Research Assignment For this final assignment, you will conduct a short observational only investigation designed to help answer a research question in social psychology. This assignment follows the assignment in Week 2 which you prepared by researching a topic, conducting a literature review, developing a research question, and proposing an observational investigation. This investigation has to be 100% achievable via observation only , with no interaction between you and the participants.  This project provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate a cumulative integration of your learning within the field of social psychology. Conduct the investigation based on the feedback you received on the proposal you submitted in Week 2. Then submit a final paper on the project that includes the following: a. Title page b. Abstract c. Introduction: a brief overview of the topic d. Statement of the problem: an analysis of the components of the research question (why is this research question currently relevant within the field of social psychology?); a discussion of the important concepts contained within the research question; and an operational definition of the variables to be reviewed. e. A literature review summarizing the background information, with a focus on previous studies that addressed the question. f. A description of the observational only investigation that you conducted, including who you observed, where the observation took place, and what you observed.  g. Results: Results of your observational only investigation, including details regarding the observations and any artifacts that might lend insight into the results.  h. Analysis and Discussion: Summary of the implications of the results with respect to the research question and how they compare with the results of previous studies.  i. Conclusion: Restatement of thesis and concludes the paper  j. Reference Page Although the textbooks should be used as a reference, you are required to include at least six additional research sources (i.e., academic journal articles) for the final paper. Do not limit your sources to readings from Week 6. Submit a paper that includes a detailed exploration of the selected applied area of social psychology. The paper should be 4000-5000 words in length and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the approved APA manual. This Discussion Question aligns with the following weekly outcomes: 1,2 This Discussion Question aligns with the following course outcomes: 1-6 NEW Assignment Type: Please click here to review instructions on how to submit your assignment. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. Grading Criteria Content   CriteriaTotal: 18 Paper demonstrates a cumulative integration   of learning within the field of social psychology. Paper includes an introduction of the topic. Paper includes a statement of the problem   which includes the identification of the research question and hypot ...

1. Research Assignment
For this final assignment, you will conduct a short
observational only
investigation designed to help answer a research question in
social psychology. This assignment follows the assignment in
Week 2 which you prepared by researching a topic, conducting
a literature review, developing a research question, and
proposing an observational investigation. This investigation has
to be 100% achievable via observation
only
, with
no
interaction between you and the participants. This project
provides an opportunity for you to demonstrate a cumulative
integration of your learning within the field of social
psychology.
Conduct the investigation based on the feedback you received
on the proposal you submitted in Week 2. Then submit a final
paper on the project that includes the following:
a. Title page
b. Abstract
c. Introduction: a brief overview of the topic
d. Statement of the problem: an analysis of the components of
the research question (why is this research question currently
relevant within the field of social psychology?); a discussion of
the important concepts contained within the research question;
and an operational definition of the variables to be reviewed.

2. e. A literature review summarizing the background information,
with a focus on previous studies that addressed the question.
f. A description of the
observational only
investigation that you conducted, including who you observed,
where the observation took place, and what you observed.
g. Results: Results of your
observational only
investigation, including details regarding the observations and
any artifacts that might lend insight into the results.
h. Analysis and Discussion: Summary of the implications of the
results with respect to the research question and how they
compare with the results of previous studies.
i. Conclusion: Restatement of thesis and concludes the paper
j. Reference Page
Although the textbooks should be used as a reference, you are
required to include at least six additional research sources (i.e.,
academic journal articles) for the final paper. Do not limit your
sources to readings from Week 6. Submit a paper that includes a
detailed exploration of the selected applied area of social
psychology.
The paper should be 4000-5000 words in length and formatted
according to APA style as outlined in the approved APA
manual.
This Discussion Question aligns with the following weekly
outcomes: 1,2

3. This Discussion Question aligns with the following course
outcomes: 1-6
NEW Assignment Type: Please click here to review instructions
on how to submit your assignment. (Links to an external
site.)Links to an external site.
Grading Criteria
Content CriteriaTotal: 18
Paper demonstrates a cumulative integration of learning within
the field of social psychology.
Paper includes an introduction of the topic.
Paper includes a statement of the problem which includes the
identification of the research question and hypothesis.
Paper includes a literature review summarizing the background
information of the topic.

4. Paper includes a description of a proposed observational
investigation designed to test the hypothesis.
Paper includes a discussion of how the results of the
investigation would add to current knowledge on the topic.
Paper includes a conclusion with a restatement of the thesis.
Writing and Organization CriteriaTotal: 5
The central theme/purpose of the paper is clear.
The structure is clear, logical, and easy to follow.
The tone is appropriate to the content and assignment.
The thoughts are clear and include appropriate beginning,
development, and conclusion.

5. Paragraph transitions are present, logical, and maintain the
flow throughout the paper.
Sentences are complete, clear, and concise.
Sentences are well constructed, with consistently strong,
varied sentences.
Sentence transitions are present and maintain the flow of
thought.
Rules of grammar, usage, and punctuation are followed.
The paper uses words and language that are inclusive, clear,
and unambiguous.
Spelling is correct.
Research CriteriaTotal: 5

6. The paper includes a summary and analysis of research
materials that are relevant to the assignment, e.g. scholarly
journals, professional articles, legal documents, government
documents, legal decisions, media clips, software,
measurement instruments websites, personal communication,
etc.
Professional/scholarly journals are peer reviewed and focus on
the profession/application of psychology (located on Proquest,
EBSCOHost, PsycNET, etc.). Non-scholarly articles include
newspapers, periodicals, secular magazines, etc, and are not
peer reviewed. Websites not approved include wilkipedia.com
and about.com.
Research focuses on the most current information (past five to
ten years) except when citing seminal works (e.g. Freud,
Erickson, etc.).
Paper includes the appropriate number of references required
by the assignment.
When appropriate, the paper addresses ethical considerations
in research.
Style CriteriaTotal: 2

7. The paper is in the appropriate APA format used by the
institution/program (e.g. the 6th edition).
The paper is double-spaced and in the appropriate length
required by the assignment
The paper includes an APA style cover page.
The paper includes an Abstract that is formatted to support the
appropriate version of APA Publication Manual (e.g. 6th
edition).
The paper properly uses headings, font styles, and white space
as outlined in the appropriate version of APA Publication
Manual (e.g. 6th edition).
The paper includes an introductory paragraph with a succinct
thesis statement.
The paper addresses the topic of the paper with critical
thought.

8. The paper concludes with a restatement of the thesis and a
conclusion paragraph.
Citations of original works within the body of the paper follow
the appropriate version of APA Publication Manual (e.g. 6th
edition) guidelines.
The paper includes a References Page that is completed
according to the appropriate version of APA Publication Manual
(e.g. 6th edition).