A review of academic literacy research development: from 2002 to 2019

Abstract Academic literacy as an embodiment of higher-order language and thinking skills within the academic community bears huge significance for socialization, resource distribution even power disposition larger sociocultural context. However, although notion has been initiated more than twenty years, there still lacks a clear definition operationalization construct. The study conducted systematic review research based on 94 systematically selected papers from 2002 to 2019 multiple databases. These were then coded respectively in terms their methods, types (interventionistic or descriptive), settings focus. Findings demonstrate (1) multidimensionality construct; (2) growing number mixed methods interventionistic studies recent years; (3) gradual expansion ESL EFL settings. findings can inform design implementation future practices.