A literature review is a synthesis of chosen evidence and resources on a topic of interest. Your assignment is to select a topic of interest and complete a literature review. You are expected to select a minimum of 5 articles. Your review should be between 6-8 pages (not including title and reference page). It is imperative that APA (6th edition) formatting is utilized.
Essential Steps of the Literature Review:
Define the research problem/topic
Determine key terms
Select primary sources of evidence
Read and synthesize evidence
Write a synthesis of findings that compares and contrasts findings
Components of a Literature Review
Introduction
The introduction serves the purpose of presenting the problem and briefly explaining the significance of the topic. You should also share your search strategy with the reader.
Body of Literature Review
The body synthesizes the findings from the studies reviewed. You will first complete an annotated bibliography of each reference. For each study, you should briefly explain the purpose, procedures for data collection, and major findings. Be sure to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each study.
Discussion
The discussion section is your opportunity to compare and contrast the evidence you reviewed. How is one better than the other? How do studies compare or contrast with each other? This is where you draw conclusions based on the available literature.
Reference Page
List all sources utilized to complete the literature review. If it is cited in the body of your writing it should be listed in the reference list. APA 6th edition should be strictly adhered to. Utilize the Writing Center if needed http://student.barry.edu/writingcenter/