-Topic 2: Systematic Review: The Effectiveness of Digital Tools to Improve Writing Skill of ESL Students.
– A sample is also provided.
-Option B: Theoretical Study (Systematic Review):
For your theoretical study, you will be conducting a systematic review on a topic related to teaching writing and theories. This option involves reviewing and synthesizing existing research to provide a comprehensive overview of a specific issue or debate within teaching writing.
(add the studies published in the last 5 years, add studies within the Arab and Saudi context)
What is a Systematic Review?
A systematic review is a method of gathering, evaluating, and synthesizing research studies related to a particular topic or question. The goal is to provide a detailed summary of what is already known, identify any gaps in the literature, and present findings in a structured and unbiased manner.
Steps to Conduct a Systematic Review:
1. Choose a Clear Research Topic: Pick a specific question or topic related to teaching writing. This could be about language variation, language attitudes, multilingualism, or any teaching writing issue that interests you. (ensure your topics are no later than 5 years old and are incorporated within the Arab context). Add relevant examples from the Arabic and foreign context add relevant examples from the Saudi context.
2. Search for Relevant Literature: Look for academic sources (journal articles, books, conference papers) that discuss your topic. Make sure to use multiple databases (e.g., Google Scholar, JSTOR, etc.) to gather a broad range of studies.
3. Set Criteria for Including/Excluding Studies: Be clear about which studies are relevant. Decide what type of research fits your review (e.g., empirical studies, theoretical papers, etc.) and which do not.
4. Analyze and Organize the Literature: o Summarize the key findings of each study you include in your review.
o Identify patterns, common themes, or contradictions between different studies.
o Group studies by similarities (e.g., methods used, results, theoretical frameworks).
5. Identify Gaps and Draw Conclusions: After reviewing the literature, highlight any gaps where further research is needed. Discuss how the existing studies help answer your initial research question and what they reveal about the topic.
6. Structure Your Paper: o Introduction: Provide an overview of the research question and explain why the topic is important.
o Methodology: Explain how you conducted your review (e.g., which databases you searched, what criteria you used to select studies).
o Review of Findings: Summarize the studies, pointing out similarities, differences, and key insights.
o Discussion: Discuss the main themes or conclusions from your review and any gaps or inconsistencies in the literature.
o Conclusion: Summarize the key findings and suggest areas for future research.
Plagiarism Policy:
There is a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism. Plagiarized work will result in a grade of zero for the assignment. Ensure that all sources are properly cited and referenced according to the required citation style.
Submission Guidelines:
-The final paper should be submitted through Blackboard.
-Follow the specified citation style (APA) for in-text citations and the reference list.
-The final research paper is an opportunity for you to demonstrate your research skills, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate scholarly findings effectively. Choose the option that aligns best with your interests and the course material, and ensure that your work is original and properly cited.