An annotated bibliography is a list of reference materials that includes a summary of the main ideas presented in each reference and evaluates how useful the reference is for your purposes. Each entry is comprised of basic bibliographical information presented in a standard referencing style (e.g. Harvard, APA) followed by a brief note or annotation. The annotation usually provides a summary of key points and evaluation or critique of the ideas discussed in the reference. In addition, you should state how it relates to your proposed research topic. The Annotated Bibliography needs to demonstrate your ability to critically evaluate and analyse the literature and relate its relevance to your proposed research project.

Annotated bibliographies can vary in style depending on the purpose and the referencing style used. They are usually arranged in alphabetical order by author. You are required to prepare an annotated bibliography of 3 high-quality journal articles closely related to your proposed research topic. Use the standard referencing style for your research discipline area as advised by your research supervisor(s).

You should submit a draft of your assessment to your supervisors and allow enough time for them to provide feedback before you submit this assessment for marking.

Note: Always submit your assessments in the correct Assessment link on the RSCH20001 Moodle site.

The full description of the assessment requirements and assessment criteria is available on the Moodle unit website.

• introduction provided the context for selecting the references and linked the annotated bibliography to the proposed research project;
• a clear, concise summary of each reference;
• clear, concise academic writing;
• evaluation of the author(s) credentials;
• linkage of each annotation to your proposed research topic;
• critical analysis of the references;
• correct layout for an annotated bibliography;
• used an appropriate referencing style;
• correct spelling and grammar.

It will be assessed as Commendable (Pass), Satisfactory (Pass) or Unsatisfactory (Fail).

A Literature Review is a written report of previous research, theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches related to your proposed study. It should document the connections you have made between the source texts that you draw upon and where you position your research among the existent literature. It should demonstrate to the reader that you have engaged with, understood and responded to the relevant body of knowledge underpinning your proposed research project. The Literature Review should summarise, critically evaluate, synthesise, and clearly link the literature to your proposed project.

For this assessment it is suggested that you focus upon one aspect of the Literature Review:

(a) highlight the gap in the existing research that needs to be filled; or

(b) contextualise your study in the theoretical literature; or

(c) support the choice of methodology and methods you propose to use in your study.

Remember to submit a draft of your assessment to your supervisors and allow enough time for them to provide feedback before you submit this assessment for marking.

The full description of the assessment requirements and assessment criteria is available on the Moodle unit website.

The literature review must not simply be a review of the content of the references. You need to demonstrate your ability to critically evaluate and analyse the literature and explain how it is relevant to your proposed research topic. It would be expected that the literature discovered in this assignment would also be relevant to assessment items 3 and 4 in this unit. It should go beyond being a descriptive annotated bibliography. It should synthesise the literature into themes.

Overview of the assessment criteria

• introduction described the purpose of the literature review and linked the literature review to the proposed research project;
• provided the context for selecting the references and a clear description of the criteria used to select the literature;
  
• used clear, concise academic writing;
• synthesised the literature into themes and linked each theme to your proposed research topic;
• critical analysis of the references;
• conclusion summed up the major contributions of the literature and clearly identified the significance of the literature to your proposed research topic;
  
• correct layout for a literature review;
• used an appropriate referencing style;
• correct spelling and grammar.

It will be assessed as Commendable (Pass), Satisfactory (Pass) or Unsatisfactory (Fail).

This assessment item requires you to build on the research foundations, research processes, research methods and practices that you have explored in this unit. It is expected that by this time you will have a clearly defined research project in consultation with your research supervisor(s). Guided by theory and your examination of the research methodologies used by authors in the references you have analysed, you should be able to formulate a research design for your proposed research project.

You need to describe the overall research strategy that you will employ to integrate the various components of your proposed research project in a logical and coherent manner. The research design must ensure that you will effectively address the research problem you have identified. It must include the research aims and objectives, the research questions and/or hypotheses you propose to answer, and the research methodology, research methods and techniques you intend to use to collect and analyse data for your proposed research project.

Note that hypotheses are not always required. If they are it is usually for Quantitative research.

Some references used in Assessment items 1 and 2 may be further analysed in terms of the research design, methodology and methods/techniques that were utilised to collect and analyse data. This may help you to select the most appropriate research design for your proposed research project, it also allows you to track the research frontier in a specific area of research.

You should work closely with your supervisory team to construct this assessment. Remember to allow time to submit a draft of your assessment to your supervisors to allow them to provide feedback before you submit this assessment for marking.

The full assessment specification (requirements and assessment criteria) is available on the Moodle unit website.

Overview of the assessment criteria:

• a clear description of your proposed research project, aims and objectives;
• appropriateness of your research questions and/or hypotheses;
• the linkage between the proposed research topic and the research design, methodology and methods/techniques;
• analysis and justification of research methods/techniques;
• justification of the suitability of the methods/techniques to the proposed research project;
• conclusion accurately sums up your research design;
• used an appropriate referencing style;
• academic writing style suitable to an RHD thesis;
• correct spelling and grammar.

It will be assessed as Commendable (Pass), Satisfactory (Pass) or Unsatisfactory (Fail).

This assessment item requires you to complete the equivalent of Confirmation of Candidature (Section A) for your proposed research project. You should draw upon work undertaken in Assessment items 1, 2 and 3 to assist in writing this assessment item. The Confirmation of Candidature (Section A) assessment aligns with the requirements for the Confirmation of Candidature submission as per Central Queensland University's Confirmation of Candidature Procedure. The level of detail required in the Confirmation of Candidature (Section A) assessment will depend on both the nature and level of the research project you are undertaking (i.e. Masters by Research, Doctor Professional Studies, Doctor of Education or Doctor of Philosophy) and other specific requirements required by your research supervisor(s) and the University's policies.

The Confirmation of Candidature (Section A) assessment should be approximately 5,000-10,000 words and contain:

• A Thesis Title, of no more than 25 words, which should be descriptive and unambiguous;
• A Thesis Abstract of no more than 250 words;
• A Table of Contents;
• An Introduction;
• A statement describing the Aims, Objectives, and Research Questions and/or Hypotheses;
• A Review of Literature, which should be conducted within an appropriate analytical framework to provide new knowledge (for example, a systematic, integrative or meta-analysis review), rather than a descriptive summary;
• A statement of the candidate’s proposed contribution to the field of research (appropriate to the degree being sought);
• A description of the project methodology, methods and/or research design;
• A thesis plan (chapter outline and identification of prospective publications arising);
• Conclusion; and
• References.

You are encouraged to frequently discuss the development of your Confirmation of Candidature (Section A) with your research supervisor(s). You should also consult University policies and procedures regarding the requirements for the degree in which you are enrolled. Remember to allow time to submit a draft of your assessment to your supervisors to allow them to provide feedback before you submit this assessment for marking.

Please note, that for this final assessment extensions will be approved in extenuating circumstances only and must be supported by evidence, for example, a Doctor's certificate.

The full assessment specification (requirements and assessment criteria) is available on the Moodle unit website.

Overview of assessment criteria:

• the abstract accurately summarises the proposed research project;
• the table of contents contains the main headings and sub-headings;
• the introduction clearly introduces the proposed research project;
• realistic aims and objectives that link to your anticipated outcomes;
• research questions and/or hypotheses that address the research problem;
• critical analysis of the literature;
• an accurate statement of the proposed contribution to the field of research;
• the research design is clearly articulated and justified;
• the appropriateness of the research design/methodology, methods;
• realistic thesis plan;
• the conclusion summarises the main points of the research design;
• use of an appropriate referencing style;
• correct formatting and layout (including the Title Page and electronically generated Table of Contents);
• written in an academic style, correct spelling and grammar.

It will be assessed as Commendable (Pass), Satisfactory (Pass) or Unsatisfactory (Fail).