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Marking criteria and standards: Assessment 1 – Research Proposal Part A: Literature Review

Criteria Mark High Distinction Distinction Credit Pass Fail

Title of Proposal

(5 marks)

Title is succinct and explicitly identifies the research focus and the relevant target population

Title reflects the research focus and identifies the target population

Title identifies the research focus and a population group

Title identifies the research focus only

Title does not clearly identify either the research focus or the relevant target population

5 4-4.5 3-3.5 2.5 ≤2

Introduction (10 marks)

Contextualise your research

The issue/ problem is insightfully and clearly identified. Its relevance to nursing practice is made clear

The aim of the research is articulated clearly in relation to the target population

Concepts or variables that are specific to the issue are clearly identified and defined

The issue/ problem is clearly identified; its relevance to nursing practice is made clear

The aim of the research is articulated in relation to the target population

Concepts or variables that are relevant to the issue are identified and defined

The issue/ problem is adequately identified; its relevance to nursing practice is established

The aim of the research is articulated with some attempt to link it to the target population

Concepts or variables that are relevant to the issue are mostly identified and defined.

The issue/ problem is adequately identified; its relevance to nursing practice is not made clear

Attempt to articulate the aim of the research, though the target population is not made clear

Some concepts or variables that are relevant to the issue are identified and defined

Fail to identify the issue/ problem

Fail to articulate the aim of the research or the target population

There is no information on concepts or variables relating to the issue and target population is not clear.

Justify your choice of research issue or problem

Justify why the issue or problem has been chosen in an insightful way

Specify clearly the potential impact of addressing the issue/problem on everyday nursing practice

Justify why the issue or problem has been chosen in a comprehensive way

Raise the most relevant impact of addressing the issue/problem on everyday nursing practice

Justify why the issue or problem has been chosen clearly

Raise some impact of addressing the issue/problem on everyday nursing practice

Justify why the issue or problem has been chosen adequately

Attempt to mention impact of addressing the issue/problem on everyday nursing practice

No rationale is provided or the rationale bears little relevance to the choice of the issue/problem.

No information is given on any potential impact of addressing the issue/problem on everyday nursing practice

8.5-10 7.5-8 6.5-7 5-6 ≤4.5

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Criteria Mark High Distinction Distinction Credit Pass Fail

Literature review:

Synthesise the current literature

Compare and contrast authors’ views (15 marks)

Specify sources for the selected papers clearly, Academic databases are used, papers are specific to the issue/problem

Critically synthesise literature and compare and contrast the different authors’ views and conclusions on the issue/problem

Specify sources for the selected papers clearly, most databases used are academic, papers are relevant to the issue/problem

Comprehensively synthesise literature and compare and contrast the different authors’ views and conclusions on the issue/problem

Specify sources for the selected papers, some databases used are academic, papers are relevant to the issue/problem

Adequately synthesise literature and compare and contrast the different authors’ views and conclusions on the issue/problem

Specify relevant sources for the selected papers, most papers are mainly relevant to the issue/problem

Attempt to synthesise literature and compare and contrast the different authors’ views and conclusions on the issue/problem

Fail to identify and use relevant sources / academic databases for the selected papers, papers are remotely relevant to the issue/problem

Fail to synthesis literature and compare and contrast the different authors’ views and conclusions on the issue/problem

13–15 11.5–12.5 10–11 7.5–9.5 ≤7

Identify gaps (5 marks)

Identify clearly all aspects of the issue/problem that have not been sufficiently researched or solved.

Specify clearly the gap(s) your research aims to fill that is relevant, achievable and useful in addressing an aspect of the issue/problem.

Identify clearly most aspects of the issue/problem that have not been sufficiently researched or solved.

Specify the gap(s) your research aims to fill that is relevant and achievable

Identify some aspects of the issue/problem that have not been sufficiently researched or solved.

Specify the gap(s) your research aims to fill that is relevant

Attempt to identify some aspects of the issue/problem that have not been sufficiently researched or solved.

Specify the gap(s) your research aims to fill, but its relevance or feasibility can be questionable

Fails to adequately identify aspects of the issue/problem that have not been sufficiently researched or solved.

There is minimal or no information on the gap(s) your research aims to fill

5 4-4.5 3-3.5 2.5 ≤2

Present the Aim and Formulate Research question

The research question is insightful and properly formatted.

The aim/outcome of the research in improving nursing practice is made clear and concise.

The research question is informative and properly formatted.

The aim/outcome of the research in improving nursing practice is made clear.

The research question communicates the focus of the research in a way that is mainly clear and error free.

The aim/outcome of the research in improving nursing practice is provided, though lacks clarity.

The research question attempts to communicate the focus of the research, though may not be entirely clear or error free

Attempt to mention the aim/outcome of the research in improving nursing practice

There is no research question or the research question/ hypothesis bears no relevance to the research.

There is minimal no information on the aim/outcome of the research in improving nursing practice.

5 4-4.5 3-3.5 2.5 ≤2

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Criteria Mark High Distinction Distinction Credit Pass Fail

Specify significance of the study (5 marks)

Insightfully argue for why the proposed research is desirable

Clearly identify all potential benefits of the research to the target population, with explicit links to improvements to patient care

Comprehensively argue for why the proposed research is desirable

Clearly identify most potential benefits of the research to the target population, with some links to improvements to patient care

Reasonably argue for why the proposed research is desirable

Identify some benefits of the research to the target population, with implicit links to improvements to patient care

Adequately argue for why the proposed research is desirable

Benefits to the target population are identified, though some benefits may not come from the research; links between benefits and improvements to patient care are not established or not valid

Vague or no argument why the proposed research is desirable.

There is minimal no information on the potential benefits of the research.

Mark 5 4-4.5 3-3.5 2.5 ≤2

Presentation (5 marks)

Word limit is strictly adhered

The proposal is constructed coherently and cohesively.

Consistently correct use of the 6

th APA referencing style

Proof-read presentation of text with conventional grammar, spelling and punctuation

Word limit is adhered, with marginal breach of less than 5%

The proposal construction flows logically and shows clarity of meaning

Correct use of the 6th APA referencing style, with minor errors

Proof-read presentation of text with conventional grammar, spelling and punctuation, though with some typing errors.

Slightly outside word limit, but not exceed 10%

The proposal construction shows a clear structure that is mainly logical in its flow and meaning

Generally correct use of the 6th APA referencing style, with some errors

Proof-read presentation of text with some grammar, spelling and punctuation errors.

Outside word limit at 10%

Attempt to structure the proposal, but the line or logic of arguments is lost sometimes.

Attempt to follow the 6th APA referencing style, some references missing.

Proof-read presentation of text with frequent grammar, spelling and punctuation errors but the errors do not interfere with meaning.

No adherence to word limit

The proposal is constructed so poorly that it is difficult /impossible to follow.

References do not conform to 6th APA referencing style, many references missing.

Frequent grammar, spelling and punctuation errors that interfere with meaning are present.

Criteria Mark 5 4-4.5 3-3.5 2.5 ≤2