The literature review in a Capstone project provides a comprehensive summary of existing research and identifies gaps that your research will fill. In Social Work, the literature review must focus on theories, interventions, and research related to social problems, client welfare, and community services.
4.1 Purpose of a Literature Review
- Contextualizing Your Research: The literature review frames your research within the context of existing theories and studies. It shows where your research fits into the broader discourse on a particular social issue.
- Identifying Gaps: A well-conducted review identifies areas where the current research is lacking or insufficient, which your Capstone project will address.
4.2 Steps to Conduct a Literature Review
- Search for Relevant Studies: Use academic databases like Google Scholar, PubMed, or your university’s library database to search for peer-reviewed articles, books, and other credible sources on your topic.
- Organize the Literature: Categorize the research into themes or topics. For example, if your research focuses on mental health interventions, organize the literature by intervention types, populations studied, and outcomes.
- Critical Analysis: Don’t just summarize studies—critically analyze their methodology, findings, and relevance to your research. Discuss strengths, weaknesses, and any conflicting evidence.
4.3 Writing the Literature Review
- Introduction: Introduce the topic and outline the purpose of the review. Identify key themes and subtopics in the existing literature.
- Thematic or Chronological Organization: Depending on your project, organize the review thematically (grouping similar studies together) or chronologically (summarizing research by date).
- Summarize Findings: For each section, summarize the key findings of relevant studies and how they relate to your research questions.
- Gaps and Future Research: Conclude the literature review by identifying any gaps in the current research that your Capstone will address.
These methodology, formatting, proposal, and literature review tips are essential for writing a robust and successful Capstone project. By following these steps, you will create a well-organized and professionally formatted document that demonstrates your research and critical thinking skills, contributing significantly to your academic and professional growth.