Have they contributed new information about what is known about the topic?

Use the research topic keywords you developed in the Research Topic  Template (u04s2) and the Keyword Brainstorming Worksheet (u05s1) to  search for peer-reviewed journal articles that support your topic, in  one of the specialized research databases in the Library. See  the Programs of Research – Library Companion Guides Resource  for databases that are most appropriate to your discipline. You will  need to find a minimum of five relevant articles. Keep track of your  search strategy and use the articles you find to complete an initial  literature review on your research topic.

Include the following elements in your assignment: Research Topic is  Understanding the relationship in spirituality, self-esteem, happiness.  

  • Introduction: State the research topic.
  • Keywords: Identify, in one sentence, the key words used in your specialization database search, both singly and in combination.
  • Search Strategy: In one well-written paragraph,  describe your search strategy. Identify the specialization database that  you searched and why you chose it. If you changed your keywords or  limits during your search, describe your search revisions and rationale.
  • Literature Review: In paragraph form, discuss  how the articles you identified contribute to your research literature  review. Be sure to use proper in-text citations for any articles you use  to support your analysis. Here are some questions to consider:      
    • Have they contributed new information about what is known about the topic?
    • Have they contributed information about what is not yet known (a gap in the existing literature)?
    • Have they confirmed or disconfirmed earlier research?
    • Have they given you new questions or recommendations for further research on the topic?
    • Have they led you to change your thinking on the topic?
    • Have they demonstrated that the topic is or is not of interest in your specialization?
  • References: List the APA-formatted references  for the peer-reviewed articles you found in your key word search and  used in your Literature Review. You should have a minimum of five  articles. (See chapter 7 of the APA Publication Manual for reference  examples). If you have already begun a reference list for your research  topic literature review, be sure to add these five resources to your  list.      
    • APA Style Central has additional guidance, examples, and  tools you can use for researching, writing, and formatting your paper  and for citing and referencing resources in APA style. See the APA Style  and Format section of the Writing Center for instructions on accessing  and using APA Style Central.