Please be sure to use current APA format, paying close attention to capitalization, italics, URLs, and DOIs. The Writing Style Guide should be utilized.

For theories, they can be very old, dates do not matter since we want to see that theories have lasted over time and have been solid enough to stand lots of research and revisions. You should find the seminal work for the theory (if possible) but then other articles about the theory can be included that are more recent.

You must use theoretical articles and not empirical studies that mention a theory or discuss the theoretical framework. Delete these instructions prior to submission.

Remember that this must be a significant theory (e.g., social cognitive theory, adult learning theory), and at least one article must be written by the primary theorist (when possible) (e.g., Bandura, Knowles).

In this section, name the theory and theorist then present the pertinent details of a major, highly researched, and established theory. Summaries must be your own words (not cut and pasted from the document). Show that you can pick out key components of the theory and explain them succinctly in your summary. Delete these instructions prior to submission.

Key constructs are the building blocks or essential elements that are included in a theory. For example, within theories of motivation, both internal motivators (i.e., work ethic) and external motivators (rewards/pay) are important aspects of the theory. All relevant key constructs of the theory you are reviewing must be listed and defined.

Defining key constructs based on what has been written in the literature is important. These “operational definitions” ensure that everyone reading your work is examining your ideas through the same lens. Consider this: A study on religion, defined as “rules of behavior within a belief system” will yield very different results than if one was to define religion as a “collective relationship with a higher being.”

This is not to be a list of key points of the article but a list with definitions of the constructs. This section must be completed. Do not write that there are no constructs. Delete these instructions prior to submission.

Please be specific. A historic synopsis of the theory’s development is needed here. For example, who influenced the author’s ideas? Where did they originate, etc.? Theories that were developed in early America will carry different historical relevance from those that were developed in communist Russia. Likewise, theories developed in the 1950s will reflect a different American ideology than those developed in the 1970s. You may need to look for this information outside of the article you are reviewing. You must identify this information. Delete these instructions prior to submission.

Identify two quotes that may be useful. Include quotation marks and the page number within the citation in current APA format. Delete these instructions prior to submission. Note that quotes are rarely included in a literature review.

Include three to five sentences. This is the critical thinking section of this assignment. What will you DO with the knowledge you gained from this specific research? How could it shape your topic, or inform your readers? Again, these are your ideas, not the author’s or theorist’s ideas. Relate to your research topic. If this article might not play a role in your research, then you must choose a different article that will. Delete these instructions prior to submission.

Identify any resources cited in the article that may be useful to find and read. Remember, data mining is important to help you reach saturation of your topic research. Your new references should focus on articles that are less than five years old and include a full current APA citation including the DOI or URL. You may use a few older articles in your literature review but focus on current literature is important. Delete these instructions prior to submission.