The Literature Review

(Paradigm)

Paradigm

• Paradigm is the "p" that is behind the Literature Review section.

• People often use the term paradigm when they speak of "paradigm shifts" or changes from one form of knowledge and/or experience to another.

• For example, the widely accepted use of social media indicates a paradigm shift in the way in which human beings communicate and interact with one another.

• For us, Paradigm involves both ideas and examples. We will call them "Theoretical Frameworks" and "Models of Success."

Theoretical Frameworks

• Theoretical Frameworks involve the dominant ways of thinking about solving your problem.

• These are over-arching theories, not specific example.• If we continue our example of alcohol abuse among first-

semester freshman at Rutgers, Theoretical Frameworks might involve major theories of addiction and alcoholism in general, as well as more specific theories regarding the college-age population.

• A good Literature Review should have at least two sources that could be considered Theoretical Frameworks.

Models of Success

• Models of Success are the example that you analyze to make your case.

• The point of this exercise if for you to evaluate each model and to determine what in it is worth emulating and what it is doesn't work.

• By going through this process of evaluation in your Literature Review, your models then act as stepping stones to your own plan.

• Thus, the last model that you evaluate is the one that is closest to your own plan.

• A good Literature Review should have at least three Models of Success.

Conclusion

• If your discussion of a Problem helps to convince a Patron that you are working on something worthwhile, then your treatment of a Paradigm in the Literature Review is your chance to shine by demonstrating how your own Plan is based on the successful Plans of others (and how it is better than these Plans!).

• A detailed Introduction distinguishes a C+ proposal from a B, and a strong Paradigm section distinguishes a B paper from a B+.