Assessment of improved health outcomes for vulnerable popula…

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