Literature & Prior Art Review. Using proper APA formatting style, students will conduct a thorough background research on prior art and the history of the problem and concepts in which their innovation solves. The Literature Review and Prior Art Review is one document with two sections:
1. Literature Review section about the problem that your proposed invention solves, industry background, and relevant history of the invention's theme.
Your literature review will survey scholarly articles, books and other sources (e.g. dissertations, conference proceedings, reports) relevant to a particular issue, area of research, or theory, providing a description, summary, and critical evaluation.
The purpose is to offer an overview of and background on significant literature published on the topics of the problems your proposed invention is solving.
2. Review of Prior Art section concentrates the relation of your invention to other similar inventions in the realm. This exercise is necessary for the patent review process and proves that your invention is original, although it may be related to other previous inventions.
For additional outside classroom guidance, please review the instructor's thesis, which is posted on Blackboard. Pay attention to the:
• Abstract (page vi)
• Literature review (page 4-16)
• Reference pages (page 88-93) Your final literature and prior art review must be AT LEAST 5 FULL WRITTEN PAGES and include:
• Cover Page (not counted in the 5 page minimum requirement)
• Outline
• A brief, but effective abstract stating the purpose for conducting the literature review
• An introduction to the invention's subject under consideration
• Topics addressed in a logical order separated into sections with clear headings and subheadings
• Proper in-body citations throughout paper for each unoriginal thought using APA style
• A conclusion about initial findings
• References page containing (not included in the 5 full written pages)
• Strong and reliable sources
• 15 total references for the background and related prior art
• (Note) Patent in APA Citation example: Williams, D. (2005). U.S. Patent No. 6,885,550. Washington, DC: U.S.