15 Literature Review
The Research Proposal
The Research Proposal assignment gives you the chance to showcase your ability to synthesize key theories and research from Psychology. More information, including a grading rubric, is available in Brightspace. You will turn in three distinct evaluations associated with this assignment. This means that it is possible to earn points on one without completing the other.
Literature Review (due Friday 7 March)
The Literature Review builds on your Annotated Bibliography and is the second deliverable in the Research Proposal grouping. This assignment challenges you to synthesize research findings into a cohesive narrative, demonstrating your ability to critically analyze and connect psychological studies.
Purpose
The Literature Review helps you:
- Summarize and critically evaluate psychological research relevant to your topic.
- Synthesize information to identify trends, gaps, and areas of consensus.
- Lay the foundation for your Research Proposal Outline by highlighting the significance of your research question.
What to Include
Your Literature Review must:
- Incorporate at least 5–7 peer-reviewed journal articles, building on your Annotated Bibliography.
- Provide a coherent narrative that:
- Summarizes key findings and methods from the research.
- Critically evaluates strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in the literature.
- Highlights connections between studies, trends, and areas of disagreement.
- Conclude with a discussion of how the research informs your proposed study, emphasizing its significance.
- Use proper APA formatting, including in-text citations and a reference list.
Format Options
You can present your Literature Review in one of the following formats:
- Video: A 5–10 minute narrated presentation with visuals (e.g., slides or animations).
- Podcast: A 7–12 minute audio recording, structured like an educational interview or solo narrative.
- Written Paper: A formal APA-formatted essay (1,200–1,500 words) with citations.
- Poster: A one-page academic poster with concise text, visuals, and key findings.
Is your preferred presentation style not listed? If you have other ideas of how to present your literature review that meets the criteria identified in the Rubric (see Brightspace), please email Lindsay.
Tips for Success
- Plan Your Narrative: Organize your findings thematically, focusing on patterns and relationships in the literature.
- Be Critical: Go beyond summarizing articles—critically evaluate methods, findings, and how they relate to your research question.
- Use APA Guidelines: Pay attention to proper citations and formatting throughout.
- Leverage the Rubric: The rubric in Brightspace outlines exactly how your Literature Review will be assessed. Use it to guide your work.
- Choose the Right Format: Pick a format that aligns with your strengths and effectively communicates your ideas.
- Seek Feedback: Share your draft with someone to ensure clarity and depth.
Submission Instructions
- Submit your Literature Review in your chosen format via Brightspace.
- Label your file: LiteratureReview_LastName_FirstName
- Refer to the Literature Review Rubric in Brightspace for evaluation criteria.