Research and literature review in Expectancy value theory in STEM field courses

Description

Students will identify a research topic and engage in a literature review to identify potential theoretical frameworks related to their topic. They will evaluate (a) common methodologies associated with their research topic and respective theoretical frameworks, (b) methods used for empirical investigation of the topic, and (c) substantive and empirical gaps in the literature. The student will identify a theoretical framework that will guide their design project.
Instructions

1. Identify a topic/focal area of research
2. Identify a list of 10-12 key words to start a literature search.
3. Use the library databases to conduct a literature review. For this assignment, use only peer-reviewed/refereed journals and journal articles. These may be theoretical, review papers, or empirical papers (pro-tip – try to find a good review paper on your topic – it helps to identify seminal articles and major theories).
4. Develop a document that includes the following:
   • A description of your search process to include how you narrowed your topic. Your final set of articles for this review exercise should include 8-12 papers.
   • A brief introduction/description of your topic, including definitions of key terms
   • A list and description of major theories and/or models that have been used to frame investigations of your topic
   • A brief review, with supporting citations, of methodologies that have been used to investigate your topic (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, mixed). You may also discuss modes of inquiry.
   • A brief description of the research designs and methods that are most commonly used to investigate your topic (e.g., survey research, experimental designs, phenomenology)
   • A critical review of what you think is missing from your area of study – think of gaps. Are there parts of the theory or model that have been left behind? Are there gaps in our knowledge related to the use of certain types of methodologies or methods? What more could we learn?
   • Tentatively select a theory or model that will guide your work and generate a problem statement.