Application 5.3

Statement of Need – Using the Literature

Overview:

Using current literature to support your ideas is critical for various reasons. First, being current demonstrates your knowledge of the field, issue, or idea—this helps with credibility and may yield support from grant reviewers. Second, staying current with the literature can also help identify gaps that need to be addressed; these gaps can be the foundation to justify the need for a prospective funder. Third, staying up to date with the literature can also help expose different perspectives and ethical considerations that may not have been fully explored without being immersed in the literature. For example, while the topic of sportsmanship may be universally accepted as something we strive for with youth, immersion into the literature may show that there are many perspectives on this topic. The issues may range from the lack of consistent standards by sport (e.g. lacrosse versus soccer versus football), professionalization of youth sports (travel sports for youth), different cultural backgrounds, and an over-emphasis on winning (Proulx, Macchia, & Aknin, 2023). Immersing yourself in the literature can assist grant writers in making a case for funding.

Assignment:

In a small group discussion, discuss sources you use to explore current literature—where do you turn to get current literature on a topic? Select either option 1 or 2 below, and extract information from the source(s) that may help draft a rationale.

Option 1:

Mobile food pantries are a viable option to meet the growing issue of food insecurity. These pantries can meet people wherever they are – delivering nutritious food to individuals in need. Having adequate amounts of food for individuals and families is a real issue, with an estimated 32 million individuals (including 5 million youth), being food insecure at some point in 2021 (Coleman-Jensen et al., 2022).

What examples of data, statistics, and evidence may help make the case that food insecurity is an issue? To answer this question, find three different sources and provide a one or two sentence statement, using the data, that could help make the case.

Source #1 (using 7th edition APA format):

Statement #1:

Source #2:

Statement #2:

Source #3:

Statement #3:

Example of comparative data (e.g. comparing data from 2000 to 2020):

Example of qualitative data that may support the cause:

What data, statistics, or evidence helps establish a sense of urgency or importance for the issue?

Option 2:

Based on a topic of interest to you, jump into the literature and locate data, stats, or evidence (within the last five years), that supports the existence or importance of the issue.

Source #1 (using 7th edition APA format):

Statement #1:

Source #2:

Statement #2:

Source #3:

Statement #3:

Example of comparative data (e.g. comparing data from 2000 to 2020):

Example of qualitative data that may support the cause:

What data, statistics, or evidence helps establish a sense of urgency or importance for the issue?

References

Coleman-Jensen, A., Rabbit, M., Gregory, C., & Singh, A. (2022). Household food security in the United States in 2021. U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. https://www.ers.usda.gov/webdocs/publications/104656/err-309_summary.pdf?v=2718.6

Proulx, J., Macchia, L., and Aknin, L. (2023). Can repeated and reflective prosocial experiences in sport increase generosity in adolescent athletes? Journal of Positive Psychology, DOI: 10.1080/17439760.2023.2178955