Literature Review Paper Instructions
PSY 401 – Field Experience Capstone
Dr. Hemmesch
The objective of this paper is to investigate a major topic in psychology in depth. This paper should be a
literature review using APA style. A literature review consists of a summary of relevant theories and
studies on a single topic. The reader should have a sense of the major theories and findings that explain
the selected behavior and or mental process; what psychologists know about the phenomenon (its
scientific definition, how it is described, etc.); what things affect the phenomenon; what are the
underlying causes of the phenomenon; and the implications for daily life and or other psychological
phenomena. The summaries of sources should have enough information that someone who has not read
the primary source but is familiar with psychology in general, would understand the source (e.g., what
are the parameters of the theory, what methods were used, what were the conclusions, etc.). Evaluative
information in the paper should also be included (e.g., do the theories or findings contradict each other,
what aspects of the phenomenon are not well understood, etc.). The paper should have an introductory
paragraph that describes the topic in general terms (anyone in introduction to psychology would
understand) and end with summary of the review. The paper should have at least 10 academic sources.
There are two products required before the final paper: an annotated bibliography and an outline.
Students also have the option to submit a rough draft of the paper for review. This project is worth 250
points total (Annotated Bibliography, 50 pts; Outline, 50 pts; Final draft, 150 pts).
Specific Instructions
Papers must be approximately 8-10 pages (2000 words).
The topic must be relevant to your internship.
The first paragraph must include a thesis statement (a unifying, main point you want to make
about the topic).
The paper must include information from 10 or more scholarly sources, 8 of which must be
primary sources of quantitative (not qualitative) empirical research from peer-reviewed journals.
Cite your references both in text and on a reference page in APA style.
The paper must be formatted according to APA style (12 pt, Times New Roman, double spaced,
1” margins, running head, page numbers – see the APA manual for more detailed requirements)
and should include a title page containing the title of your paper, running head, your name, and
the course number (PSY 401). Remember to include the title at the top of the first page of text.
An abstract is NOT needed.
o If you use headings, the heading levels should follow APA guidelines
The papers must discuss the findings of your empirical articles demonstrating that you
understand the statistical conclusions (e.g. discuss relevant methodology details, direction and
magnitude of effects, etc.)
Do not plagiarize. Plagiarism will result in a 0 for the paper and may result in failure of the
course.
Additional Advice
Read the APA manual thoroughly BEFORE you start to write your paper! That is the only way
to know if you are writing in APA style!
Do not use direct quotes because anyone can pull a direct quote without understanding the point
of the quote. As soon-to-be-graduates, you should be able to summarize in your own words. If
you have questions about potential plagiarism, Dr. Hemmesch can help.
Find sources from more than one author/perspective to ensure you can present a complete picture
of your topic.
Do not use personal pronouns (e.g. I, my, you, we). Do not make references to your personal
experiences or to your internship. Do not include your personal opinions or assumptions about
the topic. This is a Literature Review! IT IS NOT ABOUT YOU OR WHAT YOU THINK OR
BELIEVE!
Check your paper carefully for errors in spelling, grammar, and APA style. It is advisable to
have others proof your paper as well. I am not interested in seeing a first draft. You should
complete 3-5 drafts of any paper for a college class.
o Poor grades on this assignment are usually due to mechanical (grammar, spelling,
punctuation, and syntax) errors and/or errors in APA style (particularly in headings, intext citations, and references). I go over these areas very carefully. You should, too! See
the assignment instructions and rubric below to make sure you have met all requirements
for this assignment.
Grading Rubric:
WRITTEN
REPORT (150 pts)
Total
Pts
Excellent
(100%)
Good
(90%)
Average
(70%)
Poor
(50%)
Unacceptable
(0%)
Minimum expectation: Written papers must be approximately 8-10 pages long (at least 2000 words are required to fulfill the upper-division writing requirement).
Comprehensiveness
of Scholarly
Literature Search
20
Paper integrates information
from at least 10 scholarly
sources, at least 8 of which
must be quantitative. Multiple
perspectives represented.
Thoroughness and
Clarity of Content
50
Accuracy of Content
20
A truly excellent paper. Paper
is organized and easy to read.
There is a clear intro and
conclusion. It is obvious that
a lot of preparation and
planning when into analyzing
and connecting the scientific
literature. Literature is
evaluated for
strengths/weaknesses.
The key concepts are
accurately presented. Clear
and accurate communication
of descriptive and inferential
data.
APA Style
20
Quality of Writing
40
Formatting, citations, and
references adhere to APA 6th
edition style.
The thesis and evidence are
well-developed. Appropriate
clarity and brevity. Avoids
jargon, passive voice,
wordiness, errors in spelling,
grammar, punctuation,
sentence structure. Clearly
proofread.
Paper includes information
from required number of
sources, but important
perspectives may be missing.
A good paper that is
easy to follow with
an intro and
conclusion and little
or no filler. Paper
could be better with
clearer connections
between research, but
overall it is a good
product.
xxxx
xxxx
Paper does not include at least 10
scholarly sources, at least 8 of
which must be quantitative.
Paper meets minimum
expectations but needs more
connections to/between
scientific research to be a good
report. Examples of issues:
difficult to read, information
presented is somewhat
confusing.
Paper is readable but
there are some
significant problems
with organization or
content, lack of intro
or conclusion,
evidence of poor
planning, etc.
Paper quality is very poor. It is
difficult to understand the
scientific research. No
introduction and/or conclusion.
Few if any ties to research. Much
filler.
The information is mostly
accurate but 1 or 2 concepts
are not completely accurate or
the information is confusing.
Direction and magnitude of
effects missing.
Minor, inconsistent mistakes
in APA style.
xxxx
The information is not accurate
and/or 3 or more concepts are not
completely accurate, or the
information is confusing.
Evidence is not welldeveloped. Paper lacks clarity
and brevity, but still makes a
coherent argument. Occasional
jargon or writing errors.
xxxx
Major or consistent mistakes in
APA style.
Thesis or evidence is confusing
or missing. Paper meanders
without describing important
details of the literature. Clearly
not proofread.
University of Washington
Psychology Writing Center
http://www.psych.uw.edu/psych.php#p=339
Box 351525
psywc@uw.edu
(206) 685-8278
How to Make an Outline
What is an Outline?
An outline is a formal system used to think about and organize your paper. For example, you can use it to
see whether your ideas connect to each other, what order of ideas works best, or whether you have
sufficient evidence to support each of your points. Outlines can be useful for any paper to help you see
the overall picture.
There are two kinds of outlines: the topic outline and the sentence outline.
•
The topic outline consists of short phrases. It is particularly useful when you are dealing with a
number of different issues that could be arranged in a variety of ways in your paper.
•
The sentence outline is done in full sentences. It is normally used when your paper focuses on
complex details. The sentence outline is especially useful for this kind of paper because sentences
themselves have many of the details in them. A sentence outline also allows you to include those
details in the sentences instead of having to create an outline of many short phrases that goes on page
after page.
Both topic and sentence outlines follow rigid formats, using Roman and Arabic numerals along with
capital and small letters of the alphabet. This helps both you and anyone who reads your outline to follow
your organization easily. This is the kind of outline most commonly used for classroom papers and
speeches (see the example at the end of this paper). There is no rule for which type of outline is best.
Choose the one that you think works best for your paper.
Make the Outline
1. Identify the topic. The topic of your paper is important. Try to sum up the point of your paper in one
sentence or phrase. This will help your paper stay focused on the main point.
2. Identify the main categories. What main points will you cover? The introduction usually introduces
all of your main points, then the rest of paper can be spent developing those points.
3. Create the first category. What is the first point you want to cover? If the paper centers around a
complicated term, a definition is often a good place to start. For a paper about a particular theory,
giving the general background on the theory can be a good place to begin.
4. Create subcategories. After you have the main point, create points under it that provide support for
the main point. The number of categories that you use depends on the amount of information that you
are going to cover; there is no right or wrong number to use.
By convention, each category consists of a minimum of two entries. If your first category is Roman
numeral I, your outline must also have a category labeled roman numeral II; if you have a capital
letter A under category I, you must also have a capital letter B. Whether you then go on to have
capital letters C, D, E, etc., is up to you, depending on the amount of material you are going to cover.
You are required to have only two of each numbered or lettered category.
Copyright 1997, University of Washington
outline.pdf
University of Washington
Psychology Writing Center
http://www.psych.uw.edu/psych.php#p=339
Box 351525
psywc@uw.edu
(206) 685-8278
The completed outline could look like this:
Television and Children's Violence
I. Introduction
A. Does television cause violence?
1. Brief mention of previous areas of research
2. Identify causation dilemma
B. Present studies on both sides
1. Some studies are "for"
2. Some studies are "against"
C. After weighing evidence it appears that TV does not cause violence
II. Research "For"
A. First study "for"
1. Method
2. Results
3. Analysis of their conclusions
a. insufficient sample size
b. but representative sample
B. Second study "for"
1. Method
2. Results
3. Analysis of their conclusions
a. faulty instructions
b. poor control group
III. Research "Against"
Copyright 1997, University of Washington
outline.pdf
University of Washington
Psychology Writing Center
http://www.psych.uw.edu/psych.php#p=339
Box 351525
psywc@uw.edu
(206) 685-8278
A. Study "against"
1. Method
2. Results
3. Analysis of their conclusions
a. Perfect controls
b. No unwarranted generalizations
B. Second study "against"
1. Method
2. Results
3. Analysis of their conclusions
a. Large sample size
b. Real world setting
c. But typical problems with external validity
IV. Conclusion
A. Studies "for" all have poor methodology
B. Studies "against" all have good methodology
C. Research doesn't support that TV causes violence
D. More research needed
Keep Your Outline Flexible
Although the format of an outline is rigid, it shouldn't make you inflexible about how to write your paper.
Often when you start writing, especially about a subject that you don't know well, the paper takes new
directions. If your paper changes direction, or you add new sections, then feel free to change the outline-just as you would make corrections on a crude map as you become more familiar with the terrain you are
exploring. Major reorganizations are not uncommon; your outline will help you stay organized and
focused.
However, when your paper diverges from your outline, it can also mean that you have lost your focus,
and hence the structure of your paper. How do you know whether to change the paper to fit the outline or
change the outline to fit the paper? A good way to check yourself is to use the paper to recreate the
Copyright 1997, University of Washington
outline.pdf
University of Washington
Psychology Writing Center
http://www.psych.uw.edu/psych.php#p=339
Box 351525
psywc@uw.edu
(206) 685-8278
outline. This is extremely useful for checking the organization of the paper. If the resulting outline says
what you want it to say in an order that is easy to follow, the organization of your paper has been
successful. If you discover that it's difficult to create an outline from what you have written, then you
need to revise the paper. Your outline can help you with this, because the problems in the outline will
show you where the paper has become disorganized.
Copyright 1997, University of Washington
outline.pdf
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