This unit prepares students to conduct a comprehensive literature review, required in all business research dissertations. This unit initially focuses on identifying, understanding and developing a critical awareness of the underlying theory upon which the subsequent dissertation is based. Having addressed the underlying theory, the unit proceeds to highlight the foundational importance of the literature review in framing the research topic and in identifying important conceptual and theoretical research issues from the extant academic and professional literature. The focus of the unit is in developing critical awareness of underlying theory and the subsequent drafting of a critical review of the literature that summarises the major research issues and past contributions in an area. In turn, the literature review leads to the identification of “gaps” in the literature and a consequent research problem and associated research questions. It also focuses on the skills required in discussing preparing and presenting literature reviews and other aspects of research in a rigorous academic style. Students will be assisted to seek out extant business research that relates to the area they intend to pursue in their research project.