Literature Review

Use APA format—please see my post in the announcements

Title page

No abstract needed for this assignment.

You must use five (5) political science peer-reviewed academic research-based sources. If you are unsure of your sources, email me for assistance. 

 

 

A. Introduction

1. Introduce the topic—briefly state why the issue is important (four to six sentences).

2. End the introduction with the research question (one sentence). 

This is the question you have, your “ah ha” moment, after having read all the sources and written the literature review. The research question reflects a gap in the information/research, a question about how to move forward, or a question on the application of the information to policy making. In this case, as the next milestone is a policy paper, the research question should reflect a question you have about how to apply the research to a clear policy goal.

 

B. Content: review each source (This should be one to two paragraphs for each source): 

1. The general research paradigm/theory (one sentence).

a. The reason for the research

b. The theoretical foundation 

2. The methodology of the research (two to four sentences).

a. The hypothesis

b. The type of research—qualitative, quantitative, statistical, case study, etc.

c. The way the research was conducted—surveys, interviews, content analysis, ethnography, etc.

3. The research outcomes (five to eight sentences).

a. The hypothesis was supported or not supported

b. The interpretation of the research findings

c. Any additional information provided by the research

d. The “ah ha” of the researchers

 

C. Conclusion

1. Summarize the general overall line of reasoning that comes out of the research reviewed (five to six sentences). 

2. State the “ah ha” moment you had after having read all the sources and written the paper (one to two sentences). 

3. Form this into a research question and place it at the end of the introduction at the beginning of the paper (one sentence).