RESEARCH PROJECT:  THE PROBLEM SOLVING PROJECT APA STYLE

 

OVERVIEW:  (The project consists of a proposal and a final paper.)

Select health psychology related problem and using up-to-date scientific literature and guidance from experts in the field develop a comprehensive plan to reduce or eliminate the problem. This is a chance for independent research on a course-related area of interest. It is an opportunity for you to familiarize yourself with an issue in a career field you are considering and offers a chance to meet individuals in that field. The earlier you contact agencies/experts the more time they have to send information to you and arrange interview times.  (Examples of heath related problem: getting children diagnosed with diabetes to follow the regime required of diabetics; preventing specific addictions such as alcoholism.)

 

Find the most recent scholarly work (from refereed journals) specific to the problem you have selected.  This requires using library tools such as databases like Medline, the Web of Science (formerly the Social Sciences Citation Index), PSYCINFO/PSYCHLIT.  Look for information in health psychology textbooks on your topic.  Then look at the bibliographies for the key names and journals that deal with the problem you selected.  You may also start by using popular sources of information (e.g. The Globe and Mail, Worldwide Web etc.) but remember such popular publications will not earn you credit. Once you have demonstrated your ability to fine very current peer reviewed materials, you may use other materials.

 

You will also need to obtain applied work.  Contact relevant experts or practitioners.  By experts I do not mean people who have experienced the problem but people who have specialized training in dealing with the problem or have a program to deal with the problem. You will need to use tact and interviewing skills, over the telephone or in person, to get individuals to give you their valuable time. Asking these people for opinions, suggestions, leads and information will make your task easier and add to the quality of the paper.  They may also save you time and energy by directing your literature search. The final paper must be submitted to Turnitin.

 

PROPOSAL

Specifications for the Proposal  DUE – SEPTEMBER 27th

Proposals will be used to provide feedback but will not be graded. You MUST hand in proposal in order to complete the project.

The proposal must:

1.      be one page, double spaced.  The bibliography can be on a second page. STAPLE PAGES.

2.      clearly and briefly identify and explain the specific problem, its causes and consequences and indicate specific approaches to dealing with the problem.

3.      integrate the main ideas of at least five current scientific journal articles from peer reviewed journals into about one to three paragraphs.  Do not do an annotated bibliography or summarize each article.  Select out only information relevant to your topic and relate this information to the other articles in a concise manner.

4.      list relevant resource agencies/individuals you will/ have contacted.  Give name, position, agency, contact info (phone number, e-mail address). You need not make contact before writing the proposal.

5.      provide a bibliography (use APA style). This includes proper within text referencing (e.g.  Smith (1999) argues. ...  or It has been found that fear of job loss causes anxiety (Green and Brown, 1998).  Do not use footnotes or endnotes.  There are many student guides to APA style including several websites. The following websites are some such guides: (seen next page)

www.apastyle.org/styletips.html
http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/DocAPA.html

http://apastyle.org/,

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/,

http://www2.liu.edu/cwis/cwp/library/workshop/citation.htm

NOTE:  Of particular interest to the reader is that APA style requires concise writing in the third person

6.      This original proposal (with marker’s comments) must be resubmitted with the final paper.

     (Continued on next page.)

Feedback will be based on: clear identification of a problem, quality of bibliography, integration of literature to into paragraph(s) which suggest the dimensions and/or how to deal with the problem, identify agencies and spelling, grammar, clear communication.

 

RESEARCH PROJECT FINAL PAPER  

The completed assignment should be approximately 6 PAGES (not including the bibliography).  They must be typed, double spaced and in 12 pitch type. Make a second copy of your paper for your files before submitting.   Properly reference others work.  Do not include quotations.

 

Specifications:

1.   Identify a specific problem (not just a topic area).  It must be a problem that can be mitigated by the application of theories and research in health psychology.  Define your terms and the parameters or limits to which your paper will cover (e.g. if wish to examine the impact of social support on persons with an illness, be clear about what social support means and what specific benefits and/or harms you will explore.  If you are unable to find relevant research articles you must modify or change your topic.

2.   Find current research and theories to explain the problem, its causes and consequences in a brief and concise manner. Also state the emerging issues or new dimensions related to the problem. Explain and focus on specific approaches and give details on how to DEAL with the problem.

3.   Find agencies, organizations, individuals who have specialized training or expertise dealing with the problem (not just persons who have experienced the problem and tried things out).  While interviews with the experts are best, other information from such persons or agencies is acceptable (e.g. brochures, Internet sites, e-mails, etc.).  If you use an Internet site, you must reference it and provide an explanation within the bibliography as to why this is an authoritative source.  Make sure you can describe the specific approaches used and/or how these approaches are applied. Information from these organizations/individuals will enable you to evaluate their efforts in terms of the literature. It is expected that you will interview three such experts.

4.   Describe how scientific literature and research might be of assistance to these specialists.  Specifically, (a) how would the literature be of use to them?  (b) what kinds of research do you suggest health psychology researchers should do to help these specialists toward their/your goals?  (c) from your research can you provide a new or modified solution?  

5.   Indicate what specialists you contacted at the bottom of the bibliography.  Stipulate name, position, agency, and contact information.

6.   Use APA style.

7.   Prior to submission of the hard copy in class, the paper must be submitted to Turnitin.

8.   The original proposal (with marker’s comments) must be resubmitted with the final paper.

9.   Submit the paper with only a staple--NO binders or attachments.

If you wish to have your project back, attach a self-addressed stamped envelope otherwise they may be picked up from the secretary.