Written assessment — Critical evaluation of a key
research area in mobile computing
Due date: 11pm Friday of study week ASSIGNMENT
Weighting: 10%
Length: 2,000-2,500 words 3
Objectives
This assessment item relates to the course learning outcomes numbers 5 and 6 as stated in the
online course profile.
Details
You are to write a scholarly essay that critically evaluates findings from a journal publication
in one of the following research areas;
• The impact of the cloud on mobile applications
• Mobile application security
• Social implications of mobile applications
You are not to write an essay on one of these topics. You are to critically reflect on the paper
and then explain whether the paper did an adequate job of explaining what the purpose of the
work was, collected sufficient evidence, and reached the right conclusions based on the
evidence. You may use the following questions as a guide for critically evaluating the
research papers.
Is the research question or problem clearly stated and of significance?
Does the research adequately cover the relevant existing research literature for the research
question?
What methodology is used in the research and is this adequately explained?
Is there good agreement between the research question, the philosophical framework used,
and the research methods?
Are there any biases you can detect in the methods used in the study, or flaws in the logic or
methods that undermine the results?
Is the study ethical?
Is the data collection and analysis appropriate?
Is the research finding supported by the evidence?
You should submit your critique online using the Moodle learning system. All sources must
be properly referenced using Harvard style references. Use the following marking scheme to
guide your critique.Written Assessment criteria – 10 marks
Marking Sheet To be attached to your assignment
Overall Performance
MARK / 10 Poor Good Excellent Mark
Presentation - 1
Structure, grammar, spelling,
referencing
Poor structure,
grammar, use of
referencing and
spelling
Some problem No problems
0 0.25 0.75 1
Introductory arguments - 2
Well defined introduction to what
critique is about
Poorly introduced
and defined
At least two
papers adequately
covered
Excellent
introduction
0 1.0 1.5 2
Critique body - 5
For 2 journal papers:
- Research questions identified
- Methodology described
- Analysis of conclusion discussed
- Reflections on paper
Synthesis of works into a critique of
research area
Poor summary,
analysis,
arguments and
identification of
issues, evaluation
Some sections
done poorly
All sections
done well
0 2.0 3.5 5
Conclusion - 2
Summary well presented
Logical conclusions derived
Interpretation of scholarly works correct
Argument presented within length
guideline
Poor summary,
directions,
evaluations,
interpretations
and conclusion
Adequate Excellent
0 1.0 1.5 2
Deductions:
TOTAL 10
General Comments