Final paper guidelines

The paper

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Nuts and bolts

A critical reading the scientific literature. 2,000 word critical literature review

– summarizing and synthesizing five or more articles and/or reviews on a topic of your choosing in social and emotional development.

– It is a good idea to use readings from the class syllabus for your final project, but these do not count for your five readings.)

– The basis of this project will be writing summary/critiques of these individual articles/reviews that you will turn in throughout the semester.

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Title & Abstract

Title: Your critical question. What factors predict attachment security? How does prenatal drug exposure impact later

development?

Abstract– In 5 sentences, use what you have read to tell us

the answer to your question.

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Introduction

Introduce and clearly state the Question Then tell us how you will answer it.

– Give us the order in which you will review your studies

– Example: Many think that A is related to B. I will address whether A is related to B by first surveying the literature on A (ref) , then B (ref), then how A is related to B (ref).

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Structure of final project

Study by study– This is the most straight-forward and I focus on it here

• Though not the most glamorous

– Cover the studies in the sequence that works best to address your question

Theme by theme– Alternative (with my permission only)– E.g. Studies with significant results and studies without– More on this in class or come see me.

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Study by study

Summarize each study to address your Question– 2-3 paragraphs per study– Indicate how what your are presenting answers

your Question– Use your empirical observations insofar as they

help you make your point. Put them in if they help Leave ‘em out if they don’t help

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Guidelines on detail

Focus on the results of each study as they pertain to your question

Give us enough detail so that you and the reader can both evaluate each study: – dependent measures, significant differences,

how many subjects, design But focus on how the results of a study

answer your critical question

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More guidelines

Carefully review the results (not just the author's conclusions) of each study you are including.

Bring your summarizing skills to bear on these articles.

Use them to answer the question you have selected.

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Conclusion/Summary

Repeat the answer to your question Summarize what you have learned from about

your question, having reference to all the studies

– Is there something you should read next to finish up your project and make it all fit together?

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References

In psychology reference papers, every fact is referenced either at the end of the sentence or by starting a paragraph with a reference indicating you will be referring to that person’s work through-out.

Your paper must contain a list of APA-formatted references after the text.