Instructions:
A literature review is a very specific thing, and it is written in a specific way – So, Google it a little bit and search the library website to make sure you understand its purpose and to review some examples of literature reviews. For this assignment, your literature review should relate to the issue you identified in your white paper. A literature review sets the context for a subject by explaining what others have found in researching the same or similar issues. It is written in a narrative format. Check out this video to help you further prepare to write your literature review. This will not be the last time that you are asked to write a literature review in your academic career so it’s important to master this skill.
Title Page. Ensure you include your title, student name, date of submission.
Introduction. A literature review begins with an introductory paragraph in which the writer describes the research topic and its significance, and the specific issue, problem or concern. I suggest you frame your topic as a research question (e.g., “What are the legal constraints of using unmanned systems to collect intelligence on foreign adversaries within the borders of the United States?”). You should use your white paper as the starting point to build this section. You should then succinctly state what are the major studies and arguments related to your topic. If there are key terms to be defined, the writer should do that here. (1-2 pages).
Literature Review. The literature review should summarize, cite/reference and compare what previous scholars have written about your topic. The literature review should also critique what is right or wrong (or doesn’t go far enough) with these other studies, and where you believe future research should be conducted. Your literature review should organize the material by theme. This literature review should include a critical review of 10-15 or more appropriate articles, to include scholarly, peer-reviewed articles, material from government publications and reputable websites, or other topic-appropriate sources. (4-5 pages)
Conclusion. The conclusions should summarize the primary “sense of the literature,” encapsulating for the reader where the existing literature ends and your research will state as you seek to answer the question that still remains and add to the body of knowledge. (1 page)
References. Provide a “References” list on a separate page at the end of your literature review. The only sources that appear on this list should be the ones you actually make reference to within your paper. Your references should be in Turabian author-date style format.
You are encouraged to refer to Belcher, Wendy Laura. 2009. “Editing Your Sentences.” In Writing Your Journal Article in 12 Weeks: A Guide to Academic Publishing Success. Sage. This resource has an excellent step-by-step process for enhancing your writing. Additionally, you should refer to the University of Purdue’s Online Writing Lab (OWL) to find out more about writing a white paper.
Title Page. Ensure you include your title, student name, date of submission.
Introductory Paragraph. A literature review begins with an introductory paragraph in
which the writer frames the research topic and its significance, and the puzzle 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 should do that here.
(1-2 pages).
Body. The body of the literature review tells readers what others have found in their
studies about your specific research question (the extent of existing knowledge on your
specific research question), critiques what is right or wrong with these other studies, and
discusses 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. This literature review should include a critical review of 10-15 appropriate
articles, to include scholarly, peer-reviewed articles, material from government
publications and websites, or other topic-appropriate source.
Provide citations for the ideas of different authors. You may use parenthetical citations
or footnotes. If you use parenthetical citations (Author Date) in the text, use
“References” format for the complete citations at the end of the assignment (4-5 pages).
Conclusion. The conclusion should summarize the primary “sense of the literature”,
encapsulating for the reader where the existing literature ends and your research will
start as you seek to answer the question that still remains and add to the body of
knowledge. (1 page)
References. Provide a List of References (or Bibliography if you used notes) in
Turabian format. Complete citations for the articles and sources you used in your
literature review.