The Term Paper project is based on a real-life research project. Term Paper counts 10% (100 points) towards your final grade. A separate Term Paper Outline is worth 30 points (3%).
I. Term Paper
I.1. Content - What needs to be included in the Term Paper? I.1.1 Step 1: Real-life case study. (1) Identify your research informant (5 points). Identify someone who comes from a different background than your own (e.g. different generation, culture, ethnic group, language, social-economic status, special needs, life experience, etc.). Sign up for instructor approval by due date. Clearly state the purpose of this project, ask for informed consent of voluntary participation and agreement on using the data. Seek all possible ways to respect and protect the informant. (2) Data collection. (25 points) Interview the informant about his/her developmental characteristics, using the following interview outline. In addition to interview, you may (but are not required to) use other research method (e.g. survey, experiment, etc.). Suggested Interview Outline: - What specific background do you come from? - Which lifespan development stage are you in now? - What are your major strengths, obstacles, challenges, stressors, etc.) at THIS stage? - If life were like a chapter book, how would you divide your life history? - What are the significant joys and sufferings in your life history? How did your past help shape your present? What has been keeping you moving onward in life? - How do you think about future? - Do you see some common thread(s) that run through various life stages, and connect your past, present and future?
I.1.2. Step 2: Literature review. (1) Identify the theme (6 points). Based on the data from Step 1 (esp. the question of "common thread"), identify at least ONE unique theme (e.g. identity, poverty, etc.) in this case. (2) Literature review. Review literature on this theme using TWO types of resources: (a) Theories/principles from class readings. (12 points) Based on the theme, search, identify and discuss relevant theories/principles from our textbook. How would these theories/principles help explain this case study? (b) Professional databases. (12 points) Based on the theme, search, cite and discuss at least one relevant primary research (from credible, professional and current literature). Criteria for professional resource: - Credibility of the source - Credibility of the author(s)
PSY 210 (Gu) - Midterm Guideline /2
- Scientific research including empirical data from systematic observations and measurements - Published after 2000 - Directly related to the theme (c) Suggested Outline for Literature review. - What is/are the research question(s) and hypothesis (hypotheses)? - What are the major variables? - What is/are the author's theoretical argument(s)? - What kinds of research methods were used? - What are the major conclusions of this research? - Does the literature finding help explain your case study?
I.1.3. Step 3: Analysis and Discussion (30 points). (1) How is this person's background different from you? (2) How would you describe this life history with the 5 characteristics of lifespan development (Ch.1)? (3) How would you describe his/her development in the 3 domains (biological, cognitive, and psychsocial)? How would you describe his/her development at THIS stage and across various stages of life? (4) How does early experience help shape this life history? How does the later experience echo or surprise us? (5) What is this person's worldview (the philosophy and overall perspective about life, universe, and reason for living)? (6) How does his/her worldview(s) influence his/her life development, strength, and decision-making? (7) What have you learned from this case study?
I.2. Format - What should the Term Paper look like? (10 points) Your Term Paper (minimum 6 pages) needs to follow APA (American Psychological Association) style in organization. It should include the following structure: Cover page (on separate page) Abstract (on separate page) Introduction and Literature review (covering I.1.2. of this Guideline) Research method and Findings (covering I.1.1) Analysis and Discussion (covering I.3) Reference page (on separate page) Attach any supporting documents/materials as Appendices to your paper. Cover page, Abstract, Reference page, and Appendix are NOT counted in the page requirement.
Term paper needs to follow APA style for citation. Please see DCCC website (https://www.dccc.edu/library/citations#APACitationGuide) for: APA Basic References Guide APA Expanded Examples for DCCC Databases APA In-Text Citations (Parenthetical Guide)
You may also use the Handout (Sample article in APA style) and the "Guideline for Writing Assignment" in your syllabus to help you prepare the paper.
PSY 210 (Gu) - Midterm Guideline /3
Term paper must be in ESSAY format. Questions listed in this guideline are merely suggestions for the organization of thinking and writing. Do NOT submit the Term Paper in outline format.
II. Term Paper Outline. (30 points) Submit an Outline of the term paper by the due date for outline. This Outline should include: a. Outline of interview findings (I.1.1); b. Theme from this case study (I.1.2.(1); c. Outline of relevant theories/principles from textbook (I.1.2.(2)(a); d. Summary of research article related to this case (I.1.2.(2)(b) e. Original article.
Please refer to the checklist below