B1080005 Research Methods in Science                                                 Semester 2,2020

Literature Review Assignment 

Due Date: Friday, 28. of August, 2020 

Word limit: 1000 words, excluding figures and tables, and the reference list. 

Aim: To conduct a review of some of the background literature relevant to a project of your choice. 

Instructions: 

In this assignment, you will perform a review of the scientific literature available regarding your chosen project. It is recommended that you choose a topic that you would be interested in researching for your Minor/Major Project subjects in the coming semesters. Some suggested project topics are also available on Canvas. Please post your choice of topic to the discussion board on Canvas before the lecture in week 2 on Monday, August 10. 

Once you have settled on your choice of project, you are to write a review of the topic, 1000 words long. Your review should define your topic, outline the important underlying concepts and clearly state what is known and what are the current gaps in the knowledge. Additionally, you must make clear the SIGNIFICANCE of the topic (i.e. why it is important to conduct research in this area) and possible NOVEL (ie. new) research that could be performed under the topic. You should conclude your review by refining your topic into a RESEARCH QUESTION. 

The assignment must make appropriate reference to suitable peer-reviewed scientific literature throughout, acknowledging the source of any and all information you use. A minimum of 5 different references must be used. Please see the lecture notes for correct reference formatting.

 
The assignment MUST be written in your own words; plagiarism will not be tolerated. Instances of plagiarism will result in a zero mark for the assignment. This includes word-for-word copying from any other source, even if quotation marks are us. or a reference is given. For more information please view the unit outline available on Canvas, or see the university website http://www.swinburne.edu.au/ltas/plagiarism/
Submission:
This assignment is due at the start of week 5, i.e. Friday the 28. of August, by 4:00 pm via the Tumitin link on Canvas. A penalty of 10% per working day or pan thereof will apply to late submissions, to a maximum of 5 days, after which a zero mark will be recorded.