Diversity in Business

Purpose: Our goal in an upper level writing class is to move beyond repeating or transcribing knowledge and into creating knowledge. To do this, we must consider what has come before, in terms of research and knowledge, and how that body of knowledge has been/is constructed. That is to say that in order to find an entryway into the discourse of our chosen topics, an original perspective or contribution, it is integral to first understand what has already been said and how it has contributed to shaping the current discourse surrounding your field of study. 
The purpose of this assignment is 1) to become aware of the current “landscape” of research surrounding a problem or debate in your field/discipline 2) work on making your sources “talk” to one another (draw conclusions, spot inconsistencies/contradictions, etc. between sources) and 3) get a head start on the final research paper by viewing a relevant and influential body of scholarship and, in considering the work of others, be able to take the next step forward – adding to it. 
Method: As the Literature Review (also known as a Review of Literature or Research or a Bibliographical Essay) is a set form/genre of writing, please consult the following source. 
http://writingcenter(dot)gmu(dot)edu/writing-resources/wc-quick-guides (a simple, straightforward handout from GMU's Writing Center). 
A good Lit Review should be thorough (it looks at key scholars and studies on the topic, both contemporary and “classic”), reliable (it uses credible, peer-reviewed studies and sources), it should contain synthesis (it connects studies/articles across the discipline, notices patterns or inconsistencies, “gaps” etc. in the research) and should be, above all, objective (it shows no bias selecting, or interpreting/analyzing the research being reviewed). 
As a whole, should present a “survey” of the significant research already done in an area of study via scholarly articles, books, and/or other sources. You should employ your skills in summary, synthesis, and critical evaluation regarding key ideas, concepts, and research on a topic. 
It should also be written as a cohesive essay, not in sections or bullet-points. The purpose is to summarize the landscape of research on a topic by synthesizing information from several sources simultaneously, that is, making them “talk” to one another and respond to one another's claims and findings. Consider from our readings, what Bizup (BEAM) notes as methods of responding to or creating arguments: affirming, disputing, refining, extending. When composing your literature review, consider the relationship(s) that your sources may have with one another. Do they build upon an earlier study? Contradict? Make obsolete? Do they relate in some other way entirely?
Nuts and Bolts: You must find and discuss at least 5 scholarly sources (from books or journals found through the GMU library system). You should use direct textual evidence from your sources to provide context (background), show arguments, exhibits, and methods as necessary and you should cite these instances in-text using the MLA or APA style. Organization is important here – consider which studies, concepts/theories and terms are most relevant and in which order you should discuss them/engage them with others. There should also be an introduction which contextualizes the topic and its “history,” as well as a conclusion which wraps up the review and addresses the need for further research ( consider this conclusion the justification for your research paper). Finally there should be a cover page and pages should be numbered and stapled.
Audience: Your audience here will be academic peers outside of your discipline (and unfamiliar with the intricacies of your topic). In choosing your scholarly sources, make sure to include some that are considered foundational and integral to understanding the issue.
Evaluation: A successful paper will follow the prompt and contain 5 well-chosen, relevant scholarly sources. It will be clear from the writing that these sources are justifiably chosen – i.e. their contributions to the understanding of the topic will be clear and major. The paper will be organized logically with special attention given to transitions and statements of relationship between sources/scholars. It will show a mastery (understanding) of the source material in a way that allows for thoughtful and insightful synthesis of your sources (this means discussing more than one at a time). It will do more than summarize – the review will discuss not just how the sources contribute to the “research landscape” but will also contain moments of analysis and criticism in which you, the author, objectively acknowledge patterns, inconsistencies, or gaps/flaws in research or between multiple sources. It will be relatively free from grammar/spelling mistakes. 
include background source, find way to make sources talk to each other, break the topic into concepts and fit the sources with each other based on the concepts selected.