Literature Review for Therapeutic Research

Overview
For this assignment locate eight peer-reviewed articles published in the past seven years that provide findings and theories relevant to the research topic you selected in the previous assignment.

Write a literature review, beginning with a statement about the purpose of your proposed study, including the topic, goals, and focus, and then proceed to discuss the methods and findings of the studies you located. Try to avoid writing your review as "a laundry list" of a study and then another study, one after the other, but instead try to group your studies by findings, topics, or the methods utilized.

To achieve a critical analysis in your literature review, discuss at least one strength and at least one weakness of each study regarding its sample, procedure, data analysis, etc. In other words, for each study, what made it robust and impactful, and what was a limitation?

Instructions
Write a four-page literature review in which you:

Identify recent peer-reviewed studies relevant to a research project topic, goals, and focus.
Describe sample, method, analysis and findings of eight studies.
Include a critical analysis of a review of eight studies.
Submission Requirements
Written communication: It should be free of errors that detract from the overall message.
APA formatting: Resources and citations are formatted according to current APA style and formatting. Use Academic Writer for guidance in citing sources in proper APA style. See the Writing Center for more APA resources specific to your degree level.
Number of sources: A minimum of eight peer-reviewed journal articles. Visit MS in Marriage & Family Therapy Library Research Guide for help with research.
Length: 4 double-spaced, typed pages, not including the cover page and reference list.
Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 points.
Competencies Measured
By successfully completing this assignment you will demonstrate your proficiency in the following course competencies and rubric criteria:

Competency 2: Identify appropriate marriage and family therapy research methodology.
Identify recent peer-reviewed studies relevant to a research project topic, goal(s), and focus.
Competency 3: Develop a research proposal.
Describe sample, method, analysis, and findings of eight studies.
Complete a critical analysis of a review of eight studies.
Competency 4: Communicate effectively through the appropriate application of grammar, punctuation, spelling, writing mechanics, and professional tone, while adhering to APA (6th edition) formatting and style.
Communicate effectively through the consistent use of APA guidelines for grammar, punctuation, and mechanics expected of a family therapy professional.
Week 6 Assignment: Literature Review
Criteria Ratings Points
Identify recent peer-reviewed studies relevant to a research project topic, goal(s), and focus.

DISTINGUISHED
Identifies recent, peer-reviewed studies relevant and elucidating to a research project topic, goal(s), and focus, citing scholarly sources.
62.5 to >53.13 pts

PROFICIENT
Identifies recent, peer-reviewed studies relevant to a research project topic, goal(s), and focus.
53.13 to >43.75 pts

BASIC
Identifies peer-reviewed studies but not all are recent or relevant to a research project topic, goal(s), and focus.
43.75 to >0 pts

NON_PERFORMANCE
Does not identify recent, peer-reviewed studies relevant to a research project topic, goal(s), and focus.
0 pts
/62.5 pts
Describe sample, method, analysis, and findings of eight studies.

DISTINGUISHED
Describes sample, method, analysis, and findings of eight studies in specific detail, including strengths and weaknesses of each.
62.5 to >53.13 pts

PROFICIENT
Describes sample, method, analysis, and findings of eight studies.
53.13 to >43.75 pts

BASIC
Describes eight studies but does not specify sample, method, analysis, or findings for all of them.
43.75 to >0 pts

NON_PERFORMANCE
Does not describe sample, method, analysis, and findings of eight studies.
0 pts
/62.5 pts
Complete a critical analysis of a review of eight studies.

DISTINGUISHED
Conducts a critical analysis of a review of eight studies supported with detailed and in depth insight.
62.5 to >53.13 pts

PROFICIENT
Completes a critical analysis of a review of eight studies.
53.13 to >43.75 pts

BASIC
Conducts a partial critical analysis of a review of eight studies.
43.75 to >0 pts

NON_PERFORMANCE
Does not complete a critical analysis of a review of eight studies.
0 pts
/62.5 pts
Communicate effectively through the consistent use of APA guidelines for grammar, punctuation, and mechanics expected of a family therapy professional.

DISTINGUISHED
Communicates clearly and effectively through the consistent and correct use of APA guidelines for grammar, punctuation, and mechanics expected of a family therapy professional.
62.5 to >53.13 pts

PROFICIENT
Communicates effectively through the consistent use of APA guidelines for grammar, punctuation, and mechanics expected of a family therapy professional.
53.13 to >43.75 pts

BASIC
Communicates inconsistently using APA guidelines for grammar, punctuation, and mechanics.
43.75 to >0 pts

NON_PERFORMANCE
Does not communicate effectively through the consistent use of APA guidelines for grammar, punctuation, and mechanics expected of a family therapy professional.
0 pts
/62.5 pts