The document provides feedback on a student's Milestone Three submission for their PSY-790 capstone course. It evaluates the student's proposed methodology, design, and data collection plan based on a rubric. Overall, the feedback is positive and acknowledges that the student outlined their approach well. It provides some minor suggestions for additional details needed on data analysis and recruitment/consent procedures. The feedback aims to help strengthen the student's research proposal.

1. Feedback for 6-2 Milestone Three: Methodology, Design, and
Data
Submission Feedback
See rubric for comments and point break down
Rubric Name: PSY-790 Milestone Three Rubric
This table lists criteria and criteria group name in the first
column. The first row lists level names and includes scores if
the rubric uses a numeric scoring method.
Criteria
Meets Expectations
In Progress
Does Not Meet Expectations
Research Method(s)
8 points
States chosen research method or methods used and whether
they are qualitative, quantitative, or both
6.4 points
States chosen research method or methods used but errs in
determination of type
0 points
Does not state chosen research method or methods used and
whether they are qualitative, quantitative, or both
/ 8

2. Criterion Feedback
General methodology approach was very good. See comments in
paper regarding any addition of key terms regarding methods.
7.2 points
Discusses why the chosen method or methods are best for the
research topic or evaluation of the intervention but discussion is
unconvincing or there are gaps in logic
0 points
Does not discuss why the chosen method or methods are best for
the research topic or evaluation of the intervention
9 / 9
Criterion Feedback
You were off to a good start outlining your approach. You did a
nice job of convincing the reader as to why this is a solid and
effective approach to help your target population.
8 points
Assesses the strengths and weaknesses of the research design
and why it is the best design for the proposed study or
evaluation of the intervention but assessment is cursory or there
are gaps in logic
0 points
Does not assess the strengths and weaknesses of the research
design and why it is the best design for the proposed study or
evaluation of the intervention
10 / 10
Criterion Feedback
You did a nice job of outlining strengths and weaknesses of
your approach!
8 points

3. Selects or develops data-collection tools for the research
questions (and research design) but not all tools are valid or
reliable or explanation for how validity and reliability will be
determined has gaps in logic
0 points
Does not select valid and reliable data-collection tools for the
research questions (and research design) or develop data-
collection tools and explain how validity and reliability will be
determined
10 / 10
Criterion Feedback
You did a great job of outlining your specific approach of data
collection and research methodology.
0 points
Does not support the selection of the population and sampling
procedures
8 / 10
Criterion Feedback
How will you recruit your subjects? Do you need an IRB?
Informed consent?
8 points
Describes the process used to collect data from recruitment to
consent to data collection and but does not include ethical
considerations and mitigation or description of process is
cursory
0 points
Does not describe the process used to collect data from
recruitment to consent to data collection or include ethical
considerations and mitigation
10 / 10

4. 0 / 10
Criterion Feedback
A bit more detail needed to outline the data analysis process.--
how will you analyze the data that you gather? SPSS would be
one example.
0 / 10
Criterion Feedback
Justification would come along with the detail of the analysis.
8 points
Explains the limitations and assumptions connected to the
research, but explanation is cursory or contains inaccuracies
0 points
Does not explain the limitations and assumptions connected to
the research
10 / 10
Criterion Feedback
Great job outlining your overall data analysis process, as well
as why this is the best approach
6.4 points
Proposes how the findings will be disseminated to relevant
stakeholders, users, and interested parties, but approach will not
be effective for all stakeholders and parties
0 points
Does not propose how the findings will be disseminated to
relevant stakeholders, users, and interested parties
8 / 8

5. Criterion Feedback
Excellent analysis of limitations of your research methodology
and approach!
4 points
Submission has minor errors related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization with room for improvement
0 points
Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar,
spelling, syntax, or organization
5 / 5
Rubric Total Score
Total
70 / 100
Overall Score
Overall Score
Points earned out of 100
The overall submission earned 1 points or more. Final
calculation of grades can be found in the gradebook.
Points earned out of 100
The overall submission earned 0 points or more. Final
calculation of grades can be found in the gradebook.
Score
35 / 50 - F
Feedback Date
Sep 29, 2019 1:28 PM

6. Assignment
6-2 Milestone Three: Methodology, Design, and Data
Submission(s)
Submission(s)
Turnitin® Similarity
Inline Feedback
Date Submitted
Submission(s)
Turnitin® Similarity
Inline Feedback
Date Submitted
Milestone 3.docx (16.73 KB)
22 % Similar
View Turnitin® GradeMark®
Sep 21, 2019 2:35 PM
22 %

7. Running head: PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM &
TOUCH 1
PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM & TOUCH 1
Parasympathetic Nervous System & Touch
Sandy Pennington
Southern New Hampshire University
Research Questions
The parasympathetic nervous system has been observed to have
a long-term effect on the health of individuals. Given the
stupendous structure of the human nervous system, it is
necessary to understand how the parasympathetic nervous
system affects health and what roles it plays in neuroscience
and psychobiology. The primary research questions for this
study to help in comprehending the essential roles of the system
include;
How does the parasympathetic nervous system get activated?
What happens when the parasympathetic nervous system gets
activated?
What are the health benefits of activation of the
parasympathetic nervous system?
How does the parasympathetic nervous system affect human
psychology?
Parasympathetic nervous system and the field of Psychology
The nervous system has immense impacts on human behavior
since it influences the ability to express emotions, learn, and

8. utilize energy under different situations. A closer breakdown of
the systemic parts of the nervous system reveals that its two
major subdivisions are the central nervous system and the
peripheral nervous system. The peripheral nervous system
contains another two subdivisions that are seen to actively
control the voluntary and involuntary actions of the human
body.
The somatic nervous system and the autonomic nervous
system are considered the main divisions that influence human
psychology. The somatic nervous system is involved in control
of voluntary actions that are processed through motor neurons
and sensory neurons. The autonomic nervous system controls
involuntary functions that prepare the body for stress-related
activities (Thayer, 2017). It is within the autonomic nervous
system that the parasympathetic nervous system is classified as
a division, which controls use of metabolic energy during
relaxation.
The parasympathetic nervous system is referred to as the
rest and digests system because it serves to increase intestinal
and gland activity, while slowing down the heart rate to induce
calmness. As human beings grow older, the parasympathetic
nervous system undergoes maturation by learning to induce the
correct behavior in varying environments. In order to perform
correct behavior, the parasympathetic nervous system develops
innate desires that are regulated by hormonal secretion and
gland relaxation. Therefore, the thought-processes of a person
are regulated by these shifts in the parasympathetic nervous
system to act accordingly in a given surrounding.
A proper understanding of the parasympathetic nervous
system should have medical implications on the field of
psychology by modulating several levels of psychobiological
foundation. Human beings can benefit from medical
interventions that invoke a parasympathetic nervous system
response to lower levels of blood pressure and mental stress.
Drawing evidence from previous researches on ways to activate
the parasympathetic nervous system, the approach can be

9. applied to resolve metabolic complications facing individuals.
Activation of the parasympathetic nervous system will largely
be used to ensure the human body functions under relaxed
conditions.
Synthesis with previous scholarly research
The autonomic nervous system applies heart rate variability to
shift between sympathetic and parasympathetic activation.
According to Hatch et al., (2019), the autonomic nervous system
regulates cardiovascular homeostasis and can be used to change
electrochemical conduction as well as vascular tone. It is
critical for the heart rate variability to be greatly regulated so
that individuals remain responsive to physiological changes in
the best way that facilitates normal functioning (Thayer, 2017).
As one engages in activities that lead to activation of
parasympathetic nervous system, they enhance their heart rate
variability to avoid health altercations such as major depressive
disorder and cardiovascular disorders.
The parasympathetic nervous system has a cranial division
that supplies nerves to the lacrimal glands, salivary glands,
sexual organs, urinary bladder, upper and lower gastrointestinal
tract (Mathias & Bannister, 2013). All these areas are modified
by parasympathetic activation that shifts their hyper-reaction to
physiological changes back to the body’s normal functioning.
The nervous system requires the parasympathetic activation to
diminish the power of psychological defenses and neutralize
hyperactivity caused by fear and traumatic events. In this way,
parasympathetic activation can be used to induce normal
behavior in times when human actions are dominated by fear-
based emotional reactivity.
As one progresses in recovery, worry and anxiety tend to creep
in. The environment, such as deadlines, family issues, may at
times induce stress. When the stress hormone is released
physiological changes occur. These responses are better known
as fight or flight responses. We will look into this response
when the parasympathetic nervous system is activated. The
response is meant to be a survival tactic that allows mammals to

10. react fast to a situation that was threatening.
Unfortunately, the same response to non-life threatening
stressors that trigger high anxiety levels receive the same fight
or flight responses from the human body. Stress contributes to
high blood pressure and anxiety. The parasympathetic nervous
system works to relax and slow down the body’s response. It
counter-acts the effects of the sympathetic nervous system. The
sympathetic nervous system once activated has rapid changes to
the body. The brain continually releases corticotropin and
adrenocorticotropic hormones that keep the body on high alert
until it perceived that the danger is over (Colonnello &
Heinrichs, 2016).
When the threat is deemed over, the hormone levels decline and
the parasympathetic system works to inhibit the stress response
by slowing down high energy activities within the body. When
the parasympathetic system is activated, it enhances relaxation
to the mind and body. Activation of the parasympathetic system
can be learnt. When achieved, individuals’ moods are lifted, the
immune system is strengthened and blood pressure lowers to a
normal rate. Some of the techniques that can be used can be;
getting a massage, spending time in nature, meditation,
exercise, hobbies, among numerous others.
The parasympathetic activation can help individuals to
treat neurological and psychiatric diseases. Neurological and
psychiatric conditions are extremely costly to treat due to the
burdensome nature of the medical conditions (Hatch et al.,
2019). Furthermore, individuals face non-life threatening
impulses in their daily routines that receive potentially
confounding responses. According to pharmacological
treatments of the neurological and psychiatric medical
conditions associated with the nervous system there are several
side-effects that necessitate the alternative treatment offered by
parasympathetic activation.
Pharmaceutical treatment of autonomic nervous system
anomalies has been observed to cause inflammation, metabolic
dysfunction, oxidative stress, and hypothalamic pituitary-

11. adrenaline dysfunction. It is high time that neuroscientists and
psychiatrists acknowledge the role of moderate parasympathetic
activation. Diego & Field (2009) state that moderate to light
pressure on an individual during a massage provides far
reaching benefits to an individual that may be suffering from
stress-related disorders. The increased release of stress
hormones due to the hyper-activation of the sympathetic
nervous system can be regulated by parasympathetic activation
which is achieved through activities that lower the heart rate
variability to induce a state of calm.
Further evidence points to the close relationship between
the autonomic nervous system and obesity, which has become
an increasing global concern. Parasympathetic activation is
involved in regulation of metabolic energy and cardiovascular
variability to eliminate hypertension. Scientific evidence shows
that excess weight among obese people inhibits ANS regulation
that results in metabolic alterations that are also visible in
patients with cardiovascular disorders (Guarino et al, 2017).
Given the need for regulation of sympathetic nervous system,
vagal nerve modulation achieved through deep to moderate
massages, can be viewed as therapeutic targets for improving
cardiovascular variability.
Sympathetic activation is a necessary process for human
survival that should operate along with parasympathetic
activation. Health concerns arise when hyper-activity of the
sympathetic nervous system lead to the overproduction of stress
hormones that have the potential to generate symptoms of
depression and cardiovascular dysfunction. It becomes
extremely important to understand ways of inducing
parasympathetic activation as a reverse mechanism of
hypertension (Colonnello & Heinrichs, 2016). Neurological and
psychiatric conditions affected by the autonomic nervous
system’s regulation can be modulated through parasympathetic
activation. The potential of using parasympathetic activation as
an alternative treatment approach is so great that it has
substantial implications for people suffering from obesity.

12. It is crucial for people to understand the brain’s
subdivisions that are involved in self-regulation and control of
normal routines. In recent years, neuroscientists have begun to
appreciate the awareness of neurotransmitter influence on body
functions. The parasympathetic nervous system provides one of
the essential subdivisions of the brain that has promising yields
in psychiatric and neuroscience treatments. In conclusion, the
parasympathetic nervous system has long-term health effects
because its activation triggers the release of important
hormones.
References
Colonnello, V., & Heinrichs, M. (2016). Oxytocin and self-
consciousness. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 10, 67.
Diego, M. A., & Field, T. (2009). Moderate pressure massage
elicits a parasympathetic nervous system response. International
Journal of Neuroscience, 119(5), 630-638.
Guarino, D., Nannipieri, M., Iervasi, G., Taddei, S., & Bruno,
R. M. (2017). The role of the autonomic nervous system in the
pathophysiology of obesity. Frontiers in physiology, 8, 665.
Hatch, J., & Goldstein, B. I. (2019). Depression and

13. Cardiovascular Risk: Epidemiology, Mechanisms, and
Implications. In Neurobiology of Depression (pp. 185-196).
Academic Press.
Mathias, C. J., & Bannister, R. (Eds.). (2013). Autonomic
failure: a textbook of clinical disorders of the autonomic
nervous system. OUP Oxford.
Thayer, J. F. (2017). A Neurovisceral Integration Model of
Heart Rate Variability.
PSY 790 Milestone Three Guidelines and Rubric: Methodology,
Design, and Data
In the discussion for Module Five, you stated your proposed
method, design, and data-collection instruments along with the
reason behind each. For this
milestone, you will take this information, revise it, and develop
a fleshed-out paper that discusses all aspects of the method,
design, and data for your proposal.
In your capstone research proposal, you will develop a well-
organized research concept paper that lays the foundation for a
solid plan to implement research. You
will address a relevant problem that aligns with your focus
within the field of psychology. You may choose a problem that
reveals a gap in our understanding and
requires you to provide an explanation of psychological
phenomena and variables. Or it may be an applied problem that
directly involves the psychological well-
being of individuals, communities, or organizations. One major
section of this proposal is the research design. If you refer to
the Final Project Guidelines and
Rubric document, you will see that this is one of the required

14. sections of your proposal. Completing this milestone will
provide you with a solid foundation for
your capstone project.
Prompt: Include a detailed plan to collect and analyze data, and
highlight the types of sources you would use. You may choose a
qualitative or quantitative
approach. However, your choice of method, design, sampling,
data collection, analysis, and overall process should be justified
and should logically fit with your
research question(s). Proposals that involve implementation of
interventions will have a program evaluation component that
must include research design. In
this paper, you will paint a picture of the entire process to show
how you will conduct the study.
In your submission, be sure to include the following critical
elements:
• State the chosen research method or methods used; are they
qualitative, quantitative, or both?
• Discuss why the chosen method or methods are best for the
research topic or evaluation of the intervention.
• Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the research design
and why it is the best design for the proposed study or
evaluation of the intervention.
• Select valid and reliable data-collection tools for the research
questions (and research design) or develop data-collection tools
and explain how validity
and reliability will be determined.
• Support the selection of the population and sampling
procedures.
• Describe the process used to collect data from recruitment to
consent to data collection; this should include ethical

15. considerations and mitigation.
• Explain the proposed data-analysis process, including any
transcription and transformation of data for analysis, as well as
the use of tools, including
software, for analysis.
• Select and justify statistical analysis and/or processes for
qualitative analysis; be sure to discuss methods for ensuring
reliability of qualitative analysis if
applicable.
• Explain the limitations and assumptions connected to the
research.
• Propose how the findings will be disseminated to relevant
stakeholders, users, and interested parties.
• Ensure the submission has no major errors related to citations,
grammar, spelling, or syntax.
Rubric
Guidelines for Submission: Your paper must be submitted as a
five- to seven-page Word document with double spacing, 12-
point Times New Roman font, one-
inch margins, and at least three sources cited in APA format.
Critical Elements Meets Expectations
(100%)
In Progress
(80%)

16. Does Not Meet Expectations
(0%)
Value
Research Method(s) States chosen research method or
methods used and whether they are
qualitative, quantitative, or both
States chosen research method or
methods used but errs in
determination of type
Does not state chosen research method
or methods used and whether they are
qualitative, quantitative, or both
8
Support of Method(s) Discusses why the chosen method or
methods are best for the research topic
or evaluation of the intervention
Discusses why the chosen method or
methods are best for the research
topic or evaluation of the intervention
but discussion is unconvincing or there
are gaps in logic
Does not discuss why the chosen method
or methods are best for the research
topic or evaluation of the intervention
9
Strengths and Weaknesses Assesses the strengths and

17. weaknesses
of the research design and why it is the
best design for the proposed study or
evaluation of the intervention
Assesses the strengths and
weaknesses of the research design and
why it is the best design for the
proposed study or evaluation of the
intervention but assessment is cursory
or there are gaps in logic
Does not assess the strengths and
weaknesses of the research design and
why it is the best design for the proposed
study or evaluation of the intervention
10
Data-Collection Tools Selects valid and reliable data-collection
tools for the research questions (and
research design) or develops data-
collection tools and explains how validity
and reliability will be determined
Selects or develops data-collection
tools for the research questions (and
research design) but not all tools are
valid or reliable or explanation for how
validity and reliability will be
determined has gaps in logic
Does not select valid and reliable data-
collection tools for the research
questions (and research design) or
develop data-collection tools and explain

18. how validity and reliability will be
determined
10
Population and Sampling
Procedures
Supports the selection of the population
and sampling procedures
Makes an attempt to support the
selection of the population and
sampling procedures, but additional
support would prove beneficial
Does not support the selection of the
population and sampling procedures
10
Data Collection Describes the process used to collect
data from recruitment to consent to data
collection and includes ethical
considerations and mitigation
Describes the process used to collect
data from recruitment to consent to
data collection and but does not
include ethical considerations and
mitigation or description of process is
cursory
Does not describe the process used to
collect data from recruitment to consent
to data collection or include ethical

19. considerations and mitigation
10
Data-Analysis Process Explains the proposed data-analysis
process, including any transcription and
transformation of data for analysis, as
well as the use of tools, including
software, for analysis
Explains the proposed data-analysis
process for analysis, but not all
required elements are included
Does not explain the proposed data-
analysis process, including any
transcription and transformation of data
for analysis, or the use of tools, including
software, for analysis
10
Justification of Statistical
Analysis and/or Qualitative
Analysis
Selects and justifies statistical analysis
and/or process for qualitative analysis
and discusses the methods for ensuring
reliability of qualitative analysis if
applicable

20. Selects and justifies statistical analysis
and/or process for qualitative analysis
but does not discuss the methods for
ensuring reliability of qualitative
analysis if applicable or justification
has gaps in logic
Does not select and justify statistical
analysis and/or process for qualitative
analysis or discuss the methods for
ensuring reliability of qualitative analysis
if applicable
10
Limitations and
Assumptions
Explains the limitations and assumptions
connected to the research
Explains the limitations and
assumptions connected to the
research, but explanation is cursory or
contains inaccuracies
Does not explain the limitations and
assumptions connected to the research
10
Dissemination of Findings Proposes how the findings will be
disseminated to relevant stakeholders,
users, and interested parties
Proposes how the findings will be

21. disseminated to relevant stakeholders,
users, and interested parties, but
approach will not be effective for all
stakeholders and parties
Does not propose how the findings will
be disseminated to relevant
stakeholders, users, and interested
parties
8
Articulation of Response Submission has no major errors related
to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or
organization
Submission has minor errors related to
citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or
organization with room for
improvement
Submission has major errors related to
citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or
organization
5
Total 100%
PSY 790 Milestone Three Guidelines and Rubric: Methodology,
Design, and DataRubric