Assignment Task:
Research Paper Assignment Instructions
Overview:
Before starting this Research Paper Assignment, you will need to complete the Quiz: Research Paper Topic.
For this Research Paper Assignment, you will write a literature review research paper based on your chosen topic. Your Research Paper Assignment should focus on mental health, first responders, and crisis work in the specific area of your approved topic and your identified population of interest. Since this is a course about first responders and crisis intervention, avoid discussing topics such as psychotherapy/counseling, medicine, law, economics, or other fields. Avoid using personal experience and opinion as this is strictly a literature review paper with Scriptural integration.
Instructions:
Your Research Paper Assignment must include the following:
- 12-15 pages in the body of the report, not including the cover page, abstract, or reference pages. Any submissions less than 12 pages in the body of the report will be heavily penalized and prorated.
- A minimum of 15 scholarly sources (journals, books, government/educational websites) are required, from the last 5-10 years. Exception: the First Responder section (see below) should have resources from the past two (2) years only.
- Current APA or Turabian formatting standards. Key formatting requirements include but are not limited to cover page, headers, Level 1 and 2 headings, citations, and references.
- Abstract (be sure you know the difference in content/format/purpose between an abstract and an introduction). Both are required in this paper.
Body of the Research Paper Assignment:
o Introduction - Use the appropriate APA or Turabian heading. Be sure to use this section to orient your reader and grab their interest. Why does this topic matter? What interesting background information can you share?
o Mental Health Dynamics/Symptoms - Describe mental health symptoms/relationship dynamics common in your population-of-interest. How can new crisis interventionists identify this population? What type of mental health issues typically arise? What type of relationship issues typically occur?
o First Responders - What are special issues that often come up for first responders working with this specific topic / population group? What type of special training is needed? What are some of the unique major personal issues that can arise for first responders working in this area? Special note: for this specific section, use articles only within the past two (2) years.
o Best Practices in Crisis Intervention -How you can best help this population using best practices in crisis intervention? (HINT: Focus only on acute care, immediate, urgent, crisis intervention instead of psychotherapy/counseling, etc.)
o Spiritual Applications/Interventions- What does Scripture say about your topic area? Biblical application is required at least once in the paper using specific Scripture.
o Cultural Considerations - What cultural concerns/considerations must we attend to when working with this population?
o Conclusion - Discuss the key themes and findings that you discovered.
- Current APA or Turabian formatted reference page.