Most research projects include a literature review to determine what knowledge exists on the subject under study and to develop the theoretical framework that will be used in the study. The literature review sets the context for the entire research project by explaining what others have found in researching the same or similar specific research questions.
A literature review often begins with an introductory paragraph in which the writer frames the research topic and its significance. This introductory paragraph is not the same as the introduction to the overall paper. In your introductory paragraph to the literature review, summarize the major relevant arguments on the research subject, highlighting the main issues and how schools of thought might differ. Put in a separate Definitions section here.
The body of the literature review tells readers what others have found in their studies about your specific research question (the extent of existing knowledge on your specific research question). This is not an annotated bibliography or a critical review. Your literature review WILL BE ORGANIZED by variables or themes. The variables should reflect what you found within the literature so that you can use the variables to test the hypothesis. You will propose a way to measure the variables when you write the methodology section of the paper. Please use subheadings to organize your literature review. This literature review should include at least 10 peer-reviewed articles. Shoot for at least two paragraphs and two sources under each variable heading. Do not organize around articles.
The conclusion should include a hypothesis based on the literature. This section can also summarize the primary sense of the literature — especially the key variables that you found, encapsulate for the reader where the existing literature ends, and announce where your research will start as you seek to answer the question that still remains and add to the body of knowledge. Remember, you will be testing this hypothesis which is based on what you already read in the lit review.
Provide complete citations for the articles and sources you used in your literature review. You should use parenthetical citations (Author last name, Date) or narrative citations – Author last name (Date) in the text. When using a direct quote, cite (Author last name, Date, p. #). Please use “References” format for the complete citations at the end of the assignment.
Technical Requirements
- Your paper must be at a minimum of 6-10 pages (the Title and Reference pages do not count towards the minimum limit).
- At least 10 peer reviewed references should be used for this assignment.
- Type in Times New Roman, 12 point and double space.
- Students will follow the current APA Style as the sole citation and reference style used in written work submitted as part of coursework.
- Points will be deducted for the use of Wikipedia or encyclopedic type sources.
- All submissions will be graded using the assignment rubric.
