Example assessment & marking criteria
Assessment type:
Annotated bibliography
Subject:
Assessment task:
Task description:
Masters level subject in the Master of Nursing Practitioner
Assessment task 1: annotated bibliography
This assessment task is an initial part of a larger assessment project building towards developing your theoretical
and practical understanding of the {leadership role} of a nursing practitioner; how you might enact or experience
that role; and how the literature and research in the field informs your learning and practice. (Note: this literature
review forms the foundation for your next assessment task which involves a more extensive literature review plus
planning, implementing and evaluating a small research project based on the chosen leadership and Nursing
practitioners topic.)
You will engage in a literature research and analysis process and submit an annotated bibliography (~3,000 words)
on a leadership issue (negotiated with your tutor) which impacts on your practice. You will find and read a wide
variety of scholarly sources on the topic (including the set readings); choose 6 articles to annotate, and write a short
synthesis reviewing your reading.
The Annotated bibliography includes:
1. Introduction – A short description of the topic of the annotated bibliography, contextualising the topic and its
relationship to your developing practice (100 words). TIP: it is best to write this last.
2. Complete reference list of sources consulted – APA reference style
3. 6 article annotations of 450 words each, using the “Guide to writing an annotated bibliography”. Each annotation
will include:
 Citation details (set out in the same style as an APA reference list
 A short statement that explains the main focus or purpose of the work
 A short summary of the theory, research findings or argument (e.g. intended audience, subjects
covered, major arguments supported, research methods, conclusions reached, special features)
 Consideration of the usefulness and/or limitations of the text for your research (e.g. reliability of the
text, credibility of the author, poor features, left-out content, weaknesses in argument)
 An evaluative comment on the work that may take into account how this work will fit into your
research on a topic (e.g. critical comment, critical reflection that describes the usefulness or
relevance of the information for your chosen topic).
4. A summary review of the nursing practitioner leadership issue based upon your literature research and its
application to practice (200 words). Your analysis should demonstrate your understanding of the issue and its
impact on your own and general NP practice and draw on the set readings and course materials, including
Amanda Sinclair’s audio presentation; Smith and Wesson article; Gun and Fames monograph; and the Rural
Health Practitioner website.
Rationale:
Notes on choosing the topic:
Negotiate a suitable topic with your tutor based on your personal situation, interests and longer term needs – for
example you might wish to focus on issues of power between medical practitioners and nursing staff; leadership
issues in rural communities; gender or race leadership conceptions. These are all huge topics and you will need to
refine the actual topic to something manageable with your tutor. More guidance on how to define a topic is available
in your module. Assessment will not be accepted for grading if you have not consulted with your tutor to choose
your topic.
This assessment task prepares you for your personal leadership assessment task by giving you an opportunity to
choose a topic of personal interest (must be done in consultation with your tutor); to develop your literature research
skills and to grow your understanding of the theory and practice of Nurse Practitioners. As the NP role is relatively
new in the health system it is also an opportunity to contribute to the body of knowledge about the role of the NP in
a community and organisational context. It is also an excellent opportunity for you to explore self awareness and
personal development in the context of ‘leadership’.
Marking criteria & standards of performance
Criteria
Written communication
and presentation
The overall presentation of
the annotated bibliography
conforms to the standards
set out in the module (How
to write an annotated
bibliography, including
application of APA
referencing style.)
Selection
Evidence of the use of
search strategies to explore
& define the annotation
selections. Evidence of
rigorous & empirically
grounded selection, &
justification of the selection
reflecting understanding of
the leadership issue & its
connection to your Nursing
Practitioner practice
Comprehension &
analysis
Evidence of accurate
comprehension of each
article - who was involved,
methodology, findings,
conclusions and limitations,
for research articles;
theoretical argument or
standpoint for other types of
articles. Analysis evaluates
each article’s contribution to
the chosen topic.
High Distinction
The writing is clear, concise
& free of APA &
typographical errors. It
conforms to the guidelines in
all respects. The annotations
are clear & succinctly
convey the key information
about the source.
A wide variety of scholarly,
topical & cross disciplinary
sources have been read &
annotated demonstrating
skilled & creative searching
strategies. The justification
of the selection
demonstrates high level
integration & deep
understanding of the
leadership topic & its
connection with the NP
practice.
All the annotations include
accurate detailed
descriptions of each article
in a clear & consistent,
succinct manner. Evidence
of deep understanding of
each article is in the detailed
& thoughtful analysis of each
one & in the inclusion of
questioning of specific
details such as whether or
not the conclusions can
reliably be drawn from the
research as described.
Evaluation integrates the
Distinction
The writing is clear &
concise with minimal APA &
typographical errors. It
conforms to the guidelines in
most respects with good use
of transitional words, no
repetition but may not
always use full sentences or
other weaknesses.
Annotations are written
clearly & concisely & key
aspects accurately
conveyed.
A variety of scholarly,
evidence based sources
from cross disciplinary areas
have been read &
annotated. The justification
of the selections
demonstrates multiple
relationship points &
between the topic & your
Nursing practitioner practice.
Credit
The writing is competent,
clear & concise with limited
APA & typographical errors.
It may not conform to the
guidelines in minor ways
such as using multiple
paragraphs. Most key
features of each annotation
are conveyed clearly.
Pass
The writing is sound. It
adequately communicates
some of the features of each
annotated source with some
APA & typographical errors.
It loosely conforms to the
guidelines, but may be too
wordy, lack effective use of
transition words, use bullet
points, multiple paragraphs
for example.
Fail
The writing is poor & unclear
with frequent errors of
grammar & APA style. Does
not conform to the writing
guidelines.
Sources include not only set
text & given references but a
selection of scholarly articles
demonstrating some
searching along
conventional topic areas.
The justification of the
selection shows evidence of
some straightforward
linkage between leadership
issues & personal practice.
Sources largely rely on set
texts, given references &
limited search strategies.
While the sources are
relevant to the topic there is
limited connection to
personal Nursing
Practitioner practice.
No evidence of searching
beyond the set texts.
Sources cited are not
scholarly. No connection
drawn to personal NP
practice.
All features of the
annotations are present &
accurately recorded in
succinct detail highlighting
the key points. Evidence of
understanding of each
article shows in detailed
analysis however there is a
lack of interrogation of the
reports & some details are
accepted at face value.
Evaluation shows evidence
of reasoned judgment &
accurate, comparative &
interpretive approaches
All features of the
annotations are present &
accurate, but may lack some
detail. Evidence of
understanding of each
article shows in some
analysis however most
comments are descriptive
rather than evaluative.
There is only limited
questioning of the detail of
the article. Evaluation
includes limited but
accurate, comparative &
interpretive approaches.
All features on the
annotations are present &
mainly accurate. Evidence of
understanding is limited to
accurate but descriptive
summaries. Evidence of
analysis & evaluation at a
superficial level with little
evidence of interpretive or
comparative approaches.
Many features of the
annotations are not present
or are inaccurate. Very
limited evaluative comment
included.
Synthesis
Evidence of using the set
readings, & your selected
annotated articles to present
an argument or viewpoint on
your chosen topic & to
suggest issues for further
research, including action
research. Synthesis takes
up research conclusions in
integrated way to show the
interrelationships among the
issues/ findings & their
impact on nursing
practitioners & leadership
issues.
parts of the annotations to
be part of a connected
whole, linking all aspects
including methodology,
findings, conclusions,
limitations, theoretical
argument to the topic. The
value of each source is aptly
connected to the topic &
personal practice with
insight. Accurate,
comparative & interpretive
approaches provide a
complex analysis of the
importance of the article.
A persuasive argument or
viewpoint on your chosen
topic, supported with a
variety of topical, scholarly
articles. Insightful
suggestions for further
research are hypothesised
convincingly & demonstrate
a deep understanding of the
field & clearly demonstrate
personal connection to the
topics. Introduction &
summary provide a concise
integration of the research &
its relationship to the field &
your personal practice.
which illustrate the value of
each annotated article to the
topic. Evaluation lacks the
complexity of a HD or
misses some linkages.
Linkages between the
different aspects of the
annotation are limited or
unclear.
The argument or viewpoint
presented in a clear &
supported way is well
reasoned & demonstrates
multiple linkages across
your experience & the
research. Suggestions for
further research are
thoughtful & well articulated
with a clear path to future
assessment tasks (with
guidance). Suggestion for
further research are clearly
described & capture
important areas of concern
in the field, & show a wide
ranging understanding & are
worthwhile possibilities for
future assessment tasks.
The introduction & summary
describe multiple aspects of
the research & link them
together.
The argument or viewpoint
is clearly presented & well
supported by the sources.
There are several examples
of linking ideas & themes
with the chosen topic & each
other. Suggestions for
further research are
thoughtful & well articulated
with a clear path to future
assessment tasks (with
guidance). The introduction
& summary highlight a
limited number of key topics.
A simple , limited argument
or viewpoint is presented.
Suggestions for further
research are limited, linear
or very obvious. Introduction
& summary are adequate,
but lack integration &
multiple linkages.
No argument or viewpoint
expressed in summary. No
topics suggested for future
research. Little drawing
together of ideas.