This written assessment is designed to assist students to develop skills in research and analysis pertaining to human resource issues and academic referencing. The secondary purpose of this assessment task is to give students the opportunity to enhance their analytical, critical thinking, and written communication skills.

Your task is to:

Compile an Annotated Bibliography in preparation for the Assessment 2 (1000 words ±10%). Identify three (3) academic peer reviewed journal articles relevant to the Assessment 2 and 3 topic. One (1) of these journal articles is prescribed (please refer to the assessment 1 resource folder in Moodle) and you must use it.

Search the academic literature to identify an additional two (2) academic peer reviewed journal articles published after 2016. It is recommended that you undertake your research via the online ‘search’ of CQUniversity Library. If you do not identify a recently published academic peer-reviewed journal article you will not receive any mark in relation to that article across the relevant marking criteria. These additional two (2) recent peer reviewed journal articles must not be those already provided on the Moodle site. Unpublished/pre-prints/editorials/conference papers/book chapters are NOT acceptable in this task, even if they are listed/marked as peer reviewed in the CQU library.

Provide a brief overview of the main ideas of each of the journal articles. For each journal article you are to write approximately 300 words in total across two paragraphs, which are approximately of equal length. The first paragraph should describe the article and its research, summarising the main ideas, stating the hypothesis (if any), purpose, research methodology (if applicable), and conclusion/results. The second paragraph should identify how you will use the content of the article in relation to your assessment 2 and 3. These paragraphs must be written in third person.

Use referencing (refer to the CQU APA Referencing Guide) to support your discussion in each of the paragraphs using the respective journal articles you have identified. You only need three (3) journal articles for this assessment however you will need additional research for the Assessment 2 and 3.

In addition, you are to provide a personal reflection in relation to the overall task (approximately 100 words). In this paragraph you are to write a considered personal reflection on the assessment task overall identifying what you have learned by undertaking this task; any challenges; and what you would do differently next time. The reflection must be written in first person and does not need to be referenced.

Note: Your Annotated Bibliography should be in the specified format. Please refer to the 'Guide to the Annotated Bibliography' available on the Moodle site. Please do not commence this assessment without referring to the assessment information provided on the Moodle site.

Penalties for late submission are applied according to the CQU policy.

Assessment Item 1 - Marking Criteria for the Annotated Bibliography

Research (15%): Demonstrate research undertaken of the academic literature and identify two (2) recent academic peer-reviewed journal articles in addition to the article provided to you (total 3) published after 2016, and are relevant to the Assessment 2 and 3 HRM challenges.

Analysis (45%): Provide a brief overview of the main ideas of each of the journal articles. For each journal article, you should write approximately 300 words in total across the two paragraphs, which are approximately of equal length. The first paragraph should describe the article and its research, summarising the main ideas, stating the hypothesis, purpose, research methodology (if applicable), and conclusion/results. The second paragraph should identify how you will use the identified article in Assessment 2 and 3.

Referencing (15%): Reference the journal articles according to the exact detail of the CQU APA Referencing Guide, in-text and in the reference list.

Presentation and Communication (15%): Format as per the guidelines provided on the unit Moodle site; use clear and concise communication; structure sentences and paragraphs appropriately. Use appropriate language, grammar, spelling (Australian spelling), and punctuation. Other than the reflection component, your analysis paragraphs must be written in the third person.

Reflection (10%): Provide a reflection of the task (in approx. 100 words in total), identifying what you have learned by undertaking this task, any challenges, and what you would do differently next time (Note: This must be written in first person and references are not required).

This assessment is designed to assist students to develop their analytical skills pertaining to human resource issues as a team, based on relevant human resource theories and models. The secondary purpose of this assessment task is to give students the opportunity to enhance their critical thinking, and communication skills, particularly in the areas of developing and orally presenting an argument.

The topic of the presentation will be selected based on a contemporary news story that is to be the focus of your report (assessment 3) and will be posted on the unit Moodle site. You should establish your argument and provide evidence from extensive research of academic and other appropriate scholarly sources to support your argument. A minimum of five (5) recent (after 2016) scholarly peer reviewed academic journal articles and the prescribed text book must be used. Other sources that make a significant contribution to the analysis may include industry and organisation specific examples.

In this assessment task, you are required to:

• form a group of 2 to 3 students from the same workshop.
• prepare a 10-minute PowerPoint (PPT) presentation in class for the CEO and top management team, based on up to three topics in relation to human resource management (HRM) challenges.
• This PPT presentation should be an early preview of your written report for the CEO (see Assessment 3). However, the individually written report (Assessment 3) will be more comprehensive with organisation specific recommendations.

Your PowerPoint presentation should:

• provide a comprehensive and critical analysis of contemporary HRM challenges and/or opportunities related to the topic.
• have specific arguments and initial recommendations, strategically addressing the above HRM challenges.
• provide at least three real-world examples to support your analysis and arguments.
• cite minimum five (5) recent (2016 to 2024), and relevant peer-reviewed academic journal articles throughout the PPT slides, and include them in a reference list, using the APA referencing style.
• use the prescribed text book for theory (at least 3 chapters should be cited).

Other information

Oral presentations: All members of the group should participate equally in the presentation.
Submission: One member will submit the presentation on the Moodle site on behalf of the team.
Feedback will be provided in the class after your presentation.

Notes: Please do not commence this assessment without referring to the 'Marking Rubric' provided in the Unit Moodle site.

Penalties for late submission are applied according to the CQU policy.

Your presentation will be assessed on the extent to which it meets each of the following criteria:

1) Research (15%): Students should have a minimum of six (6) recent (2016-2024) scholarly references, which must include the prescribed textbook and five (5) recent and relevant academic peer-reviewed journals to be eligible for a pass on this criterion. The research integrated throughout the presentation to support the argument. 

2) Analysis (15%): The presentation demonstrates a critical analysis of the case-scenario and a clearly integrated and well‑developed argument throughout the presentation to address all parts of the assessment task. 

3) Application of theory (20%): Incorporate theory and literature to identify key issues and provide recommendations to meet the assessment requirements.

4) Visual aid and structure (20%): Quality of visual aids (PPT slides); Concise and structured presentation with an introduction, main presentation, and conclusion. In-text citations and the reference list using the APA referencing style.

5) Delivery (25%): Quality and professionalism of the oral presentation delivered within the allocated time.

6) Teamwork (5%): Work collaboratively as a team.

Notes: You will lose marks for this task if you are not present on the day.
Penalties for late submissions are applied according to policy (5% per day).
Important: Plagiarism (i.e., high Turnitin similarity index) and other academic misconduct are taken very seriously. Such incidents will be reported to the Academic Integrity Unit of the University and may result in a “zero” mark.

• provide a brief summary of the news story;
• add a brief critical analysis based on relevant literature review (Max. 300 words). The students are allowed to use AI for this section if they like; however the logic, accurate use of quality scholarly sources and applicability of this knowledge to specific/useful recommendations for the selected organisation will be evaluated;
• identify at least three key HRM issues raised and discuss them in relation to the relevant concepts, frameworks, and theories from the Unit;
• make recommendations for the future.

 Assessment Item 3 - Marking Criteria for the Business Report

• Research (20%): The report demonstrates extensive research and understanding of the topic. Students should have a minimum of seven (7) recent scholarly references, which must include the prescribed textbook and six (6) recent academic peer reviewed journal articles, to be eligible for a pass on this criterion. The research is used in an integrated manner throughout the report to evidence the argument.
• Analysis and application of theory(25%): The report demonstrates critical analysis, provides a clearly integrated and well-developed argument throughout. The strategic role of HR in the 21st century organisations is articulated. The report demonstrates application of the relevant concepts, frameworks, and theories related to the topic. Specific examples from industry/organisations (from Australia and elsewhere as relevant) have been incorporated to highlight application in the real-world setting.
• Application of AI (15%): A possible AI generated (and referenced) critical analysis based on relevant literature review (Max. 300 words).
• Reflection and recommendation (20%):  Appropriate, useful, justified and organisation/industry specific recommendations.
• Referencing (5%): The reference list and in-text referencing comply with the exact detail of the CQU APA Referencing Guide. The referencing is appropriate and sufficient throughout the report.
• Presentation (10%): The report is appropriately structured, includes a well‑formulated introduction and conclusion, uses relevant topic headings in the body, and specific recommendations are stated. 
• Communication (5%): The report uses clear and concise communication, appropriate language, grammar, spelling (Australian spelling), and punctuation.