RCE2601
Assignment 2 2025
Unique number:
Due Date: 13 June 2025
This document includes:
Helpful answers and guidelines
Detailed explanations and/ or calculations
References
Connect with the tutor on
+27 68 812 0934
,© Study Shack 2025. All rights Reserved +27 68 812 0934
, TASK 1: SOURCE EVALUATION (2 ANSWERS PROVIDED)
Introduction
In academic research, the credibility and appropriateness of sources play a critical
role in shaping the quality and integrity of a literature review. Sarah, a postgraduate
student researching the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on higher education,
encounters a diverse range of sources in her initial search. These include a blog post
by a technology enthusiast, a Wikipedia page, a peer-reviewed journal article, and a
government report. To produce a rigorous and academically sound literature review,
Sarah must evaluate the reliability, authorship, publication process, and academic
value of each source. This essay will critically assess the suitability of these four
sources and provide guidance on which should be prioritised and how each may
contribute to her literature review.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Article: The Gold Standard
The peer-reviewed journal article should be Sarah’s primary source in her literature
review. Peer-reviewed articles are considered the gold standard in academic
research because they undergo a rigorous review process by experts in the field
before publication. This ensures the accuracy, originality, and academic integrity of
the work. In the context of AI in higher education, such articles are likely to offer
evidence-based findings, theoretical frameworks, and methodological rigor.
According to Machi and McEvoy (2016), peer-reviewed sources demonstrate high
reliability because they are produced by scholars with recognised expertise and are
published in reputable journals that demand methodological soundness.
Furthermore, these articles often include comprehensive literature reviews, allowing
Sarah to position her own study within existing research debates. For instance, a
journal article may explore how AI-powered adaptive learning systems are affecting
student outcomes, supported by empirical data, which Sarah can cite and critique in
her literature review.
Government Report: Credible and Authoritative
The government report is also a credible and valuable source, although it serves a
different purpose from a peer-reviewed article. Government publications, such as
white papers, policy documents, or research reports issued by national departments
© Study Shack 2025. All rights Reserved +27 68 812 0934
Assignment 2 2025
Unique number:
Due Date: 13 June 2025
This document includes:
Helpful answers and guidelines
Detailed explanations and/ or calculations
References
Connect with the tutor on
+27 68 812 0934
,© Study Shack 2025. All rights Reserved +27 68 812 0934
, TASK 1: SOURCE EVALUATION (2 ANSWERS PROVIDED)
Introduction
In academic research, the credibility and appropriateness of sources play a critical
role in shaping the quality and integrity of a literature review. Sarah, a postgraduate
student researching the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on higher education,
encounters a diverse range of sources in her initial search. These include a blog post
by a technology enthusiast, a Wikipedia page, a peer-reviewed journal article, and a
government report. To produce a rigorous and academically sound literature review,
Sarah must evaluate the reliability, authorship, publication process, and academic
value of each source. This essay will critically assess the suitability of these four
sources and provide guidance on which should be prioritised and how each may
contribute to her literature review.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Article: The Gold Standard
The peer-reviewed journal article should be Sarah’s primary source in her literature
review. Peer-reviewed articles are considered the gold standard in academic
research because they undergo a rigorous review process by experts in the field
before publication. This ensures the accuracy, originality, and academic integrity of
the work. In the context of AI in higher education, such articles are likely to offer
evidence-based findings, theoretical frameworks, and methodological rigor.
According to Machi and McEvoy (2016), peer-reviewed sources demonstrate high
reliability because they are produced by scholars with recognised expertise and are
published in reputable journals that demand methodological soundness.
Furthermore, these articles often include comprehensive literature reviews, allowing
Sarah to position her own study within existing research debates. For instance, a
journal article may explore how AI-powered adaptive learning systems are affecting
student outcomes, supported by empirical data, which Sarah can cite and critique in
her literature review.
Government Report: Credible and Authoritative
The government report is also a credible and valuable source, although it serves a
different purpose from a peer-reviewed article. Government publications, such as
white papers, policy documents, or research reports issued by national departments
© Study Shack 2025. All rights Reserved +27 68 812 0934
