COURSE: Master of Business (Research)
Unit: Business Research Proposal and Literature Review
Unit Code: 0US6O6
Type of Assessment: Assessment 2 - Literature review
Unit Learning Outcomes addressed: (a) Demonstrate an advanced ability to initiate and prepare an original research proposal. (b) Demonstrate an advanced ability io prepare a literature review based on the support of an original research proposal. (c) Demonstrate a critical appreciation of the ethical issues associated with an original research proposal and their implications for the research and the acceptability of the research by an ethics review committee. (d) Critically evaluate the coherence, relevance and methodological merits of a given body of literature. (e) Demonstrate a critical understanding of the theoretical, practical and professional contexts and significance of the research. Prepare a literature review that identifies and discriminates between concepts, issues, key findings and relevant theories most pertinent to the research proposal which the review supports.
Criteria for Assessment: • Knowledge and Understanding • Content and exploration of theories and ideas • An a 1 ysis, synt he sis an d critical en gage m ent • Technical skills and referencing
Studentswill submit a literature review for their chosen project Your review should be shaped by your argument and should seek to establish your theoretical orientation, along with your methodological choices, Your review needs to conclude with what you have demonstrated as a 'need for research' in the area. This literature review needs to be organized with subheaders in a meaningful manner based on your topic. The language used in a literature review is often evaluative and demonstrates your perspectives of the literature in relation to your question. Your 'voice' or your perspective, position or standpoint, should be identifiable in the literature review. It is important that, firstly, your theoretical position is clearly and strongly stated and that your critical evaluations are an integral part of this, Secondly, it important that your language indicates your own or other writers' attitudes to the question or issue. The
Assessment Task: literature review always ends with a research question. You may follow the outline below; Title of literature review: in not more than 20 words state the title of your literature review Introduction Provide an overview of the literature review. Indicate the objectives of the literature review Literature review Use relevant headings and sub-headings to organize your literature review. Conclusion Your conclusion should provide a summary of the literature and show the gaps in the literature
Marking rubrics
Criteria HD (High Distinction) 85%-100% DN (Distinction) 75%-84% CR (Credit) 74%-65% P (Pass) 50%-64% F (Fail) 0%-49%
Knowledge and understanding 5 marks Command of the topic, unusual creativity, perception and insight, all suggesting that work should be published in an academic forum. Demonstrates command of the topic by showing creativity, perception and insight — a serious contribution to the academic debate. Demonstrates a well- informed understanding of the topic by showing creativity and insight — a serious contribution to the academic debate. Understanding of contemporary academic debate, with some creative input and insight, with a tendency toward description. Limited/poor understanding demonstrated. Any creative input is somewhat off the point.
Content and exploration of theories and ideas 10 marks Outstanding selection that makes a substantial contribution to academic debate. Outstanding selection from a wide relevant and innovative range of perspectives and sources. Selection from a wide and relevant range of perspectives and sources that draws upon contemporary academic debate Relevant selection from a range of perspectives and sources. Sources are mostly integrated into the overall argument. Narrow selection, minimal use of sources, to support the argument.
Analysis, synthesis and critical engagement 15 marks Outstanding use of source material. Excellent argument that is of the highest academic quality Sources very well integrated Into the overall argument. Clear well structured argument that is well crafted and Sources well-integrated into the overall argument. Clear, cogent and well-structured Mostly clear, cogent and well-structured argument. Demonstrates criticality and Sources are not properly integrated into the argument. Absence of clear and cogent argument. Incomplete analysis