Write an initial literature review (~3,000 words) focusing on previous research related to your proposed study topic. Use the literature to support the identification of your research problem and to highlight the gaps in the existing research that need to be filled. It should document the connections you have made between the source texts that you draw upon and where you position your research among the extant literature. It should demonstrate to the reader that you have used an appropriate literature search strategy to extract the most current information relating to your topic and that you have engaged with, understood and responded to the relevant body of knowledge underpinning your proposed research project. This initial literature review is more than just documenting relevant information and what other researchers have discovered about your topic. 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 should structure the literature into relevant themes.The initial literature review should summarise, critically evaluate, synthesise, identify gaps in the knowledge on your topic, and provide a justification for your research project. The review of the literature should be conducted within an appropriate analytic framework to provide new knowledge (for example, a systematic, integrative, or meta-analysis review), rather than a simple descriptive summary.
Note: If you are using Grounded Theory or another methodological approach where literature reviews are not generally undertaken prior to conducting the research, then please complete this assignment by analysing references about the methodology itself. For example: articles and/or book chapters on the various types of Grounded Theory methodologies and use this to justify your approach.

Work with your supervisors - Make sure that you send a draft of your assessment to your supervisors well before the Due Date so they have time to provide you with feedback to improve the final draft of your assignment. Include on the cover page the date you first provided a draft of the assignment to your supervisor and any other subsequent dates.
Introduction (~10% of word limit)
Introduce your proposed research project, define the purpose of your study and scope of the literature review. Provide a short description of the analytical framework outlining the criteria used for your literature selection. You can attach a diagram demonstrating your framework as an appendix. Highlight the gap/s in the literature that provide the justification for your study. Outline the structure of the body of the literature review by providing a short paragraph at the end of your introduction that indicates the structure of the document and the themes identified in the literature review.
Literature review (~80-85% of word limit)
In the body of the literature review you should use appropriate headings and sub-headings to break the text into subsections. Each sub-section should identify and discuss a different theme identified from your readings that is relevant to your research project. To do this, you will need to synthesise several of your references into each sub-section by critically analysing and describing how each reference contributes to the theme you are discussing. Consider the main agreements and disagreements between the different authors. Each theme should conclude with a clear link and an explanation of how the findings in the theme will inform your own research project. The literature review should be written in academic prose (paragraph structure). Avoid dot points.
Conclusion: (~5-10% of word limit)
Conclude by reminding the reader of your research topic and the purpose of conducting a literature review. Summarise the major contributions in the literature and the themes identified, gaps or areas for further research and your overall perspective on the topic. Identify the significance of your research topic in relation to the literature and how the literature will inform your proposed research project.
Reference list
Provide a list all references cited in-text. Format this list according to your chosen referencing style indicated on your title page.The reference list should commence on a separate page after your conclusion section.

Overview of the assessment criteria. (Note: All assessments will be checked for plagiarism)

Title page:

• Includes all required information
• Justifies the choice of referencing style
• Provides the date/s assignment was shared with supervisor/s
• Acknowledges use of previous work (if applicable)

Introduction:

• Briefly introduces your proposed research project to provide the context for your literature review
• Defines the purpose of the literature (identifying gaps on the literature or justifying the study and establishing prior background on the topic area)
• Summarises the literature search strategy and framework
• Outlines the structure of the body of the literature review

Literature review:

• Is divided into logical themes highlighting key aspects or background studies
• Demonstrates critical analysis of the literature presented in your own words
• Identifies influential studies and/or mainstream versus alternative viewpoints
• Discusses agreements and disagreements among the reviewed literature
• Uses strong topic sentences to begin each paragraph clearly identifying the theme being discussed
• Concludes each theme with a clear summary of the main arguments presented and provides links to your proposed research project

Conclusion:

• Summarises succinctly the major contributions in the literature with respect to your topic, the main agreements and disagreements and any gaps or areas for further research signalling the significance of your project and your overall perspective

References:

• In-text citations acknowledging other author's work
• List of all references cited in-text
• Formatted using the style indicated on your title page
• Reference list commences on a separate page

Writing: Clear, concise academic writing style with correct grammar and spelling

Referencing and formatting style: Is consistent with the referencing style stated on the title page and uses appropriate referencing conventions

Grading: Both assignments in this unit must attract a passing grade to pass the unit overall. Individual assignments will initially be assessed as 'Satisfactory' or 'Resubmit'.

• A satisfactory evaluation is provided if the assignment is generally meeting the standards of the unit to attract a passing grade. However, there may still be refinements to be made to the work and this will be listed on the feedback sheet.
• A resubmit grade will indicate that the work requires revision and re-submission before final grading. Re-submission is due within seven days of notification. Only one opportunity for revision and re-submission will be allowed in order to attract a passing grade. If the re-submission is still not meeting the unit standard a failure grade will apply.

Feedback on assignments - The assignments in this unit are designed to develop specific sections of your Confirmation of Candidature (CoC) document. Being awarded a passing grade on an individual assignment does not imply that section is ready for inclusion into your CoC without further refinements according to the feedback provided by the Unit Coordinator and/or your supervisor's direction.

This assessment item (~4,000 words) requires you to build on the research foundations, research processes, research methods and practices that you have explored in this unit. Guided by theory, and in consultation with your research supervisor(s), apply a research methodology to formulate a clearly described research design for your proposed project. In this assignment you need to outline 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 your philosophical positioning. Explain the research paradigm, methodology, research methods and techniques you intend to use to collect and analyse data for your proposed research project. If your project involves animals and/or human participants please address the ethical statement.

A research design (or methodological approach) is a detailed framework or plan to guide you through the research process with the aim of achieving your research objectives. Research designs can range from phenomenology, experimental, simulation studies, population studies, phased sequential mixed methods, narrative inquiry, ethnography to name just a few. Research methods are the different techniques used for collecting and analysing data. Examples are: focus groups, interviews, observations that could be subjected to qualitative analysis. You might use experiments or collect quantitative data via a survey and then subject the data to statistical analysis.

Work with your supervisors - Your design will depend upon the research question and the discipline you are working in so it is important to work closely with your supervisors during development. Make sure that you send a draft of your assessment to your supervisors well before the Due Date so they have time to provide you with feedback to improve the final draft of your assessment. Include on the assignment cover page the date you first provided a draft of the assignment to your supervisor and any other subsequent dates.

Presentation and format
The document should be formatted using formatting style (margins, line spacing, font type and size, etc.) in accordance with the referencing style you are using. For example: Harvard has 1.5 line spacing and APA has double line spacing. Other styles are different again. Formatting manuals for the most popular styles can be found on the Moodle site. If using Arial then font size 11 is fine. Times New Roman needs to be 12 point.

Pages should be numbered in the footer as follows:

• Title page has no page number
• Table of contents page, and any other front matter, should have Roman numerals
• Pages containing the text of your assignment should have Arabic numerals commencing at 1

Structure
The structure of this assignment should include a title page, a table of contents, an introduction preceding the main sections of the document, and a conclusion at the end. As every candidate will have a unique project you should confer with your supervisors about an appropriate format that is suitable for your specific discipline area. A suggested structure would be as follows:

Title page
A cover page with the unit code, assessment number proposed thesis title (no more than 25 words, descriptive and unambiguous), your name, student number, email address, name of the course you are enrolled in (Masters, Professional Doctorate or Doctor of Philosophy), referencing style, assessment due date, names of your Research Supervisors and Unit Coordinator. Date/s on which you shared a draft of your assignment with your supervisor/s. If you have been granted an approved extension then note this on the title page. Also add acknowledgements if re-using previous work.

Table of Contents (and Table of Tables, Table of figures if applicable). Auto-generated using styles in Word

Introduction (~10% of word limit)
Present the research problem, and the context for your proposed project, with reference to the identified gaps in the literature. Include some background highlighting the significance of your project.

Research aims and objectives
Describe and explain the research aims and objectives of your proposed project. Aims are general statements of what the research sets out to achieve. Objectives are specific statements that describe how you are going to achieve those aims. This should lead into your specific research questions (or hypotheses).

Research questions and/or hypotheses (whichever is appropriate)
The research questions should guide and focus your research and enable you to address the research problem. They should be clear, focused and feasible.
A hypothesis should offer a clear and concise statement of what you expect to find in relation to your variables, and what you plan to test. It is a statement of the proposition that you intend to verify through the application of statistical procedures.

Methodology, Methods and Research design (~70% of word limit)
This section should provide the framework for your research design and include the rationale behind your chosen research approach (methodology). Discuss your philosophical positioning. This should lead into a discussion of relevant research methods that you propose to use to support your research design. Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of each one and describe how they will allow you to answer the research questions and/or confirm/refute the hypotheses. Justify the research methods by describing how they align with your research approach and research design.

Ethics (Human and/or animal)
Provide a brief statement regarding the need for Animal and/or Human Ethics clearance (but not the application). Include brief details of logistics, resources and compliance. If you believe you will not require ethical clearance then provide a brief statement justifying this.

Conclusion (~5% of word limit)
The conclusion should remind the reader of your research question/s, provide a summary of your research design and outline how the proposed design will allow you to address the research question/s and/or hypotheses to achieve your research aims and objectives.No information should be included in the conclusion section that is not already discussed in the body of your document.

References
List all references cited in the text of your document (as per the referencing style stated on your title page). References should start on a new page.Only those references cited in your writing to be included in the reference list.

Title page: Includes all requested information
Table of contents (and/or Table of Tables, Table of figures as appropriate):

• Main headings sub-headings with corresponding page numbers
• Formatted so hierarchy of topics is clear
• Auto-generated using MS Word

Introduction:

• Outlines the research problem or main focus of the proposed research project
• Provides context and background for the project
• Explains reasons for, and significance of, undertaking the project
• Outlines the structure and flow of the document

Research aims and objectives:

• Provides clearly stated outline of the project aims and objectives
• Aims and objectives are clear, concise, and relevant to the chosen topic

Research questions and/or hypotheses (as appropriate):

• Lists appropriate research questions and/or hypotheses that flow from the aims and objectives
• Demonstrates the linkage between the proposed research topic and the aims and objectives of the research project

Philosophical positioning:

• Discusses ontology and epistemology being followed and how this supports your choice of research paradigm
• Explains qualitative (inductive) and/or quantitative (deductive) and justifies reasoning with respect to the project

Methodology, methods, and research design:

• Demonstrates linkage between the proposed research topic, research design/research methodology and research methods/techniques
• Discusses the alignment of each research method to your research design/methodology and research methods
• Justifies how the research design will allow you to address the research problem to answer the research question/s and/or prove or disprove your hypotheses

Ethical statement:

• Clearly identifies if you need to seek ethical clearance and how that will be accomplished (low risk pathway or full application)
• States relevant committee from which ethical approval will be sought
• Or justifies why ethical clearance will not be required

Conclusion:

• Reminds the reader of the research question/s
• Summarises the research design and the suitability of the methods/techniques to the proposed research project
• States the expected outcomes and significance of the research project

References:

• In-text citations acknowledging other author's work
• List of all references cited in-text
• Formatted using the style indicated on your title page
• Reference list commences on a separate page

Academic writing style:

• Within the expected word length (~4,000 words)
• Uses correct spelling, grammar and paragraphing style
• Presentation style and format appropriate for a RHD research design

Grading: Both assignments in this unit must attract a passing grade to pass the unit overall. Individual assignments will initially be assessed as 'Satisfactory' or 'Resubmit'.

• A satisfactory evaluation is provided if the assignment is generally meeting the standards of the unit to attract a passing grade. However, there may still be refinements to be made to the work and this will be listed on the feedback sheet.
• A resubmit grade will indicate that the work requires revision and re-submission before final grading. Re-submission is due within seven days of notification. Only one opportunity for revision and re-submission will be allowed in order to attract a passing grade. If the re-submission is still not meeting the unit standard a failure grade will apply.

Feedback on assignments - The assignments in this unit are designed to develop specific sections of your Confirmation of Candidature (CoC) document. Being awarded a passing grade on an individual assignment does not imply that section is ready for inclusion into your CoC without further refinements according to the feedback provided by the Unit Coordinator and/or your supervisor's direction.