Purpose
This assignment is intended to help you to critically analyze public policy issues by conducting a comprehensive literature review. This submission is a “first draft” of the literature review section of your final capstone submission.
Overview
To conduct a comprehensive policy analysis, researchers often conduct literature reviews. The literature review will synthesize academic research on your policy issue.
A literature review involves finding, reading, analyzing, evaluating, and synthesizing existing research and information relevant to your topic. Conducting a literature review requires using effective search techniques to locate credible scholarly sources, extracting and organizing relevant details from sources, and analyzing how the sources relate to one another. A strong literature review outlines what is already known, provides context for the importance of the topic, and justifies the need for further study.
Read more about the steps for conducting a literature review for a policy analysis.Download Read more about the steps for conducting a literature review for a policy analysis.
APA Resources
Franklin University APA Library GuideLinks to an external site.
Sample APA-formatted PaperLinks to an external site.
Video Tutorial:
Action Items
Review:
Review the rubric for this assignment below.
Review the Example Capstone Literature Review.Download Example Capstone Literature Review.
Research: Conduct a review of peer-reviewed academic research (the literature) that relates to your policy issue. You will need to include at least 8 academic peer-reviewed journal articles in this submission. The sources you include should demonstrate you have synthesized a critical mass of scholarly research. The peer-reviewed articles you submitted in Literature Review Prep can (and should) be part of this submission, if appropriate. Analyze and synthesize all of your sources to identify the current state of knowledge on issues related to your policy.
Consider key themes, major debates, gaps, overlaps, and areas where further research is needed.
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of existing studies.
Identify the research findings from each study.
Tip: Use Franklin’s LibraryLinks to an external site. for your research. Consider visiting the Franklin MPA LibguideLinks to an external site. for a list of public administration academic journals. You are also encouraged to use:
Google Scholar Button:Links to an external site. Install the Scholar button to look up papers as you browse research.
Libkey Nomad:Links to an external site. LibKey Nomad is a browser plugin you can use to access scholarly articles you find on publisher websites for free using your Franklin University Library account.
Unpaywall:Links to an external site. This site collects Open Access content from publishers and repositories, making it easier for you to find articles. Download the browser extension to find articles as you browse.
Watch: Literature Reviews: An Overview for Graduate Students.
Compose: Draft your submission using the subheadings below.
Title Page: Include an APA-formatted title page with an updated version of your working title.
Introduction:
Begin with a mini-introduction paragraph that serves as a roadmap for your literature review.
Outline the structure you are using, subtopics, categories of research perspectives, and/or themes that you will cover.
Include the high-level insights you have noticed about the research you’ve discovered.
Finally, address what will not be included in your literature review to establish boundaries for your work.
Suggestion: Write the introduction after you completed writing the literature review.
Literature Review: Organize your academic journal articles by category or theme.
Use a subheading to identify each theme.
Within each theme, present research articles chronologically by publication date.
Present the progression of the research as you would recounting a conversation among scholars.
Summarize the studies, highlight the research findings, point to where scholars agree and disagree, and mention what areas have yet to be explored.
Conclusion: Summarize your high-level insights about the current state of knowledge on your chosen policy issue.
References: Include all and only the sources you used to inform your writing. Must be in APA format. Use the APA Resources provided above
Polish:
Word Count: Your submission should fall between 1500 to 3500 words, including the title page and References. Be sure you adhere to this word count.
Format: Papers must conform to American Psychological Association (APA)Links to an external site. formatting standards. Use the APA Resources provided above.
Editing and Flow: Your submission should reflect a careful editing process and demonstrate your best graduate-level writing and critical analysis. Sections should be woven together in a logical and cohesive way using topic sentences, fully developed paragraphs, transition sentences, and properly formatted subheadings.
Turnitin: Submit the completed first draft of your Word document. Your work will automatically be checked by Turnitin. Access your Turnitin report by reviewing your Submission Details for this assignment. Revise your work if needed based on the feedback.
Submit: By the due date indicated, submit the final version of your work.
Rubric
Literature Review and Theoretical Framework
Literature Review and Theoretical Framework
Criteria Ratings Pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLiterature Review
50 to >44.0 pts
Proficient
Synthesizes 10 to 15 high-quality academic sources comprehensively, demonstrating a solid understanding of key themes, debates, and gaps in the chosen policy issue. Structured chronologically and provides an analysis of relevant studies on the chosen policy issue. Demonstrates a strong ability to synthesize information and identify gaps in existing literature.
44 to >41.0 pts
Acceptable
Synthesizes 8 to 10 sources adequately. While the literature review is adequate, some relevant studies may be missing, and the analysis of existing literature could be more comprehensive. Structured chronologically.
41 to >0 pts
Unacceptable
Synthesizes 7 or fewer sources, presenting a limited overview of the literature. The literature review is limited in scope, lacks depth, and/or fails to identify gaps in the existing literature. The literature review is not structured chronologically.
50 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeTheoretical Framework
30 to >26.0 pts
Proficient
Demonstrates an exceptional understanding of the chosen theory. Provides an insightful rationale for selecting the theory and effectively connects it to the policy issue. Clearly articulates the theory’s main concepts, assumptions, and relationships.
26 to >24.0 pts
Acceptable
Demonstrates a solid understanding of the chosen theory. Provides a rationale for selecting the theory and connects it to the policy issue. Clearly outlines the theory’s main concepts, assumptions, and relationships.
24 to >0 pts
Unacceptable
Demonstrates a limited understanding of the chosen theory. Provides a weak rationale for selecting the theory and lacks clarity in connecting it to the policy issue. The outline of the theory’s main concepts, assumptions, and relationships is incomplete.
30 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeWord Count
10 to >9.0 pts
Proficient
Submission falls within the specified word count range of 1500 to 3500 words, including title page and References.
9 to >8.0 pts
Acceptable
Submission slightly above or below the specified word count range, including title page and References.
8 to >0 pts
Unacceptable
Submission does not fall within the specified word count range of 1500-3500 words and does not include title page and References.
10 pts
This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeAPA & Writing Quality
10 to >9.0 pts
Proficient
Demonstrates adherence to APA formatting, including proper in-text citations and references. Writing is polished, concise, and error-free, reflecting graduate-level proficiency. Demonstrates exceptional grammar, spelling accuracy, and sentence structure that contribute to its clarity and flow. Ideas are effectively presented in well-organized and coherent sentences. Writing errors are nearly absent. Writing shows evidence that a thorough editing process has occurred prior to submission. Sections are seamlessly woven together, demonstrating a logical and cohesive narrative. Clear topic sentences, transitions, and subheadings enhance readability and understanding.
9 to >8.0 pts
Acceptable
Generally follows APA formatting guidelines. Minor errors noted. Writing showcases grammar and spelling skills, with only minor errors that minimally affect flow/clarity. Strong sentence structure enhances readability. Clarity is generally maintained, though there might be a few instances where sentence structure could be improved. Writing transitions and cohesion could be improved for enhanced clarity. Required subheadings used.
8 to >0 pts
Unacceptable
Displays significant deviations from APA formatting standards, including citation and reference errors. In-text citations and references deviate from APA guidelines. Writing contains grammatical, structural, and clarity issues that detract from overall quality. Writing displays noticeable issues with grammar, spelling, paragraphing, clarity, and/or disruptions in flow. Writing lacks clarity, cohesion, and/or logical flow, impacting readability and understanding. Required subheadings not used.
10 pts
Total Points: 100
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