Transformative Workshop on Mastering Literature Reviews Held at FSB Digbeth


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By Kunal Chan Mehta, FSB’s Public Relations Manager, Article Date: 27 January 2025
FSB Digbeth (Birmingham) hosted an invigorating literature review workshop led by Dr Mustafa Kasim, Senior Lecturer in Economics and Finance and MA and MBA Dissertation Lead – and Professor Mostafa AboElsoud from The British University in Egypt. The event was designed to empower FSB’s MSc Digital Marketing (accredited by Ravensbourne University London) students with advanced research skills for literature reviews that act as a crucial component of scholarly research. Dr Kasim emphasised the nuances of literature reviews and highlighted their role as the backbone of academic and scientific inquiry at FSB.
The joint workshop underlined the critical importance of literature reviews in academic research demonstrating how they (1) provide a comprehensive overview of existing knowledge within a field, (2) contextualise new research by synthesising past findings and (3) identify gaps in the current understanding to drive future studies.
Additional focus was placed on the growing disparity in the quality of literature reviews, particularly in comparison to systematic reviews, which are now regarded as the gold standard for evidence synthesis. The session also discussed the evolution of literature reviews in the modern research landscape.

Professor AboElsoud and Dr Kasim with MSc Digital Marketing students at FSB Digbeth. Photo: FSB
Dr Kasim states that a “literature review serves not only as an intellectual gateway into a topic but also as a platform of responsibility for the researcher. Done well, it can provide clarity, coherence and academic career direction. Done poorly, it risks perpetuating bias, presenting skewed conclusions and undermining the credibility of subsequent research.”
Professor AboElsoud provided an in-depth exploration of how FSB students can uphold rigour by ensuring their literature reviews are comprehensive, unbiased and valuable to the academic community. Further focus was placed on utilising sophisticated academic tools such as Scopus and JSTOR to locate peer-reviewed and high-impact research. Professor AboElsoud added: “It was a privilege to guide the MSc Digital Marketing students in enhancing their understanding of the literature review chapter, an essential component of academic success.”
Mr Mohammed Zaidi, CEO of FSB, praised the workshop, remarking: “A strong literature review is not just a stepping stone for academic research but a testament to our intellectual rigour and responsibility. This workshop is a reflection of FSB’s commitment to nurturing our students who will challenge assumptions and uphold academic standards while contributing meaningfully to their fields.”
Dr Kasim is planning a series of follow-up bespoke workshops focusing on advanced methodologies, critical appraisal techniques and integrating AI-driven tools for data analysis and source evaluation.
For inquiries regarding this article, please contact the author, Kunal Chan Mehta, at kunal.mehta@fairfield.ac.
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