Research Assignment

For this final assignment, you will conduct a short observational only investigation designed to help answer a research question in social psychology. This assignment follows the assignment in Week 2 which you prepared by researching a topic, conducting a literature review, developing a research question, and proposing an observational investigation. This investigation has to be 100% achievable via observation only, with no interaction between you and the participants.  This project provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate a cumulative integration of your learning within the field of social psychology.

Conduct the investigation based on the feedback you received on the proposal you submitted in Week 2. Then submit a final paper on the project that includes the following:

1. Title page
2. Abstract
3. Introduction: a brief overview of the topic
4. Statement of the problem: an analysis of the components of the research question (why is this research question currently relevant within the field of social psychology?); a discussion of the important concepts contained within the research question; and an operational definition of the variables to be reviewed.
5. A literature review summarizing the background information, with a focus on previous studies that addressed the question.
6. A description of the observational only investigation that you conducted, including who you observed, where the observation took place, and what you observed. 
7. Results: Results of your observational only investigation, including details regarding the observations and any artifacts that might lend insight into the results. 
8. Analysis and Discussion: Summary of the implications of the results with respect to the research question and how they compare with the results of previous studies. 
9. Conclusion: Restatement of thesis and concludes the paper 
10. Reference Page

Although the textbooks should be used as a reference, you are required to include at least six additional research sources (i.e., academic journal articles) for the final paper. Do not limit your sources to readings from Week 6. Submit a paper that includes a detailed exploration of the selected applied area of social psychology.

The paper should be 4000-5000 words in length and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the approved APA manual.

This Discussion Question aligns with the following weekly outcomes: 1,2
This Discussion Question aligns with the following course outcomes: 1-6

Grading Criteria

Content CriteriaTotal: 18

Paper demonstrates a cumulative integration of learning within the field of social psychology.

Paper includes an introduction of the topic.

Paper includes a statement of the problem which includes the identification of the research question and hypothesis.

Paper includes a literature review summarizing the background information of the topic.

Paper includes a description of a proposed observational investigation designed to test the hypothesis.

Paper includes a discussion of how the results of the investigation would add to current knowledge on the topic.

Paper includes a conclusion with a restatement of the thesis.

Writing and Organization CriteriaTotal: 5

The central theme/purpose of the paper is clear.

The structure is clear, logical, and easy to follow.

The tone is appropriate to the content and assignment.

The thoughts are clear and include appropriate beginning, development, and conclusion.

Paragraph transitions are present, logical, and maintain the flow throughout the paper.

Sentences are complete, clear, and concise.

Sentences are well constructed, with consistently strong, varied sentences.

Sentence transitions are present and maintain the flow of thought.

Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are followed.

The paper uses words and language that are inclusive, clear, and unambiguous.

Spelling is correct.

Research CriteriaTotal: 5

The paper includes a summary and analysis of research materials that are relevant to the assignment, e.g. scholarly journals, professional articles, legal documents, government documents, legal decisions, media clips, software, measurement instruments websites, personal communication, etc.

Professional/scholarly journals are peer reviewed and focus on the profession/application of psychology (located on Proquest, EBSCOHost, PsycNET, etc.). Non-scholarly articles include newspapers, periodicals, secular magazines, etc, and are not peer reviewed. Websites not approved include wilkipedia.com and about.com.

Research focuses on the most current information (past five to ten years) except when citing seminal works (e.g. Freud, Erickson, etc.).

Paper includes the appropriate number of references required by the assignment.

When appropriate, the paper addresses ethical considerations in research.

Style CriteriaTotal: 2

The paper is in the appropriate APA format used by the institution/program (e.g. the 6th edition).

The paper is double-spaced and in the appropriate length required by the assignment

The paper includes an APA style cover page.

The paper includes an Abstract that is formatted to support the appropriate version of APA Publication Manual (e.g. 6th edition).

The paper properly uses headings, font styles, and white space as outlined in the appropriate version of APA Publication Manual (e.g. 6th edition).

The paper includes an introductory paragraph with a succinct thesis statement.

The paper addresses the topic of the paper with critical thought.

The paper concludes with a restatement of the thesis and a conclusion paragraph.

Citations of original works within the body of the paper follow the appropriate version of APA Publication Manual (e.g. 6th edition) guidelines.

The paper includes a References Page that is completed according to the appropriate version of APA Publication Manual (e.g. 6th edition).

Total Possible Points