When conducting a literature review on a given topic, researchers look for places where the articles overlap and converge. Perhaps several studies focus on the same segment of the population or garnered similar results on a practice approach. These areas of overlap then become the themes you will address in your literature review. These themes can even provide the topical structure for the review itself, becoming headings to organize your written analysis. The first step after you have gathered your articles, then, is to re-read the articles and jot down main themes and subthemes you see emerging. What do you notice?

For this Assignment, you begin to craft your literature review by developing an initial outline, based on themes you have drawn from the studies. 

To Prepare:

• Review the Learning Resources on identifying themes in the literature and on creating an annotated outline.
• Revisit the six peer-reviewed research articles you have gathered on your topic.
• While reading, determine common themes and subthemes across at least four of the articles. Use these themes to organize an outline for the literature review you will submit next week.  

By Day 7

Submit a 1-page annotated outline that includes thematic headings you have drawn from the literature on your topic. The outline must include at least four of the peer-reviewed research articles you found. Make sure to include appropriate APA citations and a reference list.