Literature Review Paper

Literature Review

I. Introduction

a. Describe the overall topic that you have been investigating, why it is important to the field, and why you are interested in the topic. Re state the research question and describe the sources used in the literature review.

II. Theme A (continue to “Theme B” and repeat the steps outlined here)

a. Overview of characteristics of the theme (commonalities, differences, nuances)

b. Sub-theme – narrow but grouped findings related to the theme

i. Study 1 (Research question(s), Methods, Related Findings)

ii. Study 2 (Research question(s), Methods, Related Findings)

iii. Study 3 (Research question(s), Methods, Related Findings)

c. Sub-theme –Grouped findings related to the theme

i. Study 4 (Research question(s), Methods, Related Findings)

ii. Study 5 (Research question(s), Methods, Related Findings)

iii. Study 6 (Research question(s), Methods, Related Findings)

d. Other findings that fit Theme A; studies can be repeated if there are multiple findings that fit under more than one theme. However, no need to re-write methods in detail (enough to remind the reader about the study).

III. Conclusion: An evaluation/critique of the existing literature. Write several paragraphs.

a. What are the contributions of this literature to the field?

b. What are the overall strengths?

c. What are the overall weaknesses?

d. What might be the gap in the literature or what is missing?

e. What are some next steps for research? The next steps should explicitly address how to “correct” for strengths, weaknesses, and gaps.

f. Finish by stating how the proposed study will address those gaps in the literature.

Use APA level headings. See APA manual for formatting.

Table 2 Format for Five Levels of Heading in APA Style

Level of Subheading	Format
1	Centered, Boldface, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading
2	Flush Left, Boldface, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading
3	Indented, boldface, lowercase paragraph heading ending with a period.
4	Indented, boldface, italicized, lowercase paragraph-heading ending with a period.
5	Indented, italicized, lowercase paragraph heading ending with a period.

� The theme is a broad word or phrase that synthesizes a narrower group of related findings. E.g., a theme of “Cardiovascular Disease” would include types of topics related to whom, what is the importance, etc.