This assessment requires you to undertake an initial literature review in preparation for your research proposal which is the final assessment for this unit. You are required to identify a research topic and review a minimum of 12 relevant articles from professional peer reviewed journals that have been published within the last 10 years (this does not include books or other sources you may want to site when writing your literature review). Older articles may be considered if it is ground breaking research. Please use APA format of referencing for your work.

It is suggested that you approach your assignment systematically by considering the following:
• What articles are relevant to your research topic?
• What research has been done previously? What are their findings?
• Are there findings consistent across various studies?
• What are the gaps in the current body of research?
• What relevant theories might help explain/support your research question?
• A critical analysis of the literature rather than pure description of what the author is saying.

The purpose of this assignment is to assess student’s capacity to identify, critique, and synthesise current literature relevant to the chosen research topic and build arguments in a coherent manner.

This paper will lead to the development of a new research proposal which is altogether a different assignment.

Recommended text(s)
Alston, M., & Bowles, W. (2018). Research for social workers (4th ed.). Crows Nest, NSW: Allen and Unwin.
Engel, R.J., & Schutt, R.K. (2014). Fundamentals of social work research (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

OTHER REFERENCES
Aveyard, H. (2014). Doing a literature review in health and social care: A practical guide (3rd ed.). UK: Open University Press.
Grinell, R., & Unrau, Y. (2013). Social work research and evaluation (10th ed.). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Laycock, A., Walker, D., Harrison, N., & Brands, J. (2011). Researching indigenous health: A practical guide for researchers. Melbourne: The Lowitja Institute.
O’Leary, Z. (2014). The essential guide to doing your research project (2nd ed.). London: Sage. Patton, M.Q. (2015). Qualitative research and evaluation methods (4th ed.). USA: Sage.
Neuman, L. (2014). Social research methods: qualitative and quantitative approaches (7th ed.). USA: Pearson Education.
Punch, K (2014). Introduction to social research quantitative and qualitative approaches (3rd ed.). London: Sage.
Rubin, A. & Babbie, E.R. (2014). Research methods for social work (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole.
Sarantakos, S. (2013). Social research (4th ed.). New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Walters, M (Ed.). (2013). Social research methods (3rd. ed.). Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

Marking Sheet and Criteria
Demonstrated ability to identify literature that is current and relevant to the research topic chosen (5 marks)
Demonstrated ability to provide a critical review of the literature reflecting on its organisation, completeness, coherence and consistency (8 marks)
Demonstrated ability to provide a synthesis of the literature and it is findings and present arguments in integrated manner (8 marks)
Demonstrated ability to relate the literature to the research topic chosen (8 marks)
Demonstrated ability to build an argument from the literature findings to support the significance of the research to be undertaken (8 marks)
Presentation including clarity of written communication, organisation of the material (typed with 1.5 spacing, clear margins) and accuracy of APA referencing style (3 marks)