Term Paper:
Your term paper will involve a study of a diagnosis of your choosing. You will examine the
etiology (cause) and treatment from two contrasting theoretical perspectives, citing at least
five sources Goumals, books, interviews, etc.) You may not use the textbook. Your paper
must follow A.P.A. format. Please refer to the handout on the term paper for detailed criteria.
5 pages double spaced
Objective of the Paper:
The successful student will learn to:
1. Identify a specific diagnosis and formulate questions about the description, cause,
implications of and treatment of abnormal behavior.
2. Devise a method for researching scientific findings regarding diagnoses.
3. Utilize various search strategies including (but not limited to) Internet, online catalogs
and databases, interviews,CD's or DVD's, to access credible information.
4. Evaluate the strengths of research as applies to the selected SUbject.
5. Familiarize oneself with scientific communication style specific communication style
specific to psychology (A.PA format).
6. Synthesize various citations to develop and support a thesis statement regarding the
characteristics, causes, and treatments of mental disorders.
Criteria for the Paper:
Select an aspect of abnormal behavior that can be explained from at least two theoretical
perspectives.
The paper can be prepared in a number of formats.
• Contrast paper; (Le., compare research supporting conflicting theories.)
• Argument paper; (i.e., Making a case for one perspective over the other)
• Review paper; (i.e., survey research from various perspectives along a common
theme.)
• Synthesis paper; (Le., reporting on several disparate studies and combining them into
a new perspective)
General Format Requirements:
Title Page:
• The name of the course, section number, name of the student, and title of the
paper.
• The name of the student should be written in the upper right corner of the title
page and cover as well.
Introduction:
• Statement of your subject and thesis statement.
• Discussion of the perspectives from which you are exploring the subject.
• Definition of terms that are key to the topic should be made in narrative, not
glossary form.
Body of the Paper:
•
Research that supports the perspectives and/or thesis statement.
Discussion and Conclusion:
• Your own views of the research and how you see them relating.
• Your justification for supporting a specific perspective, theory, or treatment.
• Ways that you see the theories complementing each other.
• Support your views by relating them to the evidence you have presented in
the body of the paper.
•. Scientific papers should be written in third person, impersonal voice; (Le.,
"This evidence suggests..." rather than, "I believe that. .." or "In my
opinion ..."
Bibliography:
• References will be listed in alphabetical order by author according to A.P.A.
format.
• A minimum of five sources are required.
• You may not use a text book as a source. (academic journals are preferred)
- Compensation: negotiable
- Principals only. Recruiters, please don't contact this job poster.
- Please, no phone calls about this job!
- Please do not contact job poster about other services, products or commercial interests.