The literature review research paper is an individually written paper that systematically
reviews previously published research specific topic, problem, or subject, and relates the
current scientific evidence on the topic to clinical practice issues. The main purpose of
the literature review assignment is to summarize and critically evaluate the literature of
existing published research to establish current knowledge of a topic. This paper allows
the student to identify relevant key points and any gaps in the existing research as it
relates to the topic and oral health/dentistry.
The literature review is structured like an essay but does not argue a point of view.
What is the literature to review? The literature refers to previous work or sources of
information relevant to your topic. There are three sources of materials:
Primary sources: First-hand reports of original studies, mainly found in
academic journal articles.
Secondary sources: Critical evaluations and syntheses of original studies.
Tertiary sources: Information and ideas often put together from primary or
secondary sources, such as textbooks, encyclopedias, etc. For this assignment
only 1 tertiary source may be used. You should mainly use primary sources and
perhaps the occasional secondary source.
This assignment requires the student to:
Choose a relevant oral health topic, problem, or subject
Search current scholarly databases and sources for existing literature on the topic
using evidence-based methods
Write a research question using the PICO question formatting related to the
chosen topic
Choose a minimum of 3 (maximum 5) relevant peer-reviewed sources that relate
to the topic problem
Read and review the literature–
Write a 35-page cohesive evaluation of the scientific literature on the chosen
topic
Follow the assignment guidelines as listed in these instructions
Steps to Complete the Literature Review Research Paper:
Step 1: Submit the topic on Brightspace by 1/26/26 by 6PM:
2 Choose a relevant oral health topic, problem or subject from the provided list (available
on Brightspace). Any topics other than those listed must be discussed and approved by
Prof Cahoon prior to the due date.
Search the library databases for existing literature via NYU Health Sciences Library
(example databases: Pubmed, Scopus, etc.).
Research the oral health problem or topic prior to submitting topic to ensure enough
current scientific literature exists on the topic.
Choose a topic that interests you! If it doesnt interest you, this will be a very hard
assignment to complete!
Failure to submit your topic by the assigned date will result in 2-point deduction from
the final paper grade. No email submissions will be accepted.
Step 2: Submit a research question on Brightspace by 2/23/26 by 6PM.
There will be lectures and practice assignments in writing a research question prior to submitting
and should use the resources to complete a complete research question.
The submitted research question should use the following format for submitting the question:
P (patient/problem/population)
I (intervention)
C (comparison)
(outcome/impact)
Multiple research questions may be submitted if the student has different ideas related to the
approved topic.
Failure to submit PICO question by the assigned date will result in 2-point
deduction from the final paper grade. No email submissions will be accepted.
Step 3: Complete a database search. Choose a minimum of 3 (no more than 5) peer-reviewed
sources from the completed database search that relates to the specific topic.
Students will learn how to conduct a database search and should refer to that
lecture to assist with this part of the assignment.
Articles should be current (published no earlier than the year 2010).
Read all the chosen articles.
Identify the common themes of existing knowledge related to the topic,
recommendations for clinical practice or patient care, etc. between the articles that
help answer your research question.
Only 1 tertiary source may be used (i.e. textbook, encyclopedia may be used as
peer-reviewed source to provide background data on the topic)
No use of non-peer-reviewed sources.
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o Websites ending in .com are not peer-reviewed sources! Websites ending
in .gov or .org may be used for background information but only 1 website
may be used. If using a textbook a website may not be used.
Step 4: Write and submit an introductory paragraph and reference list in AMA formatting on
Brightspace by 3/9/26 by 6PM. No email submissions accepted. Must upload via Turnitin
on Brightspace.
The introductory paragraph is written after reading the 3-5 sources chosen. Read all articles
before writing.
The introductory paragraph should include:
A clear, declarative thesis statement related to the submitted topic and
PICO question
Introduce the general issue and its importance
Identify key trends from the existing reviewed literature and the specific
focus to be developed in the body the literature review
Be 4-6 complete sentences in length
The introductory paragraph must contain at least 1 in-text citation in
AMA format.
In addition to the introductory paragraph, the student will submit
A list of the 3 peer-reviewed sources (no more than 5) chosen for the
literature review
Must be on a separate page following AMA format. (Be sure to refer to
the AMA ppt that appears in Course Resources for clear examples of how
to cite and how to write a reference list).
Failure to submit the Introductory Paragraph and a minimum of 3 sources
will result in a 10-point deduction from the final paper grade. No email
submissions will be accepted.
Step 5: Submit the final literature review research paper (3-5 pages) with separate reference page
on Brightspace by 3/30/2026 by 6PM. No email submissions accepted. Must upload via
Turnitin on Brightspace.
After thorough review of the chosen existing research, the student must write an organized paper
to show evaluation and analysis the data, identification and summary of current themes and key
points, and attempt to identify weaknesses or gaps in the research for future studies.
Use the feedback from Dr. Cahoon from the previous parts of the assignment and apply to the
final written paper. A successful literature review analyzes and critically evaluates the evidence
and presents clear, specific, and current data on the topic/subject.
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The final paper must include the following:
Cover page with:
o title of the paper
o list of the databases searched (i.e. Pubmed)
o MeSH words used for database search
o student full name
Cohesive written research paper with introduction, body, and conclusion
Clear thesis statement related to the submitted research question
Identification, development, and summary of at least 2 key points/themes
related to the topic/thesis statement
Include specific data from a minimum of 3 peer-reviewed sources (max 5)
that relates to the overall topic
Does not use information from .com, any non-peer-reviewed sources or
fabricated sources
Present relevant information from the research to show knowledge of the
chosen topic
Does not present any argument or opinion
Demonstrate organization, logic, and comprehension to the overall topic
Be 3-5 pages in length using complete sentences and paragraphs with
separate reference page
Contain multiple in-text citations to demonstrate effective use of the
evidence
Use AMA citation style for in-text citations and end of paper reference list
o An end of paper reference list using AMA citation style is required
o Any submissions using a style other than AMA will require
redoing the assignment
o Use AMA citation style for all in-text references of research,
thoughts or ideas that are not the students own. There are many
resources posted to Brightspace related to AMA formatting. See
the following link and AMA Reference guide on Brightspace:
https://guides.nyu.edu/amastyle
Students will upload the final draft of the research paper for plagiarism using Turnitin via
Brightspace. Any unoriginality score greater than 10% will result in a 0 for the written
assignment with referral to the Dean and Ethics Council for disciplinary action.
This assignment requires original work from the student, but the use of AI
may be used to assist the student. Any use of AI tools must be cited or
referenced, and a description of how the tool was used must be
provided at the end of the paper. Failure to disclose the use of AI or
misuse of AI will result in significant deductions or redoing the
assignment.
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If you are confused by any use of AI tools or how to document, ask
before submitting!
The final paper must be a minimum of 3 pages and no more than 5 pages (not including
title and reference page), double-spaced, written in Times New Roman in size 12 font, with
page numbers. Any papers submitted with incorrect formatting will receive a minimum 5-
point deduction from the final score.
The paper will be graded using a Research Paper Rubric available through
the Brightspace course site.
The Writing Center is a place where any NYU student can get help with writing. Students are
encouraged to contact the writing center for any writing and revising needs but must follow
the guidelines as outlined in this description and the grading rubric.
https://www.nyu.edu/students/academic-services/writing-center.html
**All students must demonstrate a minimum level of competence in scientific theory and
research as it relates to the standards of patient care. Students not achieving a minimum score
of 75 on the final draft of the literature review research paper must redo the assignment
using the feedback from the course director to show competence with the application of
research. The redo of the assignment must be completed prior to end of the semester based on a
due date from the course director. The previous earned grade will stand, but students must
complete the assignment to a minimum level competence as identified in the assignment
instructions for course completion. Failure to redo will result in an incomplete in the cours