Overview

An in-depth library-based literature review on a topic of your choice is intended to be a culminating experience for the course. It should build on the material in the class and be directly related to an ethical marketing topic, and should represent an area of strong interest for the student.

What is a literature review?

• In its basic form, a literature review narrative has three main areas:
  • Introduction – a statement of your topic and the context for why you’re reviewing the topic. The context cannot be “because it is an assignment.”Consider instead why a literature review on your topic would be of interest to the academic community and/or practitioners in the workplace.
  • Body – an analysis and synthesis of the scholarly works.The body is not an annotated bibliography, but rather focuses on the connections between works.Each paragraph or subsection should focus on a concept or theme that runs through the literature, not just the contribution(s) of one author or author group.View http://gseacademic.harvard.edu/~instruct/gutman_library/litreview/synthesize/player.html – click the “Note” tab on the left side of the screen for the transcript.
  • Conclusion – your insights into how your literature review can be used by the academic community and/or the workplace (referring to what you stated in your introduction). In other words, you will want to elucidate how your literature review benefits academics (researchers) and/or practitioners.
• For more information on how to write a literature review, check out these two resources:
  • View http://gseacademic.harvard.edu/~instruct/gutman_library/litreview/write/player.htmland click the “Note” tab on the left side of the screen for the transcript. The video discusses the “argument” — keep in mind that this is the same as your topic.
  • Visit http://getalifephd.blogspot.com/2010/10/six-steps-to-writing-literature-review.html is a short “how-to” guide that you may find helpful in keeping track of and streamlining your research, and in organizing your research into a workable outline for your literature review.

Here, you will to learn (or can review) what is meant by the literature and what is required in a literature review.

Format/Writing Requirements

• Adherence to APA (6^th edition) format.Word-processed, with 12 point Times New Roman (or similar) font, black color only, with 1 inch margins on all sides; double-spaced only throughout.Use the websites linked in Course Resources > Writing Resources.
• Title page must include your name, the name of the course, the title of your paper, and date of submission.
• Adherence to APA in-text and reference page citation formatting requirements.Use the websites linked in Course Resources > Writing Resources.
• Length: approximately 8-12 pages of text (not including your title page, abstract and references).
• Use formal tone and write in the third person.Utilize the Writing Tutor, as needed, to improve writing skills. See LEO > Content for details.
• References requirement: at least 7 scholarly resources