PYB100 FOUNDATION PSYCHOLOGY
Critical Literature Review Marking Criteria (1500 words, 40% weighting in final grade)
School of Psychology
and Counselling
NAME:
Grade
C1. Introduction
and Thesis
Statement (15%)
7
Has described the scope of the
essay clearly, in a concise and
focussed manner.
Thesis statement clear and
succinct.
C2. EvidenceSelection and
reporting of
research (20%)
Relevant and appropriate
research evidence has been
described with accuracy and
detail.
6
5
Has described the scope of the
essay in a concise manner with
only a minor omission/ lack of
focus/clarity.
Has described the scope of the
essay in a fairly concise manner
but may lack some focus/ clarity
or omit some detail.
Has described the scope of the
essay; however, some irrelevant
material presented, or key
information omitted.
Thesis statement clear.
Thesis statement lacking clarity.
Thesis statement difficult to
identify.
Relevant and appropriate
research evidence has been
described but may lack some
detail.
Appropriate research evidence
has been described but some
important details may be missing.
Over-reliance on summarised
research.
The essay demonstrates good
knowledge and understanding of
the topic, but with only minor
omissions or inaccuracies.
Some evidence presented but
lacks sufficient detail. Overreliance on summarised research
or theory.
Some critical discussion of
research evidence used, but key
points missed or misinterpreted,
or discussion largely descriptive.
The essay demonstrates excellent The essay demonstrates very
knowledge and understanding of good knowledge and
the topic.
understanding of the topic.
C3. InterpretationCritical analysis of
research (20%)
Outstanding critical discussion of
research evidence,
acknowledging both the
strengths and weaknesses of the
evidence and how this impacts
the argument.
Very strong critical discussion of
research evidence,
acknowledging both the
strengths and weaknesses of the
evidence.
Some critical discussion of
research evidence,
acknowledging both the
strengths and weaknesses of the
evidence, but with some errors or
omissions.
C4. Logical
argument (15%)
The essay presents a
sophisticated, well-structured,
and well-reasoned argument in
relation to the essay topic.
The essay succeeds in developing
a well-structured, reasoned, and
convincing argument in relation
to the essay topic.
C5. Conclusion
(10%)
A strong and effective conclusion
is presented that is relevant to
the topic, grounded in the
evidence and clearly flows from
the argument presented in the
essay.
An effective conclusion is
presented that is relevant to the
topic and clearly flows from the
argument presented in the essay.
C6. Clarity of
expression
(10%)
Outstanding writing style, with no Very fluent writing style, and
inaccuracies in grammar and
grammar and spelling accurate.
spelling.
C7. APA formatting Assignment is formatted
and referencing
appropriately (APA 7th ed).
(10%)
Referencing is consistently
accurate.
4
Minor inaccuracies in formatting
and/or referencing.
The essay demonstrates some
understanding of the topic, but
with omissions or inaccuracies.
3
Some of the work addresses the
scope of the essay, but there is a
significant lack of focus.
Thesis statement omitted.
A very limited range or
inappropriate/irrelevant sources
have been described.
The essay demonstrates very
limited understanding of the
topic.
2
1
Fails to address the task set or
clearly define scope of essay.
No thesis statement.
Few or no appropriate or relevant
sources have been reviewed.
The essay does not demonstrate
an understanding of the topic.
Limited or superficial discussion
of research evidence relevant to
the topic with little evidence of
critical evaluation.
Very limited discussion of
research evidence relevant to the
topic with no evidence of critical
evaluation.
A reasoned argument is
The logic and coherence of the
developed in relation to the essay argument needs further
topic, but with some weaknesses development.
of logical flow.
There is limited or superficial
attempt to present ideas in a
logical and coherent manner and
to develop a reasoned argument
in relation to the essay topic.
The ideas are not presented in a
logical and coherent manner and
a reasoned argument in relation
to the essay topic has not been
developed.
A conclusion is presented that is
relevant to the topic but may not
entirely capture the argument
presented in the essay.
A conclusion is presented that is
relevant to the topic but does not
capture the argument presented
in the essay.
A conclusion that is not clearly
relevant to the topic and does
not capture the argument is
presented.
Unsubstantiated/invalid
conclusions based on anecdote/
generalisation only, or no
conclusion at all.
Language fluent, grammar and
spelling accurate.
Language mainly fluent, grammar Language is not always fluent,
and spelling mainly accurate.
grammar and/or spelling contain
errors.
Language poor, meaning unclear
and/or grammar and/or spelling
contain frequent errors.
Assignment is generally
formatted appropriately.
Referencing is mainly accurate.
Errors in the formatting of the
assignment.
Referencing is somewhat
accurate.
Minimal attempt to format the
assignment appropriately.
Referencing is poor/
unsystematic/absent.
Some substantial errors in the
format of the assignment.
Poor attempt at referencing.