14 Jan This is a new type of writing

IRLS500 International Relations Theory

Literature Review/ Res. Paper

Assignment Instructions

Your assignment for this week is a literature review on your topic. A literature review is a synthesis of previous research on a topic.

Most research projects include a literature review to determine what knowledge exists on the subject under study and to develop the theoretical framework that will be used in the study. The literature review sets the context for the entire research project by explaining what others have found in researching the same or similar specific research questions. The literature review is written in a narrative format.

A literature review begins with an introductory paragraph in which the writer frames the research topic and its significance, and the puzzle that the researcher is addressing. To do that, the writer will summarize the major relevant arguments on the research subject, highlighting the main issues and how schools of thought might differ. If there are key terms to be defined, the writer should do that here. The body of the literature review tells readers what others have found in their studies about your specific research question (the extent of existing knowledge on your specific research question), critiques what is right or wrong with these other studies, and discusses how the work is distinguishable from the research study you are proposing. Your review should organize material by theme or method or what makes sense for the project. This literature review should include a critical review of at least 8-10 appropriate articles, to include scholarly, peer-reviewed articles, material from government publications and websites, or other topic-appropriate source. The conclusion should summarize the primary “sense of the literature”, encapsulating for the reader where the existing literature ends and your research will start as you seek to answer the question that still remains and add to the body of knowledge.

This is a new type of writing for many of you so I’m providing some resources for you. You must watch this video before doing the literature review. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2d7y_r65HU It explains how to do a literature review as opposed to an annotated bibliography. This resource explains the difference: https://apus.libanswers.com/writing/faq/2372 Do NOT provide an annotated bibliography. Please also take a close look at the attached rubric. The rubric lets you know how I will award points.

Please make sure to watch this screencast on properly incorporating quotes in academic writing. Seriously, watch it.

You might also want to watch this video on how to tell the difference between scholarly and popular sources: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tN8S4CbzGXU