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
