What is the purpose of the research? (Address specifics regarding the overall purpose of the research in question.) What hypothesis is tested? (Provide a clear statement of the researchers’ prediction.)

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Instructions

Before beginning this assignment review the guidance on “Writing an Article Review”

Purpose

The purpose of this assignment is for you to show your understanding of peer-reviewed empirical articles through: 1) reviewing original research; 2) evaluating claims, methods, and conclusions; and 3) communicating your analysis in a way that translates scientific information into common terms for a general audience. In writing an article review, you gain skills in summarizing key points and findings, interpreting results, evaluating the validity of the methods used and results reported, and communicating information to an audience in ways they understand.

Step 1: Read the tips from the UMGC library on “Finding Experimental (Empirical) Research Articles.” Pay special attention to the sections on “Scholarly Research Articles” the “Structure of An Experimental Article”

Step 2: Using the UMGC Library electronic databases, find an article published in the last seven (7) years in an academic, peer-reviewed journal related to the biological basis of psychology, sensation and perception, or memory and cognition (e.g., Journal of Neuroscience, Psychology, & Economics; Behavioral Neuroscience). The article should describe, specifically, an experiment or empirical study by the researchers. This means that the researchers conducted a study that contains easily identifiable independent and dependent variables. (Do not select meta-analyses, summaries, editorials, or theoretical articles.  It is your responsibility to make sure that the journal article you select is appropriate. If you are unsure about the relevance of your article, contact your instructor for approval.).

Step 3: Read the article starting with the Title and Abstract, which will give you a quick preview of the purpose and results of the article.

Step 4: Read the Introduction. Highlight the purpose of the article and the author’s hypothesis (e.g., what was studied, what did the author predicted, and why did they find the topic worthy of study). Pay attention to the context provided for the research (i.e., what research has been done previously in the field? what issue or problem is this study trying to address?).

Step 5: Read the Methods section. Note the description of the participants and any tests, surveys, questionnaires, apparatus, or other materials that were used. Pay particular attention to the details involved in the experimental procedure. How were the variables manipulated or measured? Recall that the Independent Variable (IV) is the variable that is manipulated by the research (i.e., whether the room is hot or cold (if that is the variable of interest) or whether participants are given a placebo, shown any type of media or other stimuli, given talk therapy, or instructed to take medication (if that is the variable of interest). Remember that the Independent Variable is what was different about the experiences of the different groups. Recall also that the Dependent Variable (DV) is that variable that is measured, or, the outcome of the study.

Step 6: Read the Results. Try not to get intimidated by complex statistical analysis. Instead of focusing on the numbers, focus on the short descriptions that accompany the findings explaining what the researchers found (i.e., Did the researchers find evidence that supports their hypothesis?)

Step 7: Read the Discussion. Pay special attention here to what the authors say about the importance of their findings or the lack of findings. Think about other things you could do to look at this issue.

Step 8: Prepare a 1-2 page summary of the article in your own words.  Be sure to address the following questions in your summary:

  • What is the purpose of the research? (Address specifics regarding the overall purpose of the research in question.)
  • What hypothesis is tested? (Provide a clear statement of the researchers’ prediction.)
  • How did the researchers investigate their research question? (Provide details regarding the study methodology.)
  • What are the pertinent results of the manipulation? (What were the findings and conclusions drawn?)
  • What is your personal opinion of the study conducted? Should it be repeated?  What could be improved?
  • What is your overall impression of the work? What are the implications of the study for the practice of counseling psychology?

Your summary should be written as a coherent essay (do not format as a list of answers to these questions). You may include additional insights in your analysis, but you must address these key issues.

Step 9: Prepare your Article Review according to the following guidelines:

Formatting:  Structure your paper utilizing APA style (7th Edition); this includes title page, headings, in-text citations, reference page, and general paper format (1-inch margins, double-spaced, appropriately sized sans serif or serif fonts – e.g., 12 Times Roman).  An abstract is not required.

Submit to your Assignment Folder as a single document in either Microsoft Word, PDF, or RTF format.

Explain how upholding these values might contribute to creating a society that supports the mental health and welfare of its members, remembering the broad conceptualization of mental health and human rights.

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Throughout history, community leaders deemed it necessary to determine core principles, rules, and values to ensure the existence of a productive and healthy community. These principles, rules, and values serve as the foundation for establishing and maintaining societies that support the mental health and welfare of their members. Your values give rise to passion around issues that you believe need changing and that motivate you to take action. By upholding these values, you can contribute to a society that supports its members.

 

To prepare:

  • Select a societal issue from anywhere in the world about which you are passionate. If you selected a societal issue for your Capstone Project, select a different one to use for this Discussion. If you selected a profession-related issue for the Capstone Project, you should select a societal issue for this Discussion.
  • Think about your personal values that make this issue important to you and how upholding these values might contribute to society.

Reference: Wronka, J. (2008). Preface. In Human rights and social justice: Social action and service for the helping and health professions (p. xix). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

 

With these thoughts in mind:

By Day 4

Post a brief description of the societal issue you selected. Then, explain the values that give rise to your passion for this issue. Explain how upholding these values might contribute to creating a society that supports the mental health and welfare of its members, remembering the broad conceptualization of mental health and human rights. Finally, explain how you might work with individuals from a different profession to address the issue.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the Learning Resources.

Review the article, “Searching for the Soul of Criminology,” focusing on challenges related to studying and researching criminal behavior.

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Please see attachment (video transcript)

Two challenges related to studying and conducting research in criminal behavior are expressed in theoreticism and territorialism. Theoreticism is the tendency of theorists to ignore evidence that may contradict a favored theory. Similarly, territorialism is the practice of discounting evidence and arguments that are outside one’s own narrow specialty area or academic discipline.

As you might gather, restricting study to a singular academic discipline may impede progress toward the understanding of any subject, criminal behavior included. Embracing the interdisciplinary nature of criminal behavior in fact makes for dynamic and interesting research.

Another set of challenges emerges in criminal behavior research when it is viewed only through a purely academic or scientific lens. Criminal behavior itself involves social values, public policy, and legal issues that must be taken into account when conducting research.

Given that such research into criminal behavior is carried out to illuminate its causes, meeting these challenges makes it more likely that criminal behavior will be better understood. This leads to the development of more effective steps toward prevention, reduction, and elimination of crime.

For this Discussion:

  • Review the article, “Searching for the Soul of Criminology,” focusing on challenges related to studying and researching criminal behavior.
  • Review the course media, “Ethics and Challenges,” with Drs. Scott Duncan and Charis Kubrin. Reflect on the challenges that they discuss related to researching and studying criminal behavior, and consider how these may be addressed.
  • Select at least two specific challenges related to studying and researching criminal behavior.
  • Think of examples that may best represent the challenges you selected, and consider why.

Do you believe physical ability tests should be given to individuals being considered for your type of work?  if yes, what types of physical tests would you recommend?

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Dropbox Assignment

Assignment 2: Physical Ability Tests

Select a job that requires a moderate level of physical ability, such as security staff, office delivery personnel, door-to-door salespersons, retail salesperson, or nurses at hospitals and conduct an interview to determine their level of physical activity. Create a list of 8-10 interview questions and conduct an interview to determine their level of physical activity.  Based on your interview, create a physical ability test plan for this job.  While it is important you develop a list of questions based on your reading of the individual assessment some of the questions you may want to include for the interview include:

  • Prior to being hired were you asked to take any physical ability tests?
  • What do you perceive to be the physical demands of your job?
  • On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 meaning very physically demanding and 1 meaning not at all physically demanding, how physically demanding would you say your job is?
  • Are there physical demands you were unaware of prior to accepting your position?
  • Do you believe physical ability tests should be given to individuals being considered for your type of work?  if yes, what types of physical tests would you recommend?

Create a detailed physical ability test plan for this position. Use the template provided. The plan must include a minimum of five physical ability tests. Please describe each test in detail, and indicate how the tests will be administered and evaluated. Make sure you also include the interview questions you asked.

Submit the test plan and list of questions asked to the M2: Assignment 2 Dropboxby Wednesday, July 30, 2014.

 

Assignment 2 Grading Criteria
Maximum Points
Identified an employment position requiring a high level of physical ability and created an 8-10 question interview.
20
Created a detailed physical ability test plan by using the template provided.
25
Described minimum five physical ability tests.
25
Described criteria to administer and evaluate the steps.
25
Used correct grammar, spelling, and word choice.
5
Total:
100
 

Template Example of a Physical Ability Test

TITLE OF TEST:

INTRODUCTION: (an explanation of the reasons for and parameters of the testing)

APPLICANTS NECESSARY PREPARATION: (explaining the points the applicant needs to consider prior to taking

the test.)

TEST COMPONENTS:

o Test Description (Overview of what it to be done.)

o Related Job Task : (Explanation as to why this test is related to the job)

o Procedure: (Specific details as to what the applicant must do to successfully complete the test.)

o Criteria: (What are the measurable results that must be achieved, such as time on task, amount

of task completion expected, and grading criteria, i.e., points/pass –fail, penalities, etc.)

o Illustrated Component: (If necessary, obstacle course map, procedural images, etc.)