Overview of Paper:

A systematic literature review is a rigorous structured approach to synthesizing existing research on a specific topic. A systematic review follows a clear, replicable methodology to evaluate studies. This project will allow you to critically engage with research, use evidenced-based practice skills and develop the ability to synthesize and critique literature.

The purpose of the paper is to explore a specific social problem, evaluate the available evidence, and identify patterns, gaps, and implications. This process will include creating a research question, identifying available literature to answer the research question, and critically analyzing and synthesizing the findings across the studies.

Introduction (5 points)

Description of the social issue or problem driving the research

Statement of the research problem or questions to be explored

Discussion of the significance of the problem and the rationale for studying it

Literature Review: (10 points)

Historical perspectives (what have others found out about this issue?)

Available interventions (what is available to address the issue?)

Identified gaps in the literature (what part of the issue or problem has limited information? Why do we need the systematic review?)

Reiteration of the purpose of the study framed in the context of what is already known –how does your study address gaps/contribute to the literature?

Research question

Methodology/Search Strategy (15 points)

Inclusion Criteria- Define the characteristics of the studies that are included in the review based on the research question.

Exclusion Criteria- Define the studies that are excluded from your review

Search Strategy- what databases and Boolean operations were utilized in your search

Screening process- Initial number of articles found, number of articles excluded at title, abstract, and full text review, respectively.

Results (20 points)

Synthesize findings across studies (no fewer than 7 studies, no more than 25) to answer your research question. Discuss patterns, trends, and contradictions in the literature

Discussion (20 points)

Interpretation of results

Implications for practice and future research

Strengths of your study

Limitations of your study

Conclusion (5 points)

Summary of the paper

References and writing quality: APA style (10 points)

Appendices: (15 points)

Include a table of the included studies, to include author, year, sample demographics, study design, measures, and results

Study quality assessment for all articles included