Undergraduates taking the seminar on an A-F grading basis will be required to submit a 10-15 page research paper to receive credit (the paper can not be longer than 15 pages, double spaced with 12 point font, including reference list but not including the title page). The paper should involve a literature review of relevance to the topics covered in the seminar. Thus, papers that deal with substance use disorders, family/genetic psychopathology research and psychiatric epidemiology would be appropriate. Specific examples of topics include: The familial transmission of antisocial behavior; The relationship between depression and alcoholism; and parental influences on adolescent deviance. In selecting a topic, students are encouraged to consult with the instructor.
Papers should contain three components: i) a brief description (2-3 pages) of the research problem and the relevant methodology used to address this problem, ii) a 6-8 page review of the relevant research literature, and iii) a 1-2 page conclusion that attempts to integrate findings from the multiple studies reviewed. It is expected that the paper will involve the review of 8-12 related empirical studies that have been recently published (i.e., focus should be on papers published in 1996 or later). Although papers reviewed can include review articles (i.e., articles that review multiple research studies in an area), it is expected that the majority of articles will be research studies that report original research findings. Books, and in particular textbooks, are not appropriate sources to include in your count of 8-12 related empirical studies. The instructor can help students with identifying relevant literature.
Grading:
20 points: Outline – the outline should give a detailed overview of the major sections in the paper and the specific studies to be covered. A reader of the outline should be able to tell what topics will be covered in the paper and how findings from the various research studies will be used. The outline should also include a full bibliography, with references given in APA style. For three of the references to be included in the paper, the outline should provide a brief description of the study and discussion of how the study fits into the topic of the paper. For each of the three references, this discussion could be accomplished in 4-5 sentences.
20 points: Introduction – Does the paper adequately describe the nature and significance of the research area? Why is this an important area of inquiry?
40 points: Literature review - Are studies properly described and interpreted? Are the limitations of individual studies recognized?
10 points: Conclusion – Does the paper end with an integrative summarization of the literature reviewed?
10 points: Style – Is the paper well written & understandable.
Schedule:
Students must submit their proposed topics to the instructor for approval by no later than March 9. Students should submit their Outline no later than March 30. Final papers are due no later than the beginning of the next to last day of class, May 4. Your graded outline must be submitted along with your final paper. Failure to meet any deadline will result in a loss of 5 points for each day or part of a day an assignment is turned in late. The outline and paper are due at the beginning of class on the designated day.
Final Grades:
Final grades will be based entirely on the paper grade and assigned according to the following: 90 or better – A range; 80 to 89 – B range; 70 to 79 – C range; 60 to 69 – D range; below 60 – F.