Assingments % - Africana Studies Research Approaches

AFAS 302: AFRICANA STUDIES RESEARCH APPROACHES
Literature Review Assignment Guidelines
Assignment objectives
Literature Review and this assignment have three objectives
Help you and understand the existing body of work on your topic.
Help you identify the gaps in the existing body of knowledge on your topic (areas or issues begging for attention from researchers/scholars).
Help you identify and carve out an area that you can focus on for your research.
Content and Organization
See Slides 11-14 on the Literature Review lecture (PowerPoint)
The review must be written in essay format with clearly defined introduction, main body, and conclusion.
Formatting:
Your name, Course Number, and Assignment #3: Literature Review must all appear on the top left corner of the first page or on your title page.
Use the approved Research title (from Assignment #1) as the title of your essay. This title must be centered and underlined.
Assignment must be submitted in Times New Roman font, 12-point font size, one inch margins all around, and double-spaced.
Literature review must be four pages long (no more, no less). This length requirement excludes the title page (not required but may be used) and the works cited page (on a separate page). All pages must be numbered.
The review essay must include references to a minimum of FIFTEEN academic works (Journal articles and/or books).
List of works on the “Works Cited” page must be numbered.
The list of works must be arranged in alphabetical order using the authors’ last names
Use the MLA style of documentation for your in-text citations.
Assignment must be submitted as a Word Document.
Violation of any of these guidelines will be penalized.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Step 1: Understand the Purpose of the Literature Review

This assignment has three key objectives:

Understand the existing research on your topic.
Identify gaps in the current knowledge that require further research.
Define a research focus for your study.

Your literature review should summarize, analyze, and synthesize academic sources related to your topic, helping you position your research within the broader academic conversation.

Step 2: Structure Your Literature Review

Your review must follow an essay format with the following sections:

1. Introduction

Introduce your research topic and its significance in Africana Studies.
Explain the purpose of the literature review.
Provide a brief overview of key themes you will explore.
End with a thesis statement summarizing how your review will be organized.

2. Main Body

Organize your review thematically rather than summarizing each source separately. Consider the following structure:

Theme 1: Established Knowledge
- Discuss what scholars agree on regarding your topic.
- Provide evidence from multiple sources to support these points.
Theme 2: Debates and Contradictions
- Highlight disagreements or differing perspectives among scholars.
- Analyze why these differences exist and what they suggest about the research field.
Theme 3: Gaps in the Literature
- Identify areas that need further exploration.
- Explain how your research will contribute to filling these gaps.

3. Conclusion

Summarize the key findings from your literature review.
Reiterate the gaps in research and their significance.
Explain how your study will build upon existing work.

Step 3: Formatting Guidelines

Follow these formatting rules to ensure your submission meets all requirements:

Header on First Page (Top Left Corner):

Your Name
Course Number
Assignment #3: Literature Review

Title Formatting:

Use the approved research title from Assignment #1.
Center and underline your title.

Document Formatting:

Font: Times New Roman, 12-point.
Margins: One inch on all sides.
Spacing: Double-spaced.
Page Numbers: Included on all pages.
Length: Exactly four pages (excluding Works Cited page).
File Format: Word Document (.doc or .docx).

Citation Requirements:

Include at least 15 academic sources (journal articles and books).
Use MLA style for in-text citations.
Arrange the Works Cited page alphabetically by author’s last name.
Number each entry in the Works Cited list.

Step 4: Review and Submit

Proofread your essay for clarity, coherence, and adherence to guidelines.
Ensure all citations are accurate and follow MLA format.
Check that your document is exactly four pages (not including the Works Cited page).
Save and submit your final Word document before the deadline.

By following this structured approach, you’ll create a well-organized and insightful literature review that meets all assignment requirements!