Psychology

Your Answers

Introduction

1. Does your paper have a clear Introduction? If "Yes," answer a through d. If "No" or "Unsure," skip to question 2.

yes

2. Does the introduction state the topic of the paper and its key challenge?

yes

3. Does it indicate how the literature review to fonollow will address that key challenge?

no

4. Does it give the main points of your literature review and how they are organized?

no

5. Is it no more than one page in length?

yes

Main Body

Does the Main Body of your literature review:

1. State the theoretical framework or orientation taken in the paper?

yes

2. Review literature directly relevant to the key concepts of your key challenge?

yes

3. "Funnel" from the background or broad perspective down to the research on the key challenge?

yes

4. Critique the literature reviewed? no

5. Synthesize the literature reviewed? no

6. Draw conclusion(s) about how to resolve the key challenge? yes

Conclusion

1. Does the paper contain a Conclusion or Summary? If "Yes," answer a through e. If "No" or "Unsure," skip to the next section and follow its directions. yes

2. Does the Conclusion restate the topic and the key challenge of the paper? yes

3. Does it briefly restate your conclusions? yes

4. Does it discuss implications and/or applications of your conclusions and findings in the literature? no

5. Does it mention further study and exploration you have decided you need to undertake to deepen your knowledge?

unsure

6. Does it consist of one or two paragraphs, no more than a page? yes

Self-Assessment

To help your self-assessment, the chart below highlights your estimated skill level in organizing a literature review / course paper (based on how many "Yes" answers you marked).

Relative Weights of Scores

Your score: 11

Obviously, this is very roughly weighted - mere percentages do not take into account the relative importance of individual sections of a paper. However, when it comes to the organization of papers, the continuum from 100% to below 60% allows a rough-and-ready self-assessment that you can use to identify weaker areas for improvement. If you look back at the pattern of your answers, you can add some sophistication to your self-assessment by identifying the sections where there are more "No" answers - areas that you need to improve. Now use the table below to plan your strategy for needed improvements.

Your Strategy for Improving Your Literature Review Organization Skills

Type your information in the empty boxes-they will expand to accommodate your text. Be specific in how you will work to improve your organizational skills.