Literature Review Writing Guidelines
Formatting Requirements
- 1. The paper is required to be typed on A4-sized paper with the margins must be set as follows: left 4 cm, right 3 cm, top and bottom 3 cm each.
- 2. Line spacing is set to 1.5.
- 3. The abstract should contain 200 to 300 words in one paragraph.
- 4. The institution must be typed below the author's name, with no spaces between.
- 5. The team leader's email address must appear beneath the institution name, with two line breaks following it but no space before it.
- 6. The abstract text should have six point spaces after eight, be justified, and not indented. At least three keywords associated with the paper must be listed in alphabetical order beneath the abstract. Italicize the keywords, put "Keywords:" in bold + italic before them, and then follow it up with a colon (:).
- 7. The title must be no more than 20 words long and written in capital letters. To reduce the chance of misunderstanding, it is advised to be clear, concise, and directly related to the subject.
- 8. The Originality Statement must confirm the author's claim that the work is original and that it has never been published, and not previously entered in a similar event or won in any competition.
- 9. The paper are limited to 10 pages (counted from Chapter I to Chapter V).
- 10. Pages starting from the title page to the table of contents use Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc.), located at the center bottom of each page.
- 11. Pages from Chapter I to Chapter V use Arabic numerals, positioned at the bottom right corner of each page.
Systematic Outline of Literature Review
12. The systematic outline of the Literature Review include:
(1) Title Cover (Appendix 1)
- (a) The cover page must include both the paper title and the selected sub-theme, with the sub-theme placed directly below the title.
- (b) TITLE should be typed in all uppercase letters. It is expected to be expressive, precise, and directly relevant to the subject matter being addressed, with no room for ambiguity or multiple interpretations. The maximum length is 20 words.
- (c) University Logo should be placed clearly and proportionally on the cover. The arrangement should follow the order of Mulawarman University and PILLARS.
- (d) The author's full name, faculties and study programs, and year of enrollment must be stated legibly.
- (e) The name of the university, origin city, and year of writing/submission should be presented clearly.
(2) Abstract
- 1) Single paragraph, maximum 300 words.
- 2) Summarize the background/objective, methodology, key results, and conclusion.
- 3) Do not include citations or uncommon abbreviations.
- 4) Should be concise and self-contained, easily understood without external context.
- 5) Keyword Immediately after the abstract paragraph, write Keywords.
- 6) Include 3–5 specific keywords in alphabetical order, separated by commas or semicolons.
- 7) Avoid generic terms; use terms that accurately reflect your research content.
(3) Table of Contents
Table of contents and other necessary lists such as list of figures, list of tables, and list of appendices.
(4) List of Tables and Figures (if any)
(5) CHAPTER I: Introduction (Background, Problem Formulation, Objective, Benefits)
This chapter outlines the background of the topic, formulates the main problem, states the objective of the paper, and explains its expected benefits. The discussion should be supported by relevant literature and include brief perspectives from other authors who have previously addressed similar topics.
(6) CHAPTER II: Result (Emphasizing Secondary Data)
This chapter presents the research findings based entirely on secondary data. Participants must clearly and systematically describe the results using credible sources such as scientific journals, government publications, institutional reports, or statistical databases. The data should be presented in an objective manner, without any interpretation or analysis. To enhance clarity, the use of tables, figures, or charts is highly encouraged. This section must strictly focus on factual information obtained from the referenced sources, while any discussion or interpretation must be included in the next chapter.
(7) CHAPTER III: Writing methods (Non-Research)
This section outlines the steps or procedures for collecting data or information. It includes:
- 1) Data Collection Techniques: Methods used to gather information, such as surveys, interviews, observations, or document analysis.
- 2) Data Processing: How the collected data is organized and prepared for analysis.
- 3) Data Analysis: The techniques employed to interpret and make sense of the data, such as thematic analysis or content analysis.
- 4) Conceptual Framework: The theoretical structure guiding the research, including key concepts and their relationships.
(8) CHAPTER IV: Discussion
This chapter presents a detailed analysis and interpretation of the results in relation to the problem formulation and objectives stated in earlier chapters. The discussion must demonstrate critical thinking, supported by relevant data, theories, and references. Comparisons with previous studies or literature may be included to strengthen the arguments.
(9) CHAPTER V: Conclusions and Suggestions
This section contains the key findings and recommended suggestions for future action or research.
(10) Bibliography
The bibliography contains information on all references cited within the main body of the paper. Every source referenced in the manuscript must appear in the bibliography. The citation format must follow the APA Style.
(11) Appendix 1 (Participants' biodata)
Appendix 1 shall contain the participants' biodata, including: full name, gender, study program, place and date of birth, email address, and phone number.
(12) Appendix 2 (Originality Statement Sheet)
Important Notes
- Follow all formatting requirements strictly
- Ensure proper page numbering (Roman for preliminary pages, Arabic for chapters)
- Use APA citation style throughout the paper
- Include all required appendices
- Proofread for compliance with guidelines
