You will research and write a Literature Review paper on a Human Resource topic of your choice in this course. Your research paper will be a comprehensive thematic review of ten recent (within 3-5 years) peer-reviewed articles from academic journals related to your topic. Competency in the APA format is required of all BAS graduates.
What is the Format for Literature Reviews?
Just like most academic papers, literature reviews also must contain at least three basic elements: an introduction or background information section; the body of the review containing the discussion of sources; and, finally, a conclusion and recommendations section to end the paper. Outlined below is the format to follow:
Title page.
Abstract Page.
Introduction: Gives a quick idea of the topic of the literature review, such as the central theme or organizational pattern. One page.
Body: Contains your discussion of sources and is organized thematically (see below for more information on each). At least five pages.
Conclusions and Recommendations: Discuss what you have drawn from reviewing literature so far. One page.
Reference page
What is a Thematic Literature Review?
A thematic review would have subtopics based upon factors that relate to the theme or issue. Sometimes, though, you might need to add additional sections that are necessary for your study, but do not fit in the organizational strategy of the body. What other sections you include in the body is up to you. Include only what is necessary. Here are a few other sections you might want to consider:
Current Situation: Information necessary to understand the topic or focus of the literature review.
History: The chronological progression of the field, the literature, or an idea that is necessary to understand the literature review, if the body of the literature review is not already a chronology.
Methods and/or Standards: The criteria you used to select the sources in your literature review or the way in which you present your information. For instance, you might explain that your review includes only peer-reviewed articles and journals.
Questions for Further Research: What questions about the field has the review sparked? How will you further your research as a result of the review?”
Helpful hints: There are two approaches you may take for this literature review. One approach is similar to a literature review sample in which the reviewer studied Cyberbullying but addressed different aspects of bullying concepts such as “Prevalence,” “Types of People who Bully,” and “Types of people who are victims.” The reviewer then included reviews of several articles under each of those subheadings covering specifically those sub-factors.
An alternate method is to simply explain 10 separate and distinct articles concerning the same major concept. For example, the student might select articles with different viewpoints about the same primary subject. In the Cyberbullying case, the student could have found 10 articles generally discussing Cyberbullying and then provided 10 separate paragraphs reviewing each of the 10 articles.
Either approach is acceptable for this assignment. With either approach, you will discuss published information in a particular subject area and your focus will be to summarize or recap the arguments and ideas of others.
At least two levels of APA headings should be used throughout the paper.
