, PLEASE USE THIS DOCUMENT AS A GUIDE TO ANSWER YOUR ASSIGNMENT
SCENARIO
Sarah is a postgraduate student researching the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on higher
education. During her initial literature search, she comes across a variety of sources:
A blog post written by a technology enthusiast
A Wikipedia page.
A peer-reviewed journal article
A government report.
Sarah is unsure which sources suit her literature review and needs to make informed decisions
about credibility, relevance, and academic integrity.
Instructions:
Read the scenario carefully and respond to the THREE TASKS BELOW. Your responses must
demonstrate critical thinking and academic insight. Support your answers with examples where
appropriate.
Task 1: Source Evaluation
1. Identify which sources Sarah should prioritise in her literature review and justify your
answer.
Introduction
When conducting a literature review, particularly at postgraduate level, selecting credible and
academically rigorous sources is essential. The purpose of a literature review is not just to summarise
existing knowledge but to critically engage with scholarly debates, identify gaps, and position one’s
own research. In the case of Sarah, who is researching the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on
higher education, she must carefully assess each source she encounters for its reliability, academic
value, and relevance to her topic. This part focuses on identifying which sources among the four
listed—blog post, Wikipedia page, peer-reviewed journal article, and government report—she should
prioritise, with reasons for each choice.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Article: Top Priority
Sarah should prioritise the peer-reviewed journal article above all other sources. Peer-reviewed
articles undergo a rigorous editorial and review process, usually by experts in the field, which
ensures high academic standards. These articles often present original research, in-depth analysis, or
critical reviews of existing literature, all of which are essential for a strong academic foundation. For
example, if the journal article explores how AI affects student assessment in universities, it would
likely include empirical data, theoretical frameworks, and references to other scholarly works. These
features provide Sarah with credible, citable material and a solid foundation for developing her own
arguments. Moreover, journal articles often reflect the current state of academic discourse, helping
Sarah stay updated with cutting-edge research.
SCENARIO
Sarah is a postgraduate student researching the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on higher
education. During her initial literature search, she comes across a variety of sources:
A blog post written by a technology enthusiast
A Wikipedia page.
A peer-reviewed journal article
A government report.
Sarah is unsure which sources suit her literature review and needs to make informed decisions
about credibility, relevance, and academic integrity.
Instructions:
Read the scenario carefully and respond to the THREE TASKS BELOW. Your responses must
demonstrate critical thinking and academic insight. Support your answers with examples where
appropriate.
Task 1: Source Evaluation
1. Identify which sources Sarah should prioritise in her literature review and justify your
answer.
Introduction
When conducting a literature review, particularly at postgraduate level, selecting credible and
academically rigorous sources is essential. The purpose of a literature review is not just to summarise
existing knowledge but to critically engage with scholarly debates, identify gaps, and position one’s
own research. In the case of Sarah, who is researching the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on
higher education, she must carefully assess each source she encounters for its reliability, academic
value, and relevance to her topic. This part focuses on identifying which sources among the four
listed—blog post, Wikipedia page, peer-reviewed journal article, and government report—she should
prioritise, with reasons for each choice.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Article: Top Priority
Sarah should prioritise the peer-reviewed journal article above all other sources. Peer-reviewed
articles undergo a rigorous editorial and review process, usually by experts in the field, which
ensures high academic standards. These articles often present original research, in-depth analysis, or
critical reviews of existing literature, all of which are essential for a strong academic foundation. For
example, if the journal article explores how AI affects student assessment in universities, it would
likely include empirical data, theoretical frameworks, and references to other scholarly works. These
features provide Sarah with credible, citable material and a solid foundation for developing her own
arguments. Moreover, journal articles often reflect the current state of academic discourse, helping
Sarah stay updated with cutting-edge research.
