Discuss the methodological issues and challenges that are unique to psychological research investigating effective treatments for psychological disorders.

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Methodological Issues Article Review

Read the following articles, which can be accessed through the ProQuest database in the Ashford University Library:

  • Evidence-based practice in psychology: Implications for research and research training.
  • Practice-based evidence: Back to the future.
  • Psychological treatments: Putting evidence into practice and practice into evidence.

Write a three- to four-page article review in which you discuss methodological issues unique to psychological research and analyze basic applied psychological research relevant to the treatment of mental disorders. In your paper, you will discuss the topics of evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence and their roles in providing practitioners useful information for making decisions about appropriate mental health treatments.

In the body of your paper:

  1. Discuss the methodological issues and challenges that are unique to psychological research investigating effective treatments for psychological disorders.
  2. Explain the concepts of evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence and identify controversies associated with these concepts.
  3. Select one treatment modality associated with a disorder in the DSM-5 and present at least one example of pertinent, applied psychological research investigating the efficacy of the treatment modality. Discuss the findings of the research. Locate at least one peer-reviewed article that contains a research study on a treatment modality to fulfill this requirement. You may not use any of the course materials.
  4. Take the point of view of Bauer (2007) to analyze the article(s) you selected in #3. Using this author’s arguments from his Evidence-Based Practice in Psychology: Implications for Research and Research Training article, what would be his evaluation of the article(s) you selected?
  5. Take the point of view of Brendtro, Mitchell, & Doncaster (2011) and analyze the article(s) you selected in #3. Using these authors’ arguments from their Practice-Based Evidence: Back to the Future article, what would be their evaluation of the article(s) you selected?
  6. Discuss ways in which an evidence-based practice model might provide practitioners useful information for making decisions about the degree to which the treatment modality you selected in #3 is an appropriate treatment for the disorder you specified.
  7. Conclude your paper with a discussion of your opinion of the utility of evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence for practitioners needing to identity effective treatments for psychological disorders.
  8. Utilize a minimum of two additional peer-reviewed journal articles published within the last five years (not including the course text or any of the course materials). At least one article must be used to satisfy the requirement in #3, and at least one article must also be included to support your arguments. All sources must be documented in APA style, as outlined by the Ashford Writing Center.

Writing the Methodological Issues Article Review

The Assignment:

  1. Must be three to five double-spaced pages in length, and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
  2. Must include a title page with the following:
    • Title of paper
    • Student’s name
    • Course name and number
    • Instructor’s name
    • Date submitted
  3. Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement. (Refer to the Ashford Writing Center Thesis Generator (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. ).
  4. Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought.
  5. Must end with a conclusion that summarizes your opinion of the utility of evidence-based practice and practice-based evidence for practitioners needing to identity effective treatments for psychological disorders.
  6. Must utilize each of the three required articles: Bauer (2007); Brendtro, Mitchell, & Doncaster (2011) and Dozois (2013).
  7. Must utilize a minimum of two additional peer-reviewed sources published within the last five years (not including the course text).
  8. Must document all sources in APA style, as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.
  9. Must include a separate reference page, formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center.

Explain if anything specifically could be changed to make the studies ethical for participants. Would you be able to replicate this study today? Why or why not?

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Write a 1,750- to 2,100-word paper in which you examine the legal aspects of recordkeeping and providing expert testimony. As part of your examination, address the following items:

 

  • Analyze the ethical issues related to documenting informed consent and ethical release of treatment and assessment records.
  • Which enforceable standards are relevant to the release of treatment-related materials and disclosure of information arising out of treatment?
  • Provide specific examples of what each enforceable standard requires or prohibits.
  • Provide a rationale for your proposed actions in your example and why they are consistent with ethical guidelines.
  • Evaluate the legal issues associated with assessment, testing, and diagnosis documentation in professional psychology.
  • What specific legal issues can arise in documenting assessment, testing, and diagnosis?
  • Provide specific examples that support your evaluation.
  • Provide a rationale for your proposed actions in your example and why they are consistent with legal requirements.

 

Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.

In 500-750 words, detail the ethical standards and ethical violations you observed in research studies presented in Chapter 2. Include:

 

  1. Explain if anything specifically could be changed to make the studies ethical for participants.
  2. Would you be able to replicate this study today? Why or why not?

Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.

 

This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.

Must pass Turn it in

· Describe a time where you feel you have failed and blamed someone else: the teacher, the friend, a loved one. (Failure could be academic, relational, and/or organizational – loss of a job.)

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For this written assignment, you will demonstrate your understanding of attribution theory. In essence, attribution theory states that individuals tend to make sense of (logically prescribe) situations by associating them to self, others, thoughts, feelings, or actions. This theory suggests that learners should consider why they do what they do, and what or who they are giving credit for both the victories and the failures. Further, this theory suggests that if a person believes that they are not good at something, they may attribute their unsuccessful outcomes to external factors, rather than to themselves. In contrast, if individuals have success, they more often may attribute their successes to internal factors.

Using your required resources to support, discuss the following:

· Describe a time where you feel you have failed and blamed someone else: the teacher, the friend, a loved one. (Failure could be academic, relational, and/or organizational – loss of a job.)

· Do you believe that you blamed external things to support a more stable version of your own self-image? (In other words, it could not be your mistake). If not, what other reasons might external variables be attributed for our own performance?

· How do think stability and controllability affect performance attributions, based on our reading this week?

· Why do you think that self-efficacy plays such a critical role in how we process our learning behaviors?

· What strategies could be applied to utilize what we know about self-perception and attributions to increase your learning performance in the future? (Minimum of two strategies.)

The Attribution Theory paper

· Must be five to six double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA style

· Must include a separate title page with the following:

o Title of paper

o Student’s name

o Course name and number

o Instructor’s name

o Date submitted

· Must use headings and sub-headings.

· Must use appropriate research methods (e.g. use of the Ashford library) and skeptical inquiry (http://www.criticalthinking.org/) to support the content inclusions.

· Must begin with an introductory paragraph that has a succinct thesis statement.

· Must address the topic of the paper with critical thought. For assistance with the critical thinking portion of the written assignment, please see the information included on the Critical Thinking Community website (http://www.criticalthinking.org/)

· Must end with a conclusion that reaffirms your thesis. The conclusion typically has two parts: the summary statement (one or two sentences that restate the thesis in a fresh way to reinforce the essay’s main idea) and the clincher (a final thought that creates a lasting impression for the reader).

· Must use at least one scholarly source from the Ashford University Library, in addition to the required e-book.

· Must document all sources in APA style

· Must include a separate reference page that is formatted according to APA style

What did you learn about the importance of cultural sensitivity in treatment planning?  3) How do communication styles and help-seeking behaviors differ across cultures? 

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Social and Cultural Diversity Paper Writing Instructions

Overview The Social and Cultural Diversity Paper (1,750-2,000 words) requires the student to identify and reflect on possible personal biases regarding gender, religion, sexual or gender orientation, race, socioeconomic status, disability status, or culture.

The purpose of this paper is to raise the student’s personal and professional level of awareness regarding the subject of diverse populations.

Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines.

Process Schedule The Social and Cultural Diversity Paper assignment will be accomplished in a five-step process, with individual steps submitted and graded regularly throughout the course, according to the following schedule:

1) Outline

2) References

3) First Draft

4) Final Paper

Content Guidelines When constructing this paper, use a three-part structure according to the following guidelines:

Part 1 The first part of the paper requires you to identify information from your own personal history.

Use the following questions to help guide your reflections:

1) Identify your personal biases and how they may impact your counseling approach. Remember, everyone has biases. The point is not to project them onto your clients. Note: It is preferred you discuss your cultural biases.

2) Describe your personal history by documenting experiences with discrimination you may have experienced and how your cultural background impacted these experiences. If you have not had any experiences, share why you believe this to be true.

3) Identify memories of contact with those who were culturally different than you, and your experiences associated with these differences. Be specific.

4) How has your life experience affected how you may relate to persons different than you? Be specific.

Part 2 The second part of the paper requires you to demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of racism/discrimination.

Use the following questions to help guide your reflections:

1) What does it mean to be a subtle racist? Please include a referenced definition and example.

2) Why could there be significant differences in perceptions and values of members within the same ethnic group? Be specific.

Part 3 The third part of your paper requires you to review and reflect on the ACA and NAADAC codes of ethics.

Use the following to help guide your reflection:

1) Discuss how the ACA and NAADAC codes of ethics will inform your practice.  a) Identify and cite the specific ACA and NAADA multicultural codes that you will use to inform your practice.

2) What did you learn about the importance of cultural sensitivity in treatment planning?

3) How do communication styles and help-seeking behaviors differ across cultures?

4) How might strategies to build rapport be differentiated based on culture?

5) Examine underlying reasons for differential treatment methods.

a) Consult several professional journals on treatment practices and cultural biases.

b) Identify sources of potential counselor cultural bias within these practices.

6) What resources could help you to become more informed regarding cultural diversity? Cite resources you can use to dispel your personal biases.

7) How could you apply your learning to your future practice as a counselor?

Refer to the “Social and Cultural Paper Writing Instructions” for a detailed explanation of the requirements for the Social and Cultural Diversity Paper that you will be developing throughout the course.

Prepare an outline of the paper that contains the following:

1.Introduction

2.Definition of cultural diversity

3.Main body containing the content guidelines provided in “Social and Cultural Paper Writing Instructions”

4.Conclusion  Refer to the following site for outline format information as needed.

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/544/01/

This assignment meets the following CACREP Standards:

2.F.2.a. Multicultural and pluralistic characteristics within and among diverse groups nationally and internationally.

2.F.2.b. Theories and models of multicultural counseling, cultural identity development, and social justice and advocacy.

2.F.2.c. Multicultural counseling competencies.

2.F.2.d. The impact of heritage, attitudes, beliefs, understandings, and acculturative experiences on an individual’s views of others.

2.F.2.g. The impact of spiritual beliefs on clients’ and counselors’ worldviews.  2.F.2.h. Strategies for identifying and eliminating barriers, prejudices, and processes of intentional and unintentional oppression and discrimination.

This assignment meets the following NASAC Standards:

18) Understand diverse racial and ethnic cultures, including their distinct patterns of interpreting reality, world view, adaptation, and communication, and to incorporate the special needs of minority groups and the differently abled into clinical practice.

19) Understand the importance of self-awareness in one’s personal, professional, and cultural life.

85) Adapt counseling strategies to the individual characteristics of the client, including (but not limited to): disability, gender, sexual orientation, developmental level, acculturation, ethnicity, age, and health status.

102) Sensitize others to issues of cultural identity, ethnic background, age, and gender role or identity in prevention, treatment, and recovery.

119) Recognize the importance of individual differences by gaining knowledge about personality, cultures, lifestyles, and other factors influencing client behavior, and applying this knowledge to practice.

121) Conduct culturally appropriate self-evaluations of professional performance, applying ethical, legal, and professional standards to enhance self-awareness and performance.