times new roman ), apa style H u m a n i t i e s

Required References: The number of references for this assignment is unlimited, but it should include at least 12-15+. That is, you need to have a sufficient number to substantiate the claims you make and demonstrate that you have a command of the literature. Not all 15+ references will pertain to your specific topic; some references will be used to support response to the various components of the paper such as theory or developmental stage.

Also reference: Rogers, A. (2019). Human behavior in the social environment: Perspectives on development and the life course. New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group.

This assignment allows for two options for submitting the Critical Literature Review.

Option 1: Paper Format

The paper should be between 10-12 pages (not including title page and references), double-spaced, 12-pt font (Times New Roman), APA style (7^th Ed.).

Part A: Identify and Describe your Topic

• Provide justification for the importance of your topic by summarizing relevant data (e.g., recent trends, demographic statistics, and epidemiological data, if available) and indicate why this topic is important to social welfare.

Systematically search and synthesize the literature.

• Summarize the current scholarship on what is known about your chosen topic from peer-reviewed journals and scholarly texts. You may need to contextualize the evidence in some historical perspective but be sure to draw from the most current scholarship.

See Week 5 Tasks for tips on addressing Part A.

Part B: Assessment of Evidence

Summarize the quality of the evidence base. (Do we know a lot with a high level of certainty, know some things but not others, know very little about this topic at all?) Are there any gaps in our knowledge or understanding pertaining to your topic?

• How culturally-informed is the research? What groups have been studied (and not studied)? Are possible cultural variations considered and studied? Draw on course material to assist you with this aspect of your critique. What cultural considerations may need to be taken into account?

See Week 6 Tasks for tips on addressing Part B.

PART C: Apply the Findings to Practice

Applying what you have learned, consider what we know and don’t know about your topic: What should social workers do? Offer your recommendations for macro and/or clinical social work practice.

In your discussion, please do the following:

• Consider the evidence from your literature review from a theoretical perspective. Select ONE of the theories (e.g. Piaget’s Theory of Cognitive Development or Bandura’s Social Learning Theory) or theoretical frameworks (e.g., ecological theory, risk and resilience) examined in this course and apply it to your topic:
  • Briefly describe the theory and its components.
  • Interpret the findings of the studies you reviewed using your theory.
  • Describe what else this theory might suggest about your topic.
• Gather and incorporate information on professional practice experience. This can be any direct engagement with professionals that is relevant to the specific population described in your paper. It may be clinical or macro in focus, (e.g., individual work with a client, group work, community organizing, legislative efforts).

Based on all of the above, make 3-5 concrete recommendations for social work practice.

*You will need to talk with a professional who has first-hand experience with your selected topic (e.g., program director, practitioner, community advocate, or researcher). You may also augment this with client perspectives or first person accounts written by an individual who is part of the population you discussed in your paper. Your direct experience as a professional in the field cannot be used as a substitute for speaking with another professional in the field. Speak with your facilitator if you have any questions.*