Write a literature review covering at least 15 research studies, with a total review text length of 4 to 6 pages (i.e., not including title or reference pages), and most of the sources you cite should use primarily qualitative methods. Use APA style (Times New Roman 12, double-spaced)
Requirements:
1. write an introductory section that introduces the broader policy area, targets specific topics, articulates why it is important, and prepares the audience to understand your argument (both the content of the review and your view of it).
2. Group research in meaningful ways. For example, if some studies focus on causes and others on solutions, this may be a way to synthesize these studies. Also, perhaps some studies use agentic models of human behavior, while others use more definitive models.
3. Where appropriate, consider higher level syntheses, for example, examples that divide studies into biomechanical theories and mental health approaches, but then show how these studies fit together in higher level etiological and mechanistic approaches.
As part of your review, analyze the field/parts of the field. Are there gaps in what is being covered? Are there potential problems, such as a quantitative approach to a basic qualitative problem? Can we trust the research/methodology? Do you see similarities/complementarities in suggesting new possibilities? Can you articulate the burdens/limitations or relationships between methods/genres/traditions? Have a conclusion that ties your comments together. Good things to include are: a summary of your overview and analysis of the field, key takeaways for the audience, and some sort of “so what” such as new directions, implications for policy, support for a position, etc.
Good things to do:
Chunk ideas by paragraph. Also consider labeling the paragraphs (topic sentences). Label your argument sections, e.g., chapters and subsections. Hint: “Introduction” is good, but “Introduction: How Does the Army Choose a Model for Soldier Resilience?” is more useful. Know what the topic of any particular sentence or clause is. Make sure you are focused on that theme.
Things to avoid:
Avoid entire quotations. Also, in the case of quotations, do not quote paraphrases.