Systematic Directions of Academic Writings by Harvard - Literature review Example

The paper "Systematic Directions of Academic Writings by Harvard" is a good example of a literature review on education. In academic writing, it is of great essence that research papers follow the proper guidelines of standard academic papers. In the research conducted by Matthäus (2008; p.4), it is evident that academic writers have a lot of tasks to their hands, in an attempt to present a well structured academic paper. The main aspects that can be borrowed from Gustavii’s (2003; p.1-3) recommendation of a standard academic paper revolve around the structure of the paper, which entails its layout.

Additionally, in the work of Gustavii (2003; p.131), the author indicates that a paper that is devoid of citations is one that is invalid. Besides the citation aspect of the paper, it is important that the paper strictly adheres to the grammatical rules of the language used. Such a paper as Hall (2012; p.33) insists is one that sticks to the rules of language and one can be presented as an academic paper. This paper will critique 2010’s article, " Educational Validity of Business Gaming Simulation: A Research Methodology Framework" by Johnson, Stainton & Borodzicz.

  Structure of the paperThe sample article, by Johnson, Stainton & Borodzicz (2010) provided will be used to assess the validity of the paper as a sample academic paper. From a general overview of the article, the paper is seemingly satisfactory in terms of the general format. The paper has been subdivided into paragraphs that have subtitles starting from the abstract. This allows the reader to have a clear glimpse of the contents in the paper, in an easier manner. For instance, in the event that the reader needed a simple idea of the article, they would clearly do that easily from the restructuring of the paragraphs.

In addition, as Matthäus (2008; p.6), demands of a quality academic paper, Johnson, Stainton & Borodzicz (2010) have applied the use of a standard language, which is understandable and acceptable. The sentence structures are approved, with the right application of punctuation marks. CitationsOf essence, the proper citation has not failed in the mentioning of the characteristic of a valid academic paper, as seen in the research conducted by Neville (2007; p.120). However, Johnson, Stainton & Borodzicz’s (2010) article has not failed to meet this characteristic of a valid academic paper.

The article has clearly cited all the thoughts and ideas of other analysts and researchers that have contributed to the compilation of the ideas in the paper. This can be evidenced from the long list of references as seen in the article (Johnson, Stainton & Borodzicz, 2010; p.719-722). In this case, it is warranted to indicate that this paper is in no way plagiarized a very crucial aspect in any academic paper. However, it is important to note that the author has incorporated references that are very archaic, as opposed to the recommendation by Harvard referencing to use novel references.

In terms of the citation aspect, it is vital to note that the references in the reference list have been sort out in an alphabetical manner, as per the Harvard requirement (Johnson, Stainton & Borodzicz, 2010; p.719-722). The sources are also valid and are deduced from reliable sources ranging from books, papers to symposiums. The work, at this juncture, can be termed as a reliable academic paper. In the case of the layout, Matthäus (2008; p. 6-40) argues that research papers must be keen to include abstracts, declaration of authenticity, table of contents, background, literature reviews, a glossary of terms, acknowledgments, a listing of tables and figures, recommendations and conclusions.

However, these aspects are dependent on the type of paper in question. Basing this argument in the research study conducted by Johnson, Stainton & Borodzicz (2010), the article has been structured from the abstract to the conclusion. However, it is important to note that the paper does not include a table of contents, as recommended by the Harvard referencing terms. The diagrams, charts, and figures have been well labeled in sequence as Gustavii (2003; p.20) indicates an aspect that allows the reader an easier time in perusing the pages and content of the work.

ConclusionConclusively, Harvard referencing requires that all academic papers follow the systematic directions stipulated in their guidelines. The onset of a paper ought, to begin with, a title page, followed by an introduction of the paper to the conclusion of the same. The paper by Johnson, Stainton & Borodzicz (2010) is indeed one that adheres to this structure. Though the paper has few hitches, a lot of the requirements by Harvard are evident, especially from the general overview of the paper, from the abstract to the bios of the authors of the article.