ITECH 5500 Professional Research and Communication

Research – Literature Review

Overview

In this assignment you will be given a topic to research and will need to provide an in-depth analysis of how it applies to you. The topic is “Motivation and learning”.

Learning Outcomes Assessed

The following course learning outcomes are assessed by completing this assessment:

S1. Utilise effective communication practice in organisations.

S2. Demonstrate expert English language skills in academic and professional contexts.

S3. Evaluate the quality and utility of literature sourced.

S4.. Undertake a literature review for an organisational IT research project.

A1. Compose a research proposal and report on a topic related to an organisational IT research project.

A2. Present written and oral reports to academic and organisational audiences.

Assessment Details

Each student is to submit an essay of about 2000 words. Your essay should be about the topic of “motivation and learning” and should include

Abstract
Introduction
A section (no more than 500 words) on what motivation is. You should include a description of motivation, what different sources of motivation exist, why motivation is important and anything else you find relevant.
A section (no more than 1000 words) on research into motivation as applied to learning. You should find at least four academic papers and provide a literature review. This review should be more than just a summary of each paper – it should be a synthesis of the most important parts and how they relate. Some things you might look at are
- How the research questions compare
- What the motivations of the researchers were
- What type of research they conducted
- Anything else of interest
Provide a personal account of your own thoughts about motivation. Do you feel that there are occasions in which a lack of motivation has interfered with you learning things or achieving goals? Which of your motivations for your own studies are internal and which are external? Do you feel that you are well motivated for your own studies? Has your attitude towards your own motivations been affected in anyway by the analysis you have made in the literature review? Include anything else which you find relevant.
- (Please do not feel obliged to include anything that you find too personal or distressing)
A conclusion which summarises what you have written.
A reference section in APA style

Please remember that you must NOT include large slabs of text from the papers you read. Most of the essay should be in your own words.

Marking Criteria/Rubric

Student Id.

Student Name

Category

Excellent

Good

Acceptable

Poor/Unacceptable

Marks

Abstract

4-5

Strong introduction of topic’s key question(s) and terms. Clearly delineates subtopics to be reviewed. Specific thesis statement.

3-4

Conveys topic and key question(s). Clearly delineates subtopics to be reviewed. General thesis statement.

2-3

Conveys topic, but not key question(s). Describes subtopics to be reviewed. General thesis statement.

0-2

Does not adequately convey topic. Does not describe subtopics to be reviewed. Lacks adequate thesis statement.

Introduction

4-5

Strong introduction of topic’s key question(s) and terms. Clearly delineates subtopics to be reviewed.

3-4

Conveys topic and key question(s). Clearly delineates subtopics to be reviewed.

2-3

Conveys topic, but not key question(s). Describes subtopics to be reviewed.

0-2

Does not adequately convey topic. Does not describe subtopics to be reviewed.

Description of motivation

8-10

Description of motivation is clear and well-stated.

6-8

Description of motivation is somewhat clear but the major points mainly covered

4-6

Description missing major points or description ambiguous

0-4

Description is absent or vague. Major points not covered or not correct.

Literature Review

25-30

Sources are exceptionally well-integrated and they support claims argued in the paper very effectively.

20-25

Sources are well integrated and support the paper’s claims.

10-20

Sources support some claims made in the paper, but might not be integrated well within the paper’s argument.

0-10

The paper does not use adequate research or if it does, the sources are not integrated well. Large slabs of verbatim text included

Application to personal learning

16-20

The aspects learned clearly tied in to the student’s own experiences with learning and self-confidence. Points succinct and very well explained.

13-16

The aspects learned tied in to the student’s own experiences with learning. Points reasonably well explained.

10-13

The connection between aspects learned and student’s own experiences not clear.

0-10

Incomplete and/or unfocused. Argument not convincing

Conclusion

4-5

The conclusion is engaging and strong integration with the thesis statement.

3-4

The conclusion restates the thesis.

2-3

The conclusion does not adequately restate the thesis.

0-2

Incomplete and/or unfocused. Does not summarize evidence with respect to thesis.

Presentation

4-5

Well-planned, logically-flowing and well-thought out. Includes informative title, an abstract that summarizes key aspects and an appropriate TOC.

3-4

Good overall organization and somewhat logically-flowing. Includes title, abstract with some key aspects and a TOC.

2-3

There is a sense of organization. Includes title, abstract with few key aspects and a TOC.

0-2

No/lack of sense of organization. Missing title and/or a TOC. Also missing abstract or includes abstract that is vague.

References and Formatting

16-20

All references included in reference list and in-text citations made. All references using APA style correctly

13-16

Some references or in-text citations not completed correctly.

10-13

Some incomplete citations or references. APA style not used correctly. Too few references

0-10

Incomplete reference list. APA style not used.