Assessment 3: Research essay
Overview
Task type
Method
Individual weighting
Due date
Length/time
Research essay Individual 50% 23.59 AEST Monday, Week 7 1,800 words +/- 10%
Purpose
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.
Submission guidelines
The assessment must be submitted online via the teaching site in UCLearn. The rst 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.
? Assessment coversheet
(https://courseapps.studyonline.canberra.edu.au/courses/JD/11751_Legal_Methods/JD%20assessment%20coversheet.docx)
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.
Instructions
In Assessment 2, you developed a research plan for the research essay. In the nal assessment, the research essay, this gets eshed 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. In Assessment 2, you made a plan for how you were going to do research for the research essay. In the final test, the research essay, this is fully developed and fleshed out. Preparing for and writing an essay based on relevant research is a key skill for studying law and practicing law. It helps develop skills in research, analysis, structure, referencing, and argumentation, all of which are important in the professional legal setting. You have to give an analysis of the chosen research problem that is based on research.
(https://unicanberra.instructure.com/courses/12176/ les/3441044/download?download_frd=1) from
Assessment 2, esh out and fully develop your essay with research-grounded analysis on the selected research problem.
Ensure your chosen topic is clearly identi ed 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.
g p j p pp
The conclusion should include a justi ed argument and analysis.
A minimum of 10 current, high-quality sources are supposed to be drawn upon in tackling the question.
Assessment 3: Research essay
Criteria Ratings 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. 15 pts
Description of criterion
Research sources up-todate 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 ar the most relevant curren articles. Numb of relevant scholarly references exceeds requirements. e
t
er 13 to 10.0 Pts
P (Pass)
Number of relevant scholarly references meets requirements. Majority of the references cited are from reliable legitimate up-todate sources. Accuracy of some sources may not be
verifiable but ar generally regarded as legitimate. e 10 to 0 Pts F (Fail)
Number of relevant scholarly references does not meet requirements. Research
articles reviewed are scattered and unrelated. 20 pts
Criteria Ratings 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. 25 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. 15 pts
Criteria Ratings 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 subtopics, 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. 10 pts
Criteria Ratings Pts
Description of criterion
Referencing 5 to 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. 5 pts
Total points: 100

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