Population of Interest and Research Problem

The final paper is due the last day of class. Students should be prepared to make a brief (5 minutes) oral present highlighting what they learned through their literature review. The final paper should include the following sections (include headings):

1. Introduction (approx. 1 page)

Describe the importance of the problem in a social context and/or service delivery context. Your Introduction should answer the question why your study topic is important and relevant to social work research or practice.

2. Population of Interest and Research Problem (approx. 1 page)

Provide relevant population statistics (demographics), and statistics on the extent, scope, prevalence, and impact of the problem. If the problem you researched is not familiar to most people, explain the problem.

3. Literature Review (approx. 8 pages)

Discuss what you learned through your review of the literature. Your sources will include 10 articles (at least 6 scholarly, peer reviewed articles published in scientific journals).

For the review, be critical! Synthesize what you have learned and highlight the followings: 1) what is known about your topic, 2) the gaps in knowledge, and 3) how this literature is or is not directly relevant for your topic.

If little or no empirical research has been done, indicate this. For example, your review of the literature may suggest that: 1) the topic you have selected has not been studied with the population you intended to study, or 2) you are addressing a research question that, based on your search of the literature, has not yet been studied.

4. References

Follow the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Publication Manual citation styles and provide full citations in the reference section.