Assessment 3: Research essay
Due 15 Aug by 23:59 Points 100 Submitting a file upload
Start Assignment
The following provides an overview of Assessment 3.
Overview
| Task type |
Method |
Individual
weighting |
Due date |
Length/time |
Research
essay |
Individual |
50% |
23.59 AEST Monday, Week 7 |
1,800 words +/- 10% |
1. Identify and describe contemporary legal issues.
2. Assess and provide solutions to contemporary legal issues.
3. Evaluate the systemic nature of contemporary legal issues.
Outcomes
| Unit learning outcomes alignment |
Graduate learning outcomes alignment |
ULO1: Develop a broad knowledge and understanding
of the historical foundations of the Australian legal
system and its sources of law.
ULO2: Locate primary and secondary sources of law
and apply them to develop ideas and arguments about
legal issues.
ULO3: Analyse and explain how Australian legal
institutions work both separately and collaboratively.
ULO4: Evaluate the Australian legal system in context. |
P1: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and
skills.
P3: Use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and
research skills to solve theoretical and real-world
problems.
P5: Display initiative and drive, and use their
organisation skills to plan and manage their workload.
GC 4: Communicate effectively in diverse cultural and
social settings.
GA 3: Apply their knowledge to working with
Indigenous Australians in socially just ways. |
Overview
Purpose
The assessment must be submitted online via the teaching site in UCLearn. The Ørst page of each assessment item should
include the assessment coversheet declaring the authenticity of the work.
Click on the link below to download the assessment coversheet template.
Students’ names are not to be included on any assessment tasks/submissions. Only student ID numbers should be included
(as per the and
).
Referencing style: Australian Guide to Legal Citation (4th ed.) – AGLC4; references/footnotes are for noting your sources
or to clarify minor matters, not to ‘park’ content
Only Word (*doc or *docx) to be uploaded
Submission via the teaching site in UCLearn; access to draft plagiarism checking via Ouriginal is available
In submitting, students acknowledge that they have presented their own work and that they have acknowledged fully
when relying on the knowledge or sources of others.
In Assessment 2, you developed a research plan for the research essay. In the Ønal assessment, the research essay, this gets
Ùeshed out and fully developed. Preparing for and writing an essay based on relevant research is a core skill for studying law
and in legal practice, honing skills in research, analysis, structure, referencing and argumentation, all vital in the professional
legal context. You are to present research-grounded analysis on the selected research problem.
Submission guidelines
Assessment coversheet
(https://courseapps.studyonline.canberra.edu.au/courses/JD/11751_Legal_Methods/JD%20assessment%20coversheet.docx)
Assessment Policy (https://www.canberra.edu.au/Policies/PolicyProcedure/Index/260) Assessment Procedures
(https://www.canberra.edu.au/Policies/PolicyProcedure/Index/261)
Requirements
Instructions
Using your chosen
from
Assessment 2, Ùesh out and fully develop your essay with research-grounded analysis on the
selected research problem.
Ensure your chosen topic is clearly identiØed and described
Your research sources should be comprehensive, up-to-date and relevant to the topic.
Research sources should support your analysis and are integrated to support your
analysis/argument.
Your argument should be persuasive with all major points supported.
topic
(https://unicanberra.instructure.com/courses/12176/Øles/3441044/download?download_frd=1)
Assessment 3: Research essay
A minimum of 10 current, high-quality sources are supposed to be drawn upon in tackling the question.
g p j p pp
The conclusion should include a justiØed argument and analysis.
| Criteria |
Ratings |
Pts |
| 15 pts |
Description of
criterion
Research
problem and
context clearly
identified and
comprehensively
delineated |
15 to >12.75 Pts
HD (High
distinction)
Highly succinct and
very clear
explanation of
ideas identifying
the research
problem. Context of
the problem is
clearly identified
and is significantly,
comprehensively
delineated. |
12.75 to >11.25 Pts
DI (Distinction)
Clear and succinct
explanation of ideas
identifying the
research problem.
Context of the
problem is clearly
identified and is
highly,
comprehensively
delineated. |
11.25 to >9.75 Pts
CR (Credit)
Clear explanation
of ideas identifying
the research
problem. Context
of the problem is
clearly identified
and is
comprehensively
delineated. |
9.75 to >7.5 Pts
P (Pass)
Basic
explanation of
ideas identifying
the research
problem.
Context of the
problem is
identified and
somewhat
comprehensively
delineated. |
7.5 to >0 Pts
F (Fail)
No/unclear
explanation of
ideas identifying
the research
problem.
Context of the
problem is not
identified or is
comprehensively
delineated. |
|
| 20 pts |
Description of
criterion
Research
sources up-to
date and
relevant |
20 to >17.0 Pts
HD (High distinction)
Breadth and depth of
research is comprehensive,
demonstrating complexity
and sophistication of
thinking. The number of
relevant scholarly
references exceeds
requirements, and these
are used in a highly
integrated way to support a
sophisticated level of
analysis. All relevant
articles are reviewed, from
appropriate reliable sources
and covering the latest
current developments. |
17 to >15.0 Pts
DI (Distinction)
Breadth and
depth of research
is extensive. The
number of
relevant scholarly
references
exceeds
requirements.
Nearly all relevant
articles are
reviewed, from
appropriate
reliable sources
and covering the
latest current
developments. |
15 to >13.0 Pts
CR (Credit)
A generally
effective review
of research is
included, from
the most
appropriate
sources and are
the most
relevant current
articles. Number
of relevant
scholarly
references
exceeds
requirements. |
13 to >10.0 Pts
P (Pass)
Number of
relevant
scholarly
references
meets
requirements.
Majority of the
references cited
are from reliable
legitimate up-to
date sources.
Accuracy of
some sources
may not be
verifiable but are
generally
regarded as
legitimate. |
10 to >0 Pts
F (Fail)
Number of
relevant
scholarly
references
does not
meet
requirements.
Research
articles
reviewed are
scattered and
unrelated. |
|
| Criteria |
Ratings |
Pts |
| 25 pts |
Description of
criterion
Synthesis and
use of evidence
and research
sources
integrated in
analysis of the
research
problem |
25 to >21.25 Pts
HD (High
distinction)
Outstanding use
of references in a
highly integrated
way to support a
sophisticated
level of analysis.
Number of
relevant scholarly
references
exceeds
requirements,
and these are
used in a highly
integrated way to
support a
sophisticated
level of analysis
or argument. |
21.25 to >18.75 Pts
DI (Distinction)
Highly effective use
of references in a
highly integrated
way to support a
sophisticated level
of analysis. Number
of relevant scholarly
references exceeds
requirements, and
these are used in an
integrated way to
support an
advanced level of
analysis or
argument. |
18.75 to >16.25 Pts
CR (Credit)
Effective use of
references in a
highly integrated
way to support a
sophisticated level
of analysis. Number
of relevant scholarly
references exceeds
requirements, and
these are used
effectively to support
an advanced level of
analysis or
argument. |
16.25 to >12.5 Pts
P (Pass)
Sound use of
references in a
highly integrated
way to support a
sophisticated level
of analysis.
Number of relevant
scholarly
references meets
requirements, and
these are
sometimes used
effectively to
support the
analysis or
argument. |
12.5 to >0 Pts
F (Fail)
Poor level of
relevant
academic
references
used with a
basic level of
integration to
support the
analysis.
Number of
relevant
scholarly
references
does not meet
requirements.
References
are not used
effectively to
support the
analysis or
argument. |
|
| 15 pts |
Description of
criterion
Synthesis of
ideas and quality
of analysis |
15 to >12.75 Pts
HD (High
distinction)
Argument is
complex, nuanced
and persuasive.
Major points are
stated clearly and
are well
supported,
providing excellent
insights.
Conclusions are
expertly justified
with sophisticated
arguments. |
12.75 to >11.25 Pts
DI (Distinction)
Argument is highly
developed,
comprehensive and
persuasive. Major
points are stated
clearly and are well
supported, providing
some good insights.
Conclusions are
justified with
advanced arguments
and analysis. |
11.25 to >9.75 Pts
CR (Credit)
Argument is
comprehensive
and for the most
part persuasive.
Major points are
stated clearly and
are usually
supported
effectively by
arguments and
analysis. |
9.75 to >7.5 Pts
P (Pass)
Argument is
mostly sound and
effectively
conveyed,
however may lack
clarity or
persuasiveness.
Major points are
often stated,
perhaps not
always clearly,
and sometimes
lack supporting
arguments and
analysis. |
7.5 to >0 Pts
F (Fail)
Argument is
poor. Major
points may be
stated, but are
often
unsubstantiated.
Makes multiple
unsubstantiated
claims.
Supporting
arguments and
analysis may be
lacking entirely. |
|
| Criteria |
Ratings |
Pts |
| 10 pts |
Description of
criterion
Clarity of
organisation and
structure |
10 to >8.5 Pts
HD (High distinction)
The research essay is
logically and creatively
organised and flows
smoothly, with unity and
coherence, to support a
clear central focus. The
research essay is
organised according to
the research problem,
methods or sub-topics,
with sources integrated
in sophisticated ways to
demonstrate trends in
current research.
Introduction provides
expert background on
the topic and previews
major points in
interesting and insightful
ways. |
8.5 to >7.5 Pts
DI (Distinction)
The research essay
is structured and
organised in a clear
but complex and
highly developed
way. The research
essay is mostly
organised according
to research problem,
methods or sub
topics, with sources
integrated effectively
to demonstrate
trends in current
research.
Introduction provides
excellent background
on the topic and
previews major
points. |
7.5 to >6.5 Pts
CR (Credit)
The research
essay is
coherently and
logically
structured and
organised to
support the
central purpose.
Content and
purpose of the
plan are clear.
Structure is
clear and easy
to follow.
Introduction
provides
sufficient
background on
the topic and
previews major
points. |
6.5 to >5.0 Pts
P (Pass)
The research
essay is mostly
effective and
organised to
support the central
purpose, however
may be poorly
structured or
disorganised in
parts. Content and
purpose of the
plan are clear.
Structure is clear
and easy to follow.
Introduction
provides sufficient
background on the
topic and previews
major points. |
5 to >0 Pts
F (Fail)
Research
essay is not
clearly or
logically
organised. |
|
| 10 pts |
Description of
criterion
Effective
communication |
10 to >8.5 Pts
HD (High
distinction)
Language and
vocabulary are
sophisticated but
also clear and
precise. Sentences
display consistently
strong, varied
structure. Rules of
grammar, usage
and punctuation are
followed. Spelling is
correct. There are
no grammatical or
vocabulary errors
that could affect
clarity. |
8.5 to >7.5 Pts
DI (Distinction)
Language and
vocabulary are
highly advanced and
used with clarity and
precision. Rules of
grammar, usage and
punctuation are
nearly always
followed. Spelling is
nearly always
correct. There are no
more than a few
grammatical or
vocabulary errors,
but these do not
affect clarity. |
7.5 to >6.5 Pts
CR (Credit)
Language and
vocabulary are
used effectively,
and mostly with
clarity and
precision. Rules of
grammar, usage
and punctuation are
mostly followed.
Spelling is mostly
correct. There are
no more than a few
grammatical or
vocabulary errors,
but these do not
affect clarity. |
6.5 to >5.0 Pts
P (Pass)
Language and
vocabulary are
used soundly,
although
sometimes are
unclear or
imprecise.
Rules of
grammar, usage
and punctuation
are mostly
followed. There
are some
grammatical or
vocabulary
errors that may
affect clarity. |
5 to >0 Pts
F (Fail)
Language and
vocabulary are
often unclear,
or sentence
structure
disorganised.
Rules of
grammar,
usage and
punctuation are
not followed.
There are some
significant
errors in
grammar and
vocabulary that
affect clarity. |
|
| Total points: 100 |
| Criteria |
Ratings |
Pts |
| 5 pts |
Description of
criterion
Referencing |
5to >4.25 Pts
HD (High
distinction)
Outstanding,
advanced and
correct use of
prescribed
referencing style,
including a
reference list with no
content or formatting
errors. |
4.25 to >3.75 Pts
DI (Distinction)
Correct use of
prescribed
referencing style,
including a
reference list with
no content or
formatting errors. |
3.75 to >3.25 Pts
CR (Credit)
Correct use of
prescribed
referencing style,
including a
reference list with
minimal content
or formatting
errors. |
3.25 to >2.5 Pts
P (Pass)
Effective use of
prescribed
referencing
style, including a
reference list
with some
significant
content or
formatting
errors. |
2.5 to >0 Pts
F (Fail)
Poor or incorrect
use of prescribed
referencing style,
with significant
content or
formatting errors,
and/or does not
include a reference
list. |
|
