You are required to conduct a critical review of the literature based on the clinical issue you have identified in Assessment 1. Assessment 2: Critical review of the literature Assessment 2 Assessment Type: Essay Assessment Description: Critical review

You are required to conduct a critical review of the literature based on the clinical issue you have identified in Assessment 1. Assessment 2: Critical review of the literature Assessment 2 Assessment Type: Essay

Assessment Description: Critical review of the literature

Due Date: Tuesday 22nd September 2026, 1:00 pm (AWST)

Weighting: 40%

Word count: 2000 words (+/-10%)

Unit Learning Outcomes: ULO 1: Differentiate between a range of research traditions based on methodological and epistemological considerations ULO 2: Rationalise the standards for rigour and the application of a range of research approaches ULO 3: Critically analyse the components of research design, including the research question, hypothesis, methods, data tools, and outcomes relevant to the identified research problem ULO 4: Apply this accumulated knowledge and skills to the development of a research proposal ULO 5: Critically reflect on the ethical requirements within empirical research Course Learning Outcomes: CLO 1: Demonstrate application of evidence-based nursing practice to address local, regional, national and global health priorities, incorporating contemporary technologies CLO 2: Apply effective communication and collaborative skills to establish and maintain culturally safe, therapeutic and professional relationships CLO 3: Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for determining and achieving ongoing professional development CLO 4: Integrate knowledge and skills to assess, plan, implement and evaluate safe, quality nursing care responsive to the needs of people and communities across the lifespan CLO 6: Apply research principles and methods to critically appraise evidence-based literature and design research studies and/or research scholarship Professional standards: PS3: Practises within an evidence-based framework. PS4: Participates in ongoing professional development of self and others. PS7: Provides comprehensive, safe and effective evidence-based nursing care to achieve identified individual/group health outcomes. Feedback: Your results and feedback will be posted on Canvas > Grades within 3 weeks. 

Markers will provide comprehensive feedback and feedforward to help you as you prepare for your subsequent assignments in this unit and course. 

Moderation: All unit assessments undergo a robust moderation process. Note that results are not final until they are officially released at the end of the semester following ratification at the progression panel and are therefore subject to change.

Assessment 2 Task Instructions Assessment 2 builds on your Assessment 1, where you developed a research question and search strategy.

Using your search strategy in Assessment 1, search for relevant articles on your research question/topic. You are required to conduct a critical review of the literature based on the clinical issue you have identified in Assessment 1. You will structure your critical review around the research question, aim, and objectives you have previously outlined, using the best available evidence to compare and contrast the relevant literature on your chosen clinical issue, and identifying any gaps in knowledge you find during the process.

Step 1: Populate the Summary of Study Characteristics table using the 6 – 8 articles you will include in your review. This is not included in the word count – this will assist you with planning your critical review. Please include the Summary of Study Characteristics Table as an appendix to your assignment (as evidence of your planning).

Step 2: Write a critical review of the literature

You are required to synthesise the studies you have included in the review. Do not write an annotated bibliography. To describe the studies in the review, you need to initially summarise each column in the table above.

Example For example, first paragraph: Of the eight studies included in this critical review of the literature, the studies were all published between the years 2016 and 2021 (add your years), of which xx were conducted in Australia (add refs), xx were conducted in America (add refs), etc. The study designs were either qualitative (add ref), cross-sectional (add refs), etc. The aims of the studies were to …..(add refs) The number of participants in the included studies ranged from xx to xx. Etc.

Next paragraph(s): (this is the challenging bit) is where you need to synthesise the ‘results’ column. What common findings or themes do you see across all the studies? What is similar, what is different amongst the results? You could begin with “Common themes amongst the results of the studies in this review include xxxx, xxxx, xxxx, and xxxx. Then, in your next paragraphs, describe each theme in more detail and give examples from the included studies.

You need to compare and contrast, critique, identify gaps and limitations and make recommendations.

What you should include: Please use the following headings to guide your review:

Assessment 1 components of the Project title, Introduction, Statement of the problem and justification for the project, Research Question Any changes made following Assessment 1 feedback Search strategy Literature review Gaps and limitations Recommendations Conclusion References Appendix with a Summary of Study Characteristics Please use the following headings to guide your review:

Search Strategy Provide a brief introduction to the critical review Describe how you searched for evidence to answer your research question, including the framework used to develop your research question, the inclusion and exclusion criteria and the databases you searched Literature review Only include research studies published in the last 5-10 years. Aim to include 6 – 8 studies. Keep the primary focus on literature that is relevant to your research topic. Describe the characteristics of the included studies in your review. When were they published? Where were they conducted – what country? What were the study aims? What were the study designs? Describe the population and sample size. How did they collect their data and analyse their data? Synthesise the common themes of the results. Compare the various arguments, approaches and findings expressed in the literature: what do the authors agree on? Contrast the various arguments, themes, approaches and findings expressed in the literature: what are the major areas of disagreement, controversy, debate? Connect the literature to your own area of research and investigation: how will your research draw on prior work in the literature? Gaps and limitations Identify and describe any gaps in the literature. For example, after reviewing the literature, what don’t we know about your topic of interest? Have you found any limitations in the literature that you can build on to expand the existing body of knowledge and others` work? Recommendations Having reviewed the literature, what recommendations will you make? Ultimately, you will be recommending the need to conduct your small research project, which you will conduct next semester Appendix Summary of Study Characteristics Table Guidelines for the Use of Gen AI in this Assessment Task Permitted use of Gen AI:  In this assessment, you may use generative AI tools for:

Proofreading and clarity (e.g., checking grammar and spelling, improving readability) Idea generation (e.g., brainstorming topics, exploring key concepts, generating initial ideas) Understanding content (e.g., explaining complex concepts, breaking down the assignment question) Research preparation (e.g., generating search terms or keywords for databases) Formatting and referencing (e.g., getting help with APA 7th style, formatting guidance) Prohibited use of Gen AI: In this assessment, you must not use generative AI tools to: Write or paraphrase content (e.g., drafting sections of your submission) Summarise or critique sources (e.g., reviewing or analysing articles on your behalf) Generate references (e.g., in-text citations or reference lists) Replace your own academic work (e.g., literature searching, critical analysis, or synthesis) Submit AI-generated text as your own (e.g., copying and pasting content directly into your submission) *If you choose to use generative AI in an assignment, you must acknowledge it as part of academic integrity

You need to keep a copy of your prompts and the responses generated by the AI tool in case you need to show how you used it. Include in your work an acknowledgement statement explaining how you have used the tool, an in-text citation if you have quoted or paraphrased information from the tool, and an end-text reference that includes the version of the AI tool you used. You should also acknowledge your use of these tools in your student declaration: AI tools are new and constantly developing, so this guidance may change over time. Late submissions Assignment tasks submitted after the due date and time (or the extended due date and time) will incur a penalty of 5% of the maximum possible mark available for the assessment per day late, including weekends. Assessments submitted more than seven days late (excluding the due date) will be awarded a mark of zero