CQUniversity Unit Profile.

Assessment (1) Individual submission (40 marks)

Overview

This individual assignment tests your essential research competencies needed to identify a knowledge gap or a problem in your discipline that may warrant research. It primarily assesses your understanding and level of engagement with learning resources at an early stage of the inquiry process. The assignment MUST be your own piece of work. You must not plagiarise, collude or get help from others. All submissions must follow CQU Harvard referencing style.

Tasks

Assessment 1 – Review Report and Artefact Submission
Due: Monday, Week 6 | Total Marks: 40

Assessment 1 requires you to prepare a review report of no more than 2500 words using a given template.

This assessment involves submitting a review report and supporting artefacts. The folder must include all relevant materials such as annotated cited articles, earlier Word drafts, and any resources used in developing the report.

Students are also required to use a Generative AI tool to support article annotation and summarisation.

A GenAI-generated summary table must be included, along with a brief reflection on its usefulness and limitations.

Validation of the AI-generated content should also be demonstrated. Your report must be relevant to unit content and Moodle sources, 

and must be developed based on your learning in this unit. You must follow the following steps in developing your report:

1. Choose and develop an initial research topic using a suitable topic.
2. Conduct a literature search to identify one scholarly paper relevant to your chosen topic and provide an explanation of the search process you followed in locating and downloading this paper (Include screenshots).
3. Provide a detailed annotated bibliography of the paper using your own words.
4. Apply and explain at least three credibility indicators to test the reliability of the main paper (include screenshots).
5. Identify two relevant sources/references relevant to the summarised paper using backward and forward technique and explain how you identified both papers.
6. Annotate and tag the PDF version of the three papers for developing the summary tables.
7. Build a review summary table and a theme matrix table of the three identified papers.
8. Use a GenAI tool to assist in creating a summary table and critically evaluate its usefulness and limitations. Include the GenAI-generated output in your report along with a personal reflection that also discusses your Turnitin report and overall learning experience.
9. Provide a link to OneDrive Artefact folder, including all relevant annotated PDF articles and earlier Word drafts (include screenshots of the folder content and samples of annotations).

AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI COLLABORATION: You may use Al to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any Al-generated content you use.

Re-attempt of this assessment will not be allowed.

 All artifacts must be submitted via OneDrive only. Submissions via email or any other cloud storage services will not be accepted. Additionally, submissions using accounts other than CQU's will not be allowed. Once you submit your work, no changes can be made to the OneDrive folder. It is your responsibility to ensure that the link you provide is working correctly. If the link does not work, you will lose marks allocated for the verification of your artifacts. Please note that assessors will not access personal links or contact you for further information once the submission is complete.

Assessment 1A: Review Report & Artefact submission (40 marks)

• Selection of credible and relevant articles; use of appropriate search techniques (15%)
• Annotated bibliography is concise, paraphrased, and well-articulated (15%)
• Quality of summary and matrix tables, including GenAI-supported output and its critical evaluation (25%)
• Organisation of OneDrive folder with required documents, including annotated PDFs and drafts (15%)
• Personal reflection is specific to the student’s own experience and includes commentary on the Turnitin similarity report and the GenAI-supported output (15%)
• The report demonstrates strong alignment with unit resources and lecture content, and is presented with clarity, proper formatting, sound language, and accurate referencing (15%)

AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI COLLABORATION: You may use Al to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any Al-generated content you use.

Re-attempt of this assessment will not be allowed.

Assessment 2:

Task Description

You will be required to complete one set of quiz questions related to your learning materials. 

This assessment is exempted from the 72-hour submission grace period and must be completed during the workshop in Week 11. 

Reattempt of this assessment will not be permitted.

Purpose

The primary purpose of this assessment item is to test your understanding of the processes required in initiating and planning a research project. The quiz will be based on the unit learning materials. In order for you to complete the quiz, it is necessary for you to complete all learning activities prescribed in the unit for the respective weeks.

Important Information:

1. The quiz will only be conducted in-class during the scheduled tutorial classes for on-campus students. A separate Zoom session will be scheduled for online students.
2. It is crucial for all students to be present at the beginning of the session. Late attendance will impact your ability to complete the quiz.
3. If a student fails to take the quiz as scheduled during the class, they will receive zero marks.
4. Quiz questions will be in the form of 40 graded multiple-choice questions and one compulsory non-graded open-ended question. 
5. The quiz must be completed within a maximum of 40 minutes.
6. The quiz is considered a closed-book quiz, and seeking any form of assistance is prohibited. 
7. Students must bring their own laptops or devices to complete the quiz and must make sure that they are fully charged. Using phones or accessing any webpage other than the Moodle quiz page is strictly prohibited.
8. Different versions of the quiz will be provided to students, ensuring that it is highly unlikely for two students to receive the same set of questions.
9. The quiz is password protected, and the password will be communicated at the beginning of the session.
10. The quiz will be similar to an invigilated exam, meaning that there will be a CQU staff member present to supervise the quiz.
11. Distance and online students must attend a Zoom session to undertake the quiz in real time. Students must share their screens and switch on their cameras and microphones while attempting the quiz.
12. Students will be given an opportunity to practice a mock non-graded quiz before attempting the graded quiz.
13. Quiz results will be released by the end of week 11.

• No penalty deduction for wrong answers
• Zero marks for students failing to attend the scheduled session for undertaking the in-class quiz.

Assessment 3 (Research Proposal) (40 marks)

Overview:

This group assessment requires all on-campus students to enrol in groups to complete a project-based assessment. The project is to work as a team to plan and develop a viable research proposal of high academic standards. Your group must demonstrate effective application of project management competence in planning your research project and completing the project proposal. Your group should prioritise projects initiated in the completed outline proposals and eventually agree upon the group research topic for further adoption in this assessment. The proposal must address a research problem or gap that warrants research in your discipline. The proposal must be substantially based on the learning materials of this unit.

The assessment must be developed via a group of 3–5 students formed by the faculty. Each group member must enrol in their group in Moodle by the given deadline. The group must select its group leader and negotiate group rules by completing a group charter template by the given deadline. Along with the research proposal, each group must provide a link to the OneDrive folder where all their submission artefacts and contributions are stored. The folder must include all relevant materials used for developing the final proposal. The folder must include a master folder including group deliverables such as charter, presentation slides, main submission, recorded meetings, group communications, appendices, etc. The One Drive folder must include sub-folders labelled with group member names, which include the member own contributions and exchanged communications throughout the term for scrutiny by the faculty. The group must conduct at least three group meetings and include the evidences in the master folder.

The assessment consists of:

Assessment 3A- 25 marks: Final Research Proposal & Comprehensive Artefact Submission, due by the end of week 10.

Assessment 3B- 15 marks: Group presentations in weeks 11 & 12.

Assessment Tasks:

Assessment 3A: Group Research Proposal & Comprehensive Artefacts Submission (25 marks):

By the end of week 10, each group must submit a copy of the group detailed research proposal in Moodle. You should think of your detailed proposal as a document that should be detailed enough so that anyone else can use your plan to execute the project within a maximum of six months after the submission of the proposals. This duration must be respected when you prepare your project management plan & documentation accordingly. Your ultimate task is to develop a research plan report on a promising topic relating to your discipline. In developing your detailed proposal, you must adopt the supplied research proposal template, which includes sufficient guidelines to complete each section. The sections/components of the proposal should appear in the following order.

• Research topic
• The need and significance of the study
• Research question and objectives
• Summary, and theme tables based on ten annotated PDF sources (annotated PDF files to be included in the shared folder)
• Preliminary literature review with themes subheadings based on the theme matrix.
• Research Methodology, including data collection instrument
• Project management implementation plan including risk register, stakeholder analysis and MS Project Gantt chart.
• Conclusion, limitations and expected outcomes and implications
• Reflective & contribution statement by each group member (300-500 words): explain your contribution to the group work and evaluate group dynamics and summarise experiences, feelings, and reactions in completing this unit and approaches to deal with incurred risks or delays and comment on the resources or feedback you found to be helpful or unhelpful in completing the assessment tasks.
• A hyperlink to the OneDrive shared folder with screenshots of the content of the main folder and group members sub-folders.
• References

For guidance, the proposal should be a minimum of 4,000 words in length, excluding references and appendices.

Along with the research proposal, each group must provide a shared link to the OneDrive folder, where all their research artefacts are stored. The folder must include all relevant materials, such as research data, annotated cited articles, earlier drafts, communications with stakeholders, status reports, minutes of meetings, presentation materials, and any other relevant materials or resources created or used in the development of the research proposal. In addition to the master folder, the One Drive folder must also include sub-folders labelled with group member names, which include the member artefacts, own contributions and exchanged communications throughout the term for scrutiny by the faculty. The group must conduct and record at least three recorded formal meetings and include the recording files in the master folder.

AI ASSESSMENT SCALE - AI COLLABORATION: You may use Al to assist with specific tasks such as drafting text, refining and evaluating your work. You must critically evaluate and modify any Al-generated content you use.

Re-attempt of this assessment will not be allowed.

 The Artefact submission must include subfolders labelled with student names and includes all artefacts contributed by each student, including WORD drafts and PDF files. All artifacts must be submitted via OneDrive only. Submissions via email or any other cloud storage services will not be accepted. Additionally, submissions using accounts other than CQU's will not be allowed. Once you submit your work, no changes can be made to the OneDrive folder. It is your responsibility to ensure that the link you provide is working correctly. If the link does not work, you will lose marks allocated for the verification of your artifacts. Please note that assessors will not access personal links or contact you for further information once the submission is complete.

Assessment 3B: Group Presentations (15 marks):

As a group, you will be required to prepare a 15-minute oral presentation of your research proposal and submit accompanying slides in Moodle at the beginning of week 11. During class timing in W11 and W12, each group should plan its presentation such that all group members present a specific part of the presentation. Your presentation should demonstrate a thorough understanding of the research process, and an ability to communicate complex ideas effectively. Any student failing to present or show adequate preparation will receive zero marks for this part. Your presentation should provide a clear and concise overview of your research proposal, including rationale, research questions, the process of developing literature review, summary of literature review, research design, and project management. The presentation must also explain, with the aid of screenshots, the contents of the shared folder where all project artefacts were organised and stored.

Important Note: Although this is a group presentation, the assessment of the presentation (15%) will be conducted on an individual basis. This means each student’s contribution to the presentation will be assessed separately, based on their performance and preparation.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Assessment 3A: Detailed Research Proposal (25 marks)

The following rubric will be used for marking 3A, however, this part will be marked concurrently with 3B and the final marks of 3A will be further moderated based on the results of 3B.

Assessment 3B Group Presentations (15 marks)

• Technical Content (6 marks): Thorough coverage of main components, sound knowledge and understanding of the research process, logical alignment between all aspects of the proposal.
• Delivery of Presentation (5 marks): Confident and clear delivery, excellent speaking skills, well-organised material, logical content ordering, appropriate communication style, effective argument construction, evidence integration, time management, and use of visual aids.
• Handling of Questions and Discussion (4 marks): Ability to provide insightful answers, demonstrate original and sharp thinking, and stimulate discussion.

A group member will receive Zero marks on this part in the case of the following incidents:

1. the group member failed to present;
2. the group member did not attend the full session(s); or
3. the group member failed to demonstrate a basic understanding of the entire group project.