Step 1: Select a Topic
You can select any topic in the field of abnormal psychology broadly defined that interests you. As a matter of fact, selecting a topic that personally interests you will likely make writing a literature review a more enjoyable and less frustrating experience. One efficient way to begin finding a topic is to peruse the course required text. Usually, the topic of a literature review begins as a broad interest and then must be narrowed. For example, if “depression” is the topic of interest, it would have to be narrowed to fit the length of the paper. Because the required paper length is only 7 to 10 pages, the topic of “depression” is too broad: There is simply too much information on depression to fit into a short paper. Therefore, the general topic of “depression” has to be narrowed. For example, you can focus on a particular aspect of depression, a particular treatment for depression, compare two treatments for depression, compare and contrast the differences in depressive symptoms between men and women, describe depression in a specific population, etc. Because, again, the paper is of such short length, even further narrowing may be necessary. Selecting and narrowing a topic for your literature review takes careful thought and consideration. Do not rush through this initial step of the literature review paper process.
Please check out the following resources:
Massey University. (2010). Writing a literature review. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKL2pdRmwc4
University of Toronto. (2012). The literature review: A few tips on conducting it. Retrieved from http://www.writing.utoronto.ca/advice/specific-types-of-writing/literature-review
University of Wisconsin. (2012). Learn how to write a review of literature. Retrieved from http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/ReviewofLiterature.html
Step 2: Conduct a Search of the Literature in the Professional Databases
Every field of study has a professional knowledge base; that is, a body of information that reflects what a particular field accepts as valid information. Psychology, like any other field of study, also has a professional knowledge base. Researchers conduct research and publish their findings in professional journals. The information in these journals comprises a large part of the professional “literature” in the field of psychology. Much of the research published in professional journals are “peer reviewed,” which means that other researchers/professionals in the field agree that the information is well-supported by agreed upon methodologies.
Everyone in the course is assumed to have a username and password to access the library. After choosing a general topic (or perhaps you have already delineated your topic), access the library databases and conduct a literature search to, if necessary, further delineate your topic and locate 5 to 7 journal articles specific to your chosen topic. ALL sources for your literature review paper should be peer-reviewed, primary sources from the professional databases. Please do not use internet sources of unknown origin as the information provided may not be valid. Wikipedia is NOT a professional database.
This step of the literature paper process is best done slowly, with careful consideration for each journal article selection. For example, choose journal articles that aren’t “above your head.” Journal articles are written across the entire spectrum of investigation, from the micro to the macro levels of analysis; therefore, read the abstracts or first paragraphs to evaluate whether or not it is an article that may be too technical or require a background of a specifically trained professional.
Step 3: Read and Summarize the Journal Articles
All journal articles should be read carefully (probably more than once). You should aim to gain a general sense of the information as well as points of agreement and disagreement across the articles. Perhaps on the second or third reading, summarize the articles. An article summary should not be a rewording of the entire article, but rather a judicious note taking process of the main points you want to discuss in your paper. It is imperative that you keep track of what information came from which article in order to avoid unintentional plagiarism or attributing the information to the wrong source. Often it is helpful to number each article and summary in a congruent manner. All articles should be summarized in your own words. Direct quotations should be kept to a minimum, if used at all.
Step 4: Establish a Specific Purpose for Your Paper
After reading and summarizing the journal articles think about a MAIN PURPOSE for your paper. What is the main idea/purpose/problem that you want to focus on when writing your paper?
Step 5: Synthesize the Literature:
The literature review paper MUST NOT read like a serial summary of your selected articles. That is, you should not present your article summaries one after another and call it a literature review paper. Your literature review should SYNTHESIZE the information in ALL the articles; that is, integrate the information across the articles. For example, compare and contrast a view, organize the information chronologically, or otherwise INTEGRATE the information. It may be helpful, at this point in the process, to develop an outline for the paper by combining all of the article summaries.
Step 6: Write a Rough First Draft
The literature review paper has the following sections: title page, abstract, body, conclusion, and reference page. Consult APA resources.
Title page: This is the first page of the paper. Please consult APA resources for correct style/format
Abstract: The abstract, a concise overview of the paper, should stand alone on page 2. Please consult APA resources for correct style/format
The Introduction: The introduction is the first paragraph of the body of the paper and should begin on page 3. The introduction is clear and focused, and moves quickly to the main point of the paper. It should read like a “road map” of the paper, informing the reader what to expect in the paper, and where to expect it. Please consult APA resources, especially IN-TEXT CITATION format.
The body: The body of the paper should unfold according to its introduction “roadmap.” The paragraphs in the body of the paper follow the basic principles of paragraphing: each paragraph focuses on one main idea. Each paragraph has a topic sentence expressing the main idea and each paragraph is linked to the previous paragraph by effective transitions. The paragraphs in the body of the paper are grouped according to an organizing principle. For example, you may group all the research that supports your research question, and then group all the research that disputes your research question. For another paper, it may be better to order your research chronologically. It is often necessary to try out several organizing principles before you find the one that best suits your paper. Please consult APA resources, especially IN-TEXT CITATION format.
The conclusion/Discussion: The conclusion summarizes the main points of the paper. The conclusion should aim to pose new questions for further research as well as limitations of that which has been reviewed. Please consult APA resources.
The reference page: The reference page is the last page of the paper. Please consult APA resources. Here is what your References should look like: http://ww2.usj.edu/PDF/CAE/apareferencepage_6th_ed.pdf
RESOURCES:
Sample Paper: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/media/pdf/20090212013008_560.pdf
APA Style PowerPoint Presentation: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/17/
APA Style Workshop: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/664/01/
APA In-text Citation Tutorial: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/02/
APA Reference Page Basic Rules: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/02/
More on Reference Pages: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/6/