Writers Den

Literature
Review Paper — Schizophrenia

The purpose of this assignment
is to provide you with the opportunity to select a topic in the particular area
in which you have an occupational or research interest, and to complete a
literature review of the topic, using a minimum of ten scholarly references.
This will allow you to demonstrate mastery of the program outcomes for the B.A.
psychology program at Argosy University. A helpful Web site for organizing and
writing a literature review is www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/ReviewofLiterature.html.

You may also want to review
the following documents that are available in the Doc Sharing area of the
course:

·
A
sample literature review,

·
a PowerPoint
document illustrating how to set up your word processor for APA style

·
a
“Guide for Writing a Literature Review”

Based on your review of the
most recent, relevant research findings on your chosen topic, submit a final
version of your literature review paper, integrating feedback received from
your instructor. Be sure to include a research/focal question, synthesis of the
literature you reviewed, well-established conclusions, and points of discussion
and/or future research.

·
Begin
the review by defining the objective of the paper. Introduce the reader to your
focal question. What is this question intended to address? You may state your
“question” in the form of a problem if you like. Describe the topic for your
literature review and why you chose this topic. Explain why you think it is
important. It is also useful to tell the reader how the review is organized in
your introduction section, before you the transition into the body of the
review.

·
Organize
your literature review paper by themes/theories/concepts, rather than article
by article. If there is one major theme you want to highlight, state the theme.
If there are three major themes or streams of thought on the topic, briefly
name them—and then organize the balance of your literature review around those
three streams. Think of themes, theories, concepts, lines of thought, and ideas
as organizing strategies for your literature review. Your creativity in this
assignment is not the content or findings but the clarity with which you
organize the review and create a context for understanding the focal question.

·
When
you are done introducing the first line of thought, create a new paragraph to
discuss studies which present another line of thought or opposing view.

·
Your
literature review should hit the high points of each article. You should not
discuss a single article, one by one, like a grocery list. Zero in on the main
theme or finding and then move on to the next theme. Remember, this is a
synthesis, an integration of all the things you have learned. You are creating
a discussion on paper, which in turn gives the reader a context for
understanding where the scholarship has been, where it is currently, and where
it likely will be heading next. Provide enough details to help the reader
understand the significance of the studies you cite without “rebuilding Rome.”
Be sure to evaluate the studies and offer critical comments on any shortcomings
you’ve observed or that have been reported by the authors.

·
Discuss
the main findings and their implications. Given the results of your literature
review, what is/are the prevailing argument(s)? What research question could
you ask in order to further develop this area of study and contribute to the
existing body of knowledge? Complete your review by drawing conclusions about
your body of research and identifying gaps in the research which still remain
to be explored, maybe even by you! Make an argument as to why your research
question is important and relevant to the current work being done on your
topic.

Requirements

Apply current APA standards
for editorial style, expression of ideas, and formatting of the text, headings,
citations, and references. Remember to use your own words to describe and
evaluate the articles. Avoid quoting the material and also cite works when you
are discussing someone else’s ideas. Your paper should be double-spaced and in
12 point, Times New Roman font with normal one-inch margins, written in APA
style, and free of typographical and grammatical errors. It should include a
title page with a running head, an abstract and a reference page. The body of
the paper should be no less than 4-5 pages in length.

Assignment 2 Grading Criteria	Maximum Points
Description of the focal question or problem is clear and thorough. Explanation of the relevance of the topic to the field of psychology is clear.	36
Analysis of themes, theories, or concepts is clear and complete. Discussion of articles clearly relates to those themes, theories, or concepts (instead of discussing each article individually).	40
Choice of articles is appropriate, both in quality and quantity: they directly address the thesis. Their evaluation is based on their relation to themes, theories, or concepts. Evaluation includes discussion of the methodology, and a discussion of any obvious shortcomings.	40
Provides well-supported conclusions. Suggestions for future research are appropriate and discuss how future research will contribute to the field.	40
Introduction has a clear opening, provides background information, and states the topic. The paper is organized around an arguable, clearly stated thesis statement. Transitions are appropriate and help the flow of ideas. Conclusion summarizes main argument and has a clear ending.	12
Writing follows conventions of spelling and grammar throughout. Errors are infrequent and do not interfere with readability or comprehension.	12
Using APA format, accurately paraphrased, quoted, and cited in many spots throughout when appropriate or called for. Errors present are somewhat minor.	16
Writing remains in third person throughout writing. Word choice is accurate, clear and appropriate for the audience.	4
Total:	200