FOR SIRLIVINGSTONE ONLY

Research Topic:  Are citizens more likely to provoke inappropriate uses of force from police officers that wear body cameras?

Hypothesis:  Citizens are provoking police officers to use inappropriate uses of force while wearing a body camera.

Assignment Instructions

Literature Review Assignment

Please provide a standard cover sheet with the Assignment Name, your name, date, and class.

Most research projects include a literature review to determine what knowledge exists on the subject under study and to develop the theoretical framework that will be used in the study.  The literature review sets the context for the entire research project by explaining what others have found in researching the same or similar specific research questions.  The literature review is written in a narrative format.   

A literature review begins with an introductory paragraph in which the writer frames the research topic and its significance, and the puzzle that the researcher is addressing. To do that, the writer will summarize the major relevant arguments on the research subject, highlighting the main issues and how schools of thought might differ.  If there are key terms to be defined, the writer should do that here. (1 page)

The body of the literature review tells readers what others have found in their studies about your specific research question (the extent of existing knowledge on your specific research question), critiques what is right or wrong with these other studies, and discusses how the work is distinguishable from the research  study you are proposing. Your review should organize material by theme or method or what makes sense for the project. This literature review should include a critical review of at least 8-10 appropriate articles, to include scholarly, peer-reviewed articles, material from government publications and websites, or other topic-appropriate source.  (5 pages)

The conclusion should summarize the primary “sense of the literature”, encapsulating for the reader where the existing literature ends and your research will start as you seek to answer the question that still remains and add to the body of knowledge.  (1-2) pages

As with all academic assignments (unless otherwise specified) you must include a references section and list your references in APA format.

Total pages: 8 complete pages in length not including title page, or references.

For this assignment, please put your research question and hypothesis at the top of the first page.

You will not need it in the literature review of your final paper, but it helps me ensure you have selected appropriate literature for your specific research question and hypothesis.

You may find this PPT from NC State helpful.