English work : 3.5 pages : 6 hours
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fwdpaper.zipM2_Literature_Review_Assignment (1).pdf
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Literature Review Assignment The primary purpose of this assignment is to help you understand that the literature review is an integral part of any research project and how it lays the groundwork for the investigation you will do. Quoting from Hart (1998, p 13), Sekaran and Bougie (2013) define a literature review as,
…the selection of available documents (both published and unpublished) on the topic, which contain information, ideas, data and evidence written from a particular standpoint to fulfill certain aims or express certain views on the nature of the topic and how it is to be investigated, and the effective evaluation of these documents in relation to the research being proposed. (p. 49)
They go on to say, A literature review is a step-by-step process that involves the identification of published and unpublished work from secondary data sources on the topic of interest, the evaluation of this work in relation to the problem, and the documentation of the work. (Sekaran & Bougie, 2013, p. 50)
In Module 1, you completed an annotated bibliography on a topic that you selected. That assignment required you to find at least 10 sources of various types, write a short summary of the information found in each source, and write an evaluation of the source’s credibility, reliability, currency, possible bias, and usefulness with respect to your topic. This assignment builds on your annotated bibliography assignment. For the topic you chose for your Module 1 Annotated Bibliography Assignment, complete the following.
• Go through your annotated bibliography again. • Based on information presented in your annotated bibliography sources (and others if needed), define a problem statement
that, in your opinion, would be useful for you to investigate. • Organize your sources by sorting and classifying their findings in a meaningful way, always considering your original topic
and problem statement. • Write a literature review that would seem to offer the greatest potential for developing a good theoretical framework, using
seven to ten references. All of these can be from your annotated bibliography, or you can use others in addition to those in your annotated bibliography.
• Develop the theoretical framework incorporating its three basic functions as discussed in the text. • Generate a set of testable hypotheses based on the theoretical framework.
Your report must contain the sections outlined below. APA formatting standards must be followed throughout. The paper does not have to be lengthy; perhaps 750 to 1500 words. The introduction, research question, and hypothesis statement sections should be short and succinct. Most of the word count in your report will be in the literature review and theoretical framework sections. For an example of the content of a report, see Report 3 on page 374 of the Sekaran and Bougie text.
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• Introduction In this section, give a clear and concise statement of the problem. Briefly indicate why it is a problem, why you selected it, and why it is important to solve the problem. Use references as necessary to support your arguments.
• Literature Review This should be one of the longer sections in your report. It should summarize other work related to the problem you identified. It should identify important variables and document significant findings from earlier research. According to Sekaran and Bougie (2013), it should:
…convince the reader that (1) the researcher is knowledgeable about the problem area and has done the preliminary homework that is necessary to conduct the research, and (2) a theoretical framework (in deductive research) will be structured on work already done and will add to the solid foundation of existing knowledge. (p. 55)
Unlike the annotated bibliography, the literature review is not a listing of sources with a summary of the findings of each and a critique of the findings. The literature review, “should bring together all relevant information in a cogent and logical manner” (Sekaran & Bougie, p. 55). Read through the examples on pages 37-38, 88-89, and 374-375 to see how a literature review should be structured.
• Research Question This should be a brief section with a clear and concise statement of your question. It should be clear to the reader that your question is a logical outgrowth of previous research as summarized in your literature review.
• Theoretical Framework This section applies to deductive research. It should be one of the longer sections in your report. According to Sekaran and Bougie:
The relationship between the literature review and the theoretical framework is that the former provides a solid foundation for developing the latter. That is, the literature review identifies the variables that might be important, as determined by previous research findings. …. The theoretical framework represents and elaborates the relationships among the variables, explains the theory underlying these relations, and describes the nature and direction of the relationships. (p. 77)
• Hypotheses This brief section should contain a clear and concise statement of your hypothesis or hypotheses. The hypotheses should be a logical outgrowth of the theoretical framework. “Hypotheses can be defined as logically conjectured relationships between two or more variables expressed in the form of testable statements” (Sekaran & Bougie, 2013, p. 83).
• References Your report must contain a reference section that includes all sources in your paper. References must be in APA format.
As you work on this assignment, read Chapters 4 and 5 of the Sekaran and Bougie text. Also read through the examples of a literature review on pages 37-38 and pages 88-89. Report 3 on page 374 of the text gives an example of a full report of this style. You may find it helpful to outline your paper before you begin to write it. An outline helps you see the logical connections (or lack thereof) among the parts of the paper. Following is a suggested outline with a simple example:
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• Introduction (setting up the discussion)
o The problem is … [people are carrying onto airplanes more and more luggage, resulting in delays in boarding and continued problems for flight attendants and gate agents]
o It’s important because … [the airline industry is vital to the economy; no one likes delays; customers must not abandon airline travel for other options]
o Solving it would result in … [improved customer experience, resulting in better economic stability for the airlines] • Literature Review (what has already been ‘said’ in this ‘conversation’)
o Previous research in this area has shown … Ideas that keep coming up in articles and other sources are … [the desire to carry on is driven by several factors:
security of personal valuables, convenience, baggage charges, fear of lost luggage and wait time at arrival airport] • Pros and cons [how these sources support and/or contradict each other]
Solutions explored so far include … [size and number limits, baggage fees, improved tracking of luggage] o Summary of lit review findings (where we are now with this problem)
Researchers seem to keep trying to … [find solutions focused on limits to plane’s carry-on capacity and reducing fear of lost luggage]
• Research Question (what new question/solution will be investigated) o What would happen if … [customer time were the focus of improvement, specifically, if promptness of delivery to carousel
at arrival were improved? How important is it to customers that their baggage arrive quickly at the pickup point?] • Theoretical Framework (how the question arises logically from the literature review)
o The dependent variable(s) is/are … [delays in boarding, problems for flight attendants and gate agents, others….] o The independent variable(s) is/are … [amount of carry-on baggage]
• Hypotheses (what testable speculations arise from the identified independent variables) o Customers who are confident that their bags will arrive at the carousel for pickup within 10 minutes of exiting the plane will
be more likely to check baggage rather than carry it on. o Customers who value quick pickup of luggage upon arrival will be more likely to check baggage rather than carry it on.
A draft of this assignment is due in Module 3. Your instructor will provide you with feedback on your work and you will be able to revise it and turn in the final version in Module 5. Take advantage of this opportunity! The purpose of the draft is to give you an opportunity to get feedback from your instructor prior to writing your final version – the draft isn’t expected to be perfect. It will be graded, and will count 2% of your final course grade. A good grade on the draft means that you submitted it on time; your instructor feels that you put good effort into it, and that it addresses the required topics. The final version that is due in Module 5 will be subject to much more stringent grading criteria. That means it is possible that you could receive a higher grade on a draft than on the corresponding portion of the final complete proposal.
Rubric_Activity_2.6_Literature_Review_Assignment (1).pdf
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Rubric for Grading the Literature Review Assignment The following rubric will be used for grading your literature review assignment. You should read through the rubric prior to completing the assignment as it tells you the important things your instructor will be looking for as he/she grades your assignment. Introduction 5 points
Clearly states a specific problem, gives a brief, succinct background, and indicates why solving it is important.
Identifies a problem and gives some background and indication of importance.
Identifies a problem, but the statement is too broad. Little indication of the background or importance of the problem.
Statement of the problem is weak, omitted, or inappropriate. No background given and no indication of its importance is given.
Literature Review – Organization 20 points
Structure is intuitive and sufficiently grounded to each of the key constructs and variables of the proposed study. The review was organized using subheadings. The review was suitably organized considering the contents of the selected articles.
A workable structure has been presented for presenting relevant literature related to the constructs and variables of the proposed study. The review was suitably organized considering the contents of the selected articles
The structure of the literature review is weak; it does not identify important ideas, constructs or variables related to the research purpose, questions, or context. Organization made the review difficult to follow at times.
The structure of the literature review is incomprehensible, irrelevant, or confusing. The review was minimally organized and writing was difficult to follow throughout.
Literature Review – Content 20 points
Narrative integrates critical and logical details from appropriate literature. Key constructs and variables were connected. Attention is given to different perspectives and opinion vs. evidence. The findings and results of articles were thoughtfully
Key constructs and variables were usually connected to appropriate literature. The findings of articles were usually compared, contrasted and/or connected to each other. The review concluded with an adequate summary.
A key construct or variable was not connected to the research literature. Selected literature was from unreliable sources. Literary supports were vague or ambiguous. The findings of references were mentioned with little
The review of literature was missing or consisted of non- research based articles. Propositions were irrelevant, inaccurate, or inappropriate. No attempt was made to connect references. No attempt to summarize the findings of the review
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compared, contrasted and/or connected to each other. The review concluded with a summary of the knowledge found from this review and related the knowledge gain to the inquiry question
and/or no comparison or connection to each other. An inadequate attempt was made to summarize the findings of the review.
was made.
Research Question 10 points
Articulates a clear, reasonable, and succinct research question or questions. Connection with the literature review is clear and obvious.
Research questions are stated, connected to the research issue, and supported by the literature.
Attempt is made to state a research question or questions, but question(s) is/are unclear and doesn’t/don’t’ follow logically from the literature review.
Research question(s) omitted or poorly stated. No attempt to connect the question(s) to the literature review.
Theoretical Framework 20 points
Framework is solidly grounded in the literature review. Connections are clear and accurate. Relationships among variables are clearly and accurately explained. Theory underlying the relations is clearly explained.
Framework is largely grounded in the literature review. Connections are largely clear and accurate. Good attempt is made to explain the relationships among variables and the theory underlying the relations.
Attempt is made to ground the framework in the literature review. Connections are sometimes unclear. Attempt is made to explain the relationships among variables, but it is often unclearly or inaccurate. Attempt is made to explain the theory underlying the relations.
No attempt to explain the theoretical framework is made or no attempt is made to ground the framework in the literature review.
Hypothesis 5 points
Hypotheses are clearly stated using appropriate language and/or symbols. Relationship between hypotheses and theoretical framework is clear.
Hypotheses are stated using in appropriate language and/or symbols, but statement is somewhat inaccurate. Relationship between hypotheses and
Attempt is made to state the hypotheses in appropriate language and/or symbols but statement is largely inaccurate. Relationship between hypotheses
Little attempt is made to state the hypotheses in appropriate language and/or symbols. Relationship between hypotheses and theoretical framework is
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Hypotheses are expressed in the form of testable statements.
theoretical framework is established, but could be clearer. Hypotheses are expressed in the form of testable statements.
and theoretical framework is vague. Hypotheses are sometimes not expressed in the form of testable statements.
not stated or is inaccurate. Hypotheses are not expressed in the form of testable statements.
References 10 points
At least 7 appropriate references were used and each specifically related to the question. Standards of APA formatting were followed with very few errors.
At least 5 appropriate references were used that were related to the question. Standards of APA formatting were followed but with some errors.
Fewer than 5 references were used and were marginally related to the question. Attempt was made to follow standards of APA formatting but there were frequent errors.
Inappropriate references not related to the question were used. No attempt was made to follow standards of APA formatting or marginal attempt was made but there were numerous errors.
Writing and Timeliness 5 points
Consistently applied standards of English composition. There were no grammatical, spelling and/or punctuation errors and transitional phrases were used to guide the reader throughout the text. Assignment submitted on time.
Paper conformed to most standards of English composition. There was an occasional grammatical, spelling and/or punctuation error. Timeliness of delivery was acceptable.
Weak, incomplete, ambiguous, or inconsistent application of rules of English composition. There were frequent grammatical, spelling and/or punctuation errors. Delivery was delinquent.
Failure to apply standard rules for English composition. There were many grammatical, spelling and/or punctuation errors that distracted the reader from the content of the writing. Delivery was delinquent
Formatting 5 points
Consistently applied APA guidelines in regards to citations, references, headings, table of contents, page numbers, and running headers.
Manuscript conformed to most APA guidelines
Weak, incomplete, ambiguous, or inconsistent application of APA formatting.
Failure to apply APA rules for manuscript presentation.
