A literature review begins with an introductory paragraph in which the writer frames the research topic and its significance, or the puzzle or topic area that the researcher is addressing. To do that, the writer will summarize the major relevant arguments on the research subject, highlighting the main issues and how schools of thought might differ. If there are key terms to be defined, the writer would also do that here if the literature review is part of a larger research paper.
The body of the literature review tells readers what others have found in their studies about your specific research question or topic under investigation (the extent of existing knowledge on your specific research question/current state of the research on a particular topic), critiques what is right or wrong with these other studies, and discusses how the body of knowledge needs to be moved forward (and/or how the work is distinguishable from the research study you are proposing). Your review should organize material by theme or method or what makes sense for the project.
The conclusion should summarize the primary “sense of the literature”, encapsulating for the reader where the existing literature ends and if carrying out a study, where your research will start.
Assignment Instructions:
This assignment serves as a building block for your final thesis proposal. For this literature review, you need to select a substantive theory, either something that we discussed in the lesson, or something outside of the course, and focus your literature review around that theory. Your theory selection should make sense with the research question you intend to assess within your final research proposal. Since this is a literature review focused on a particular topic (i.e. the substantive theory) you will need to discuss the current state of the literature specific to that theory (for example, deterrence theory, social identity theory, etc). You’ll want to start with a discussion on the early conceptualizations of the theory and how it has developed over time. Your conclusion should include a discussion of where the research on that theory needs to go next. What are some questions that remain? What new ways should it be applied?
Format: Standard academic format will suffice: 1-inch borders on all four sides, double-spaced, with times new roman 12-point font. As with all academic assignments (unless otherwise specified) you must include a references section and list your references.