Lifespan Development Psychology Research Paper

  First: think of a topic of interest to you that applies to this Psy.12 course.   If you can’t think of a topic, go to the index in the textbook and choose a topic from there.  If you are unsure about a topic, please don’t hesitate: email me.  You could go to the Chabot Library (if open) and simply browse through the Psychology Journals to find an interesting topic.  The Librarians are extremely helpful if you have questions.   You might also have to think about what aspect of your topic that you might want to focus on. (“Depression” or “Substance Abuse” or “Abuse” as categories are too broad.)  So, narrowing in on a topic might be: 1) Teenage Depression and Drug Use, or 2) Watching Violent Video Games and Later Aggression in Children, or 3) Consequences of Sexual Violence, etc.  
Even if the Library isn’t open: I’d suggest that you access Chabot’s Library Link, scroll to the bottom of our Home-page, click on “Library,”  then click on “Data Bases,” then click on: Academic Premier Search. You’ll see ‘blank boxes’ where you can type in your topic — then various studies will appear.  Choose one that you like, the PDF copy is the best to view.  This is a great online site that you ought to be familiar with as you move forward in your academic work.
         Find one article that is a primary sources, i.e. documenting studies that use the experimental method or a descriptive method.    The study you select must have participants.  Do not write a paper on either a literature review or Meta Analysis.  (If you do not know what these are, look up the definitions and if you’re still unsure, email me.)   Feel free to discuss any part of this with me; and, if you wish, you can show me the 1st page of the study you’ve found, just to make sure you are ‘on track.’  Do not use newspaper or magazine articles, as these are ‘secondary sources.’
        In writing your paper you may not use more than 5 consecutive words from the study without using quotation marks around the passage and citing the source. State the name of the person who wrote the words that you are quoting.  The majority of the paper must be in your own words.  It’s important that you get into this habit to avoid plagiarism accusations.
        Your paper must include the following:

Type 3 page description of the study.  Double spaced/Times Roman font.  You can link your paper (PDF or Word.doc) into the Text Box Entry.   You paper could include:
What was the purpose of the research? What were the researchers studying? Was a hypothesis stated?  If so, what was it?
Who were the subjects? How many? How were they obtained?
Describe the type of study that was conducted: Was this an Experimental Method or a Descriptive Methods study?  Were independent and dependent variables stated? Or what do you think these might be?  What measurements were used?
What were the results and conclusions of the study?
Then type a 1- 2 page critique of the study:  What have you learned about this assignment?  Include your likes and dislikes.   If you had conducted the study what questions would you have asked?  Critique the research; for example: the sample was too small, the sample wasn’t diverse enough; or the operational definitions did not really measure what the researcher was wanting to measure, etc.
Type the complete citation for the article. For example:  Smith, James C., “The Impact of TV Violence on Teens,” in Jo. of Child Development, vol. 2, issue 4, 1999, pp.1-52.   This can be typed at the end of your paper.
Attach a pic of the 1st and 2nd page of the study (PDF version).  I want to see that the study involved participants. This pic can be added as a PDF in the comment section below the Text Entry box or as a second text-box entry.