Students are required to write a 10 – 12 page (10 FULL pages, double spaced, 12 point Times Roman or
Arial font, 1.0 inch margins all around) APA style literature-review paper regarding some area or
application of the information gleaned in this course. As a theoretical paper, you should draw upon
contemporary scientific literature based mainly on peer-reviewed scientific journals. Use, at a
minimum, 8 sources/articles from scientific journals (please email me if you have any doubts about
whether your selected source qualifies). Again, this is a minimum which usually leads to a
minimum/average grade (C). This paper should be quite in-depth, giving the reader a thorough sense
of the issue and what professionals in the field think about it. This paper should be at least 8 pages in
length. These 8 pages do not include the cover/title and reference page. I will happily provide feedback
on drafts of your paper if drafts are given to me at least a week before the due date. A sample term
paper is also available on Blackboard (under helpful hints). Please note that a literature review paper is
akin to the introduction section in most empirical journal articles. Personal examples should be avoided
since the assignment is focused on a formal literature review.
Please note, textbook references and website references will not be considered towards the reference
count. Due to the inconsistency of information provided by various sources on the internet, I will NOT
accept sources from the World Wide Web. If you have websites as sources, you will be marked off. If
your paper is not in APA style, you will be marked off. Please see the schedule for the due date. A
sample paper as well as tutorials on how to access the NSU electronic databases is available under
helpful hints on your Blackboard course page. Please note that this assignment requires you to write a
brief literature review. A literature review is akin to the introduction section in most journal articles.
Personal examples should be avoided since the assignment is focused on a formal literature review.
Possible term paper themes could include:
– The measures used in this area need improvement.
– Research in this area is ignoring an important hypothesis, which is…
– Sex Differences in this area are showing up and need further study.
– Theory in this area is weak because…
– Some possible alternative interpretations of common findings in this area are…so future
research needs to…to rule them out.
Suggested organization of your paper:
What is the main question that your paper addresses? What made you interested in the
topic area?
Describe relevant research that helped you better understand the question. What have
other researchers who study similar topics found?
What could be the future research projects that can be done to better understand the
issue/topic.
Give a brief conclusion–the main take-home message.
