The document provides guidance for writing a literature review paper on a topic within psychology. It instructs students to select a topic of interest, conduct research using at least ten scholarly sources, and write a paper synthesizing the literature. The paper should define the research question and explain its importance, organize findings thematically rather than by individual articles, and discuss implications and areas for future study. It also outlines requirements for length, style, and submission.

1. Literature Review Paper
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
Shared Documents
area of the course:
sample literature review,
PowerPoint document illustrating how to set up your word
processor for APA style
“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.

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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
5–6 pages in length.
Submit your review paper to the
Submissions
Area
by
the due date assigned
.
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.

5. 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

6. present are somewhat minor.
16
Writing remains in third person throughout writing.
Word choice is accurate, clear and appropriate for the audience.
4
Total: