Research Communication
Sem 2, 2024
WEEK 9
Dr Eszter Szenes
School of Education
eszter.szenes@adelaide.edu.au
Outline: What is a critical review?
Critical review of a topic area (e.g. literature reviews)
1. Purpose and function of critical literature reviews
2. Structure of CLRs
3. Developing a critical position
4. Developing an argument in critical writing: types of argument genre
5. Counter-arguments in CLRs
Critical response text types
Adapted from Martin, J. R. & Rose, D. (2008). Genre relations: mapping culture. London: Equinox.
critical response:
text types
social purpose:
challenging the message of a text
critical article reviews
(your Assignment 1)
evaluating particular aspects of a text or text as a whole
(at PG level, mostly research papers)
critical literature reviews
(Lit R of Critical Inquiry
Report)
1) evaluating current knowledge: the ‘state-of-the-art’
2) extending or challenging current knowledge by suggesting
alternative approaches/directions
critical reflection
(Week 8)
1) relating personal and professional experiences to the
theoretical concepts and/or frameworks of a particular
discipline by weaving together subjective and objective
knowledge
2) transferring new skills to beyond the context of a particular
case
CLRs in Coursework
COURSEWORK
(e.g. essay/report reviewing others’ research)
• Summarise / evaluate past research
• similarities / differences
• Consensus / controversies / inconsistencies?
• Gaps
• Alternative approaches / future directions / implications
Common feedback:
What do professors say?
The literature review…
• does not explore a specific
question/issue
• does not define the scope of the
literature review
• does not provide a rationale
• does not answer ‘the question’
What do professors say?
High Distinction literature reviews…
• organised around a research issue /
problem / question
• State-of-the-art / the ‘cutting-edge’
• include appropriate definitions of key
terms
• REVIEW not an ‘annotated bibliography’
• demonstrate excellent analytical skills:
evaluate
What do professors say?
High Distinction literature reviews…
• Demonstrate research literacy
• Synthesise
• In-text citations support arguments
• Grammar and semantic errors do
not hinder meaning.
Reminder: A synthesis grid gives you an overview of your topic area or
parts of your topic area
Author/ year Aim/topic Method Outcomes
Volkan Bilgili
et al. 2010
predict soil properties of 4
different soil groups in a field
in northern turkey
VNIR
spectroscopy
VNIR successfully and cost effectively
categorised soils
Brown et al.
2006
characterisation of 3768 air
dry samples of soil from U.S.
and 416 samples from other
countries
VNIR diffuse
reflectance
spectroscopy
Boosted regression trees (BRT) better
and more accurate results compared
with VNIR DRS
Mouazen
and Karoui
2006
determine soil characteristics
such as nitrogen and carbon
content for agriculture
2 NIR
spectrophoto
meters
400-2500nm ranged
spectrophotometer produced results
with higher accuracy
Viscarrra and
McBratney
1998
determine quality of various
soils spectroscopy
MIR most accurate but NIR better
when considering cost, speed and
assessing multiple soil samples
The research phase: develop a main thesis
• What themes or topics are you going to use to classify the literature?
• strengths / weaknesses
• How can you use your different readings to support your argument, and
your main purpose?
• What are you going to do with the readings that do not support your
argument?
• Decide what your own position is!
Developing a position: The ‘thesis’ of your CLR
• Any thesis statement must be supported with arguments
and evidence.
• Consider preferred positions in your discipline or field of
study.
• If you are choosing to argue for a controversial thesis
statement, make sure your evidence is strong enough to
support it.
Developing a position:
The ‘thesis’ of your CLR
Now stop the video and
read an annotated
example.
MyUni: Modules: Week
9: Handout
Developing an argument in critical writing
Example: Stop the video and read the short text (Handout, p. 2), which
consist of excerpts from the arguments developed by the authors in the
same literature review (the section headings in the article are:
Introduction, Economic globalization, Political globalization, Cultural
globalization, and Conclusion). Underline any statements which refer
back to the authors’ thesis.
• Consider the purpose of a counter-argument
• Introducing other positions/voices into the discourse
Developing an argument in critical writing
[…] Globalised financial markets are very
difficult for nation states to control, and impose
considerable constraints on the policy options
of national governments. […] However, the
case concerning the disjunction between global
fluidity of capital and the boundedness of
political processes of the nation state can be
overstated. As already noted, despite clear
trends in that direction, the liberalisation of
trade on a global scale remains limited. […]
Economic globalisation
Acknowledging problems:
negative evaluation
Position linking back to
thesis
Dismissing alternative
viewpoints with
concession & negative
evaluation
Developing an argument in critical writing
Political globalisation
Use of positive evaluation:
acknowledge other voices…
only to dismiss them in the
following argument by
concession & negative
evaluation
The discussion above has highlighted the importance of
political structures at the nation state level in the
operations of the global economy. Political structures
are however not confined to nation states. Politics itself
is becoming globalised. In this section we will consider
three aspects of political globalisation to illustrate
further flaws in the homogenisation argument. These
three aspects are the changing constitution of the
nation state, changes to the structure of the
administrative structures of the state, and varying
educational policy settlements by different
governments at different times. […]
Previewing 3 main
factors of analysis
Developing an argument in critical writing
Cultural globalisation
Acknowledging other
voices: positive examples
Dismissing other voices:
concession & negative
evaluation
A number of authors have recently pointed to the
significance of the cultural flows between nations. […]
Barber's notion of 'McWorld', Riter's idea of
'McDonaldisation', and the 'Hollywoodisation' of
entertainment are just some of the examples of the
homogenisation argument. But this situation is
certainly much more complex than is sometimes
supposed. […] Even if such cultural products reach
every corner of the world there is not any guarantee
that they are ascribed the same significance or meaning
in different places and by different people. […]
Structuring your CLR
Introduction - possible components
1. Orientation – e.g. the topic, can include definitions of key concepts,
background, etc.
2. Importance / significance of topic
3. The current state of research in the area, including positive evaluations of
this research
4. Problems, challenges, gaps in the research
5. Purpose of the review
6. Outline of the review
7. Scope* of the review
8. Implications*
Planning your ‘Discussion’: grouping topics thematically
• thematically, i.e. according to a number of key areas/issues/aspects of the research
you are discussing
• using an analysis-synthesis grid may help you organise the literature thematically.
• Within this thematic framework, you may then organise the literature
• chronologically
• on a scale of importance/significance
• based on generality
• showing similarities/consistencies and differences/inconsistencies in
previous research
• focusing on research gaps
Conclusion to the CLR
1. Reiteration of the topic
2. The purpose of the review
3. Summary of the aspects reviewed
4. Summary of the positive evaluations of these aspects
5. Summary of the negative evaluations of these aspects
6. Implications
7. Contributions*
8. Limitations* (of the review)
9. Further directions* / recommendations
Compare Introductions & Conclusions: What’s the difference?
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
In response to an increasing public
awareness of water pollution (Das and
Haines, 1979) many urban runoff water
quality studies have been undertaken since
the 1960’s (Ellis, 1986). The following review
considers some of the themes, concepts and
results that have been presented and/or
found in other studies. These include….
Conclusion
It is evident that the international literature
base on public awareness of water pollution
is considerable. Most studies are wide in
their scope and many are area-specific.
However, in Australia there has been
comparatively little quantitative work
undertaken in this field, although the
findings have been consistent with overseas
experience...
The Conclusion is not just a rewritten Introduction
LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
In response to an increasing public
awareness of water pollution (Das and
Haines, 1979) many urban runoff water
quality studies have been undertaken since
the 1960’s (Ellis, 1986). The following review
considers some of the themes, concepts and
results that have been presented and/or
found in other studies. These include….
Conclusion
It is evident that the international literature
base on public awareness of water pollution
is considerable. Most studies are wide in
their scope and many are area-specific.
However, in Australia there has been
comparatively little quantitative work
undertaken in this field, although the
findings have been consistent with overseas
experience...
Argument genres
Three options for making an argument:
Choosing an appropriate structure to present a critical stance
Presenting a critical
stance by Why? Purpose/Function What genre?
resolving a position to resolve contrasting positions discussion
promoting a position
to promote the same one-sided
position throughout and back it
up with a series of arguments
exposition
defeating a position
to defeat an unfavourable
position and foreground our own
critical position
challenge
1. resolving a position through the staging of a discussion
discussion 3.1.2 – Resource Endowment
Issue Canada’s natural resource endowments are an even greater risks
Background Canada is already captured by renewable energy.
There are variations in electricity sources across Canada’s
provinces.
Argument There is limited potential for PV because of cheap hydroelectricity.
Counter-
Argument In some provinces PV might replace fossil fuel.
Rebuttal
(Resolution)
The presence of abundant renewable energy is a still a great
risk.
RESOLUTION: The difference between a Credit and a High Distinction!
2a. promoting a position through the staging of an exposition
exposition 2.1 Opportunities
Thesis India has a vibrant economy demonstrated by its economic growth.
Background In the supermarket sector growth for 2010 was estimated at 15% and
is expected to increase by 25% annually from 2011-2013
Argument 1 An emerging middle class with stronger purchasing power is expected to rise to 600 million.
Argument 2 Recent trends of urbanisation: forecast to reach 40.6%, up from 30.3% in 2010
Reiteration
Economic growth tied to middle class increases in size and wealth will
result in increased demand for basic supermarket goods, which
signals a target market for our quality products.
Arguing for
3. defeating a position through the staging of a challenge
challenge/
staging Text
Position
challenged
(‘Anti-Thesis’)
The Canadian market is conducive to marketing solar
panels, because it’s politically stable, prosperous,
culturally similar to Australia, and growing greener.
Rebuttal
Arguments
Despite these strengths, the firm would face challenges
such as location and existing energy infrastructure,
legislation and rules.
Position The market potential is outweighed by risks: cheaper,
renewable energy, regulation, and bureaucracy.
!!! The most sophisticated kind of argument, also the most persuasive and the most challenging to write.
BUT… how do
successful students
embed all these
arguing genres into the
overall text structure?
PERSPECTIVE 1
[[analytical exposition]] 3. Technological Factors
Thesis Despite the opportunities, the technology of Canada’s existing energy infrastructure is a risk because of geography and availability of inputs and net metering.
Argument 1
[[ [[analytical discussion]] ]]
3.1 Geography
Availability of sunlight
Issue Canada’s far north location limits the use of PV.
Perspective 1 There is minimal potential for solar
Perspective 2 but there is potential in some areas.
Argument 2
[[ [[analytical discussion]] ]] 3.1.2 Resource Endowment
Issue Canada’s natural resource endowments are an even greater risk.
Background Canada’s already captured by renewable energy.Variations in electricity sources across Canada’s provinces.
Perspective 1 There’s limited potential for PV because of cheap hydroelectricity.
Perspective 2 In some provinces PV might replace fossil fuel.
Resolution The presence of abundant renewable energy is still a great risk.
Argument 3
[[ [[analytical discussion]] ]] 3.2 Labour Availability
Issue The company needs highly skilled chemical engineers.
Perspective 1 Canada has a high-quality workforce
Perspective 2 but engineers need a Canadian license, which is a risk for the company.
Argument 4
[[ [[challenge]] ]] 3.3 Net Metering
Position challenged There’s potential for PV because of net metering.
Rebuttal Arguments
‘ph-reservation’
Unavailability of net metering eliminates this potential
but there’s potential in some provinces
Anti-Thesis Even if there’s net metering, its costs will be prohibitive.
See how the
example
discussion we
looked at is
integrated into
the section on
Tech factors
Analytical
discussion
Purpose: to evaluate the viability of investment in
the Canadian solar energy market
ISSUE
Introduction
whether the Canadian energy market is conducive for
the company to produce and sell solar panels
BACKGROUND
Scope
before conducting the market analysis, the firm needs
to consider the scope of analysis
PERSPECTIVE 1
Technological
Factors
despite the opportunities, the technology of Canada’s
existing energy infrastructure is a risk because of
geography and availability of inputs and net metering
PERSPECTIVE 2
Economic Factors
Canada has a strong economy but the investment
potential is outweighed by the market structure
PERSPECTIVE 3
Political Factors
Canada’s political landscape presents opportunities
but these are outweighed by risks such as federalism,
taxation and bureaucracy
PERSPECTIVE 4
Social Factors
Canada’s green culture and cultural similarity are
opportunities but its ‘passion for bronze’ is a risk
RESOLUTION
Conclusion and
recommendation
after weighing up the opportunities and risks
presented by the external business environments, the
conclusive recommendation is that we should wait
with investment until these risks are eliminated
BUT ‘Tech Factors’ is
only one section in the
whole assignment!
Reminder: common student mistake – trivial criticisms
• The critique should be a balanced discussion and evaluation of the strengths,
weakness and notable implications of the research.
• You are expected to go beyond a simple summary of literature.
• Simply disagreeing with the material is not considered to be a critical assessment
of the material, e.g.
o “The sample size is insufficient.” = not a critical assessment.
o Describing WHY the sample size is insufficient for the claims being made in
the study would be a critical assessment
• DO NOT criticise a writer for not doing something they never intended to do.
(Adapted from Writing a Critical Review UNSW Learning Centre 2012. UNSW)
Reminder
Critical Inquiry Assignment (Part 2):
Individual Research Report, 2,000-
words (45%)
Please be mindful of the
extension policy!

Academic integrity and honesty
All Work submitted by a student for assessment purposes must be their independent and original
Work, and the ideas and Work of others must be acknowledged and not claimed or presented as
their own, either intentionally or unintentionally.
Please use the citation style of your academic discipline for referencing in this course. Ensure you
are consistent with your chosen referencing style throughout your assignment. Please refer to the
University of Adelaide Referencing Guides for assistance.
Supporting the thesis statement with arguments:
Structuring individual arguments in the body of a Literature Review
To have your attendance marked, do the practice exercises based on the
online lecture and upload your answer on the Discussion board titled
‘Week 9: Consolidation Exercise’.
MyUni: Modules: Week 9: Handout: Consolidation exercise – choose
the exercise closest to your discipline:
• Education
• Media
• Science/BioTech
Your deadline for uploading the task is Sunday 23:59, 6 October.
Next week
WEEK 10: Critical Inquiry
(Part 2) – assignment
preparation – no class!