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Level 4 Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing

LSC401 · Academic Writing and Research Skills — Week 13 of 16

CourseLSC401
Week13 of 16
SemesterI
TutorOnline in the course chat

This week’s topics

Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing

  1. Unpacking the assignment brief and criteria
  2. Finding and evaluating sources
  3. Planning and referencing
  4. Planning your search strategy 2025
  5. Harvard Referencing 2026

What you will be able to do

  • 1.1 Explain what is meant by the term ‘academic research and writing.’
  • 1.2 Explain different academic writing conventions.
  • 1.3 Discuss different types of academic research.
  • 2.1 Compare different sources of information and evidence.
  • 2.2 Explain the research process.
  • 2.3 Differentiate between primary and secondary research.
  • 3.1 Explain what is meant by the term ‘critical thinking.’
  • 3.2 Explain different critical thinking skills.
  • 3.3 Explain why critical thinking is important in academic research.
  • 3.4 Explain how to apply techniques to evaluate an argument.
  • 4.1 Explain the key components of a reliable and valid academic argument.
  • 4.2 Differentiate between inductive and deductive reasoning.
  • 4.3 Suggest an argument structure for a given topic.

Activity

Start with this week’s 2 videos, then: Plan the unit assignment against every criterion; source and reference the evidence.

Study materials

Videos

  • Planning your search strategy 2025 · YouTube · University of Staffordshire Student Life · 24 min · for registered students
  • Harvard Referencing 2026 · YouTube · University of Staffordshire Student Life · 8 min · for registered students

Further resources

  • Writing for Success, ch. 8.1–8.3: Prewriting, outlining and drafting · PDF · Saylor Academy, textbook chapter; pp. 281–318 · for registered students
  • Harvard Referencing quick guide 2025 (York St John University) · PDF · Other, report · for registered students
  • Evaluating Information: Applying the CRAAP Test · PDF · Other, report · for registered students
Materials marked “for registered students” open in the student portal, which is set up as soon as you receive final acceptance.
Week 12Week 14
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Admitted students ask questions on this week’s page in the student portal: an AI assistant trained on the course answers first, and during the course’s timetabled classes Connect to your tutor brings your tutor into the chat, who may start a call if needed.

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Course plan
  • Week 1: Introduction to academic research and writing
  • Week 2: Academic writing conventions
  • Week 3: Types of academic research
  • Week 4: The academic research process
  • Week 5: Primary and secondary research methodologies
  • Week 6: Evaluating sources of information
  • Week 7: Foundations of critical thinking
  • Midterm: Midterm evaluation
  • Week 9: Critical thinking skills and argument evaluation
  • Week 10: Logic and principles of academic argumentation
  • Week 11: Structuring academic arguments
  • Week 12: Applying Academic Writing and Research Skills in practice: …
  • Week 13: Assignment workshop: research, planning and referencing
  • Week 14: Assignment workshop: drafting, feedback and improvement
  • Week 15: Review and coursework completion
  • Final: Final assessment and submission
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