Scholarly & Research Capabilities

Reggie Raju; UCT Libraries; Jill Claassen; Amina Adam; Brandon Adams; Glynnis Johnson; Sadiq Keraan; Neil Mostert; Auliya Badrudeen; Engela Britz-Glanville; Kim De Mink; Simone Hansen; Malixole Hlemfu; Sindiswa Majebe; Zanele Majebe; Anthea Paulsen; Tamzyn Suliaman

doi:10.15641/978-1-991247-01-8

Scholarly & Research Capabilities : A guide to student success

Authors

Reggie Raju, University of Cape Town; UCT Libraries, University of Cape Town; Jill Claassen, University of Cape Town; Amina Adam, University of Cape Town; Brandon Adams, University of Cape Town; Glynnis Johnson, University of Cape Town; Sadiq Keraan, University of Cape Town; Neil Mostert, University of Cape Town; Auliya Badrudeen, University of Cape Town; Engela Britz-Glanville, University of Cape Town.; Kim De Mink, University of Cape Town; Simone Hansen, University of Cape Town; Malixole Hlemfu, University of Cape Town; Sindiswa Majebe, University of Cape Town; Zanele Majebe, University of Cape Town; Anthea Paulsen, University of Cape Town; Tamzyn Suliaman, University of Cape Town

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15641/978-1-991247-01-8

Keywords:

information literacy, scholarly capabilities; research capabilities; literature review; referencing; AI

Synopsis

The impetus for this monograph stems from a deep commitment to educational equity
and the transformative potential of libraries in supporting student success. As South
Africa continues to navigate the legacies of an unequal education system, academic
institutions must critically re-evaluate their approaches to learning support specifically in providing information literacy to students. This work responds to that need, exploring how libraries can play a central role in dismantling barriers and fostering a more inclusive, student-centred learning environment. The focus is on shifting from the deficit-based model of information literacy to the more positive one of scholarly and research capabilities, which reframes the discourse to emphasise empowerment and inclusivity within a changing context-specific learning environment.

This work is the result of collective and collaborative engagement, shaped by insights
from students, faculty, and library professionals who have contributed to its evolution.
It is our hope that this monograph serves as a valuable resource for academic libraries,
educators, and policymakers seeking to develop inclusive, locally relevant frameworks
that empower students and advance the transformation of research and learning in
the global South.

Chapters

Full Monograph

UCT Libraries

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Scholarly and Research Capabilities:
Preliminary Pages

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Scholarly and Research Capabilities:
Context

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Module 1:
Guide to tackling your first assignment

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Module 2:
Information gathering and evaluation

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Module 3:
How to review/assess literature

UCT Libraries

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Module 4:
Plagiarism and reference management

UCT Libraries

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Module 5:
Artificial intelligence (AI) for research

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Published

10 February 2026

License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.