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Assessment Brief
2021/2022
Module: Undergraduate Independent Study
Module Code: HANV3M-15-6
Module Leader: Anke Twigg-Flesner
Assessment Length: 2500 words
Submission Type: Online
Location: Turnitin via Moodle

Submission Deadline: 17 November 2021 at 14:00

Assessment Title: Component A: A critical evaluation of research

Rationale:
Scientific research is considered the ongoing search for truth. Primary research studies
should be subjected to critical evaluation, which enables us to determine the accuracy and
validity of findings. A review of the literature also forms the fundamental starting point for
all research. A critical literature review not only provides the reader with an overview of the
subject area, it additionally evaluates the sources under review. The rationale for the
research, the methods, and the sample populations are explored to identify strengths and
weaknesses, helping gauge the extent to which the findings can be relied upon to fill the
gaps in our current knowledge

Brief:
You are required to produce a literature review on a topic of your choice, and in-line with
the aims of your programme, but which has not been covered in detail during your course.
This could be a topic covered by a module that you elected not to undertake as part of your
programme, but it cannot be in the same area as your dissertation.

All topics must be approved by the Module Leader before embarking on the
literature review.

Your literature review must critically evaluate the topic you are reviewing based on
evidence from the literature; it should not be merely a descriptive summary of relevant
research. You are expected to use your knowledge of research processes to comment on
the validity and reliability of the research data and interpretations of the authors, and
produce a conclusion that deduces what is reliably know from the existing research. Due to
the fast pace of scientific advances, the literature used to review your chosen topic should
be recently published (within the last ten years), although older, seminal references may
also be used as appropriate.

Format:
You should submit one copy of this assessment through Turnitin via Moodle. The word
count for this assessment includes everything in the main body of the text from the
introduction to the conclusion.
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A summary is required and the maximum word count for this is 250 words, which will not
be included in the word count. The list of references and any appendices are not included in
the word count. The marker may stop reading / marking once the word limit has been
reached which will impact on the final mark.

Note: Students’ attention is drawn to the penalties attached to any form of assessment
offence. In submitting this work you are declaring that the work is entirely your
own unless group work is acknowledged within your submission. Information on
the Assessment Offence Principles and Procedure can be found in the Academic
Regulations, in the Appendix. Assessment Offences (accessible at
https://www.hartpury.ac.uk/about-us/governance-and-policies/governance-and-
policies/ ). References used in the assessment must be referenced according to the
Harvard System, as outlined in the ULC Library site on Moodle.

Learning Outcomes:

The following module learning outcomes are being assessed within this assessment:
1. Critically review contemporary literature relating to their programme of study.
2. Apply academic knowledge in order to demonstrate an understanding of the complex
and potentially contradictory nature of inter-relationships between topics.
3. Follow a systematic, critical and analytical route of enquiry to devise and sustain an
argument supported by valid evidence.

Marking Criteria and Distribution:

Marks for this assessment will be distributed against the SEEC marking criteria for HE level
three that should be obtained from your programme Moodle page:

Knowledge and understanding

The following examples illustrate how the SEEC marking criteria should be interpreted for
this assessment brief. These examples are therefore contextualised marking criteria and
should be considered after reading the whole assessment brief and in conjunction with the
SEEC marking criteria.

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An acceptable answer for this assessment will usually demonstrate relevant knowledge and
understanding of the chosen topic although there may be some omissions.
Intellectual skills should be articulated through comparison between different studies
although this may be superficial. Synthesis will be demonstrated through the generation of
some novel points for consideration although this might not be consistent throughout the
report. Evaluation will be attempted in terms of recognising issues with validity and
accuracy although this might lack a truly critical approach. Application will be demonstrated
through an evaluative review aligned to their chosen topic albeit with some minor
deviations and potentially lacking a robust conclusion.
Transferable skills will usually be demonstrated through inclusion of relevant and
current/seminal pieces of research but there will likely be omissions. Communication will be
formal and coherent but may lack structure and direction in places.

A distinctive answer for this assessment will usually incorporate all aspects of an
acceptable answer but in addition will usually demonstrate extensive knowledge and
understanding of the chosen topic area.
Intellectual skills should usually be articulated through comprehensive comparison between
research papers, and consistent and wide-ranging critical evaluation of reliability, validity,
and significance that enables the student to generate truly novel ideas/concepts as part of
the review. These will form the basis of a conclusion that demonstrates full appreciation of
the limitations of knowledge in the chosen topic area. Application will be demonstrated
through a consistent alignment of their debate to the specified topic. A robust and unbiased
conclusion should be drawn out of the debate to illustrate their problem solving capabilities.
Transferable skills will usually be demonstrated through extensive reading and appropriate
referencing, and the report itself will be professionally formatted with exceptional
structuring and presentation.

Feedback on your performance:

Individual feedback will be provided through Turnitin in accordance with the Assessment
Cycle, and will include key feedback against the marking criteria and feedforward
suggestions and signpost additional resources that will support you in future work.

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