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Chapter 13: Term Papers and Review Articles - Coggle Diagram
Chapter 13: Term Papers and Review Articles
Purpose, Topic, and Format
Purpose of Reviews
Review articles provide an overview of current state of knowledge, literature, and research on a topic
Not original articles with new data
peer-reviewed article that presents or analyzes results of primary sources
Useful as secondary literature sources as they provide important overviews and background info on a topic across a field
Term papers are simplified versions of a review article (made by students)
Both types of papers do not give an overall summary of the specific subject matter or theory to others but instead concentrate on comparing anf contrasting info to present an argument
Not peer-reviewed
Information needs to be understandable to scientists in related fields: Reviews should use simple words, and figures and boxes materials should summarize and generalize primary source data
Deciding on a topic
Select a topic of appeal and importance
Issues that are of interest to the scientific community + sufficient source material exists are easier to cover
To find what is "hot," read recent research and editorials / letters to the editor
Two approaches to choosing an area of research to write about
Familiarize yourself with a topic and arrange the material by theme of idea (general sources -> specific)
Look at tertiary sources first to get an idea, secondary sources to work on an outline, and primary sources to fill in that outline
Choose a point that you want to make and then select primary studies based of this area
Formatting
For review and term papers, follow the structure: Title -> Abstract -> Introduction -> Main Analysis -> Conclusions and/or recommendations -> Acknowledgments (only for articles for publications) -> References
It is a good idea to create an outline!
For a clear outline of your paper, create subsections based on gathered information and then sort the information you have gathered into various subsections.
Sort info under each heading by similarities, contrasts, gaps in knowledge, etc. (Example 13-1 on a good outline of a review article)
Title, Abstract, Introduction
Title
Should be short but informative
30 - 50 characters
Should contain the top three/four key ideas/key terms of the paper
Main overall topic; One or more subtopics that describe the contents of the review
Abstract
Write as a table of contents in paragraph form
Include background (optional), problem statement (optional), topic of review, and overview of content
Although some abstracts end with a statement of significance, most end with an overview sentence that lists what will be discussed in the document (however overview sentences are not appropriate in abstracts of lab reports/scientific research articles)
Longer abstracts for review articles contain a background, problem statement, statement of topic, and overview of content
Introduction
Organization: Background, unknown/problem, topic of review, and overview of content
Should provide the big picture of the topic and grab the readers' attention, present some general background, state the central topic of the view, and make clear why the topic warrants a review
Do not make the intro longer than 1/5th of the review article!
Phrase the topic statement carefully
Will not necessarily argue for a position or an opinion - will argue for a particular perspective on a topic
Sets the tone for the rest of the paper and makes the importance of the research area clear
Main Analysis, Conclusion, and References
Main Analysis
Organize logically into subsections: Chronologically, Thematically, or Methodologically
Thematic reviews: Organized around a topic or tissue rather than time
Chronologically: follow a logical timeline based on when relevant source articles were posted
You could also examine the sources under the history of the topic
Subsections should relate to key time periods
Methodological: Focus on the methodology presented in your source articles rather than on their scientific content
Topics are organized by techniques or by methods or approaches
Consider including other subsections as needed
"Current status"
"Future Directions"
Logically organize information
Avoid introducing new data unless absolutely necessary to make a point
Show data in figures and/or tables, but do not provide experimental details
Conclusion
Summarize your topic, generalize any interpretations, and provide some significance
Discuss the conclusions drawn from reviewing the literature and restate your interpretations
Provide some general significance of the topic and results, and discuss the questions that remain
Try to keep brief
Example 13-8 of a conclusion of a review paper
References
Cite primary and secondary sources as needed
The type of information chosen should relate directly to the review's focus
Checklist
Overall
Does the topic present something of interest to the field?
Individual Sections
Title
Is the title short (30 - 50 characters?)
Does it contain the main 3-4 key terms?
Abstract
Is the topic stated precisely?
Is an overview of the article provided?
Introduction
Does it have the following components: Background, problem/unknown, topic/review, overview of content
Main Analysis
Is your section logically organized?
Did you analyze and interpret all information?
Does the paper present info objectively, including contradictory data and ambiguities?
Are all figures and tables explained and labeled?
Do all the components logically follow each other?
Conclusion/Recommendations
Is the topic summarized and interpreted?
Is the results of your analysis clear?
References
Have references been cited where needed?
Are sources cited adequately and appropriately?
Are all the citations listed in the references section?
Style and Composition
Are key terms consistent?
Is the action in the verbs? Are nominalizations avoided?
Is the style concise?
Did you vary sentence length and use one idea per sentence?
Have grammar, punctuation, and spelling been checked?
Are comparisons written correctly?
Has word location been considered?
Are lists parallel?
Are paragraphs/sentences cohesive?
Have noun clusters been resolved?
Are paragraphs consistent?
Are nontechnical words and phrases simple?
Are transitions between sections/paragraphs logical?
Have unnecessary terms been reduced?