FINAL CRITICAL LITERATURE REVIEW (85%) The Final Critical Literature Review (2000 words) it should be noted is worth 85% and consideration will be given to the following: § A comprehensive introduction § Selection of appropriate resources § Critical analysis and review of resources § A comprehensive conclusion § Presentation of work The Final Critical Literature Review should demonstrate significant advancement from your Progress Report — avoid the temptation of ‘cutting’ and ‘pasting’ large quantities of work from your Progress Report. You should at this final stage produce a Critical Literature Review which shows evidence of wide and analytical reading reflecting an outstanding (critical) comprehension of literature in your chosen topic / subject area. The following guidelines (for indicative purposes) have been adapted from a framework proposed at the University of Warwick (1994 cited in Blaxter et al. 1997: 217) for structuring a final year dissertation. You might find these useful: § Introduction Outline the research area — presenting the aim / objective(s) / research question(s) which should relate to the literature review. Clearly and concisely state the reasons (or rationale) for choosing the topic / subject area. Place your work in an academic and / industrial context — how is it of use to the sector the topic / subject area relates to (industrial context) and / or what debate are you developing in the academic realm? Briefly outline the structure of your report — what is contained in each section. This will give the reader an indication of what is to follow and how your project research and thought have been developed. § Literature Review This is a critical assessment of existing research in your chosen topic / subject area. The critical review of literature should include contemporary resources and also depth and breadth of arguments are important. The literature review should be placed into context in view of the aim / objective(s) / research question(s). You need to show evidence that you have read and understood relevant literature relating to your area of study. Arguments should be clearly and concisely stated — you should be critically interpreting analysing and reflecting upon the literature in your review. § Conclusion Summarise the main arguments emerging from your critical review of the literature — your conclusions need to be supported by the evidence presented in the literature review. You need to return to the aim / objective(s) / research question(s) of your work — have these been fulfilled? You need to evaluate your own progress and project outcomes — what limitations would you identify? Are recommendations appropriate or necessary and if so are they feasible and practical? § References All references cited in-text should be listed in-line with the Harvard format. § Appendix If required. Appendices do not contribute to the word limit nor are the marked. Appendices should be used selectively to demonstrate information which is interesting and relevant but not integral. PRESENTATION ISSUES Presentation Specifications of the Progress Report and Final Critical Literature Review § All work must be word-processed on A4 white paper § Text should be in Times New Roman / Arial font size 12 / using 1.5 line spacing § Left-hand margin & Right-hand margin must not be less than 30mm § All pages numbered § Eight-digit Student Registration Number should be placed in a header / footer of each page. § Front Cover with Module Name Module Code Student Registration Number Module Leader’s Name and Supervisor’s Name. REFERENCING All resources cited in-text and in the reference list should be in-line with the Harvard Referencing System. STUDY SKILLS The following web-site contains learning material and aids that you might find useful during the course of this module: http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/studyskills/index.asp · Research Strategies http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/studyskills/learning/research.asp · Critical and Analytical Thinking Skills http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/studyskills/thinking/critical.asp13 · Writing Skills http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/studyskills/reading/writing.asp · Referencing and Plagiarism http://www.palgrave.com/skills4study/studyskills/reading/referencing.asp § Appeals Complaints and Conduct Specific links include: Procedure for Review of an Examination Board Decision http://www.staffs.ac.uk/assets/rev_of_exam_board_tcm44-26765.pdf Student Complaints Procedure 14 http://www.staffs.ac.uk/assets/complaints_procedure_tcm44-26818.pdf Student Obligations http://www.staffs.ac.uk/assets/general_student_regs_tcm44-26816.pdf § Student Charter § http://www.staffs.ac.uk/assets/student_charter_tcm44-26822.pdf § Overview of Academic Award Regulations http://www.staffs.ac.uk/current/regulations/academic/index.php § Module Descriptor / Specification http://www.staffs.ac.uk/current/student/modules/15 Marking Criteria Criteria Comment 1st 2nd Agreed Critical Literature Review: Comprehensive introduction with aim/objective/question related to the literature review (10%) Resources selection – appropriate in respect of the above and contemporary has breadth and depth (20%) Level of analysis and critical review of resources (40%) Conclusion – ability to synthesize and develop arguments/perspectives (20%) Presentation – accurate referencing logical structure language proficiency (10%) TOTAL 16 Some useful resources Machi L.A. McEvoy B T (2009) The Literature Review London Corwin press Thomas R. B. D. (2008). Theses and Dissertations. A Guide to Planning Research and Writing. London Corwin Press Veal A. J. (2011) Research methods for leisure and tourism
