The Literature Review and an Annotated Bibliography

INTRODUCTION

This week, the focus is on the literature review and its importance with respect to the integrity of your proposed research project. Every good study involves an extensive search of the related literature.

One of the major reasons for conducting literature reviews is to "identify gaps in current knowledge" (Dudley, 2011, p. 70). Also, researchers engage in a process of self-education as they seek to learn as much as they can about the identified research problem.

The literature search provides the theoretical context for the study as well. Literature reviews identify who else in the field is conducting research on the same problem. The literature search also reveals methodological strategies that researchers have employed in the past to explore the identified research problem.

Finally, the literature search helps the researcher "avoid reinventing the wheel" (Dudley, 2011, p. 70). In other words, a thorough search may reveal that the proposed study has already been conducted by another, rendering your proposed study unnecessary. References Dudley, J. R. (2011). Research methods for social work: Being producers and consumers of research (updated edition) (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn and Bacon. Neuman, W. L. (2012). Basics of social research: Qualitative and quantitative approaches (3rd ed.).

Boston, MA: Pearson. OBJECTIVES To successfully complete this learning unit, you will be expected to:

Describe the importance of a good literature review.

Explain the difference between a literature review and an annotated bibliography.

Describe how a good search of the literature is performed and how to organize references for the purpose of conducting a study.

Integrate multiple sources of knowledge. [ Complete the following: In your Research Methods for Social Work: Being Producers and Consumers of Research (Updated Edition) text, read Chapter 4, "Understanding the Research Topic," pages 59-75.

In your Basics of Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches text, read Chapter 4, "Reviewing the Scholarly Literature," pages 72-111. Read the Narveson article, "Literature Reviews and Annotated Bibliographies." [u04a1] Unit 4 Assignment 1 Annotated Bibliography Assignment Overview The formal search of the literature is an integral part of the research process.

After identifying a research problem or topic for a study, the researcher must begin to gather as much information as possible about his or her topic. Beyond anecdotal or artifact types of information, the content of scholarly articles, found in various databases and on the Internet, represent the core of the formal literature review.

The articles found in the literature review may be about research studies on topics similar to the one you have chosen, or they may be theoretical or conceptual in nature (Dudley, 2011). Although there are a number of approaches to take when examining the literature, writing an annotated bibliography may be useful. An annotated bibliography is a tool to help you to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate academic literature.

Be sure to read Narveson''s article, "Literature Reviews and Annotated Bibliographies" (linked in the Resources), about literature reviews and annotated bibliographies. By successfully completing this assignment, you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following EPAs and practice behaviors: EPA 2.1.3: Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments. PB 2.1.3.A: Distinguish, appraise, and integrate multiple sources of knowledge, including research-based knowledge, and practice wisdom.

Related Assignment Criteria:

1. Identify a research problem related to social practice (for example, social justice, oppression, discrimination, et cetera).

2. Organize research literature related to a chosen research problem.

3. Apply research to a chosen research problem that includes models of assessment, prevention, intervention, and evaluation. EPA 2.1.3: Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments. PB 2.1.3.B: Analyze models of assessment, prevention, intervention, and evaluation.

Related Assignment Criteria:

3. Apply research to a chosen research problem that includes models of assessment, prevention, intervention, and evaluation. Assignment Description In this assignment, you will select a minimum of six scholarly articles about your research problem and write an annotated bibliography.

For each article, provide both a synopsis of the article''s contents and a discussion of the article''s strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, given your research problem, what contributions, if any, can each article bring to an exploration of your selected topic?

Assignment Instructions

For this assignment: Restate your proposed research question. Is it essential for children to have boundaries set to understand consequences for their actions? Include a minimum of six scholarly articles found in your search of the literature about your topic.

Describe how you conducted your search of the literature (for example, search terms, authors, Capella library, et cetera) and where you located the articles that you are using in the annotated bibliography. Present your articles in alphabetical order. Include the following in your annotated bibliography.

The full reference in APA style. A summary of the article. An evaluation of the article. A reflection on the applicability of the article to your proposed article. Include models of assessment, prevention, intervention, and evaluation. Additional Requirements The assignment you submit is expected to meet the following requirements: Written communication: Written communication is free of errors that detract from the overall message. APA formatting: Resources and citations are formatted according to current APA style and formatting standards.

Length of paper: Minimum of three double-spaced pages.

Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point. Due date: Assignment must be submitted to your instructor in the courseroom no later than 11:59 p.m. on Sunday of this week. Reference Dudley, J. R. (2011). Research methods for social work: Being producers and consumers of research (updated edition) (2nd ed.). Bosto