INF80003
IS/IT Research Project
Research Portfolio:
Literature Review
Overview
This assignment challenges you to review and
synthesize state-of-the-art literature relating to
your chosen research topic. From the analysis
of the literature you will develop a review to
support the justification and intended
directions of your selected research topic.
The assignment will help you to develop a
critical understanding of the key elements of
your chosen research topics, help you to
demonstrate advanced knowledge in the topic
area, effectively communicate your ideas as
part of a group, and the final review will act as a
first artefact of your ability to conduct scholarly
research.
Requirements
Searching
Your analysis and subsequent write-up should
be based upon the highest quality resources
that relate closely to your selected topic. This
may include finding internationally recognized
peer reviewed journal articles, peer review
conference proceedings, scholarly books and
book chapters. In addition, you may consider
including grey literature such as industry white
papers, government reports, and so on,
particularly where scholarly works are not yet
available.
Analysing
Thinking critically involves attempting to identify
the main points, issues, and arguments that are
being discussed and evaluating those against
each other – so as to form your own
recommendations or positions on issues. Note,
this last step does necessarily introduce some
bias into the process.
Swinburne University of Technology | CRICOS Provider 00111D | TOID Provider 3059 | swinburne.edu.au
Questioning
In constructing your literature review you might
first think about the following questions. These
are only suggestions, but they indicate the
expectation of going below the surface, probing
the thinking in articles, acknowledging multiple
perspectives, trying to surface the assumptions
being made, and so on. Please do not simply
report what others say. You must report the
ideas, and also analyse them.
What do you think are the major issues(s)
and/or challenges being discussed in the
literature? What do you think is/are some
of the key research aims that the writer(s)
have explored in the literature?
What were the main arguments presented
by the writer(s) to support the ideas and
any recommendations made? What
evidence is presented to support these
arguments?
What is your opinion about the issues and
arguments presented? Do you agree with
the authors? What evidence are you using
justify your position?
Do you feel there are any significant
omissions, weaknesses or limitations with
the arguments and ideas presented? Does
the position adopted by the author(s) agree
with or support your own experience?
Does the literature help you understand or
appreciate important issues that are
relevant to your research topic? If so, which
ones?
‘So what?’ What are the implications for
practitioners? How does the literature
contribute to your chosen research topic?
 Synthesizing Marking Guide and Rubric

Following on from the above, the review must Be sure to check the marking guide/rubric for
identify the main points/issues/arguments that an understanding of how grades are allocated
are central to your topic, evaluate and ‘weigh in this assignment.
up’ those arguments, and make
recommendations given you current
understandings of the facts, personal
experience, and any other knowledge you may
have gained.

Resources
Please study the seminar materials relating to
conducting and compiling literature reviews and
syntheses. Use the advice and discussions
stemming from the seminar, and follow the
citations and links where appropriate. Feel free
to use any other academic source based on
your own research to support the process.
Swinburne library resources and other online
search tools will support your data gathering
activities relating to your research topic.

Submission and Assessment

Due Date

The submission is due at the end of Week 05 or

th
Friday
Please 4check
September 2020
Canvas for the17:00 AEST
specific time

Format

You will work individually to complete the

assignment and the final review will be an
individual submission. The review should be
between 500-1000 words and include all the
required cover page details, as per the unit
outline

Weighting

The submission will constitute 20% of your final

unit score.

Extensions and Late Submissions

Please refer to the information provided in the
unit outline. You are welcome to discuss any
issues relating to the submission with the Unit
Convenor.

Swinburne University of Technology | CRICOS Provider 00111D | TOID Provider 3059 | swinburne.edu.au