IFN006 AIRS: Advanced Information Research Skills
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | IFN006 |
|---|---|
| Antirequisite(s): | IFN001 |
| Credit points: | 6 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| International unit fee | $2,808 |
Unit Outline: Flexible Period - 04A 2026, Online (Start Date: 16 Feb 2026)
| Unit code: | IFN006 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 6 |
| Anti-requisite: | IFN001 Advanced Information Research Skills |
Overview
IFN006 is a 6-credit point, mandatory coursework unit for students in IF49, Doctor of Philosophy, IF80, Master of Philosophy, and ED11, Doctor of Education.
The unit prepares learners for research at QUT by systematic introduction to the theories and practical application of information skills and transferability of those skills to a field of study. It will support higher degree research students to create new knowledge by engaging deeply with a breadth of information sources. Learners will acquire strategies to find, organise, analyse, and evaluate information.
These information skills are essential for scholars operating in a contemporary research environment. They facilitate the capacity for critical evaluation of a field of research and enable personal information skills development during the research degree and beyond.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Formulate and apply advanced search strategies to find highly relevant information using appropriate databases and other repositories.
- Create a strategy to store, organise and maintain current awareness of information for easy and efficient retrieval.
- Analyse and evaluate key information based on your research project.
Content
The curriculum develops information skills required to complete a higher research degree. The content includes foundational aspects of information management for researchers, from searching, retrieving, and organising information sources to critically analysing, evaluating, and using information. The content works towards development of behavioural and relational attributes outlined in the QUT Information Literacy Framework.
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will engage with online materials, including pre-recorded lectures and readings, to develop your knowledge of the theory underpinning information skills in your discipline. You will have multiple opportunities to practice these skills in guided, online learning activities, supporting your preparation of assessment and building your capability for practical application in your field of research. Your work in these activities should be relevant to the problem or questions you are investigating in your research project. You can obtain formative feedback from teaching staff and Liaison Librarians before submitting assessment.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- Guided, online learning activities that allow you to actively engage with information to confirm learning, such as scaffolded concept‑mapping tasks, keyword‑development exercises, preliminary search practice, knowledge checks, assessment examples, and optional drop‑in support sessions.
- Individual feedback from Liaison Librarians available for consultation to clarify requirements of assessment questions.
- Grades and comments provided in the course of assessment marking
- Detailed guidance via email, Canvas, and consultation with the AIRS team, including Unit Coordinator, Library Adviser, and Liaison Librarians about preparation for resubmitting assessment
- Information via QUT Canvas announcements
Assessment
Overview
There is one authentic assessment task to be completed in this unit. The assignment is designed to demonstrate disciplinary skills in searching, evaluating, and managing literature and other information for research using a range of specialised tools.
Unit Grading Scheme
S (Satisfactory) / U (Unsatisfactory)
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Research Information Strategy Report
Prepare a Research Information Strategy Report that demonstrates your ability to:
- Identify and justify advanced search strategies.
- Manage and maintain information for ongoing research.
- Critically evaluate retrieved information and tools that support research.
The report will be required to cover the following according to assessment task instructions:
- Unpacking of the research question in preparation for information searching
- Demonstration of effective information skills through the construction of an information searching strategy
- Demonstration of effective information skills through the evaluation of Information searching results
- Development of personalised Information management and current research awareness strategies
- Selection and evaluation of a GenAI tool for research based on consideration of criteria provided
- Demonstration of appropriate referencing of information sources
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Learning resources are available through the IFN006 AIRS: Advanced Information Research Skills Canvas unit site and the unit reading list.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no identified physical risks associated with the completion of this unit.
Unit Outline: Flexible Period - 11A 2026, Online (Start Date: 21 Sep 2026)
| Unit code: | IFN006 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 6 |
| Anti-requisite: | IFN001 Advanced Information Research Skills |
Overview
IFN006 is a 6-credit point, mandatory coursework unit for students in IF49, Doctor of Philosophy, IF80, Master of Philosophy, and ED11, Doctor of Education.
The unit prepares learners for research at QUT by systematic introduction to the theories and practical application of information skills and transferability of those skills to a field of study. It will support higher degree research students to create new knowledge by engaging deeply with a breadth of information sources. Learners will acquire strategies to find, organise, analyse, and evaluate information.
These information skills are essential for scholars operating in a contemporary research environment. They facilitate the capacity for critical evaluation of a field of research and enable personal information skills development during the research degree and beyond.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Formulate and apply advanced search strategies to find highly relevant information using appropriate databases and other repositories.
- Create a strategy to store, organise and maintain current awareness of information for easy and efficient retrieval.
- Analyse and evaluate key information based on your research project.
Content
The curriculum develops information skills required to complete a higher research degree. The content includes foundational aspects of information management for researchers, from searching, retrieving, and organising information sources to critically analysing, evaluating, and using information. The content works towards development of behavioural and relational attributes outlined in the QUT Information Literacy Framework.
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will engage with online materials, including pre-recorded lectures and readings, to develop your knowledge of the theory underpinning information skills in your discipline. You will have multiple opportunities to practice these skills in guided, online learning activities, supporting your preparation of assessment and building your capability for practical application in your field of research. Your work in these activities should be relevant to the problem or questions you are investigating in your research project. You can obtain formative feedback from teaching staff and Liaison Librarians before submitting assessment.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- Guided, online learning activities that allow you to actively engage with information to confirm learning, such as scaffolded concept‑mapping tasks, keyword‑development exercises, preliminary search practice, knowledge checks, assessment examples, and optional drop‑in support sessions.
- Individual feedback from Liaison Librarians available for consultation to clarify requirements of assessment questions.
- Grades and comments provided in the course of assessment marking
- Detailed guidance via email, Canvas, and consultation with the AIRS team, including Unit Coordinator, Library Adviser, and Liaison Librarians about preparation for resubmitting assessment
- Information via QUT Canvas announcements
Assessment
Overview
There is one authentic assessment task to be completed in this unit. The assignment is designed to demonstrate disciplinary skills in searching, evaluating, and managing literature and other information for research using a range of specialised tools.
Unit Grading Scheme
S (Satisfactory) / U (Unsatisfactory)
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Research Information Strategy Report
Prepare a Research Information Strategy Report that demonstrates your ability to:
- Identify and justify advanced search strategies.
- Manage and maintain information for ongoing research.
- Critically evaluate retrieved information and tools that support research.
The report will be required to cover the following according to assessment task instructions:
- Unpacking of the research question in preparation for information searching
- Demonstration of effective information skills through the construction of an information searching strategy
- Demonstration of effective information skills through the evaluation of Information searching results
- Development of personalised Information management and current research awareness strategies
- Selection and evaluation of a GenAI tool for research based on consideration of criteria provided
- Demonstration of appropriate referencing of information sources
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Learning resources are available through the IFN006 AIRS: Advanced Information Research Skills Canvas unit site and the unit reading list.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no identified physical risks associated with the completion of this unit.
Unit Outline: Flexible Period - A 2026, Online (Start Date: 01 Jun 2026)
| Unit code: | IFN006 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 6 |
| Anti-requisite: | IFN001 Advanced Information Research Skills |
Overview
IFN006 is a 6-credit point, mandatory coursework unit for students in IF49, Doctor of Philosophy, IF80, Master of Philosophy, and ED11, Doctor of Education.
The unit prepares learners for research at QUT by systematic introduction to the theories and practical application of information skills and transferability of those skills to a field of study. It will support higher degree research students to create new knowledge by engaging deeply with a breadth of information sources. Learners will acquire strategies to find, organise, analyse, and evaluate information.
These information skills are essential for scholars operating in a contemporary research environment. They facilitate the capacity for critical evaluation of a field of research and enable personal information skills development during the research degree and beyond.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Formulate and apply advanced search strategies to find highly relevant information using appropriate databases and other repositories.
- Create a strategy to store, organise and maintain current awareness of information for easy and efficient retrieval.
- Analyse and evaluate key information based on your research project.
Content
The curriculum develops information skills required to complete a higher research degree. The content includes foundational aspects of information management for researchers, from searching, retrieving, and organising information sources to critically analysing, evaluating, and using information. The content works towards development of behavioural and relational attributes outlined in the QUT Information Literacy Framework.
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will engage with online materials, including pre-recorded lectures and readings, to develop your knowledge of the theory underpinning information skills in your discipline. You will have multiple opportunities to practice these skills in guided, online learning activities, supporting your preparation of assessment and building your capability for practical application in your field of research. Your work in these activities should be relevant to the problem or questions you are investigating in your research project. You can obtain formative feedback from teaching staff and Liaison Librarians before submitting assessment.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- Guided, online learning activities that allow you to actively engage with information to confirm learning, such as scaffolded concept‑mapping tasks, keyword‑development exercises, preliminary search practice, knowledge checks, assessment examples, and optional drop‑in support sessions.
- Individual feedback from Liaison Librarians available for consultation to clarify requirements of assessment questions.
- Grades and comments provided in the course of assessment marking
- Detailed guidance via email, Canvas, and consultation with the AIRS team, including Unit Coordinator, Library Adviser, and Liaison Librarians about preparation for resubmitting assessment
- Information via QUT Canvas announcements
Assessment
Overview
There is one authentic assessment task to be completed in this unit. The assignment is designed to demonstrate disciplinary skills in searching, evaluating, and managing literature and other information for research using a range of specialised tools.
Unit Grading Scheme
S (Satisfactory) / U (Unsatisfactory)
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Research Information Strategy Report
Prepare a Research Information Strategy Report that demonstrates your ability to:
- Identify and justify advanced search strategies.
- Manage and maintain information for ongoing research.
- Critically evaluate retrieved information and tools that support research.
The report will be required to cover the following according to assessment task instructions:
- Unpacking of the research question in preparation for information searching
- Demonstration of effective information skills through the construction of an information searching strategy
- Demonstration of effective information skills through the evaluation of Information searching results
- Development of personalised Information management and current research awareness strategies
- Selection and evaluation of a GenAI tool for research based on consideration of criteria provided
- Demonstration of appropriate referencing of information sources
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
Learning resources are available through the IFN006 AIRS: Advanced Information Research Skills Canvas unit site and the unit reading list.
Risk Assessment Statement
There are no identified physical risks associated with the completion of this unit.