Methods for Critical Literature Reviewing & Dissemination

Source: https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/manage/programmes/module-catalogue/module/MAN00103M/latest Parent: https://www.york.ac.uk/business-society/study/phd-social-policy-and-social-work/

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• Department: The York Management School
• Credit value: 20 credits
• Credit level: M
• Academic year of delivery: 2026-27
• See module specification for other years: 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26

Module summary

This module is concerned with refining and enhancing students’ ability to critically evaluate academic and related literatures for research purposes.

Module will run

Module aims

This module is concerned with refining and enhancing students’ ability to critically evaluate academic and related literatures for research purposes. This course encourages students to understand: the need to review extant literatures when undertaking research; methods for searching the literature; systematic approaches to data identification and collection; assessing different approaches to the evaluation, summation and assessment of literature; reflective consideration the nature of critique and non-traditional modes of knowledge dissemination.

It will ensure students experience the processes of reviewing and evaluating papers submitted for publication. As such, the module is designed to provide a set of conceptual approaches and practical experiences necessary for search, collating, reading, evaluating, presenting work in any branch of management and related studies. The module also provides understand of what it means to work as part of a research team, as well as furthering the public understanding of social science.

Module learning outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Successful completion of the module will demonstrate that students are able to:

• Understand what is meant by a systematic approach to literature reviewing
• Construct and perform a search of relevant literature
• Evaluate different approaches appraising and presenting literatures according to context and type
• Assess the nature of critique in theory, and demonstrably through application
• Explore new areas for research based on their own and others literature critique
• Apply traditional and innovative forms of dissemination
• Produce a high quality, critical and analytical systematic review of the literature

Module content

Content:

• Why review the literature
• Working as an academic research team
• Systematic approaches to literature searching
• Identifying relevant texts
• Managing the data & extracting meaning through critical appraisal
• Preparing, using and presenting critical literature reviews for academic and non-academic audiences
• Improving public understanding of social science through film
• Reflecting on practice

Indicative assessment

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Module feedback

The timescale for the return of feedback will accord with SBS policy.

Indicative reading

Cotterell, S. (2017) Critical Thinking Skills, London: Palgrave Macmillan

Boland, A. Cherry M. & Dickson, R. (2014) Doing a systematic review: a student's guide. London: Sage.

Petticrew, M & Roberts, H. (2005) Systematic Reviews in the Social Sciences: A Practical Guide. John Wiley & Sons.