This unit develops candidates' understanding of how to engage and utilise academic literature and develops a range of critical skills necessary to effectively do so. It introduces a variety of concepts to help candidates comprehend what a literature review is. For example, intertextual fields; coherence patterns in literature; gap types; problematisation types; asserted knowledge claims; citation types; and rhetorical practices. Candidates are required to critically analyse how these concepts are evident in topic relevant literature and to directly apply them to their own areas as a basis for commencing their critical literature review. A special emphasis is placed upon approaching literature in a systematic and rigorous manner to help support or motivate a topic by identifying specific themes or issues to generate and refine research questions. This is important as students work towards their milestone requirements (e.g., introductory seminar) and in preparation for writing a thesis.

Learning outcomes

The outcome of any unit for individual students is contingent upon what each student brings to class and the amount of energy and effort they deploy. However, a student who engages in all class activities with diligence can expect to be able to:
1. Assess the credibility of journal articles and synthesise findings and discussions;
2. Critically evaluate relevant journals articles according to subject area and learning concepts;
3. Analyse and connect information from literature to identify implicit themes and issues; and
4. Critically engage with relevant literature to identify potential research gaps or problems.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

6647 Research Methodology and Research Design PG

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.