Short Essay 3: Is A Literature Review Needed To Write This
Short Essay 3 Is A Literature Review In Order To Write This Paper You
Short Essay 3 is a literature review. In order to write this paper you need to have done research on your research topic. The five sources you need for that paper are the five that you will discuss in this essay. A literature review discusses published information on a particular subject area, and sometimes, within a certain time period. The focus of a literature review will summarize and synthesize the arguments and ideas of others without adding new contributions. Literature reviews can give you an overview and act as a stepping stone.
The review provides a solid background for a research paper’s investigation. Comprehensive knowledge of the literature of the field is essential to most research papers. You will need to know how many sources to include (5 for this class), what types of sources (books, journal articles, websites), whether to summarize, synthesize, or critique your sources by discussing a common theme or issue (up to you), whether to evaluate your sources (you should!), and if you should provide subheadings and background information such as definitions or history (no need for this course). The narrower your topic, the easier it will be to limit the number of sources you need to read to get a good overview of the material.
In sciences, information even two years old could be obsolete. However, in humanities, history, or social sciences, a survey of the history of the literature may be appropriate, showing how perspectives have changed over time. A literature review follows a pattern—avoid simply listing sources and detailing each one. Instead, consider themes or issues connecting your sources—do they present solutions? Is there an aspect of the field missing? How well do they present the material, and do they portray it according to an appropriate theory? Do they reveal a trend or debate in the field?
You should organize your review with an introduction, a body, and a conclusion. You do not need a thesis but should explain how you organized your review—chronologically, by publication, by trend, thematically, or methodologically. You might include information about the current situation, history, methods, and standards—specifically, the criteria used to select your sources. Highlight only the most important points from each source, ensuring the information relates directly to your focus. Summarize and synthesize your sources within each paragraph and throughout the review.
Use your own voice by starting and ending paragraphs with your own ideas and words. Avoid direct quotes—some brief quotes for emphasis are acceptable. When paraphrasing, accurately represent the author’s ideas in your words. Before submitting, review your paper thoroughly.
Paper For Above instruction
The purpose of this literature review is to synthesize current scholarly opinions and research findings related to the chosen topic. Conducting an effective review requires a clear understanding of the sources, their relevance, and how they interconnect within the broad theme or specific issue of the research. The process begins by selecting five credible sources—these can include peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and reputable websites—that collectively provide a comprehensive overview of the topic.
In this essay, the organizational structure is thematic, centering around core issues, debates, or trends identified across the sources. The review aims to identify commonalities, differences, gaps, and emerging patterns within the literature. An effective review does not merely list sources but analyzes how each contributes to the understanding of the topic, highlighting areas of consensus and contention. This analysis helps set the stage for further research, offering insights into the evolution of ideas and the current state of scholarship.
When integrating literature, it is essential to preserve objectivity and clarity. Summaries should focus on key points relevant to the review’s focus, such as methodological approaches, theoretical frameworks, or significant findings. Synthetic discussions should connect sources, showing how they build on or diverge from each other. Paraphrasing is necessary to avoid over-reliance on direct quotations, and all paraphrased material must accurately reflect the original ideas.
The introduction contextualizes the review, explains its organizational framework, and clarifies criteria for source selection—such as credibility, relevance, and recency. The body is structured into thematic paragraphs that compare and contrast sources according to relevant themes, providing a nuanced understanding of existing literature. The conclusion summarizes key insights, notes research gaps, and suggests areas for future investigation.
This review underscores the importance of a systematic approach in exploring scholarly materials to establish a solid foundation for subsequent research endeavors. By critically engaging with selected sources and organizing the literature around central themes, the review provides a useful map of current knowledge and ongoing debates in the field.
References
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- Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
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- Ridley, D. (2012). The literature review: A step-by-step guide for students. SAGE Publications.
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- Cooper, H. (2016). Research synthesis and meta-analysis: A step-by-step approach (5th ed.). SAGE Publications.
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- Machi, L. A., & McEvoy, B. T. (2016). The literature review: Six steps to success. Corwin Press.
- Galvan, J. L. (2017). Writing literature reviews: A guide for students of the social and behavioral sciences. Taylor & Francis.