The literature review chapter in the doctoral dissertation is designed to acquaint the researcher with the body of knowledge surrounding a given topic. There will be disagreements in published research results (tensions) as well as topic that have not been researched (gaps). These gaps and tensions are the basis for new research, and they are ideal topics for dissertation research. Adding new information to fill a gap or to reinforce a point in an argument allows the researcher to make a valid contribution to the scholarly community. In this assignment, you will identify several sources that can serve as the beginning of the literature review for your dissertation topic.

General Requirements:

Use the following information to ensure successful completion of the assignment:

• Instructors will be using a grading rubric to grade the assignments. It is recommended that learners review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment in order to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.

• Doctoral learners are required to use APA style for their writing assignments. The APA Style Guide is located in the Student Success Center.

Directions:

Identify five scholarly sources on your intended dissertation topic. Write a paper of 1,000-1,250 words that synthesizes the information contained in these sources. Include the following in your synthesis:

1. A brief summary of the primary research questions, purpose, limitations, and results of each article.

2. A comparison of the articles that identifies gaps and tensions between the conclusions made by each study.

3. A summary that proposes a specific direction for your research topic based on the gaps and tensions identified.

Rubric/ Essay #1

1) A thorough summary of the primary research questions, purpose, limitations, and results of each article is presented. All sources are scholarly and current. The introduction to the literature review clearly and thoroughly describes the topic under investigation, presents the importance of the study to the field, and describes how the study addresses or extends something that is not known and/or will fill a gap in the literature or research.

2) The comparison of the articles provides a thorough identification of the gaps or tensions in the conclusions made by each study in the literature or research.

3) The summary to the literature review clearly and thoroughly summarizes gaps and opportunities in the literature that is the focus of the current study, describes how the study will extend the literature and research based on the topic, and identifies how the study will add value to the existing body of knowledge.

4) Thesis and/or main claim are comprehensive. The essence of the paper is contained within the thesis. Thesis statement makes the purpose of the paper clear.

5) Clear and convincing argument that presents a persuasive claim in a distinctive and compelling manner. All sources are authoritative.

6) Writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English.

7) All format elements are correct.

8) In-text citations and a reference page are complete and correct. The documentation of cited sources is free of error.

No Plagiarism.