Guidelines for Writing a Review Paper: Summary and Critical Analysis

Summary

Carefully summarize the key points in each section, as per the tutor’s guidelines. In addition to the summary, you will also need to critically examine the review paper to comment broadly on its strengths and weaknesses. Depending on the topic and population, you could comment on its usefulness, validity, limitations, thoroughness, methodology and/or conceptualization.

Your summary of the review should be no more than four pages. In addition to the summary, you will also need to critically examine the review to comment broadly on the strengths and weaknesses of the review. Depending on the topic and population, you could critically examine the review for its usefulness, validity, limitations, thoroughness, and/or conceptualization. The critical analysis should be no more than two pages.

The finished report should be double-spaced, using 12 point Times New Roman font. The report should also include a title page with a title, your name and affiliation and a reference page listing the article you reviewed. The total report should be no more than eight pages, including separate pages for the title page and the reference page and should be completed following the guidelines in the APA Style Guide.

 

Title Page: Provide title, name, and affiliation (i.e. Athabasca University) using APA format.

Report Body:

Introduction – Briefly introduce the review article by describe the problem statement or research question that motivates the review. Let the reader know what is to follow in the report in terms of what you are doing, and why.

Summary – Summarize the major sections of the review based on your discussion with your tutor. Focus on the conclusions drawn and/or the unresolved issues of each section. Remember that this section is only a maximum of 4 pages.

 

Critical Analysis – Critically analyze one or more aspects of the review. The critical analysis does not have to be inherently negative. A critical analysis can also be positive in showing new applications or solutions or understanding.