Prior research

APA Style, have at least 5 APA approved sources (empirical papers that have actually conducted studies), literature review should be a SUMMARY and SYNTHESIS of published research in a subject area.

After you review the prior research, go on to perform an integration/synthesis of the reviewed information with the new ideas that you bring to the table:

  • Describe the goals and unique contribution of the present study, and how they flow from or seek to refine or question previous work.
  • What is the problem being investigated?
  • Are there studies that examine the same topic you are investigating? What did they find?
  • What is the unique contribution that your study would be adding to the research area in which you are interested?
  • How will your study be different compared to the others conducted on the same (or similar) topic?
  • Identify limitations of studies that cast doubt on the findings
  • Are there findings that go against what you are proposing? What are some potential problems with those studies? Could those limitations be a reason for those contradictory findings?

Point out inconsistent findings between studies

  • Can you think of any reasons for these inconsistencies?
  • What can be done to perhaps lessen these inconsistencies?
  • Describe in detail the predictions that your perspective makes about the results of the current studies and discuss relevant theories (if applicable).
  • List the formal hypotheses that you have about the expected outcomes