Research a current problem related to the field of Lifespan Development. You can choose something that interests you and/or something that is relevant to your life.
For example, others have researched addictions and their effects on development, the effect of early childhood traumas across the lifespan, etc. Psychology can be applied to almost any area of life; if you are not sure of a topic or how one might apply, please check with your instructor.
Remember, you are NOT trying to solve the problem or express an opinion. This is an informative project – do not express personal opinions or judgments related to the topic. You are simply gaining information and insight into your topic.
DO NOT engage in religious or political opinions or debates for this project!
Detail how this topic relates to the information discussed in class text, resources, and discussions. For example, if your topic is obesity, describe how obesity affects the stages of human development biologically, psychologically, socially, culturally, and environmentally:
– Infancy
– Early childhood
– Middle childhood
– Adolescence
– Emerging/early adulthood
– Middle adulthood
– Later/elderly adulthood
DO NOT solely restate information from the textbook or course readings as your entire project. You must add and integrate information from other sources as well:
Then, add a minimum of three current (within 5 years) professional sources of information to integrate into your research, in addition to class resources (minimum of four (4) resources, one of which is the course text).
Resources must include:
– the course text
– two or more scholarly, peer-reviewed journal articles from the library’s databases
– one current psychological or professional topic-relevant website article
For example, you might use the American Psychological Association’s web articles or something another site relevant to your topic, such as “Autism Speaks” if you are researching Autism.
Cite any sources (name them!) used for your research in the body of your paper, in the References section of your paper, as well as whenever used throughout your project. See the resource for Reliable and Unreliable Sources. NOTE: Blogs are not considered appropriate for research-based information.
In person, interview a psychological or medical professional related to your topic for additional information to integrate into your research. This individual must have at least a Master’s degree in psychology or medicine. Provide their credentials and area of expertise to the instructor prior to conducting your interview. Cite this individual’s contributions to your research as “personal communication.”
Tour a facility related to your topic. Ideally, this will be at the same time as you conduct your interview.
Compile your findings into an APA formatted research paper, minimally five (5) full body pages in length plus cover page and Reference page/s (7 total pages minimum). Cite all sources used in the preparation of the paper both in the text of the paper as well as in the References section of the paper. Failure to cite the sources of your information constitutes academic misconduct and will result in rejection of your paper and a grade of zero for the assignment.
NOTE: A research paper is not an essay. Please make sure you know the difference before you begin writing! If you need assistance with research writing, please consult the MTC Academic Success Center for more information.
Appropriately list and cite all sources used in your research, both in the text of the paper and in the References section, again, all in APA format. Use of formatting other than APA will result in rejection of your paper and a zero for the assignment. If you need assistance with APA formatting, please see the MTC Academic Success Center, or submit your paper to eTutoring for suggestions. The OWL at Purdue can provide additional assistance.
Previous
Next
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|