Assessment item 2

Literature Review

Value:20%

Due date:08-Sep-2014

Return date:29-Sep-2014

Length:2000 words (10-12 pages)

Submission method options

Alternative submission method

Task

WHAT TO DO:

  1. Write aLiterature Review for your Capstone Topicfollowing a set structure. The Literature Review is a critical examination of the most relevant, recent and scholarly research on the topic area that is not just a summary of the articles you have read.
  2. You can get help inWriting a Literature Reviewfrom theITC571 Modules tooland other study advices and tips from:
  3. Study Resources(PDF files to download):
  4. APA style Referencingfrom
  5. The CSU Library website forLibGuidesin Information Technology, Computing and Mathematics at
  6. EndNoteBibliographic software and tutorialsLibGuideat
  7. Review the emerging technology (use internet, magazines, news articles, online databases, eBooks) and submit a2000-word review of the literatureon your topic.
  8. A good place to start a collection of articles in your review of the literature is via thePRIMOsearch tool located on theCSU Library websiteat
    As an example, the Capstone TopicPRIMOsearch on a topic like "near field communication applications"returned the following list of very recent journals, books, conference proceedings and eBooks related to the Topic:

Library Resources

Information Technology Journal Databases:
Information Technology & ComputingLibGuides:

The following questions may be useful while reviewing the topic:

  1. What is the new technology?
  2. What does it do and what are the special features it has?
  3. When is it coming out in the market and how much will it cost?
  4. What industry will the new technology affect? (Medical, agricultural, computer, business, etc….).
  5. In your opinion, will the new technology be beneficial to society? Why or why not.
  6. What did you learn from a critical analysis of your sources of information on this new technology?

Rationale

The rationale of this assessment is to test your ability to review, evaluate, critique and support others opinions as well as existing literature, using a scholarly writing style. You will also demonstrate your ability to carry out independently research and locate information from various sources such as journals, conference proceedings, online databases, eBooks and industry magazines.

TheLearning Outcomesbeing assessed in this second task include your ability to perform literature searches and critically analyse the literature in the chosen topic and then to critically reflect on and synthesize complex information, problems, concepts and theories in the chosen topic. As the Literature Review develops, so will also be demonstrating your advanced communication and academic writing skills in transmitting your capstone experiences and ideas to others.

What does a well written literature review contain?

That is a research topic on its own, however I recommend the list of SIX structural elements below are found in most well written literature reviews:

  1. Interpretation and evaluation of an overview of recent trends in emerging technologies and innovation;
  2. Evidence of literature searches and critical analysis of the literature in the chosen capstone topic;
  3. Critical reflection and synthesis of complex information, problems, concepts and theories in the chosen topic;
  4. Original opinion on the benefits of your capstone project to others;
  5. Reflective comments on what was learnt from a review of the literature;
  6. Use of correct citations and referencing conforming to recognised referencing format.

TheChecklistfor the literature review elements can be used as a quality check as you write:

Content Elements
Coverage of topic
Depth of discussion
Development of argument and reasoning
Selection of literature

Writing Style Elements
Structure of review
Technical competence
Use of citations and quotations
Referencing

Marking criteria

Literature Review
Value 20% (50 marks)

Criteria / HD=> 85% / DI75-84% / CR65-74% / PS50-64%
Articles search and extraction of information
10.00% / Information is gathered from multiple, research-based sources. Evidence of literature searches and critical analysis of the literature in the chosen capstone topic is apparent;
8.50 to 10.00% / Information is gathered from multiple sources. Evidence of several literature searches and some critical analysis of the literature in the chosen capstone topic is provided;
7.50 to 8.49% / Information is gathered from a limited number of sources. Limited evidence of literature searches and very little critical analysis of the literature in the chosen capstone topic is provided;
6.50 to 7.49% / Information is gathered from a very small number of sources or relies heavily upon a single source of information. No evidence of literature searches or critical analysis of the literature in the chosen capstone topic;
5.00 to 6.49%
Theme and logical flow arguments and issues in the narrative.
10.00% / Well organized and demonstrates logical sequencing and structure of arguments.The topic is introduced, and the direction of the capstone project is fully explained. Writing style is narrative and demonstrates active voice, clarity and use of technical terms.
8.50 to 10.00% / Well organized and demonstrates quite logical sequencing or structure of arguments. Readers are aware of the overall problem, challenge, or topic of the capstone project. Writing style is loosely narrative and demonstrates active voice, clarity and use of technical terms.
7.50 to 8.49% / Well organized, but demonstrates illogical sequencing or lack of arguments in places. Readers are aware of most of the overall problem, challenge, or topic of the capstone project.
Writing style demonstrates a mix active/passive voice and use of technical terms.
6.50 to 7.49% / Organization, sequencing, or structure of the arguments needs refinement. The topic is introduced but very little reference is made to the topic or purpose of the capstone project.
Writing style demonstrates is mixed voice, lack of clarity due to omission or explanation of some technical terms.
5.00 to 6.49%
Background, foundations, Findings and Conclusions
10.00% / Detailed findings and conclusions are reached from the evidence offered. All facts and information presented was accurate & opinions informative.
8.50 to 10.00% / Findings and conclusions are reached from the evidence offered. Most facts and information presented was accurate & opinions informative.
7.50 to 8.49% / There is some indication of conclusions from the evidence and the findings offered. Some facts and information presented was accurate & some opinions were useful to consider.
6.50 to 7.49% / No findings or fromal conclusions are made from the evidence offered. Few facts and information presented was accurate & very little or no opinions were expressed.
5.00 to 6.49%
Critical Thinking and Questions formed about the direction and development of the Capstone Project
10.00% / Identifies strengths and weaknesses in own thinking: recognizes personal assumptions, values and perspectives, compares to others’, and evaluates them in the context of alternate points of view.
8.50 to 10.00% / Identifies strengths and weaknesses in own thinking: recognizes personal assumptions, values and perspectives, compares to others’, with some comparisons of alternate points of view.
7.50 to 8.49% / Identifies some personal assumptions, values, and perspectives;
recognizes some assumptions, values and perspectives of others; shallow comparisons of alternate points of view.
6.50 to 7.49% / Identifies some personal assumptions, values, and perspectives;
does not consider alternate points of view.
5.00 to 6.49%
Length, Format, References and writing style.
10.00% / Adheres to word or page length criteria,font, spacing, and APA or similar citation format are correct.
8.50 to 10.00% / Exceed word or page limit criteria by less than 1 page. font or spacing and APA are correct.
7.50 to 8.49% / Exceed word or page limit criteria by 1 page. Font, spacing, or APA format is mostly correct.
6.50 to 7.49% / Exceed word or page limit criteria by over 1 page. Font, spacing, and citation format are incorrect or needs refinement.
5.00 to 6.49%

Presentation

The Literature Review should be presented in form of an academically written report with citations, referencing and use of tables and diagrams conforming to a recognised format.

  • submit your literature review as a PDF file
  • use A4-sized pages
  • include a References appendix in APA style
  • indent long quotations (eg. three lines or more) and make them single spaced
  • use italics for book titles and journal names
  • number the pages
  • include a title page with your name, student number, the name of the subject, and the title of your literature review