA

Inappropriate punctuation in list.

Assignment utilizes material from sources without acknowledging source.

There is no evidence of an integration of evidence

/5

Comments

(5) (4) (3) (2) (1-0) Conclusion Conclusion ties together main themes.

Conclusion reflects completely on the importance of findings. Minor gaps in drawing together main themes.

Conclusion reflects the majority of findings with some minor omissions An above average attempts with many apparent gaps in drawing together main themes. Conclusion reflects some of findings with some major omissions Conclusion includes new material or does not summarize adequately

Reads like an introduction Inappropriate or absent conclusion. Reference material in conclusion

Student needs to visit

http://www.usq.edu.au/learningcentre/assignment-skills/writing-assignments/essay-writing /5

Comments MARKS LOST FOR LATE PENALTY (IF RELEVANT) Total: /40

Overall Comments:

Marker: Date: