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

Instructions

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

CRA BELOW

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