Motivation and emotion/Assessment/Chapter

Book chapter — Guidelines

Collaborative online book chapter authoring

Book / 2026

Overview

Weight: 50%
Due Week 10: 9:00 a.m. Mon 12 Oct 2026
Tasks
- Author an online book chapter (up to 4,000 words) that explains key psychological theory and research about a unique, specific motivation or emotion topic.
- Develop the chapter by building on the topic development plan and addressing feedback.
- Contribute to the development of other book chapters (social contribution).
Follow the instructions and address the marking criteria.

Purpose

The purpose of the book chapter is to explain and critically evaluate what psychological science says about a specific motivation or emotion topic, and to demonstrate how this knowledge can be applied to understanding and improving human behaviour in everyday life.

Marking and feedback

Submissions will be marked according to the marking criteria and marking rubric.
Marks will be provided via UCLearn when the university releases unit results (see Key dates).
Up to 5 bonus marks will be awarded in exceptional circumstances where social contributions are above and beyond those required for HD-level (see rubric).
Written feedback about how well the chapter addresses the marking criteria will be available via the topic's Wikiversity discussion page.
Follow up with the unit convener if you have any questions.

Extensions and late submissions

Apply for extension using the unit's online Extension Application Form (see UCLearn) with appropriate documentary evidence.
Submissions will be accepted up to 3 days late (-10% per day).
If you don't submit this assessment it is unlikely that you will pass the unit.

Learning outcomes

How the unit's learning outcomes are addressed by this assessment exercise:

Learning outcome	Assessment task
Integrate theories and current research towards explaining the role of motivation and emotions in human behaviour.	Use the most relevant theories and peer-reviewed research to explain a specific motivation or emotion topic.
Critically apply knowledge of motivation or emotion to an indepth understanding of a specific topic in this field.	Explain how psychological science can be applied to a specific motivation or emotion topic. Use figures, examples, and/or other interactive learning features to illustrate how this knowledge can apply to understanding human behaviour in everyday life.

Graduate attributes

How the unit's graduate attributes are addressed by this assessment exercise:

Category	Graduate attribute	Assessment task
Be professional	Communicate effectively	Review scholarly knowledge in an open, online environment and address feedback.
	Display initiative and drive	Produce an online book chapter about a novel motivation or emotion topic.
	Up-to-date knowledge and skills	Utilise the most relevant psychological theory and research to address a practical question.
	Solve problems via thinking	Use critical thinking to explain how psychological science can address real-world problems.
Be a global citizen	Informed and balanced	Provide a balanced, critical chapter which is accessible to a lay audience.
	Communicate diversely	Collaborate with peers to communicate knowledge openly with a global audience.
	Creative use of technology	Learn how to collaborate using wiki technology.
Be a lifelong learner	Engage in new ideas	Engage in a collaborative learning culture by incorporating feedback and suggestions.
Be a lifelong learner	Evaluate and adopt new technology	Experience project work in a collaborative, online editing environment.

Instructions

The book chapter should communicate your understanding of the topic based on the best available psychological theory and research. Explain and apply the most relevant evidence in a clear, engaging, and accessible way. The aim is to demonstrate your ability to synthesise and critically evaluate psychological science in order to understand and respond to a specific motivation or emotion phenomenon.

The following instructions should be used to guide the development of the book chapter.

Theme

Chapters should fit the book theme which is "understanding and improving our motivational and emotional lives using psychological science"

Audience

The target audience is a general (non-topic-expert) reader interested in personal growth and development based on knowledge in psychological science (theory and research). This is a science communication exercise.

Wikiversity

Present the chapter as a single page on the English Wikiversity website. A link to the chapter should appear in the table of contents along with the lead author's Wikiversity user name

Topic

The title and sub-title must be approved by the unit convener

Collaboration and feedback

Chapters should be independently developed and written primarily by the lead author, but collaboration is strongly encouraged (e.g., by incorporating useful edits and feedback from others)
Generative AI may be used with appropriate acknowledgement
Lead authors are encouraged to seek feedback about the chapter during the drafting process (e.g., start a UCLearn discussion thread)
Feedback is usually best placed on the chapter's wiki discussion page
Feedback on the topic development (chapter plan) will be provided by the unit convener

Length (word count)

There is no minimum length
Maximum 4,000 words
- There is no additional 10% allowance
- Words beyond the maximum will not be considered for marking purposes
- Count everything from top to bottom of the editable page (in view mode, not edit mode):
  - Include the title, subtitle, headings, text, tables, figures, references, see also, and external links; don't include menu text across the top and down the left, or categories at the bottom
- How to count:
  - Google Chrome extension: Word Counter. This extension is probably the easiest reliable method for counting words on a Wikiversity page. However, UC recently started blocking this extension on UC devices.
  - Website: Paste the URL into Webpage Word Counter (it overcounts by ~100 words because it includes menus etc.)
  - Word processor: Cut and paste into a word processor (i.e., copy starting at title and finishing with the last external link)
If the chapter exceeds the maximum word count, see these suggestions for strategies to reduce the length while retaining the key content.

Submission

Submit the chapter URL (website address), your Wikiversity user name, and a PDF of the chapter via UCLearn

Marking criteria

Book chapters will be marked against the following criteria.

Overview (5%)

Scenario: Provide an engaging scenario or case study in a feature box, with an illustrative figure
Problem statement: Easy to read and understand outline of the key concepts and explanation of practical/real-world problem to be solved
Focus questions: Establish focus questions which align with the sub-title and subsequent heading structure

Theory (20%)

Clearly explain the theoretical framework for understanding the topic
Select the most relevant psychological theories/models that apply to the problem. Depending on the topic, this may involve focusing on a single theory or comparing and contrasting two or more theories.
Use at least the best dozen or so peer-reviewed theory references about the topic (e.g., see [[Motivation and emotion/Journals|list of motivation and emotion journals)
Clearly explain and apply the theory(ies)
Include illustrative examples, such as case studies
Demonstrate a critical perspective

Research (25%)

Clearly explain how key, peer-reviewed research findings apply to the problem
Use at least the best dozen or so peer-reviewed research references about the topic (e.g., see [[Motivation and emotion/Journals|list of motivation and emotion journals)
Include relevant major reviews (such as systematic reviews and meta-analyses)
Critical analyse the key research findings, including limitations and implications

Integration (10%)

Integrate discussion of theory and review of relevant research
Use research to critically inform interpretation and application of the theory(ies)

Conclusion (5%)

Clear and concise communication of key points and take-home messages
Aligned with the subtitle and focus questions, with implications for the book theme

Style (20%)

Overall
- Present and illustrate the problem and knowledge in an interesting way, using a logical structure, clear layout, correct spelling and grammar, and APA style
- Readable for a layperson interested in psychological science
- Address the book theme by providing practical, academically sound, self-improvement information
- Address an international audience (i.e., avoid an overly local or national perspective)
- Use default wiki style for paragraph alignment, font colour, type, and size, and heading styles
- Use Australian spelling (e.g., hypothesise, behaviour, fulfilment) rather than American spelling (e.g., hypothesize, behavior, fulfillment)
- Correct grammar (e.g., see writing tips)
Structure
- Use a logical heading structure that aligns with the focus questions
- Use sentence casing throughout, including for headings and sub-headings
- Use the default heading style (e.g., do not add italics and/or bold)
- Sub-headings are optional
  - Avoid having sections with a single sub-heading — each section should contain 0 or 2+ sub-headings.
  - If sub-headings are used, provides at least 1 introductory paragraph before branching into sub-sections.
Sentences
- Narrative point of view [1]: In the main text, use 3rd person perspective (e.g., "it", "they"). Where asides are used, such as examples, case studies, and feature boxes, 1st person perspective (e.g., "I" and "we") and/or 2nd person perspective (e.g., "you") can work well.
Paragraphs
- A well-constructed paragraph is generally 3 to 5 sentences (opening sentence, body sentences, and a concluding/linking sentence). Avoid one-sentence paragraphs and overly long paragraphs.
- Paragraphs flow logically
Use APA style (as much as reasonably possible), paying particular attention to:
- citations
- references (especially capitalisation, italicisation, and providing hyperlinked dois)
- table and figure captions
- quotes (include page numbers)
Citations
- Claims need citations using APA style or wiki citation style. Only use one style throughout the chapter — don't mix and match. For most psychology students, APA style will be the choice.
- Maximum of 3 citations per point (i.e., avoid 4 or more citations together).
References
- List all cited academic references in APA style or wiki citation style. Only use one style.
- Non-academic sources are not used in references. They can be included in the external links section.

Learning features (5%)

Embed interactive learning features such as scenarios/case studies/examples, feature boxes, figures, quizzes, links to relevant Wikipedia and Wikipedia pages, as well as links to key resources via the "See also" and "External links" sections
Case studies
- Include 1 or more examples, scenarios, or case studies
- They can be true (if so, include citations) or fictional
- Use these examples to enhance understanding of theory, research, focus questions, and/or take-home messages
- Present in a feature box and include a figure
- Consider using a "progressive case study" (i.e., a case study presented in separate parts which describe, for example, the problem, attempt at change, and resolution/outcomes).
- Examples of chapters which make effective use of case studies:
  - emotional abuse (2019)
  - food and fear (2019)
  - opioid system and human emotion (2019)
  - social support and emotion (2019)
Feature boxes
- Use to highlight key information, but avoid overuse
- There are various ways of creating coloured boxes, but the RoundBox template is a good option.
Figures
- Include relevant, accompanying figures (e.g., photos, drawings, diagrams) to facilitate readers' understanding of the concepts
- Figures are accompanied by explanatory captions and be cited at least once in the main text
- For more information, see How to use figures).
Links
- In-text (embedded) links: Key words and concepts are linked to Wikipedia articles and/or related book chapters. Provide in-text wiki links the first time that key concepts are mentioned. For example:
  - emotion involves physiological, subjective feeling, motivational, and socially expressive aspects. The syntax for creating this link is [[w:Emotion|emotion]]). It is also possible to link to a section on this same page e.g., <nowiki>Overview<nowiki> will link to the Overview section.
  - This chapter provides an excellent example of embedded links to Wikiversity pages.
- See also
  - Provide interwiki links to key related Wikiversity book chapters and/or Wikipedia articles
  - Include source in parentheses
- External links
  - Provide at least three links to high quality, relevant external resources
  - Include author and/or source in parentheses
- Published academic sources belong in References
Tables
- Use accompanying tables to help organise information and communicate concepts to readers
- Tables are accompanied by explanatory APA style captions and are cited in the body text
Quizzes
- Quiz questions or reflection questions encourage reader engagement
- Focus on core concepts (esp. take-home messages) rather than trivia
- Consider incorporating throughout the chapter

Social contribution (10%)

Actions: Logged contributions which enhance the quality of other book chapters. Useful actions include:
- Edits: Direct edits which improve past or current chapters (e.g., fix errors, enhance clarity) or flag potential improvements by adding clarification templates. Search for chapters to improve.
- Comments: Feedback provided on book chapter talk pages
- Media uploads: Upload free-to-use educational images to Wikimedia Commons
- UCLearn discussion posts
Evidence:
- Provide a numbered list with summaries of contributions on your Wikiversity user page, and direct links that show each change or contribution.
- More info: summarising social contributions
Marking
- Marking of social contributions will be based on a combination of:
  - Quantity:
    - Breadth: number of chapters contributed to
    - Channels: range of communication channels used
  - Quality:
    - Depth/Extent/Thoroughness
    - Insightfulness
    - Practical value
  - Timeliness — there is generally:
    - Greater value in earlier contributions
    - Lesser value in last-minute contributions
- Marks will be allocated to each clearly evidenced contribution as follows:
  - Minor <= 0.25
  - Moderate 0.50
  - Major 1.00
  - Very significant > 1.00
Bonus marks
- Up to 5 bonus marks (out of 100 for the book chapter) will be awarded in exceptional circumstances where social contributions are above and beyond those required for HD-level.
- Approximately 5% of students receive social contribution bonus marks.
- This could include extensive copyediting of multiple chapters and/or regular feedback or support on multiple chapter discussion pages. It may also involve substantial activity on the UCLearn discussion forum.

Marking rubric

Examples

Examples of high quality motivation and emotion book chapters:

AI use, cognitive load, and motivation - How does generative AI reduce cognitive effort, and what are the motivational consequences? (2025)
Autonomy and intrinsic motivation in self-determination theory: How does autonomy influence intrinsic motivation according to SDT? (2025)
Disappointment: What is disappointment, what causes it, and how can it be managed? (2022)
Illicit drug taking at music festivals: What motivates young people to take illicit drugs at music festivals? (2016)
Organisational change motivation: How can leaders build a culture of agility, adaptability, and resilience to deal with a constantly changing workplace? (2019)
Phobias: What are phobias and how can they be dealt with? (2019)
Transactive goal dynamics theory and motivation: What is transactive goal dynamics theory and how does it impact motivation? (2025)

Note that as of 2025, chapters no longer include multimedia presentations.

For more examples, see the s in the lists of previous book chapters.

Licensing

Contributions to Wikiversity are made under a Creative Commons 4.0 Share-alike (CC-BY-SA 4.0) license which is irrevocable. This license gives permission for others to edit and re-use, with appropriate acknowledgement. For more information, see the Wikimedia Foundation's Terms of use. If you do not wish to contribute your work under this license, discuss alternative assessment options with the unit convener.