Example assessment & marking criteria
Assessment type: / Annotated bibliographySubject: / Masters level subject in the Master of Nursing Practitioner
Assessment task: / Assessment task 1: annotated bibliography
Task description: / This assessment task is an initial part of a larger assessment project building towards developing your theoretical and practical understanding of the {leadership role} of a nursing practitioner; how you might enact or experience that role; and how the literature and research in the field informs your learning and practice.(Note:this literature review forms the foundation for your next assessment task which involves a more extensive literature review plus planning, implementing and evaluating a small research project based on the chosen leadership and Nursing practitioners topic.)
You will engage in a literature research and analysis process and submit an annotated bibliography (~3,000 words) on a leadership issue (negotiated with your tutor) which impacts on your practice. You will find and read a wide variety of scholarly sources on the topic (including the set readings); choose 6 articles to annotate, and write a short synthesis reviewing your reading.
The Annotated bibliography includes:
- Introduction – Ashort description of the topic of the annotated bibliography, contextualising the topic and its relationship to your developing practice (100 words). TIP: it is best to write this last.
- Complete reference list of sources consulted – APAreference style
- 6 article annotations of 450 words each, using the “Guide to writing an annotated bibliography”. Each annotation will include:
A short statement that explains the main focus or purpose of the work
A short summary of the theory, research findings or argument (e.g. intendedaudience, subjects covered, major arguments supported, research methods,conclusions reached, special features)
Consideration of the usefulness and/or limitations of the text for your research(e.g. reliability of the text, credibility of the author, poor features, left-out content,weaknesses in argument)
An evaluative comment on the work that may take into account how this workwill fit into your research on a topic (e.g. critical comment, critical reflection thatdescribes the usefulness or relevance of the information for your chosen topic).
- A summary review of the nursing practitioner leadership issue based upon your literature research and its application to practice (200 words). Your analysis should demonstrate your understanding of the issue and its impact on your own and general NP practice and draw on the set readings and course materials, including Amanda Sinclair’s audio presentation;Smith and Wesson article; Gun and Fames monograph; and the Rural Health Practitioner website.
Negotiate a suitable topic with your tutor based on your personal situation, interests and longer term needs – forexample you might wish to focus on issues of power between medical practitioners and nursing staff; leadership issues in rural communities; gender or race leadership conceptions. These are all huge topics and you will need to refine the actual topic to something manageable with your tutor. More guidance on how to define a topic is available in your module.Assessment will not be accepted for grading if you have not consulted with your tutor to choose your topic.
Rationale: / This assessment task prepares you for your personal leadership assessment task by giving you an opportunity to choose a topic of personal interest (must be done in consultation with your tutor); to develop your literature research skills and to grow your understanding of the theory and practice of Nurse Practitioners. As the NP role is relatively new in the health system it is also an opportunity to contribute to the body of knowledge about the role of the NP in a community and organisational context. It is also an excellent opportunity for you to explore self awareness and personal development in the context of ‘leadership’.
Marking criteria & standards of performance
Criteria / High Distinction / Distinction / Credit / Pass / FailWritten communication and presentation
The overall presentation of the annotated bibliography conforms to the standards set out in the module (How to write an annotated bibliography, including application of APA referencing style.) / The writing is clear, concise free of APA typographical errors. It conforms to the guidelines in all respects.The annotations are clear succinctly convey the key information about the source. / The writing is clear concise with minimal APA typographical errors.It conforms to the guidelines in most respects with good use of transitional words, no repetition but may not always use full sentences or other weaknesses.Annotations are written clearly concisely key aspects accurately conveyed. / The writing is competent, clear concise with limited APA typographical errors. It may not conform to the guidelines in minor ways such as using multiple paragraphs.Most key features of each annotation are conveyed clearly. / The writing is sound. It adequately communicates some of the features of each annotated source with some APA typographical errors. It loosely conforms to the guidelines, but may be too wordy, lack effective use of transition words, use bullet points, multiple paragraphs for example. / The writing is poor unclear with frequent errors of grammar APA style.Does not conform to the writing guidelines.
Selection
Evidence of the use of search strategies to explore define the annotation selections. Evidence of rigorous empirically grounded selection, justification of the selection reflecting understanding of the leadership issue its connection to your Nursing Practitioner practice / A wide variety of scholarly, topical cross disciplinary sources have been read annotated demonstrating skilled creative searching strategies.The justification of the selection demonstrates high level integration deep understanding of the leadership topic its connection with the NP practice. / A variety of scholarly, evidence based sources from cross disciplinary areas have been read annotated. The justification of the selections demonstrates multiple relationship points between the topic your Nursing practitioner practice. / Sources include not only set text given references but a selection of scholarly articles demonstrating some searching along conventional topic areas.The justification of the selection shows evidence of some straightforward linkage between leadership issues personal practice. / Sources largely rely on set texts, given references limited search strategies.While the sources are relevant to the topic there is limited connection to personal Nursing Practitioner practice. / No evidence of searching beyond the set texts.Sources cited are not scholarly. No connection drawn to personal NP practice.
Comprehension analysis
Evidence of accurate comprehension of each article- who was involved, methodology, findings, conclusions and limitations, for research articles; theoretical argument or standpoint for other types of articles.Analysis evaluates each article’s contribution to the chosen topic. / All the annotations include accurate detailed descriptions of each article in a clear consistent, succinct manner. Evidence of deep understanding of each article is in the detailed thoughtful analysis of each one in the inclusion of questioning of specific details such as whether or not the conclusions can reliably be drawn from the research as described.Evaluation integrates the parts of the annotations to be part of a connected whole, linking all aspects including methodology, findings, conclusions, limitations, theoretical argument to the topic. The value of each source is aptly connected to the topic personal practice with insight. Accurate, comparative interpretive approaches provide a complex analysis of the importance of the article. / All features of the annotations are present accurately recorded in succinct detail highlighting the key points.Evidence of understanding of each article shows in detailed analysis however there is a lack of interrogation of the reports some details are accepted at face value.Evaluation shows evidence of reasoned judgment accurate, comparative interpretive approaches which illustrate the value of each annotated article to the topic. Evaluation lacks the complexity of a HD or misses some linkages. / All features of the annotations are present accurate, but may lack some detail.Evidence of understanding of each article shows in some analysis however most comments are descriptive rather than evaluative. There is only limited questioning of the detail of the article.Evaluation includes limited but accurate, comparative interpretive approaches. Linkages between the different aspects of the annotation are limited or unclear. / All features on the annotations are present mainly accurate. Evidence of understanding is limited to accurate but descriptive summaries. Evidence of analysis evaluation at a superficial level with little evidence of interpretive or comparative approaches. / Many features of the annotations are not present or are inaccurate.Very limited evaluative comment included.
Synthesis
Evidence of using the set readings, your selected annotated articles to present an argument or viewpoint on your chosen topic to suggest issues for further research, including action research. Synthesis takes up research conclusions in integrated way to show the interrelationships among the issues/ findings their impact on nursing practitioners leadership issues. / A persuasive argument or viewpoint on your chosen topic, supported with a variety of topical, scholarly articles. Insightful suggestions for further research are hypothesised convincingly demonstrate a deep understanding of the field clearly demonstrate personal connection to the topics.Introduction summary provide a concise integration of the research its relationship to the field your personal practice. / The argument or viewpoint presented in a clear supported way is well reasoned demonstrates multiple linkages across your experience the research. Suggestions forfurther research are thoughtful well articulated with a clear path to future assessment tasks (with guidance). Suggestion for further research are clearly described capture important areas of concern in the field, show a wide ranging understanding are worthwhile possibilities for future assessment tasks.The introduction summary describe multiple aspects of the research link them together. / The argument or viewpoint is clearly presented well supported by the sources. There are several examples of linking ideas themes with the chosen topic each other. Suggestions for further research are thoughtful well articulated with a clear path to future assessment tasks (with guidance).The introduction summary highlight a limited number of key topics. / A simple , limited argument or viewpoint is presented. Suggestions for further research are limited, linear or very obvious.Introduction summary are adequate, but lack integration multiple linkages. / No argument or viewpoint expressed in summary.No topics suggested for future research.Little drawing together of ideas.