Assessment task 1 is the preparation of an annotated bibliography. An annotated bibliography is a list of sources of information about a research question which includes a brief description and evaluation of each source. For FOHS302 you will agree a research topic/question with your supervisor and you must prepare an annotated bibliography using the instructions below.  

 In the submitted work you must

1. State the research question you are researching, and a brief (maximum one page) outline of why it is an interesting one, provide the names of the data bases that you have used and the search terms (including truncations; if you are searching efficiently, you should need to use only one or two data bases) and why you made the selections that you did
2. Include at least 20 journal articles, books, book chapters or web sites that are of relevance to the research question using the referencing style appropriate to the discipline. These should be the ones you consider the most important, so you will probably have reviewed at least twice this many
3. Annotate 10 of these. The length of the annotation will depend on why it has been included and on the source itself. Typically annotations are between 150 and 200 words, though some may be much longer.

Note that an annotated bibliography is not an essay. You might think of the assignment as preparatory notes which could form the basis for a formal essay.

FOHS302 Marking guide for annotated bibliography

Criteria

High Distinction/Distinction

Credit

Pass

Fail

Content

All required content is provided in correct format:

·         Research Question is clearly presented

·         Clear explanation of the question’s importance or interest to the student

·         All databases used provided

·         All search terms used provided along with explanations for their selection

·         At least 20 sources listed alphabetically in appropriate format

·         Ten annotations provided

All required content is provided in adequate format.

Some of the required content is provided, including at least the research question, the databases used, search terms, 20 sources and ten annotated sources.

Required content is not sufficient. Some or all of the following are missing: research question, the databases used, 20 sources and ten annotated sources.

Relevance

There is a brief explanation of why each annotated source was selected and how it is of value for the research topic. Sources chosen are appropriate for the audience. All chosen sources are central to the topic, explicitly connected to the topic and to each other. The authority of the authors of the cited works is established as excellent.

There is a brief explanation of why each annotated source was selected and how it is of value for the research topic. Chosen sources are central to the topic, explicitly connected to the topic and to each other. The authority of the authors of the cited works is established as good.

There is an attempt to describe the relationship between the source and the research topic. All sources are relevant to the topic, but some may not be central or not appropriate for the audience. The authority of most of the authors is established as good.

Many of the sources are not academically credible and the relevance of sources to the topic is poor; little attempt at establishing the authority of the authors or the interconnections of the  reviewed studies

Annotations

All annotated sources were critically evaluated and the outcome presented in an engaging manner.  All key features of an annotation are present. All statements are coherent and relevant, written in your own words.  There is evidence of originality, intellectual inventiveness, and deep interpretative understanding

Most sources are critically evaluated and the outcome presented in an engaging manner.   All key features of an annotation are found.  All statements are coherent and relevant, written in your own words. 

There is a description and/or summary of conclusions with an attempt at a critical evaluation. Most statements are coherent and relevant, and written in your own words. 

Little or no attempt to include annotations for each source. Statements lack coherency and relevance to the research question/area. Evaluation is poor or not attempted.

This assessment task is an essay in the form of critical review of the research question that was used for the annotated bibliography. The specific research question for the essay may be modified by agreement with your supervisor, but it is expected that the material in the annotated bibliography will form the basis of the essay. The marking rubric is below.

Task Description: The word limit is 2500 words (not including references or title page). The presentation of the essay should conform to the following specifications: double spacing, 12-point font, margins of 2.54 cm. Headings and references should use the referencing style appropriate to the discipline. An abstract is not required.\

Please complete the cover sheet available at http://www.humansciences.mq.edu.au/current_students/undergraduate/assignment_cover_sheet

Please lodge your assessment via iLearn..

Turnitin Submission for academic honesty and word-count check

Your work may be submitted to the anti-plagiarism detection software via iLearn. Your work will be automatically compared to work of your classmates, previous students from Macquarie and other universities, with material available on the Internet, both freely available and subscription-based electronic journals and book chapters. The results will be sent only to the unit convenor who will analyse them with reference to the University's Policy on Academic Honesty

FOHS302 Marking guide for Essay

High Distinction/Distinction

Credit

Pass

Fail

Organisation and presentation

 A well structured and coherent argument with evidence of high order analytic skills. Writing is accurate, concise and scholarly.

Presentation is excellent in all respects with excellent referencing and bibliographical skills.

A well structured essay, with a clear introduction, argument  with supporting evidence, and conclusion.  Writing is scholarly.

A good standard of presentation is maintained, with good referencing and bibliographical skills.

The work is conventional, straightforward, and, on balance, presents a generally acceptable introduction, argument and conclusion

Presentation is generally clear and appropriate with an acceptable range of references. Writing is generally clear and with no serious or sustained miscommunication.

The organisation of the essay may undermine the intelligibility of the argument.  There may be errors of expression that hamper communication.

Theoretical Basis

The essay displays in-depth understanding of the theories relevant to the essay topic. Provides evidence-based critical appraisal of the theories and engagement with the conceptual material. The topic chosen is important.

The essay displays evidence of good understanding of the relevant theory. Provides reasonable evidence-based critical appraisal of the theories. The topic chosen is important

There is evidence that a core range of relevant literature has been consulted and used appropriately. Provides some evidence-based critical appraisal of the theories.  The topic chosen is important

There is either insufficient coverage of or familiarity with the relevant theory. The topic chosen is not central to the existing literature

Content

A comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the topic.  Highly developed research skills shown in the choice of relevant literature reviewed appropriately and critically.

All major aspects of the question are taken into account with no notable omissions.  Good choice of relevant literature  that is used appropriately.

The essay covers the main issues and demonstrates a reasonably sound grasp of the core/essential knowledge involved to meet the main requirements of the assignment.

The essay may contain varying levels of basic knowledge, understanding and relationships between points in the topic.

Evidence-based Critique

The strengths and weaknesses of the studies and their bases are identified. There are well developed interconnections between the reviewed studies. The essay demonstrates critical and independent thinking, incisive argument and an appropriate conclusion based on a full analysis of sources. There is evidence of originality, intellectual inventiveness, and deep interpretative understanding.

The strengths and weaknesses of the studies and the bases of these strengths are fairly well identified. There is clear evidence of ability to synthesize ideas, and to produce critically aware material. The interconnections between the reviewed studies are mostly well developed.

Adequate interpretation of question and evidence.   Descriptions of studies with attempts to justify conclusions. The strengths and weaknesses of the studies are identified but the bases of these strengths may not be sufficiently identified. There are attempts at interconnections between the reviewed studies.

Contains some obvious and significant inadequacies in terms of content, relevance, logic and critical judgement/argument of the identified studies.   These weaknesses reflect insufficient coverage of and familiarity with a range of relevant literature or the drawing of unwarranted conclusions. There are no well developed interconnections between the reviewed studies.