Your literature review will be comprised of the following components:
Title page. or cover page that has the running head, full title, your name, George Mason University Department of Social Work.
Abstract. This should be your second page, double-spaced and no more than 120 words. Your abstract should describe the topic in one sentence, the purpose of your paper, the sources used (e.g., personal observation, published literature), your conclusions, and keywords.
Introduction. The body of your paper opens with an introduction that presents the specific problem under study and describes the research strategy. Because the introduction is clearly identified by its position in the article, it is not labeled.
Review of the Literature. Develop the background of your issue but do not go into an exhaustive historical review. Demonstrate the logical continuity between previous and present work. What is your working hypothesis in studying the issue you selected?
Discussion Section. Evaluate and interpret the findings from the research you reviewed. State your approach to solving the problem under review, giving your rationale. Did your research review support or refute your original hypothesis? Include information regarding the limitations of the research you reviewed and generate alternative explanations for why you found the results you discovered. Discuss the different levels of systems involved.
Conclusion. Make a statement that speaks to the importance of your findings. For instance, why is the problem you examined important to social workers or to others outside this field?
References. You will need at least eight references. At least six references must be from peer reviewed scholarly journals, and two references may be from Internet sources.
Limit the body of your paper to a minimum of five pages and a maximum of eight double-spaced pages. Follow APA 7 Guidelines. Use the APA Checklist APA Checklist – Alternative Formats and the Purdue OWL APA Guidelines to assist you.
If you are using Internet sources, you must use information from prominent and/or respected advocacy organizations (e.g., Child Welfare League of America), government agencies (e.g., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health), policy think tanks (e.g., Urban Institute, Brookings Institution, Center for Budget and Policy Priorities), and research organizations (e.g., Rand). Do not use Wikipedia as a reference.
Label all other headings that come after the Introduction. Double-space the body of the text; however, single spacing is acceptable for tables, references, and long quotations. Double-space references with a hanging indent and double-space in between references.
